Kobe LeBron Wade D.Williams Paul Dirk Howard At least 7 players better than him. Yes, Deron Williams. If there is any doubt, see game 2 of the Denver Utah series.
Oden was unable to use one his hands during his last tourney, and his legs were shot way before his rookie season started. You don't even need to see his medical records (although the Blazers already had access to it and were aware of his medical condition), anybody who saw him perform during draft workouts or run around during the summer league could see that something was wrong, Oden hobbled around like an old man.
This is one of those lame arguments that Blazer fans tell themselves at night so they can get some sleep. Durant and Roy aren't one dimensional players, they're young and two of the most versatile offensive players in the league. They'll adjust to each others' game and it wouldn't even be that hard because both of them are good shooters and have good ball-handling skills. If you still can't picture them coexisting just look at how AB and Kevin Martin end up with monster games while playing for the same team, something that should be hard to do since both of them need the ball to be effective. Anyway its not like Oden and Roy fit together as well. When Oden was still healthy Roy was b****ing about his place on the team and how Oden clogging the lane prevented him and LMA from pnR-ing the enemy to death.
I can't give him that much credit until he does something in the playoffs. That's probably unfair but it's just the way players are judged in the NBA.
How is Durant a Top 5 player? He is a top 5 SCORER. Those are two VERY different words. Durant has a great ability to get off shots, or get fouled (hmmm.....sounds like a certain Martin on our team), but there's very little else he does. He's too weak to impose his will on his defender, and he's entirely too predictable right now. This isn't to say that he WON'T be a top 5 player, but at least let the guy have some playoff experience before you go touting him as an elite-level player in the same vain as Kobe and Wade. Those guys have battle scars from years and years of the most intense basketball you can play......Durant has played ONE PLAYOFF GAME. Right now, he's too thin and wiry to be able to stop his man defensively, and he's too focused on scoring to make his TEAMMATES better offensively. Let him develop more as an all-around player.....then this discussion will be valid.
I hate how Durant lost the game 1 for Thunder against Lakers. I hate players who waive their hands like Durant did in game 1. It confuses your teammates and strengthens your opponents. So if he'll go that way, I'm going to be a hater.
This is one of those THE lamest explanations. Durant needs ball to create, Roy is capable o being effective without it. That would be the right assessment.
So Durant is limited to being a ball-stopper while Roy can do everything on the court? Gimme a break Durant is already twice the player Roy is...and he's healthy to boot If Roy can move without the ball then Durant can learn to do that as well.
I LOVE KD but no way he is top 5. I honestly think Roy, when healthy, is a better player. KD is too much like Melo in that they are just great scorers. Neither guy does much else.
top 5 players should be capable of playing elite offense an defense. I don't see that from Durant yet..
you dont think lebron, kobe, and dwight have shown that they can play shut down defense? I have seen it from wade as well, although not lately.
sorry read you question to fast... not in any order but I would prob put: lebron, kobe, dwayne, deron, dwight.
wow no doubt that Durant is a great player, but he is in no way better than Melo! Granted he has had a great season. But cmon do not get caught up in the hype. Didnt Melo get the most points in the opening of alllll the other players in the playoffs.. just thought i'd mention that.
Give me 5 players, not 3. And Howard isn't "elite" on offense by any stretch, so scratch him off your list. BTW, don't accuse me of being a Howard hater. Some of the negative stuff posted about him on this forum is stupid. I like him a lot.
