Let's settle this: Kevin Durant vs. Carmelo Anthony

[ojandpizza]

Re: Let's settle this: Kevin Durant vs. Carmelo Anthony

Being able to say Melo hasn't added many new elements to his game just goes to show how well rounded and NBA ready he was as a rookie.

He and LeBron are probably the only two guys since Duncan who came in as rookies and looked like All Stars. Great player, could have been greater..

I think if Melo was playing in an era were advanced stats weren't so important he would be looked at a little differently. There has been lots of players with his scoring mindset throughout league history who aren't scrutinized the way he is. They are usually looked at as great players or great scorers, not ball hogs and bad teammates.

[DamnYanks2]

Re: Let's settle this: Kevin Durant vs. Carmelo Anthony

I just don't think Melo has the iq of Durant and Lebron, not that Melo is stupid, but that he doesn't have the taste for success and the drive as the other two. Melo is an enigma, he is who he is. We want to see more from one of the most talented players the game has ever seen, that's why he gets criticized so much, he doesn't grow much in other areas.

Where as Durant and Lebron make noticeable leaps in their game each year. Lebron is locked in to success. He's almost on cruise now, he's a winner and almost a perfect basketball specimen. Durant is making his way there. Durant has a chip on his shoulder.

Lebron said he was jealous of Durant, Durant is the same way. Both players have a killer instinct, and insatiable drive to be the best. I'm not sure Melo has that.

[ojandpizza]

Re: Let's settle this: Kevin Durant vs. Carmelo Anthony

According to most, he's improved his defense too. Durant is becoming more and more well rounded by the day.

He is becoming more and more well rounded. I think the one-dimensional argument comes from people calling him "great" or mentioning him with the "all time greats".. Which I personally think he deserves that credit.. But I think his scoring is the only thing that stands out as being a great attribute. If that makes sense.

You always hear this phrase about above average to good players: "he was a guy who was just kind of good at everything but not really great at anything"... I think Durant fits that definition except he's a great great scoring machine.

But I think just because other areas of his game aren't really dominant that some people just look at him as a great scorer. But I don't think he's "one dimensional" it's just that his scoring greatly overshadows other areas of his game, and it's really the only thing that makes him one of the very top players in the league, or an MVP level player.

[DamnYanks2]

Re: Let's settle this: Kevin Durant vs. Carmelo Anthony

I think that's an accurate assessment of Durant. He's underrated in other aspects of his game and he's still learning like Lebron is. His rebounding is valuable. His assist numbers are impressive for his position. He's a willing passer, and with those freakish arms he could become a cold defender.

We are witnessing two legends in the game right now. Durant is evolving in front of our eyes. He was already great, but their willingness to improve in other areas of their game is what seperates them from Melo.

But I am still curious to see how Melo would do in a real winning atmosphere. Put in a position like Kobe with many pieces around him. I think he could get a ring. Melo is more like Kobe to me. They both share the burden of being selfish ball stoppers. But I think if Melo had a cast like Kobe did, he would taste that success.

[BringTheHeat]

Re: Let's settle this: Kevin Durant vs. Carmelo Anthony

If Durant is one dimensional (which he isn't) then what the hell is Carmelo. Please enlighten me.

I didn't mention Carmelo at all in my post. Pack commented about my thoughts on Durant.

Durant with that triple double showed how one dimensional he is.

Right. Because a triple double makes you a well rounded player. There's a ton of well rounded player then.

Wtf?

Yeah, Durant's one-dimensional yet he's on pace to be the 7th player to ever average 31+ PPG, 7+ RPG and 5+ APG.

All offensive stats. Let me see some defense or making his teammates better. And at 6' 10" 7 rebounds is pretty bad.

Nobody mentioned the free points he gets handed to him night after night.

[BlueNGold]

Re: Let's settle this: Kevin Durant vs. Carmelo Anthony

I didn't mention Carmelo at all in my post. Pack commented about my thoughts on Durant.



Right. Because a triple double makes you a well rounded player. There's a ton of well rounded player then.



All offensive stats. Let me see some defense or making his teammates better. And at 6' 10" 7 rebounds is pretty bad.

Nobody mentioned the free points he gets handed to him night after night.

Rebounds are an offensive stat and assists aren't part of making your teammates better? Oookay then.

[DamnYanks2]

Re: Let's settle this: Kevin Durant vs. Carmelo Anthony

I didn't mention Carmelo at all in my post. Pack commented about my thoughts on Durant.



Right. Because a triple double makes you a well rounded player. There's a ton of well rounded player then.



