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

[ex carrabba fan]

I expect a lot of Bumi in this thread, which is a good thing.

Directly compare the two.
Whom is more elite than the other and by how much.
Discuss the caliber of each and whether or not either is a franchise player. Basically franchise player = You can lead a team to at least the finals with a solid second banana, which both of them have [Amare and WB].

Stats wise, I'm assuming Durant has Melo beat, especially in efficiency. Eyeball wise, and skill wise, I think it's a dead heat.

I believe the consensus is that Durant is an elite player, meaning top 10. Is Melo of the same caliber and is he top 10?

If one is gonna label Durant as elite, I think you have to throw that label on Melo as well.

[SteelersFreak]

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

They're both elite players, no question. I'd rather have Durant though.

[The 24th Letter]

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

I love that Durant is modest, a team player, humble, all that great stuff....but right now im taking Melo...

I think Melos killer instinct and toughness is what sets the two apart...

while Melos D is definitely questionable, IMO its not for lack of trying....dude is just not a good defensive player..

I was pretty dissapointed by Durant this post season, on and off court.....but hes got time to grow. RIGHT NOW though? Im taling Melo.

[ZB9]

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

two elite players, cant go wrong with either, but personally Id take Carmelo over Durant

Durant might be the scoring leader, a Longhorn, and the future of the league, but id take Carmelo mainly because he can score in more of a variety of ways right now than Durant can (especially the post, where the water is too deep right now for Durant), and also because Melo doesnt wear a back pack to press conferences

[SteelersFreak]

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

two elite players, cant go wrong with either, but personally Id take Carmelo over Durant

Durant might be the scoring leader, a Longhorn, and the future of the league, but id take Carmelo mainly because he can score in more of a variety of ways right now than Durant can (especially the post, where the water is too deep right now for Durant), and also because Melo doesnt wear a back pack to press conferences

Why DOES Durant wear the backpack? Is there a reason?

[The 24th Letter]

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

It has his iphone, charger and bible in it, according to Kevin himself....

[da ThRONe]

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

As nice and as full of potential Durant is IMO is slightly overrated. I think his issues really showed this post season. I give Melo the slight edge as of today.

[da ThRONe]

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

It has his iphone, charger and bible in it, according to Kevin himself....

I thought he said Ipad?

[ex carrabba fan]

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

This is interesting.

Because in the other thread about the best players, Melo was hardly ever mentioned, while Durant was mentioned almost unanimously.

I have always thought these two guys were right there with each other.

[slimm44]

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

I think they're very similar, offensively and defensively. Durant doesn't try to get to the rack as much as Melo does and settles for the J too much. Durant finishes better than Melo at the rim, and I'm guessing it's because he takes smarter shots there instead of forcing. Both can hit from anywhere on the court and if they get going, they get going. Neither are great defenders but are better than the average. Neither are going to lead the league in boards or assists but both can get it done if they need to.

My perception of Durant is he is more focused and driven to be as good player moreso than Melo. I don't know if this is right or wrong. All I've ever heard about Durant, since he was in High School, was that he does everything he can and trains as hard as possible to get better. I haven't heard that about Melo, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

Nutshell - They are very similar now but Durant will be better in the future due to work ethic.

[Weeks]

Very tough decision.

If I needed a player for one game, to get me points and win me the game: I'd chose Melo. His offense seems to come so easy, and sometimes he seems unstoppable. If he had durant's work ethic (based off what I've heard) I think he could easily be a top 5 player.

Durant would be the person I would want to build a franchise around. He has a terrific work ethic, great personality, loves his teammates and the city, and wants to do anything to get better. As someone said earlier, I think Durant will pass up Melo because of his work ethic.

But right now, I would have to go with Melo as the better player.

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

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

Looking at the stats, Durant is more efficient everywhere except for 16-23 feet out and from the 3 point line. Those are the two areas where Melo is more efficient.

Right now, I think Melo and Dirk are the top 2 scorers in the NBA.

IF Melo continues to hustle his *** off on defense like he did in the playoffs against Boston, I think he will start to be mentioned as a top 5 player in the league. Like I said, his scoring ability is already there. All he needs to do is try hard on defense, and that's what he was doing this post-season.

[1Rose]

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

Depends on the question we're asking.

If it's who would I rather have now?

It would be Carmelo. As much as I rip him for his work ethic and how he could be a great defender, he is one of the most lethal scorers in the NBA. From outside, from the post, dude can score at will. He has a deadly killer instinct and is as clutch as they come in the game right now. He could be the best player in the NBA if he wanted to be. Has all the tools and the size to do so, but as I said, his work ethic has always been a question.

But, if it's who I want to build my franchise around right now? Hands down it's Kevin Durant. Humble, hard worker and leads by example on and off the court. Deadly scorer, high basketball IQ. Already has won back to back scoring titles and is only 22 years old.

[ehh]

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

Wow, these responses are really surprising me in this thread. I figured it'd be a landslide knowing OS. KD is one of the golden children and Melo is dissed as a one-dimensional, lazy player for the most part. The "****, NY traded 8 players for one guy that can only score and do nothing else well," was the consensus around here after the trade.

Even as a Knick fan and someone who thinks Durant is a bit overrated at this point in his career I'm not sure I take Melo over him. I do think Melo is still the better scorer because he's so tough physically and you can't really body him up or strong arm him to contain him.

Melo still tends to sulk and coast a bit too often and goes into an "I don't give an eff, I'm just going to start jacking shots" mode. I just love Durant's approach to the game. Works hard, is humble and unselfish and really understands the game of basketball. I think Durant can blend into a championship-level offense better than Melo who's obviously more of an isolation player. It's difficult to beat a great defensive team in a 7-game series with a scorer like Melo IMO.

Durant doesn't really do anything on the court that annoys me from a basketball/coaching perspective while Melo does a few things every damn game that will get my blood boiling a bit.

I think right now Melo is a better player but I'd actually take Durant based on what I look for and like in a player.

All I've ever heard about Durant, since he was in High School, was that he does everything he can and trains as hard as possible to get better. I haven't heard that about Melo, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

Brandon Tierney, a NY radio personality, said after interviewing Melo in the locker room that (paraphrasing), "When Melo walks out of the shower in just a towel, you definitely aren't impressed." There were plenty of things in the media after the trade that Knicks brass felt he was out of shape.

Like Iverson and countless other stars, it's scary to think that Melo and these guys can be THIS good without really taking care of their bodies. If Melo ever went all-in in this thing and committed he'd probably be hands-down the best scorer in the league and a Top 5 player.

[55]

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

Efficiency ratings for both guys over the last three seasons:

2008-09 - Durant: 22.7, 14th in the NBA. Anthony: 19.8, 32nd in the NBA.
2009-10 - Durant: 28.0, 2nd in the NBA. Anthony: 22.3, 14th in the NBA.
2010-11 - Durant: 24.9, 6th in the NBA. Anthony: 22.7, 15th in the NBA.

Choice is clear.