Can you count on a healthy KD ever again though? He puts a ton of pressure on his feet with his size and explosive nature....sort of seems like a ticking time bomb. It would be tragic, but his career could be drastically altered because of it.
You are talking about hypotheticals, but the facts are that Davis has yet to even play like the alpha on his team! I'm not saying he won't get there, but he has a ton of ground to cover before he should (legitimately) be in the MVP conversation
I voted Harden, but next up would EASILY be AD. In that PnR defense scenario you posted, I would much rather have AD defending Curry than Durant because he is that much better a defender than KD. And to think, AD still doesn't have a refined or polished offensive game just yet. I can only imagine once that happens.
I know what I said. I'd argue that KD has never been the "best player alive". Winning the MVP once (maybe even twice) doesn't give you that honor. I believe he is certainly next in line.
....okay but so are you if you are talking about the hypothetical of KD coming back from injury at the level he once played at and avoiding further injury. Both are hypothetical scenarios but IMO AD has the youth and the health to where he's more likely.
Really? I'm not saying you're wrong... I guess I just haven't watched either guy closely enough. From what I have seen, I would have picked KD over Davis still as a wing defender guarding 1-3, even though Davis is the better and more versatile defender overall. If it is overwhelmingly obvious that Davis is even better as that wing defender against 1-3 on PnRs, too, where he's clearly a better defender everywhere else... than yeah, you have to go with him I think.
gotcha. in that case, KD will have to win more mvp's and certainly titles. or he'll be forgotten like d-rose... i think he can certainly pull it off. the only concern is if his injury will turn into sth. chronicle. knock on wood...
Wiggins could be the next best player ever. People sleeping on him because of team record but he's one of the most athletic players I have ever seen.
Depends on the length of the poll question, though. Are we talking in the next 2-3 years or the next 5-7? A healthy KD can rival LeBron as the best active player in the game as of right now, but it's not out of the question to think that AD will have a completely polished offensive game in the next 5 years (probably earlier). If Davis bulks up a bit and develops a post game, we can lock this thread up. A post game and strength are all he needs to have a complete skillset, for a PF/C. Anything else (ASTs, better FT%, etc) is "the cherry on top," so to speak.
If KD gets healthy, it's him easily. If not... then I don't know. Westbrook going crazy doesn't lead to wins, Griffin/Harden/Curry don't play much defense, Wiggins/Parker can't even be in the convo yet, so that leaves AD. So I guess AD but he needs to be more of a leader and accomplish more (as far as winning).
I don't think Royce White deserves to be in this discussion even though he is like a mini Lebron. :grin:
giannis antetokounmpo is going to be one of those players that will be a match up nightmare for any person to play. He is so young and has an amazing work ethic and everything else to boot. I think he might not be the next best player (Anthony Davis will be) but he will last longer than AD does.
Gotta go Harden. He carried the team all season when we were expected to be an 8th seed. Davis is right there tho and is going to be a monster for years to come.
I admit Lebron will dial it back in the regular season but I do not care that much about it. I think LeBron showed this year he will be at least the best playoff performer in the next year or next 2 years. Barring injuries and losing athleticism
Have you ever seen Blake Griffin play at the end of any game ever? He's "Mr. Costly screw up in the clutch"
You would rather have Harden over Blake. Harden can't even defend his mother honor. Who the hell wants to go to battle with his soft ass. If I was in a fight, I rather have Bill Worrell backing me than Harden. Harden probably be in the woman bathroom hiding or picking up girls. It was so embarrassing during the Game 6 Warriors. He would take fking 15 seconds off the clock and dribble the ball between his legs and do all sort of stuff, while his teammate stood and watch and in the end, Green knocked the ball away from him. Someone should tell Harden role players are important too. Just look at Iggy, Finals MVP.
