Is Kevin Durant the second best player right now?

[Native American]

Man has surpassed all other animals in hunting with his intuitive and creative ability to use tools such as the knife and the spear to aid him in hunting. Yet it is still interesting to observe and compare how other great predators are able to hunt, attack, and kill their prey to feed. The lion uses sheer size and strength to overwhelm its prey. The tarantula uses its large fangs to inject a paralyzing venom in its prey and then uses silk to suspend the prey in its web, slowly watching it deteriorate from the venom before feeding on it. Similarly, the black mamba also injects venom in its prey, but then just swallows the prey whole. And when I say lion, tarantula, and black mamba, of course I mean LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Kobe Bryant. And, when I say the lion uses size and strength, the tarantula uses a silk web, and the black mamba just swallows prey whole, I mean LeBron uses brute force, Durant has a silky jumper, and Kobe just sucks.

[ChrisRichards]

Totally agree, CR. Well stated.

This is why I always say that in a few years, after new guys like LeBron and Durant light up the league, K. Bryant will be remembered as a volume shooter who shipped a Top Ten All-Time player (Shaquille) out of town and never meshed with his teammates because of his ego-driven agenda, and will be nowhere near any Top Ten Greatest list.

Guys like LeBron and Durant may play their entire careers and never have anywhere near the supporting cast Bryant has right now.

If you had to assemble an equivalent "Other Big Three" supporting cast for LeBron, the other "Big Three" to equal Gasol/Bynum/Odom would have to include...
1. Tim Duncan at the 5 (Gasol)
2. Brooke Lopez at the 4 (Bynum)
3. Kirilenko at the 3 (Lamar)

Tim is the only other big in the league who has similar offensive skills as Gasol. Brooke Lopez is the Eastern Conference equivalent of Bynum, and AK47 is a long 3 with offensive skills. Actually Odom is a far better rebounder than Kirlenko.

So, how do you think LeBron would do with this supporting cast?

You think he'd shoot 24 times a game to score 28 points, average less than 5 assists, bicker and call out his teammates, and throw them under the bus every chance he gets? Yeah, probably.

Truth is, LeBron has averaged 11 assists since Mo Williams has been out. By the way, Chris Paul leads the league at 11.2 assists per game.

Thanks and I think we should end the thread with this post. good job Baseline.

[Killakobe81]

Man has surpassed all other animals in hunting with his intuitive and creative ability to use tools such as the knife and the spear to aid him in hunting. Yet it is still interesting to observe and compare how other great predators are able to hunt, attack, and kill their prey to feed. The lion uses sheer size and strength to overwhelm its prey. The tarantula uses its large fangs to inject a paralyzing venom in its prey and then uses silk to suspend the prey in its web, slowly watching it deteriorate from the venom before feeding on it. Similarly, the black mamba also injects venom in its prey, but then just swallows the prey whole. And when I say lion, tarantula, and black mamba, of course I mean LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Kobe Bryant. And, when I say the lion uses size and strength, the tarantula uses a silk web, and the black mamba just swallows prey whole, I mean LeBron uses brute force, Durant has a silky jumper, and Kobe just sucks.

Though i disagre with the conculsion your posts are always intelligent well thought out and funny.
Mad props.

[23LeBronJames23]

Shaq was winning les and forcing MJ and Pippen into retirement around that age.

fixed

[Chieflion]

Man has surpassed all other animals in hunting with his intuitive and creative ability to use tools such as the knife and the spear to aid him in hunting. Yet it is still interesting to observe and compare how other great predators are able to hunt, attack, and kill their prey to feed. The lion uses sheer size and strength to overwhelm its prey. The tarantula uses its large fangs to inject a paralyzing venom in its prey and then uses silk to suspend the prey in its web, slowly watching it deteriorate from the venom before feeding on it. Similarly, the black mamba also injects venom in its prey, but then just swallows the prey whole. And when I say lion, tarantula, and black mamba, of course I mean LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Kobe Bryant. And, when I say the lion uses size and strength, the tarantula uses a silk web, and the black mamba just swallows prey whole, I mean LeBron uses brute force, Durant has a silky jumper, and Kobe just sucks.

