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

[ProfessaPackMan]

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

You guys are crazy.

Person who brought up the hypothetical I quoted a few pages back.

Person who was questioning LBJ beyond his vision and touch around the basket was Mo Magic.

Both I feel are slighting LBJ

LOL one person questions his skill and now there's a line of thought that nobody respects LBJ's game but yet we're crazy? LMAO

It's as if the apparent holes in LeBron's game cannot be seen or talked about.

That ain't nothing new.

Bottom line is this: people originally got offended or bothered by the thread because some people somehow thought the dude that wrote the article was saying that Durant IS(meaning currently)somehow better than Lerbon when he NEVER stated that but said that he one day COULD(basically an estimated guess he was making)better than him.

I like Lebron. Think he is a tremendous athlete, a top 3 NBA Player and have no issues/problems with the dude(other than the King James, media drivel they always give the dude)but it is ridiculous that if you point one flaw/negative in the man's game, unless Cavs Fans agree with you, then you're grasping at straws or you don't know what you are talking about. I guess I shouldn't really be surprised anymore when that happens now.

[ex carrabba fan]

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

LOL one person questions his skill and now there's a line of thought that nobody respects LBJ's game but yet we're crazy? LMAO


That ain't nothing new.

Bottom line is this: people originally got offended or bothered by the thread because some people somehow thought the dude that wrote the article was saying that Durant IS(meaning currently)somehow better than Lerbon when he NEVER stated that but said that he one day COULD(basically an estimated guess he was making)better than him.

I like Lebron. Think he is a tremendous athlete, a top 3 NBA Player and have no issues/problems with the dude(other than the King James, media drivel they always give the dude)but it is ridiculous that if you point one flaw/negative in the man's game, unless Cavs Fans agree with you, then you're grasping at straws or you don't know what you are talking about. I guess I shouldn't really be surprised anymore when that happens now.

Yeah and I said "nobody" respects LBJ. Try again man.

Just another case of you making mountains out of mole hills.

[JBH3]

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

Person who brought up the hypothetical I quoted a few pages back.

This was?

[ehh]

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

Didn't Rodman have #73 or something around that? Talk about an ugly number lol.

LOL, yes and true. I was talking about the "regulation" numbers really, aka the ones allowed in HS and college. Nothing above 5.

1-5
10-15
20-25
etc
etc

[ex carrabba fan]

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

You're killin me JBH :]

I like Durant and I like Bron, but this isn't that easy of a decision. Sure Bron has unmatched athleticism and size. He has great passing ability. But outside of those, he really has a lack of skill. Durant is almost his opposite in that matter. Durant could lose all his athleticism right now, but still put up 20ppg ala Paul Pierce. So at 20yrs old, and not yet very strong, Durant has a huge upside. Bron may eventually learn how to shoot and post up and play defense without using his speed and hops to make up for his lack of footwork (something Durant has to work on too). But at 20yrs old, give me Durant any day. Dude is vicious. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o></o>
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[JBH3]

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

You're killin me JBH :]

Gotcha...

[HMcCoy]

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

Rosen's take on what the games young stars need to develop. Interesting read.

What to expect from young stars in 2009-10

Kevin Durant (almost 21 years old, two seasons in NBA):

Every aspect of his field-goal shooting showed marked improvement from his rookie season to his sophomore season — as did his rebounding totals. However, his individual defense is still inferior, and this is where he needs to exhibit the most improvement. After all, if he scores 25 points and the man he's guarding gets, say, 20, then Durant's total impact on the game is minimal. Moreover, with opponents continually attacking him, Durant will habitually be in foul trouble, which will limit his court time and limit his point production. A lack of physical strength is his biggest problem on defense, and it will be interesting to see how much offseason time he's spent in the weight room.

Another category that requires improvement is Durant's negative assist-turnover ratio, but this is mostly a function of his poor court vision. His normal maturation process should greatly reduce the number of times Durant tries to force his dribble through hostile crowds — as well as his errant passwork. Also, as his team improves, Durant won't feel compelled to take as many quick shots as he has in the past.

Right now, there's no question that Durant is an excellent shooter. But to become a legitimate NBA icon, his defense, handling, passing and decision-making will have to make quantum leaps.

LeBron James (24 years old, six seasons):

He still lacks a consistent stroke, especially when he brings the ball across his body (left to right) to release his shot. LBJ must also improve his ability to dominate a game from a post-up position. In addition, while his defense has greatly improved, running down and blocking opponents' breakaway layups is a dramatic but ultimately minor aspect of defense. LBJ must continue to improve his balance when playing straight-up defense against dangerous scorers. Also, he must make his on-the-ball decisions much quicker.

It wouldn't be a bad idea either if he stopped referring to himself in the imperial third person and show some humility.

Charlie has some really ridiculous takes sometimes (said Bron was all hype and would be an average NBA player at best before the 03 draft...considers CP3 vastly overated) but hes usually got a pretty good eye for basketball detail, IMO.

[Tydis]

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

It wouldn't be a bad idea either if he stopped referring to himself in the imperial third person and show some humility.

He also seems to have a pretty good eye for character, or so it would seem.

[ex carrabba fan]

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

Charlie's analysis is pretty much what the "LBJ lovers" have been saying throughout the thread.

[in mid air]

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

Gotcha...

or do you mean .....

[KG]

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

Charlie's analysis is pretty much what the "LBJ lovers" have been saying throughout the thread.

I don't see his and others infatuation with Lebron adding a post game to arsenal.

[ex carrabba fan]

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

I don't see his and others infatuation with Lebron adding a post game to arsenal.

Eventually it will come. I don't see why you wouldn't want him to?

With his size/speed/strength it only makes sense to add that dimension.

[KG]

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

Eventually it will come. I don't see why you wouldn't want him to?

With his size/speed/strength it only makes sense to add that dimension.

Posting up negates his speed and allows for the defense to double him easier. Not to mention with the Big Fella down there clogging up more space there will be even less room to operate.

Just my .02

[ex carrabba fan]

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

Posting up negates his speed and allows for the defense to double him easier. Not to mention with the Big Fella down there clogging up more space there will be even less room to operate.

Just my .02

Hmm. It's not like he'd have to post up every play or a bulk of plays, it would just be another dimension.

Also he doesn't necessarily need to master it this year, he's still young ha.

In terms of negating his speed, I was thinking his speed/quickness would allow him to use a quick spin towards the basket depending on what way the defender was shading/leaning.

[Bornindamecca]

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

Lebron needs a post up game, but not necessarily a "back down" game. If he can get his turnaround to be reliable from about 12-16 feet, that is perfect. From that distance he can turn and face up, see the double teams coming, pass to cutters, swing the ball around the perimeter for the other post or take the shot. The bonus is that is too far out to deny him position. It also neutralizes smaller opponents who may fare better against his penetration. This element in his game is what is truly necessary to making him unstoppable within a 5 man concept.

Right now, there will be rough pages in the playoffs for him to generate a 5 man offense from an effective dribble/drive position. Sometimes it will be there, but other times it won't. From the post position, other people can initiate plays while remains a threat. His jumpshot, on the other hand, is not as necessary from his growth, because in an ideal offense, your 6'8" forward isn't taking the bulk of the 3 pointers and 18 footers, but rather making those shots easier for smaller players.