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Shouldn't Kevin Durant be an elite defender given his size?

Discussion in 'NBA Dish' started by Swishh, May 20, 2014.

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  1. Swishh

    Swishh Member

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    Kevin Durant is somewhat quick, so he has the agility, lanky (6'11, and 7'4 wingspan) , and yet, he isn't an elite defender.

    He should be able to do chase down blocks like LeBron is able to. What is stopping KD from being an elite defender? He has all of the necessary tools.
     
    #1 Swishh, May 20, 2014
  2. Mr. Clutch

    Mr. Clutch Contributing Member

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    He's not that quick or strong. Poor instincts as well.
     
    #2 Mr. Clutch, May 20, 2014
  3. Swishh

    Swishh Member

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    Seeing him play, I realized he isn't as weak as I previously thought. He's stronger than he looks. But I guess poor instincts explain it.
     
    #3 Swishh, May 20, 2014
  4. Aleron

    Aleron Contributing Member

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    Durant is a pretty damned good defender, he just has the takes plays off gene as well
     
    #4 Aleron, May 20, 2014
  5. IzakDavid13

    IzakDavid13 Contributing Member

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    Scott Brooks...
     
    #5 IzakDavid13, May 20, 2014
  6. Aleron

    Aleron Contributing Member

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    Well there's that too...

    But in a way I understand it, if Brooks pulled people for dumb ****, Westbrook wouldn't make 20 minutes a game.
     
    #6 Aleron, May 20, 2014
  7. outlaw96

    outlaw96 Member

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    he's a very good defender. advanced stats shows he's one of the best on D. you would know that if you have read grantland and Zach love thoroughly.
     
    #7 outlaw96, May 20, 2014
  8. VBG

    VBG Member

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    He was better defensively than Lebron this year. The Thunder are consistently an elite defensive team too.
     
    #8 VBG, May 20, 2014
  9. A_3PO

    A_3PO Member

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    When he decides to play D, KD is indeed elite. It just doesn't happen often, but it happened more this season than previous.
     
    #9 A_3PO, May 20, 2014
  10. Easy

    Easy Boban Only Fan
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    Durant is not a bad defender.
     
    #10 Easy, May 20, 2014
  11. ooooaaaah!

    ooooaaaah! Member

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    He is a great defender and a guy that is 60 percent of your offense and is the most efficient player since Larry Bird needs to take off on defense or he gets gassed. The idea the he isn't a good defender is down right ridiculous. :mad:
     
    #11 ooooaaaah!, May 20, 2014
  12. daywalker02

    daywalker02 Member

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    How elite is elite? Top 10 Top 5?

    I guess he is in Top 30 for sure. You can figure out where he belongs
     
    #12 daywalker02, May 20, 2014
  13. Ziggy

    Ziggy QUEEN ANON

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    His defense is fine. Kate Upton could have bigger t***. It is what it is.
     
    #13 Ziggy, May 20, 2014
  14. The_Yoyo

    The_Yoyo Contributing Member

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    How thoroughly do you read the articles if you can't get the author's name right?
     
    #14 The_Yoyo, May 20, 2014
  15. Karolik

    Karolik Member

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    Not sure where this "great defender when he wants to be" is coming from. From the eye test he just looks like an average defender. Certainly could give more effort, but he does try more than harden..
     
    #15 Karolik, May 20, 2014
  16. iamtvi

    iamtvi Member

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    LeBron says "hi!"
     
    #16 iamtvi, May 20, 2014
  17. OremLK

    OremLK Member

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    He is only 25. Some players come into the league as good defenders, but a lot of guys don't develop it until their late 20's. LeBron wasn't as good defensively at age 25 as he is today.
     
    #17 OremLK, May 20, 2014
  18. Juxtaposed Jolt

    Juxtaposed Jolt Member

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    Zevin Love, Zach and Kevin's younger brother, faints.
     
    #18 Juxtaposed Jolt, May 20, 2014
  19. SamFisher

    SamFisher Contributing Member

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    As does every NBA superstar ever.

    So flawed.
     
    #19 SamFisher, May 20, 2014
    1 person likes this.
  20. Shaud

    Shaud Member

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    truth
     
    #20 Shaud, May 20, 2014
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