Excellent comedy material.

[ezau]

OKC are 27-21 in the WEST! Out East the Thunder would be fighting for a 4th seed!


Durantula's stats


29.7 PPG 7.4 RPG 3.0 APG 1.4 SPG
25.5 PER
.608 TS%
.524 EFG%
4th in Win Shares!


This guy will be on Lebron's level. I think if he fills out just a tiny bit, he can be a better defender and post player. He's already in Kobe's level when it comes to shooting, if not better and he definitely has a better reach than Wade,Kobe or Melo.


His impact for the game is undeniable. His second best player is sop re Russell Westbrook (whose shooting 40% in the season) after that you have another sop re in Jeff Green and the gap in talent after Harden widens. They are freaking coached by Scott Brooks.


I think Durant is the second best player now and will be fighting for that spot with Lebron within the next few years. Now we have 3 talented, efficient wing players (Lebron, Wade, Durant) fighting for that # 1 spot for the next few years. This is exciting stuff.

Agree with this. He's still a couple of notches below Lebron but I'll take him over Kobe because he's younger. I think as far as playing is concerned, he reminds of a younger, longer Kobe

[Jacob1983]

I would give Durant the MVP this season. The Thunder would be a D-League team without him. Durant has carried that team all season long.

[Donkeybong]

durant with 8 turnovers tonight

[Killakobe81]

Doesn't matter. The comment made was, "explain to me how in the the second best player in the league can't find a starting spot in the all-stars." I gave an example where that was the case.

I didn't argue Durant was the second best player in the league. I argued "against" the suggestion that the second best player in the league should start in the all star game, because it suggests that how good a player is is judged by how popular that player is with fans.

Agree with your premise but robinson is a poor example. He was overrated by stat lovers ...and the media. I never thought he was 2nd best player in NBa EVEN in his prime ...

[ezau]

son what does this have to do with Paul? ... and what are you talking about him not getting an all star nod? he has made the team the last 3 years lol.

but back on the subject, since you are obviously insecure about Kobe's REAL status in the NBA .... he hasn't busted on those other players listed. Last time I checked, Kobe got FACE ED by Paul Pierce and Ray Allen in the finals. that's what I remember there. I also don't ever remember Michael Jordan (who you seem to think deserves comparison) ever choking in the finals like Kobe has 3 different times. Not to mention the fact that Kobe never once led his team to the le. Shaq was the lead man for 3 of them and Gasol was the ONLY reason they won it last year.

Completely agree with this. Back to the topic, Kobe is at best, the third best wingman in the league today. Behind Lebron and Durant of course. He'll continue to decline as long as Father time continues to tick

[ChrisRichards]

Completely agree with this. Back to the topic, Kobe is at best, the third best wingman in the league today. Behind Lebron and Durant of course. He'll continue to decline as long as Father time continues to tick

Yup. And Laker fans should'nt consider this a slight. You have two very talented wing players whose shooting very efficient. So its not an insult to Kobe. Kobe's just unfortuante because this era are stacked with great offensive wing players or guards in genera, he should feel honored because the media still picks him as the most deadliest player in the league and a clear cut # 2.


Next year the challenge gets tougher. OJ Mayo, Brandon Roy, Gay and Derrick Rose are projected to have better seasons. Wade will get a lot of noise again because Im sure he'll sign with a team that has a better chance. Lebron pretty much has the best player le on lock for the next 7 years and Chris Paul is going to start dropping those 22 pts 16 assists and 1 TO nights again.

[Double-Up]

To be honest, I haven't paid for, or had season Laker tickets since Shaq's first season with the Lakers, which was a failure I might add. However, I only hit about three games a year, court side, at the expense of some Corporate friends. I notice that you often use the word cheap when addressing people that you think might not frequent games. Just out of curiosity... where are your season tickets located at? How much did you pay? Seeing that your team doesn't turn a profit, I would assume the tickets are quite cheap, especially season tickets. Holding season tickets for the Hornets is like holding season tickets for the Clippers. It's not being cheap when you don't go, it's just that both teams suck and are not worth the few shekels to be wasted. Why not just buy a 12 pack with that money and call it a day?

