Kevin Durant critique - Page 2

gstelmack · 03-18-2010, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atocep

If basketball were played in vacuum free of injuries I'd still strongly consider Oden.

But that was one of the huge question marks when Oden was drafted...

TroyF · 03-18-2010, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logan

I think it's tough to keep him outside the top 2.

I don't. He still needs to improve on his passing and defense. Obviously Lebron is #1 by a longshot.

After that, you can take Kobe, Melo, Wade, Durant. . . throw em in a blender and it'd be hard to argue against any of them winding up second.

whomario · 03-18-2010, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gstelmack

But that was one of the huge question marks when Oden was drafted...

because he had an injured wrist in college ???

i don´t recall anyone seeing him as injury prone pre-draft, but that´s without research right now.

Still think he´ll be fine eventually ...

Durant is obviously awesome, but needs to learn how to pass and react to double teams.

MikeVic · 03-18-2010, 02:44 PM

Yeah I thought it was more of the... if he could play that well with one hand, imagine what he'll do with two. The only doubts I remember myself (and I don't follow college basketball closely so I could be wrong) is that he looked like he was 50.

TroyF · 03-18-2010, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whomario

because he had an injured wrist in college ???

i don´t recall anyone seeing him as injury prone pre-draft, but that´s without research right now.

I think the wrist was his only injury, but there were a lot of people saying he "looked" too hold and moved quite stiff for a young guy. (the inference was he'd get hurt)

I wasn't one of those. I thought he'd be a hell of a player. It's sad that injuries have probably already stripped away what he could have been.

HeavyReign · 03-18-2010, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shkspr

Looking back at this thread, I think the big takeaway is how short-sighted the Sonics were to let him go. Good job by the Thunder in picking him up for nothing.

RainMaker · 03-18-2010, 02:47 PM

I think he's surpassed Wade based on injury partly. He also creates just such a mismatch that it creates opportunities for his teammates. I love Wade, but you can minimize him with a good perimeter defender. Durant on the other hand is just a defensive nightmare.

Durant's weakness is his passing. If he can improve that, he'll be behind Lebron and that's it. His defense has actually improved a ton this year and I'd consider him a good defender. If they ever get a true shot blocker in the paint, I think he could really become a havoc on that end of the floor.

gstelmack · 03-18-2010, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TroyF

I think the wrist was his only injury, but there were a lot of people saying he "looked" too hold and moved quite stiff for a young guy. (the inference was he'd get hurt)

Re-reading some stuff from that time, this is probably what I remember, and it grew quickly with his early injury. That's probably clouding my memory. Even Bill Simmons who has been a leader of the "Oden is a big slow guy with too many miles on his knees" was for drafting him over Durant at the time.

Logan · 03-18-2010, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TroyF

I don't. He still needs to improve on his passing and defense. Obviously Lebron is #1 by a longshot.

After that, you can take Kobe, Melo, Wade, Durant. . . throw em in a blender and it'd be hard to argue against any of them winding up second.

In a strict MVP sense...I'm not a big day-to-day NBA guy but he'd get my vote for #2.

cartman · 03-18-2010, 03:06 PM

I prefer the alternate universe where Durant is a senior this year.

dawgfan · 03-18-2010, 03:13 PM

What is this "NBA" that people are speaking of...?

stevew · 03-18-2010, 03:13 PM

Durant has redefined how much I don't watch west coast basketball.

RainMaker · 03-18-2010, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gstelmack

Re-reading some stuff from that time, this is probably what I remember, and it grew quickly with his early injury. That's probably clouding my memory. Even Bill Simmons who has been a leader of the "Oden is a big slow guy with too many miles on his knees" was for drafting him over Durant at the time.

I think one of his points was that 7-footers like that just get hurt a lot no matter what. Only a couple of guys like that were able to play relatively injury-free for a good portion of their career.

path12 · 03-18-2010, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawgfan

What is this "NBA" that people are speaking of...?

This.

Ramzavail · 03-18-2010, 03:45 PM

Durantula.

TroyF · 03-18-2010, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logan

In a strict MVP sense...I'm not a big day-to-day NBA guy but he'd get my vote for #2.

I wouldn't argue with you too much, but really the MVP of the NBA is decided by the best players. If we went MVP in a strict who is more valuable to their team, tons of guys would suddenly get thrown in.

Where would the Suns be without Nash? The Celtics this year without Rondo? The Jazz without Williams? The Magic without Dwight? The Bobcats without Stephen Jackson?

I couldn't argue if you did pick Durant second in this year's MVP race. Then again, I couldn't argue against Wade, Melo, or Kobe in that spot either. it's just not cut and dry.

Shkspr · 03-18-2010, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeavyReign

Oops.

:: prepares to call his credit card company when his card gets charged $6500 for FBCB2 ::

RedKingGold · 03-18-2010, 09:28 PM

FBCB2 is going to cost $6500 per copy?

Shit, I won't be able to afford that for 12 years.

Bigsmooth · 03-19-2010, 01:36 AM

Gut punch, thanks.

03-18-2010, 03:06 PM	#60
cartman Death Herald Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Le stelle la notte sono grandi e luminose nel cuore profondo del Texas	I prefer the alternate universe where Durant is a senior this year. __________________ Thinkin' of a master plan 'Cuz ain't nuthin' but sweat inside my hand So I dig into my pocket, all my money is spent So I dig deeper but still comin' up with lint

03-18-2010, 09:28 PM	#68
RedKingGold College Starter Join Date: Oct 2002	FBCB2 is going to cost $6500 per copy? Shit, I won't be able to afford that for 12 years. Last edited by RedKingGold : 03-18-2010 at 09:28 PM.

03-18-2010, 02:44 PM	#54
MikeVic Head Coach Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hometown of Canada	Yeah I thought it was more of the... if he could play that well with one hand, imagine what he'll do with two. The only doubts I remember myself (and I don't follow college basketball closely so I could be wrong) is that he looked like he was 50.

03-18-2010, 02:47 PM	#57
RainMaker General Manager Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chicago, IL	I think he's surpassed Wade based on injury partly. He also creates just such a mismatch that it creates opportunities for his teammates. I love Wade, but you can minimize him with a good perimeter defender. Durant on the other hand is just a defensive nightmare. Durant's weakness is his passing. If he can improve that, he'll be behind Lebron and that's it. His defense has actually improved a ton this year and I'd consider him a good defender. If they ever get a true shot blocker in the paint, I think he could really become a havoc on that end of the floor.

03-18-2010, 03:13 PM	#61
dawgfan Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Seattle	What is this "NBA" that people are speaking of...?

03-18-2010, 03:13 PM	#62
stevew Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: the yo'	Durant has redefined how much I don't watch west coast basketball.

03-18-2010, 03:45 PM	#65
Ramzavail College Starter Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Strong Island, NY	Durantula.

03-19-2010, 01:36 AM	#69
Bigsmooth College Prospect Join Date: Dec 2006	Gut punch, thanks.

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