Kevin Durant

[Ryanwb]

In case I'm gone for a while

I've been idle on Kevin Durant; giving him the benefit of the doubt. However, his Jason Kidd like .392 FG percentage leaves me feeling disappointed in a supposed "can't miss" prospect.

Honestly, if you gave as many touches as he is getting per game to any other player in the NBA you would probably get simular, if not better, results.

As far as I'm concerned, his free throw percentage has salvaged a pitifull shooting year and he's getting a pass because he's playing on a really, really awful team.

So is anyone suprised at his poor shooting, or is this a rookie slump that he gets over?

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

I never drank the Durant Kool Aid, and 6'10 shooting guards in general just boggle my mind.

 

[dodie53]

i'm playing nba live 08 on my psp,
i just traded raja bell and diaw for kurt thomas and durant.

and i traded banks and skinner for jason williams

and i signed free agent center earl barron

 

[Ollie]

Adam Morrison november 2006 stats :
15.3pts 38.8%FG 37.5%3FG 2.9rbds 2.1 asts 0.53 stls

Kevin Durant november 2007 stats :
19pts 39.9%FG 28.3%3FG 4.3rbds 2stls 1stl

Just sayin'... anyway Durant won't be benched so his production should increase, I guess.

 

[pokerface]

Well gee whiz. He has no supporting cast so its easy for opposing teams to focus in on him...plus he's a rookie.

 

[scoutmasterdave]

I'll go on record and say that Kevin Durant is going to be an absolute superstar. Give him a break (and a couple years) - the guy was born in 1988.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

I'm a sonics fan so a bit biased - but also probably the only one on here who tortures themselves watching sonics games

if he can stay healthy and shape his body some this kid is going to be a beast

his shots are not ones where he floats, find space and waits for someone to get him the ball where he can just shoot - he creates his shots, a lot of times against double teams

as a 19 year old rookie he's being asked to carry his team and his approach is spot on

the kid doesn't get phased, wants the ball, wants to make the play happen but is also fairly humble out there

he's an absolute pleasure to watch and a few times a game he does something that flashes brilliance - the sonics score a lot of points, but don't have that traditional consistent scorer

wilcox, collison and the other forwards aren't the prototypical post players that let you play inside out by drawing double teams

watson, luke and west are streaky scoring PGs, but don't run the offense that well

you just need to watch him play - his game is very fluid, he has a very soft touch and can shed a double team on the baseline, but under the rim and dunk on two people

i also really like the other rookie, green - the guy is very raw, but also has a very good approach and shows the ability to do many things - including defend - hopefully kurt thomas can show him a couple veteran tricks to help him develop some - he's a physical freak as well

the team has a long way to go in it's rebuilding - but those two rooks i'm very happy with and adding another lottery pick next year will not hurt in what is shaping up to be a good draft class

 

[timmo]

I believe he will get over the slump this year. Like any young talent, he needs time to adjust to the way the game is played at this level.

 

[jandaman]

It looks to be temporary.

If you look at his frame, he is so skinny and really no way to assert himself closer to the basket without putting up a real awkward shot.

He needs to fill up his frame atleast 30 pounds, i think.

Then he can be the Carmelo type, as he see himself anyways.
He can post smaller guys and go to the basket easier as he puts on mass, which in turn will lead to opponents giving him room, in which he can then take advantage by pulling up easier jump shots.

as long as he works hard and he gets stronger he will be a superstar, as someone said.. he was born 1988....

I think Adam Morrison will also get better, he just need to be utilized better and more adjustment, which is delayed since he is out for the season.

 

[Mainstreet]

I've only seen Durant play one time this season and he looked awesome. Generally when I evaluate rookie talent I do not look for dominating statistics but flashes of brilliance. Durant showed me a flash of brilliance and he has the height and speed to go along with it. I see him developing into a very nice player worthy of the 2nd pick.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

i don't think he should bulk up at all and add a bunch of weight

he should try to strengthen and tone what he already has - you can be skinny and forceful

his quickness is really good for his size and he has the speed to take about anyone from the outside and I'd hate to see him lose it for bulks sake

he should look at a guy like garnett to see his ideal frame as opposed to a dwight howard - both are good, just the prior is better suited to durants game

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

30 pounds isnt a lot for someone as rail thin as he is. 30 pounds doesnt even get close to the word bulk on durant.