You're probably just another 17 year old kid who's still roachin of ma and pa while beating your chest on a forum. You ain't .

[j-money24]

I would take him over Kobe because of Age, Kobe at age 31 is getting old, been in the league for 14 years, i would choose a young Kobe over Lebron and Durant.

[namlook]

Durant over Kobe and Wade? You people are seriously on drugs. Get into rehab or something, please.

[mavs>spurs2]

I guy that has never sniffed the playoffs should never be compared to a top five all-time great.

I hope you're not referring to Kobe, who is no higher than top 15.

Jordan, Wilt, Russel, Magic, Bird, Jabbar, Hakeem, Duncan all > Kobe and that's just off the top of my head without putting much thought into it. I'm sure there are more.

[mavs>spurs2]

Actually, while I'm thinking about it, Kobe is barely even an all time top 5 laker.

1. Wilt
2. Kareem
3. Magic
4. Shaq
5. Kobe

[JamStone]

Actually, while I'm thinking about it, Kobe is barely even an all time top 5 laker.

1. Wilt
2. Kareem
3. Magic
4. Shaq
5. Kobe

Wilt isn't a top 5 Laker, and not even close to being the all time greatest Laker.

He played in only 4 full seasons with the Lakers at the end of his career and for as prolific a scorer as he was, he averaged less than 18 PPG as a Laker. The only guys in the conversation with Kobe are Magic, Kareem, Jerry, and Elgin.

[mavs>spurs2]

Wilt isn't a top 5 Laker, and not even close to being the all time greatest Laker.

He played in only 4 full seasons with the Lakers at the end of his career and for as prolific a scorer as he was, he averaged less than 18 PPG as a Laker. The only guys in the conversation with Kobe are Magic, Kareem, Jerry, and Elgin.

Anywho, Kobe isn't top 5 all time like kobeluva stated

[cobbler]

Wilt isn't a top 5 Laker, and not even close to being the all time greatest Laker.

He played in only 4 full seasons with the Lakers at the end of his career and for as prolific a scorer as he was, he averaged less than 18 PPG as a Laker. The only guys in the conversation with Kobe are Magic, Kareem, Jerry, and Elgin.

Add Mikan to that list if you include the whole franchise. I have Magic slightly ahead of Kobe as greatest Laker. If Kobe wins another le its up for grabs. If he wins two more it's Kobe's.


Wilt... the GOAT of the NBA cannot be considered greatest Laker for all the reasons you stated.

[jdev82]

are you ppl serious? hes just another chucker, albeit a talented one. he is the king of forcing bad shots. just because he makes a little under half of these dumbass shots doesnt make him on the level of lebron or melo

[23LeBronJames23]

Durant over Kobe and Wade? You people are seriously on drugs. Get into rehab or something, please.

Its more likely you're the one on drugs here.

[duncan228]

Scoring binge puts Thunder’s Durant in MVP company
By Jeff Latzke

One by one, Kevin Durant has been taking the NBA’s biggest names and scoring his way right on past them.

First Kobe. Then LeBron. Next up, Carmelo.

With a tear that began just before Christmas, Durant has climbed into a virtual tie with Denver’s Carmelo Anthony for first place in the NBA scoring race. He’s had at least 25 points in each of his last 23 games—a feat none of the other superstars has ever accomplished and no one else has ever done at his age.

Durant says he only cares about wins—and those are rising, too. With Durant leading the way, the Oklahoma City Thunder are right in the thick of the playoff race and making that dismal first season seem like ancient history.

“I know that Carmelo’s going to be back, LeBron is going to have 40 or 50 points one of these nights and Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade and some of those guys are going to continue to score in the high 30s and sometimes 40s and they’re just going to easily surpass me,” said Durant, who will make his All-Star debut next week. “That’s something I try not to worry about, man. I don’t even want to think about that.”

Durant increased his scoring output in each of the past three months and is now averaging 29.69 points, just five-hundredths of a point behind Anthony, who has missed the past six games with a sprained ankle.

