Durant as good--or better?!?!--than...

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  • AlexBrady
    MVP
    • Jul 2008
    • 3341

    #196
    Re: Durant as good--or better?!?!--than...

    Originally posted by o_capone
    yessir check out http://www.kobevslebron.us/breakdowns.php for things the website will be tracking, the list is still growing though
    Not too shabby capone.

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    • Bornindamecca
      Books Nelson Simnation
      • Jul 2007
      • 10919

      #197
      Re: Durant as good--or better?!?!--than...

      This was a pretty funny topic from the offseason. Here are some highlights.

      Originally posted by ProjectRipCity
      Durant will be a second tier player. Cant believe this thread is even still up. Wait a few years and wait til he has won a championship which will be never until he is off the Thunder.
      Originally posted by ex carrabba fan
      Really? Here's what I got

      1. LBJ
      2. Kobe
      3. Wade
      4. Howard
      Paul
      Duncan
      Dirk
      Amare
      Bosh
      Carmelo
      Deron
      Roy
      PP
      KG
      DURANT
      Parker
      Granger
      Al Jefferson
      Jamison
      Billups
      Butler
      Yao
      Nash
      Joe Johnson

      Just missed but could easily be swapped with named players:

      David West
      Carlos Boozer
      Ray Allen
      Originally posted by o_capone
      by the end of the season you will struggler to name 10 players better than him... lebron, kobe, wade are the only players who i am positive he can't surpass this season...
      Originally posted by ex carrabba fan
      LOL, why

      Who's a better player right now: Durant or Carmelo

      I think it's pretty close
      Originally posted by Bornindamecca
      Carmelo is better right now because of his rebounding and strength, but this could easily change this season. I wouldn't be shocked if Durant was a hands down better player by this year's All Star game.
      Originally posted by ProfessaPackMan
      Before people throw a hissy fit like some usually do whenever someone says "_______ is/could be better than Lebron", the KEYWORD in that article is "Could".

      That being said, I only say this:

      He's only 20.

      Keep that in mind right now lol.

      Oh and Born and myself are still accepting applications into the prestigious KD Club as well.
      Originally posted by TMagic
      Made this a while back...



      Comparing the two last year:

      LeBron- 28.4 ppg, 49% FG, 34% 3pt, 78% FT, 7.2 ast, 7.6 reb, 1.7 stl, 1.1 blk, 3 TO
      Durant- 25.3 ppg, 48% FG, 42% 3pt, 86% FT, 2.8 ast, 6.5 reb, 1.3 stl, 0.7 Blk, 3 TO

      LeBron- 24 years old
      Durant- 20 years old

      I didn't feel like looking them up, but I know that Kobe wasn't doing what Durant has been doing at his age. It's not like Kobe is known for being the greatest playmaker and having the best court vision in the world. He's known for his work ethic, his drive, and his scoring ability (Sound familiar). Yet, people argue who's better.

      So why can't Durant be as great as LeBron one day? Honestly...

      Saying "HELL NO" is somewhat of a ridiculous statement, IMO.
      Originally posted by ProjectRipCity
      I wanna see Durant on a decent team...
      Originally posted by Lumalu
      I think a few months into the new season, Durant is going to be considered a top 5 player.
      Originally posted by Cebby
      I think that with Durant's already elite shooting and his size, he has the potential to surpass Kobe as the most complete offensive player I've seen.

      However, it was only 5-6 years ago that TMac was going to develop a bit and dominate the NBA.
      Originally posted by Kashanova
      if durant is as good as lebron, he'll make his team decent
      Originally posted by Vince
      No one is saying that...

      But Durant is already a top 3 pure scorer in the game.
      Originally posted by HMcCoy
      Yup. Plus some wins, seriously.

      Durant is skilled for 20 though...thats the compelling thing.
      Originally posted by TMagic
      I've mentioned this before...

      Durant is going to be to LeBron...

      What LeBron is to Kobe right now.

      These two are going to be the reason why many threads get hijacked and locked in the future. Lol.

      ***Bonus Edition***

      From the "who will be the 2nd best swingman behind Lebron" thread.

      Originally posted by HMcCoy
      Granger is the only one in that quartet that plays both ways.

      Durant = Shard with the offensive freedom you can only find on a very bad team...but I agree that based on his age, he has the potential to be a really, really dominant scorer if his body holds up. Right now, his frame isnt built to last, IMO, and we all know how important health is to the "future".

      I just think Granger is the grimiest and the hardest worker.

      Granger
      Durant
      Melo
      Roy

      On Melo vs. James for ROY...the Nuggets also had Camby and the Birdman and were a solid defense under Bzdelik, while the Bron had to deal with a pouting Ricky D and a mid-season trade that saw half the roster flip. Stats were a wash outside of the assists, but IMO what put James over the top was the fact that until we picked up McInnis, Bron had to run the point as a HS rook and did a fine job of it considering the pressure/hype.
      Originally posted by HMcCoy
      You could be right.

