Durant isn't a superstar just yet

knee jerking thread after a loss

two time scoring champion who's actually won a playoff series..

super star

 

superstars impact games beyond scoring. you can't let offense dictate how you're going to play a game if you're considered a franchise player.

 

itt, a lot of people who didn't watch the first round series or the Thunder for the past 2 years.

 

Durant is the best pure scorer in the NBA, bar none. That makes him a superstar.

However, his development has been stagnant since last year when he took the leap. It's frustrating because he still has so much room to grow. People forget how young Durant is. The guy is not even 23 years old. There is no reason to think he won't have another leap soon in his career.

 

how can you be the best pure scorer when defenders can deny you the ball? shouldn't you have other ways to attack even the best defender? he's the best scoring shooter in the NBA though, not scorer.

and i do agree his development has stagnated. however, what else can durant do that really can elevate his game? if he doesn't have great handles by now, he'll never get them. and he will never improve his playmaking b/c that's really a natural ability.

the only way i can see him improving is developing a post game, but that comes with increasing his strength, which may negate some of his quickness/elusiveness on the perimeter as he goes through screens.

or another way for improvement is really getting better shot selection.

but clearly, he will never be the best player in the NBA, a claim many made before the NBA season starter. no chance.

 

Bull****. Period.

 

It's too early to say that about Durant. You fogot he finished second in the MVP voting just a year ago.

Durant's potential improvements lie exactly with his shortcomings right now. He's got so many holes in his game and he is so young it's impossible for him not to get better. Same is true with Westbrook. And Drrick Rose for that matter.

Some weight training and 15 pounds of muscle would make Durant that much better. He does not even need a true postup game. He just needs to be able to hold his position and fend off defenders and that will make him much more effective. He is the best pure scorer in the NBA because he can pretty much shoot over any SG/SF in the league.

Durant does need a better coach who can drive him because he doesn't seem to be the self-motivating type. A real NBA coach will get him to the next level.

 

He is a star, and he is still young, he has more tools and fundamentals than lebron. Lebron at this age was all athleticism and didn't have cornerstones of shooting in his game. KEvin durant is more skilled, less athletic, but he is still a distinctive unique specimen. I wonder if he should study KG on defense and maybe even dirk on offense.

He is a star still, but has room to improve and time to improve. He needs to create his own shot, make others better, and yes work on his defense. He is already an elite consistent scorer who can hit that last shot and feels comfortable taking and handling that pressure

 

Which is why back when the Rockets where after Melo I said out of Melo and Durant, Melo was the better all around player. You can give Melo the ball anywhere on the court and he can make something good happen. Durant is still young tho, Im sure he just needs to learn how to deal with tough defense like all the other good players before him had to. If he finds that other gear then he can be called a superstar.

I think the ball is in Westbrooks hands a little too much to start off. I would never tell him to not shoot it, but I would tell him to let the ball go around first and if it finds him again then let fly. He's still learning too.

 

Serious, man serious???

Durant :
Good shooter(while Lebron is better from midrange statistically)
Can't really handle the ball
No playmaking skills
Less rpg than Lebron while being taller
Average defender

Lebron is superior in every aspect of the game, he was already special coming out of HS.

Now how in the world does Durant have "more tools and fundamentals" and is "more skilled" than Lebron???

That statement makes absolutely no sense, you guys are not even thinking logically.

 

Agreed. LBJ had elite passing and ball handling skills back in high school. Defensively it isn't even close either. Add in the strength and athleticism and it's pretty one sided.

My own personal definition of a "superstar" includes making your teammates better. Durant does that somewhat because he does draw double teams in some situations but he can't do it to the level of what the top guys do.

If a team doubles on Durant then they can take him out of the game and OKC has to hope that the rest of the guys can take advantage. With James, even if you try to double him his passing will guarentee that you end up paying for it because he'll still hit guys with passes for layups.

 

To the people who say LeBroe is nothing but athleticism. Do you even watch him play? Players that get by on just athleticism are guys like Tyrus Thomas, Josh Smith, Stromile Swift, etc.

Lebron James has a high basketball IQ, fundamentally sound, but he just happens to be athletic as hell.

 

*Lebron*

 

?
What? Do you realize you're talking about a 6'10 player right? He has good handles, and considering his size, he has incredible handles!!! Horrible passing ability?!? Maybe he just doesn't pass as much as he should, but it is ignorant as **** to say his passing ability is "horrible". Finally, he is a solid defender, not great, but nowhere near poor. Please don't make any more ridiculous knee-jerk threads or people will start to think that your thread making ability is horrible as well. On second thought, maybe it's too late for that...

 

Whatever he is, I'd rather have him on my team than not.

As a grizzlies fan, watching this series has been a revelation of respect for what the thunder are. The thunder could very well lose to us, but I won't respect them any less.

Nearly any other team you put up against the thunder they are going to run you out of the building. If they get past us and play dallas, it won't go more than 6 games, if that.

Dallas don't have the legs to run with this team.

Durant is a beast.

 

Lebron relies on athleticism while KD is mainly a jump shooter. once lebron loses his athleticism it's ovah!

 

Let's just say he won't be the same amazing player once his athleticism is gone because he will have to become a jump shooter (which he is inconsistent). And yes I have watched him since his Cav days. He is a good passer and does have high BB IQ but he relies way to much on athleticism.

 

just a stronger T-mac in his prime imo :S

 

Thanks for the breaking news that LeBron James won't be the same amazing player once his athleticism is gone.

 

Always taking shots at tmac!

I agree though, he is a superstar... Easily!