All offensive stats. Let me see some defense or making his teammates better. And at 6' 10" 7 rebounds is pretty bad.



Nobody mentioned the free points he gets handed to him night after night.

His defense has improved, "At 6-10, 7 rebounds is pretty bad" He's a swingman, what do you expect him to do, put up Kevin Love like numbers? 7 rebounds and 5 assists is impressive, and he's growing in those areas too. Free points? Child please.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Let's settle this: Kevin Durant vs. Carmelo Anthony

OJ, what's so advanced about being efficient? Because that's basically been the knock on Melo throughout his career.

The hyperbole is starting to get strong in here now, especially with the "free points" part. Come on now, let's at least be objective here lol

[BringTheHeat]

Re: Let's settle this: Kevin Durant vs. Carmelo Anthony

Rebounds are an offensive stat and assists aren't part of making your teammates better? Oookay then.

"Making your teammates better" isn't based on a number, especially not assists. And he's great in the regular season, but once the Playoff pressure hits he's a different player.

His defense has improved, "At 6-10, 7 rebounds is pretty bad" He's a swingman, what do you expect him to do, put up Kevin Love like numbers? 7 rebounds and 5 assists is impressive, and he's growing in those areas too. Free points? Child please.

He's improved from where he was, but that's not saying much. And at 6' 10" I don't expect 14 RPG but 7 is nothing to brag about.


EDIT: Pack's right, this is Durant vs Melo, not "What BTH thinks about Durant", I have nothing more to add to Durant vs Melo

[RangersCruz]

Re: Let's settle this: Kevin Durant vs. Carmelo Anthony

There is nothing KD is not better at other then not having a complete offensive repertoire yet

[BlueNGold]

Re: Let's settle this: Kevin Durant vs. Carmelo Anthony

"Making your teammates better" isn't based on a number, especially not assists. And he's great in the regular season, but once the Playoff pressure hits he's a different player.



He's improved from where he was, but that's not saying much. And at 6' 10" I don't expect 14 RPG but 7 is nothing to brag about.


EDIT: Pack's right, this is Durant vs Melo, not "What BTH thinks about Durant", I have nothing more to add to Durant vs Melo

LeBron averages basically the same amount of rebounds and in terms of weight and muscle, LeBron is huge compared to Durant, so should he not be getting the same criticism for not averaging more rebounds?

And what are you even talking about in terms of him being different in the playoffs? Look at his numbers the year OKC went to the Finals: 28.5 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.2 BPG, 1.5 SPG while shooting 51% from the field, 37% from 3 and 86% on free throws.

While I'm at it, his playoff numbers from last year: 30.8 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.1 BPG, 1.3 SPG and 45/31/83 shooting percentages. This was also with him having to carry the entire team offensively with Westbrook getting injured.

Just look at his game logs from those past two postseasons. He's had, what, 2 bad games? So where you see him becoming a different player in the playoffs in a negative way, I have no idea.

[BleacherBum2310]

Re: Let's settle this: Kevin Durant vs. Carmelo Anthony

I've never been one to call Durant a chucker..wrong person!

I say he's a one dimensional player and gets points handed to him at the line.

What???? I am late but this is one of the most ridiculous post i've ever seen in the NBA forums and that's saying something.

[RangersCruz]

Re: Let's settle this: Kevin Durant vs. Carmelo Anthony

LeBron averages basically the same amount of rebounds and in terms of weight and muscle, LeBron is huge compared to Durant, so should he not be getting the same criticism for not averaging more rebounds?

And what are you even talking about in terms of him being different in the playoffs? Look at his numbers the year OKC went to the Finals: 28.5 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.2 BPG, 1.5 SPG while shooting 51% from the field, 37% from 3 and 86% on free throws.

While I'm at it, his playoff numbers from last year: 30.8 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.1 BPG, 1.3 SPG and 45/31/83 shooting percentages. This was also with him having to carry the entire team offensively with Westbrook getting injured.

Just look at his game logs from those past two postseasons. He's had, what, 2 bad games? So where you see him becoming a different player in the playoffs in a negative way, I have no idea.

3-17 from the field in closing minutes against memphis ..

[OkayC]

Re: Let's settle this: Kevin Durant vs. Carmelo Anthony

3-17 from the field in closing minutes against memphis ..

Just one game against a good defensive team.

[RangersCruz]

Re: Let's settle this: Kevin Durant vs. Carmelo Anthony

Just one game against a good defensive team.

No not one game that was the series in the last 4 mins of each game