      All Im saying is to beware a kid putting up huge numbers on an terrible team, especially when whatever he's doing is adding exactly ZILCH to the W/L column, and yes it does matter that the Thunder put together their best streak when he was sitting. Not saying they are better without him, that would be madness, but I'm also not on the OMG 25 ppg! on 48% shooting! Pencil him as a top swingman! wagon just yet.

      He will defintely be a top shooter in this league, but I don't see much else *so far* especially W's.
      Originally posted by z Revis
      1. Melo
      2. Granger
      3. Roy
      4. Durant

      Sorry, I'm just not impressed by Durant.
      Originally posted by HMcCoy
      Great point, but Im not saying beware his scoring. As I said, his scoring will be elite status, and thats a lock. But if we think back to Mac in the ORL days, we saw a beast of a scorer, but a little bit of fools gold as to what kind of competitor he was, and to me, Durant smells the same way. Thats a heavy indictment considering his age, and yes, he has to be given more time to establish who he is. I get that. But just like you can look at his ability to gauge his future, you can do the same with his intangibles.

      Beware crowning Durant the "next great ____" just because he scores so fluidly. Obviously, the game is far more complex than just that. That'll get you scoring titles, but winning also takes commitment and leadership.




      I could give a crap less about his numbers to be honest, DC.

      Dude competes.

      Even with a dismal PG situation, tons of injuries, and Roy Hibbert being on the roster, no one had more close losses than Indy. A few bounces here and there, and he would have single-handedly dragged them into the playoffs. And again, he is the ONLY one on that list who you can use the term "lockdown" on with a straight face. You're right, his numbers may go down with more help...but I guarantee his wins and his star power will skyrocket.

      Watch.
      Originally posted by Bornindamecca
      I think you''re misreading Durant's competitiveness, Mac. It's something we're not going to agree on, and neither of us will be proven right or wrong until several years from now, but here is my take on Durant's mental game.

      He's very, very competitive. He wants to win as bad as anyone else, and only cares about winning. His approach isn't demonstrative, but it more cerebral. He's like a small forward Tim Duncan. Durant is constantly correcting mistakes and improving his game. Last year he was overwhelmed by the physicality and timing of the game and still averaged 20ppg. This year he figured out NBA defenses in one phase, and that allowed him to raise his percentages. Time will tell what else he figures out.

      The question marks I have about his game deal with how he problems solves and whether or not that extends to the team aspect. If he realizes the importance of defense and passing, he'll be as good as anyone we've ever seen.

      I don't think he's similar to Tracy at all. Tracy is more "talented" than Durant. Durant's skills come largely from being in the gym by himself and perfecting technique. He's not bigger and stronger and faster than his opponents. He's more skilled. At 20 years old he already has elite offensive skills. Not talent. Skills.

      He's going to need a coach or veteran player to help him see the game to maximize his abilities. He'll also need trainers to figure out what is his ideal NBA body as he continues to grow.

      Regardless, the young man works too hard to dismiss as a guy jacking shots on a bad team. He takes as little joy in his numbers as you do, because of his focus on winning. I don't know how great he'll be, but he has a similar approach and mindset to other great players.
      Some interesting POVs.
      Last edited by Bornindamecca; 03-14-2010, 03:48 PM.
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      • z Revis
        Hall Of Fame
        • Oct 2008
        • 13639

        #198
        Re: Durant as good--or better?!?!--than...

        I'll be the first to admit I was dead wrong about Durant.

        He's a monster and a joy to watch. Can't wait to see him in the Playoffs.
        Indianapolis Colts
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        • Phillmattic
          MVP
          • May 2003
          • 1071

          #199
          Re: Durant as good--or better?!?!--than...

          I love Durant. I think I'm more critical of him than anyone else here. He is a great player, he's going to have an outstanding career. He's got so much work ethic, he buys into the team concept, he works hard on both sides of the court. I hope he stays here in OKC his entire career.

          Better than Lebron?

          No.

          Eventually?

          No.
          .::..::::::::.:.:.:.:....:::.:.::::..:.:::....:::: ...:..::.
          "When you're an assassin, you don't have a conscience"-Gilbert Arenas

          Comment

          • Lumalu
            Rookie
            • Oct 2006
            • 448

            #200
            Re: Durant as good--or better?!?!--than...

            Call me Nostradamus
            New Zealand Warriors - All Blacks - Auckland Blues - New Orleans Saints - Orlando Magic - Queensland League

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            • Bornindamecca
              Books Nelson Simnation
              • Jul 2007
              • 10919

              #201
              Re: Durant as good--or better?!?!--than...

