KD-led Thunder was only 2-2 v. the Rockets. It's not unthinkable OKC would have lost the first round if WB went out for the entire series. WB may not be the best player on the Thunder, but he's the most important.
Again, not sure why Durant is taking any blame when it's clearly Ibaka that has been exposed as a soft player that does not rise to the occasion. He has two gears - motivated or disappear. He can block shots, great. He has touch, great. He is athletic, great. Can he elevate his game when it matters most, when other teams can focus on him? Obviously not.
Why are people ripping on a guy that single handed-ly faced double or triple teams everytime... refer to the Boston Celtics vs Lebron part 1...Its just hard to carry a bunch of scrubs... KD's effectiveness and ability to score at will was primarily explioted by the ability of a player that could relentlessly attack the rim without resistance...Westbrooks explosive athleticism isnt seen on any one else on that team...To think that Kevin Durant was gonna help lead a team to beat fully healthy and battle tested Memphis team was/is a joke...Memphis wasnt losing this series bc their advantage had nothing to do with Durant or Westbrook...it was the inability of the OKC bigs do anything against the Memphis bigs...Gasol and ZBo destroyed them up front both offensively and defensively. Im starting to think that a healthy Westbrook might not have even helped... KD was due for a bad shooting game after carrying his team for almost 6-7 games...
He has zero post game...and other than blocking shots...he doesnt rebound or play solid team defense...He has resorted to being a jump shooting big man...who really cant shoot...So having 3 of their bigs that dont know how to play with their backs to the basket will do such things... I thought that the OKC Thunder shouldve put Durant on the block more...He has the length to shoot fade away jumpers from the post or has the speed to attack the rim..however, the OKC guards made sure to give him the ball at the high post or at the top of the arc...this resulted in excellent team defense...bc whenever durant drove in one direction...there were 2 guys waiting for him after the initial blow by...this happened all series...yesterday was the first time he was just bricking shots...
So does that mean "what" was right in his statement that Gay would show the world he's on Durant's level?
If you really want to place blame for the Thunders performance against the Griz ....Look no further than Scott Brooks. He had a horrible offensive gameplan .... I watched the final game and kept wondering why the hell KD is at the top of the key beyond the 3pt line ... even when someone else was handling the ball like he was nothing more than a spot up shooter. They didn't run him off many screens or get him touches in the post when everyone guarding him is a half foot shorter or two steps slower. Brooks expected KD to do it on his own with three defenders hanging on him .... shooting difficult shots from long range .... while no one else wearing a Thunder uniform could throw it in the ocean. No , Durant isn't on Lebron's level , but who is ?! ... As much as I don't like the guy , Lebron is probably the best basketball player Ive ever seen .... and Ive been watching the NBA since the early 70's.
This is all I was trying to say in the OP. Thank you for wording it better than I did. I don't think this is debatable when presented in the way you just did.
lol what? KD faces a tough gritty team with talent, since Z-Bo and Gasol are no slouch. And some of ya'll act like he couldnt get passed Milwaukee.
Tracy at 24 (the same age as Durant) would have swept the Rockets if he switched places with him. In the playoffs he averaged: PPG - 31.7 MPG - 44.0 FG% - .448 3PT - .34 RPG - 6.7 APG - 4.7 SPG - 2.0 BPG - .9 And he was the scoring champ that season averaging: 32/6.5/5.5 on 46% FG and 39% 3PT
Exactly. Very few natural pure instinctive scorers like KD. His poor shooting over the last couple games is as much an anomaly as is the extensive defensive attention indulged on him with the loss of his scoring partner.
why would u say that? If Durant was the one injured, OKC would have no defeated houston on the first round. He is is the most importante player for this team. WB in my book is inferior to Harden and they made a mistake piccking him.
No KD no chance with even WB at full force. OKC is more 2 dimensional or limited than thought of although the supporting cast is impressionable.
I'm surprised at the grief Durant is getting here. The Thunder lost one of the best players in the league, and traded away Harden, who could have been the difference. I'm surprised that others are surprised at the outcome of those two things.