“He’s a phenomenal player. He’s beautiful to watch,” Atlanta coach Mike Woodson said of Durant. “He’s kind of an old-school throwback in terms of scoring the ball. This year, I see him trying to defend and he’s trying to lead. That’s the sign of a player that one day is really going to be a dominant player, probably one of the best players in our league.”

That was before the Hawks lost a 106-99 decision to the Thunder. Afterward, he was calling Durant an MVP candidate.

His own coach sees it, too, in the way Durant sets the tone for Oklahoma City with a workmanlike routine that never wavers. It’s even evident on his Twitter page, where his post after nearly every win includes the same phrase: “Back to work tomorrow.”

“He scores, leads us in rebounds, steals, blocked shots. He does a lot for us,” Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. “But when you get mentioned in groups like that, your team has to win. And we’re winning some games, more than we won last year, but we’re still not winning at the level that those other teams are.”

Rick Barnes, Durant’s coach at Texas when he took the college game by storm for a season, saw the same approach in Austin and still gets to witness it during the summer. He said Durant—who’d be a senior this season—turned into a team leader while working toward his degree this past summer. Each day, he’d get the college kids up in the morning, never miss a class, play each afternoon with the Longhorns and then return to shoot some more in the evening.

“He’s always been that way,” Barnes said. “When he walked on our campus, he didn’t come in with the at ude that `I’m here.’ All he ever said to us is, `I want to be the best I can be.’ One of the hardest workers that we’ve ever had. He loves this game.”

The Thunder entered Thursday tied with Portland for seventh place in the Western Conference, and only three games behind third-place Dallas.

“He’s continued to work to know he’s got to work on his defense, his all-around game and I’m telling you: He’s just getting started,” Barnes added. “And there’s no doubt in my mind, one day he’ll be the best in the NBA.”

A revelation came during Durant’s first season, when he averaged 20.3 points and won Rookie of the Year.

“Once he had played against Kobe Bryant, he said what he respected most about Kobe Bryant was when Kobe had the ball, his exact words were `He wants to cut your throat,”’ Barnes said, recalling a conversation with Durant. “‘When he’s playing defense, he wants to cut your throat.’ He said, `That’s where I want to get to.”’

Durant said he’s still working toward that goal, but he sees himself making progress as his game develops. He doesn’t feel like he’s forcing shots outside of Brooks’ offense and he’s aiming to be more aggressive.

It shows during the current stretch when he’s averaging 32.5 points. He’s cut down on his 3-point tries by about one-fourth but he’s making twice as many (51 percent as compared to 28 percent in his first 26 games) and focusing on getting to the rim or getting fouled in the process.

In 14 of the 23 games in his scoring binge—which started after the only game this season that he didn’t get to the foul line—Durant has shot at least 10 free throws. And he’s tried more foul shots than anyone else in the NBA this season.

Looking back, he remembers those first times playing against Bryant and still tries to emulate that aggressive demeanor.

“He was physical, he played hard. He never smiled on the court, never talked to anybody,” Durant said. “He took that kind of approach that he wanted to destroy whoever he was guarding and whoever was guarding him. He wanted to exploit them by shutting them down on the defensive end and coming down on the offensive end and scoring on them. That’s the mentality I wanted to take.”

Durant said he doesn’t put himself in the same superstar category with Bryant and the other players that surround him on the scoring list—but he knows how to get there.

“You gotta win. That’s all it takes. We’ll see,” Durant said before adding his familiar refrain. “Just gotta keep working.”

[JamStone]

are you ppl serious? hes just another chucker, albeit a talented one. he is the king of forcing bad shots. just because he makes a little under half of these dumbass shots doesnt make him on the level of lebron or melo

Interesting that if you asked guys like LeBron and Carmelo, they'd both tell you that Kobe is the best player in the league.

[The Gemini Method]

So Durant is emulating no. #14 on BRbumblebee45's list...how underachieving is that!

[namlook]

Interesting that if you asked guys like LeBron and Carmelo, they'd both tell you that Kobe is the best player in the league.

Wade said the same thing - that Kobe is the best. The players know who the best is, not some clueless mentally deficient helmet wearing re s posting on message boards.