He could use the extra strength because it is inevitable that he will have to add more low post ability.

And if he doesnt do it for strength he needs to do it for safety. He is an injury waiting to happen being that skinny.

 

[azirish]

I suppose the Morrison comparison is inevitable, but Durant is taller and vastly more athletic. In any case, put Durant on the Suns and his stats would be through the roof.

 

[Ronin]

I think it's just slump and he will be ok. I'm more concerned with...

Adam Morrison november 2006 stats :
15.3pts 38.8%FG 37.5%3FG 2.9rbds 2.1 asts 0.53 stls

Kevin Durant november 2007 stats :
19pts4.3rbds

that.

 

[Mainstreet]

I suppose the Morrison comparison is inevitable, but Durant is taller and vastly more athletic. In any case, put Durant on the Suns and his stats would be through the roof.

 

[SactownSunsFan]

i'm playing nba live 08 on my psp,
i just traded raja bell and diaw for kurt thomas and durant.

and i traded banks and skinner for jason williams

and i signed free agent center earl barron

As we all know, if it works on NBA Live, it'll work in real life. Let's get it done, Kerr!

 

[BuddyFranklin]

You can't be serious in judging Durant too harshly this early on! My god he's only 19yrs old and surrounded by hacks, save for Wilcox and a few others he has no support. Lebron James only shot 41% in his rookie year. He turned out ok.

 

[Russ Smith]

I'm with MO the obvious problem with Durant is lack of strength. In college it was less a factor, in the NBA too often he simply gets bumped off his position or shot and winds up taking an off balance shot, especially when he takes it inside.

If he gets stronger he'll get past that. He reminds me a lot of Reggie Williams but taller, Reggie never got strong enough and always had that problem, we'll see with Durant but I expect he will get stronger.

 

[tobiazz]

Durant is going to be a 25pt / 7reb / 46/38% guy in a year or two. I have little doubt he will be a stud. Anyone remember when Garnett was a rookie? It takes a little time to become an all star. Kobe and LeBron both shot 41% as rookies.

 

[jandaman]

i don't think he should bulk up at all and add a bunch of weight

he should try to strengthen and tone what he already has - you can be skinny and forceful

his quickness is really good for his size and he has the speed to take about anyone from the outside and I'd hate to see him lose it for bulks sake

he should look at a guy like garnett to see his ideal frame as opposed to a dwight howard - both are good, just the prior is better suited to durants game

Garnett's shoulders are broad.... Durant's built is more like Reggie Miller or less muscular Prince... and Prince is not muscular really..


Durant is 6'10... of course you dont want him to bulk up like Howard...
Durant needs 30 pounds atleast, for a 6'10 guy thats nothing..

he needs mass, so he can post up smaller guards.... you dont want to lmit him to just shooting on top of his man, he needs to be a complete offensive player, and it means taking it inside, finishing strong or getting a shot up under physical pressure...

Again you guys need to look at Garnett's shoulder width, Dirk's too.... Melo... etc... none of them have the skinny width as Durant currently has....

 

[arwillan]

so far durant has reminded me somewhat of 'melo. his midrange game has been good, and he is great at creating a shot. he seems to be able to hit tough fade aways and he certainly isn't afraid to shoot the ball. defensively he's decent, no major flaw there IMO. Another thing that reminds me of 'melo is the struggling from downtown at times. as a young player 'melo was very streaky from 3pt range. even now he isn't totally solid from out there.

 

[D-Dogg]

Best prospect to come along since Kobe Bryant.

 

[joshstmarie]

Best prospect to come along since Kobe Bryant.

id take dwight howard , LBJ, and pre-micro amare over him anyday.

 

[BuddyFranklin]

I think i'd take Howard over Lebron. He is just a beast. Once he learns the fundamentals of low post offense he will be even more devastating than he is now.

 

[dodie53]

I think i'd take Howard over Lebron. He is just a beast. Once he learns the fundamentals of low post offense he will be even more devastating than he is now.

once he learn how to shoot a high FT percentage then he'd really dominate.