              Originally posted by Lumalu
              Call me Nostradamus
              Yeah, street cred for you, haha.

              It's interesting. There are a couple of people who were SPOT ON. And then there were a couple of people who were DEAD WRONG.

              Shows that Durant is a polarizing figure for many folks. I wonder why that is. He's such an unassuming guy, it doesn't make sense for people to have hated on him the way they did/do.

              Except for Portland fans. They needed to hate on him to maintain their sanity. I get it.
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              • Jukeman
                Showtime
                • Aug 2005
                • 10955

                #202
                Re: Durant as good--or better?!?!--than...

                I thought DC was back

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                • Vince
                  Bow for Bau
                  • Aug 2002
                  • 26017

                  #203
                  Re: Durant as good--or better?!?!--than...

                  Man, McCoy is well respected around here, but that Shard comparison?

                  Yikes!
                  @ me or dap me

                  http://twitter.com/52isthemike

                  Comment

                  • HMcCoy
                    All Star
                    • Jan 2003
                    • 8212

                    #204
                    Re: Durant as good--or better?!?!--than...

                    Originally posted by Vince
                    Man, McCoy is well respected around here, but that Shard comparison?

                    Yikes!
                    Durant's leadership has been phenomenal. I've read that OK players practice on off days due to his work ethic...the guys picking up off his lead. His numbers and scoring have been great, but the leadership and demeanor is what I like. Born was def right about the kid's mental makeup.

                    Obviously he's better than Shard, but both guys live on being tall enough to get a comfortable shot up in any situation, both thrive on being mismatched most of the time, and both are dominant off ball players. Durant is much better with the ball, and far more dynamic overall, while Shard may be a tiny bit better on the block...but don't act like those guys aren't at all similar, lol.
                    Hank's Custom Collectibles 3D printer/painter extraordinaire

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                    • Bornindamecca
                      Books Nelson Simnation
                      • Jul 2007
                      • 10919

                      #205
                      Re: Durant as good--or better?!?!--than...

                      Durant and Rashard are similar in the same way that Corey Maggette and Lebron are similar.
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                      • HMcCoy
                        All Star
                        • Jan 2003
                        • 8212

                        #206
                        Re: Durant as good--or better?!?!--than...

                        Originally posted by Bornindamecca
                        Durant and Rashard are similar in the same way that Corey Maggette and Lebron are similar.
                        Hank's Custom Collectibles 3D printer/painter extraordinaire

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                        • 55
                          Banned
                          • Mar 2006
                          • 20857

                          #207
                          Re: Durant as good--or better?!?!--than...

                          I'd really love to see Durant win the scoring title this year. He's been on LeBron's tail all year, only .1 off of him right now as we speak.

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                          • JBH3
                            Marvel's Finest
                            • Jan 2007
                            • 13506

                            #208
                            Re: Durant as good--or better?!?!--than...

                            Originally posted by ex carrabba fan
                            Really? Here's what I got

                            1. LBJ
                            2. Kobe
                            3. Wade
                            4. Howard
                            Paul
                            Duncan
                            Dirk
                            Amare
                            Bosh
                            Carmelo
                            Deron
                            Roy
                            PP
                            KG
                            DURANT
                            Parker
                            Granger
                            Al Jefferson
                            Jamison
                            Billups
                            Butler
                            Yao
                            Nash
                            Joe Johnson

                            Just missed but could easily be swapped with named players:

                            David West
                            Carlos Boozer
                            Ray Allen
                            Me thinks this list needs to be re-evaluated...
                            Originally posted by Edmund Burke
                            All that is needed for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing.

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                            • KG
                              Welcome Back
                              • Sep 2005
                              • 17583

                              #209
                              Re: Durant as good--or better?!?!--than...

                              Originally posted by Bornindamecca
                              Yeah, street cred for you, haha.

                              It's interesting. There are a couple of people who were SPOT ON. And then there were a couple of people who were DEAD WRONG.
                              I don't know what thread it was in but he's making me eat my words when it comes to team success. I remember saying something like "for him to take that next step it has to translate into W's.."

                              Twitter Instagram - kgx2thez

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                              • ex carrabba fan
                                I'll thank him for you
                                • Oct 2004
                                • 32744

                                #210
                                Re: Durant as good--or better?!?!--than...

                                Originally posted by JBH3
                                Me thinks this list needs to be re-evaluated...
                                It does.

                                But I've always said that I don't like splitting hairs between the cream of the crop. From the Summer I've said Durant is one of the top players in the league.

                                That post was in response to AlexBrady saying Durant was not a top 24 player. I was making the point that it was false statement.

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