NBA Thread

[BRule]

So it's a given that you're getting through the West?

[thethe]

So it's a given that you're getting through the West?

Yes, I believe it is. Do you even understand just how deep/talented this team is?

Also, the book isn't closed on KD not being as good as Lebron. He needs to do it for more than one season but you may be watching from this point moving forward Durant being the better player. Lots of people are comparing Durant to Jordan now. When they reached this point where nobody can stop them and they can get whatever they want on the floor. KD is also jsut an awesome defensive player.

[BRule]

Lots of people are comparing KD to MJ now? LULLLLLLZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

[thethe]

Lots of people are comparing KD to MJ now? LULLLLLLZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

The first person to do it was Barkely in the 2012 WCF. The thunder broadcaster was the bulls broadcaster for most of MJ's career. Doug Collins also said it on nba countdown yesterday. i think those guys have the ability to make that comparison.

LULZZZ worthy now?

[BRule]

Um, yes, yes it is....you know why? Because MJ is the greatest player, ever.....KD is not even the best player of his generation. End of story.

2 week hot streak doesn't = MJ

[thethe]

Nobody is saying that he is as good as Jordan right now. They are saying that they saw this with Jordan where at some point it just clicked and he became what he was. People are starting to see that with KD.

Also, for the last 7 years Lebron was better than KD by a large amount. We have no clue what the next 5 years will bring though.

[zitothebrave]

Yes, I believe it is. Do you even understand just how deep/talented this team is?

Also, the book isn't closed on KD not being as good as Lebron. He needs to do it for more than one season but you may be watching from this point moving forward Durant being the better player. Lots of people are comparing Durant to Jordan now. When they reached this point where nobody can stop them and they can get whatever they want on the floor. KD is also jsut an awesome defensive player.

LULZ

SO MANY LULZ

Durant just finally is posting a season on Lebron's level and he's better than him? He's not even done the season either a long cold streak and Durant is back to where he was before.

[thethe]

LULZ

SO MANY LULZ

Durant just finally is posting a season on Lebron's level and he's better than him? He's not even done the season either a long cold streak and Durant is back to where he was before.

No, I just said the book isn't closed when you look back at their whole caerers and say who is the better player. Durant is 25. He is not going to stop getting better. Again, you troll in here and have no clue what you are talking about. What Durant is doing is historic. What Lebron has done is historic. Its might be a fair question 10 years from now to ask whow as the better player.

[BRule]

MJ 6 Rings
Bron 2 Rings
KD 0 Rings

[zitothebrave]

Generally basketball players peak before 25.

Durant may wind up a better scorer than LeBron, but he can't defend, or pass like LeBron. LeBron is the complete package, Durant is a shooter.

[thethe]

MJ 6 Rings
Bron 2 Rings
KD 0 Rings

Rings in age 25 seasons and before:

MJ 0
Lebron 0
KD 0

[thethe]

Generally basketball players peak before 25.

Durant may wind up a better scorer than LeBron, but he can't defend, or pass like LeBron. LeBron is the complete package, Durant is a shooter.

Durant is a phenomenal defender and has been that way for two years. The eye test tells that and the metrics show that. He just can't guard centers like Lebron can. Durant is an INCREDIBLe passer. He doesn't pass as much as Lebron because he is a better offensive scorer.

History will be the final judge. KD may end up being better than LEbron.

[gilesfan]

Rings in age 25 seasons and before:

MJ 0
Lebron 0
KD 0

Lebron never had the talent that you claim OKC has though, right?

[thethe]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/durant-...074701499.html

Can't wait to see if RW takes that next step in his career where he does everything on the floor and take less of his shots. If he does that nobody is stopping the Thunder. Looking at dynasty level talent if RW can make that concession. I hope he does because if he doesn't he could be traded.

[zitothebrave]

Durant is a phenomenal defender and has been that way for two years. The eye test tells that and the metrics show that. He just can't guard centers like Lebron can. Durant is an INCREDIBLe passer. He doesn't pass as much as Lebron because he is a better offensive scorer.

History will be the final judge. KD may end up being better than LEbron.

But the stats indicate that's not likely.

LeBron was a better scorer through his age 25 season and much better at assists, and he remained solid at scoring but tapered off in scoring. Why? Because basketball players age fast. You lose some speed that speed means a little less separation, not quite as high of a jump, etc. Durant is a great talent, and there's no shame being the Karl Malone to the Michael Jordan of his generation.

[thethe]

Lebron never had the talent that you claim OKC has though, right?

No he definitely didn't But again, KD lost to a great Miami team with Lebron in his prime and Wade still healthy when KD/RW were 23 and Harden/Ibaka were 22. Are you really going to knock him for that?

How about last year when RW goes down? THat isn't a great team without RW because players like RJ/Lamb were not ready to play big time minutes. Are you going to knock him for that?

If the Thunder do not win this year then KD deserves some criticism. Thunder are clearly the best team in the league.

Another big key tot he Thunder is Serge Ibaka. I've been saying it for years that he was going to become a big time overall player and he is doing that now. He might be the best PnR big man in the league with his quickness and shooting ability to go along with a development off the dribble ability.

[gilesfan]

Durant

Age/PER:

19/15.8
20/20.8
21/26.2
22/23.6
23/26.2
24/28.3
25/31.3

Bron

19/18.3
20/25.7
21/28.1
22/24.4
23/29.1
24/31.7
25/31.1
26/27.3
27/30.7
28/31.6
29/28.6


Bron essentially has destroyed Durant up until their age 25 seasons.

[thethe]

Durant

Age/PER:

19/15.8
20/20.8
21/26.2
22/23.6
23/26.2
24/28.3
25/31.3

Bron

19/18.3
20/25.7
21/28.1
22/24.4
23/29.1
24/31.7
25/31.1
26/27.3
27/30.7
28/31.6
29/28.6


Bron essentially has destroyed Durant up until their age 25 seasons.

100% agreed. But Durant also deferred to RW because of how good he is. Maybe KD puts up these numbesr if he is the lone dog on the team.

[gilesfan]

Around the NBA, they're hoping one thing: That only Russell Westbrook can stop Kevin Durant now, that only his appetite for shots and scoring can undo an MVP at the apex of his talent.

[thethe]

But the stats indicate that's not likely.

LeBron was a better scorer through his age 25 season and much better at assists, and he remained solid at scoring but tapered off in scoring. Why? Because basketball players age fast. You lose some speed that speed means a little less separation, not quite as high of a jump, etc. Durant is a great talent, and there's no shame being the Karl Malone to the Michael Jordan of his generation.

Lebron was never a better scroer than KD. Lebron had to score more because of what his team was. KD doesn't want to shoot as much and has the talent around him to do that.