Kevin Durant Poised To Be The Next Kobe Bryant

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

If Serge Ibaka develops into the consistent interior defensive anchor they need, they'll be even better at D. Their starting point (Westbrook), backup point (Maynor), starting 2-guard (Thabo) backup 2-guard (Harden) are all defensive studs. Adding a veteran inside like Kurt Thomas would help them a lot. Already have the most versatile, deep perimeter D in the league.

[jacobdrj]

Very cool analysis DoK. Most enlightening...

[cobbler]

Durant is already better than Kobe ever was. anyone who understands the game of basketball and who doesn't buy everything they see on ESPN knows this. the stats don't lie.

Can you please provide the link where the stats are displayed for work ethic, offensive and defensive footwork, passing accuracy, speed, team leadership, team talking, mental and physical toughness, vision, 6th sense, play calling, compe iveness, etc etc...

While stats may not lie.... they don't tell the whole truth either now do they?

[j.dizzle]

Do ya'll know that Durant has verbally agreed to join the Lakers when kobe retires in 7 years? On to the next one sons. Lakerfan are some lucky ass motha ers.

[BRHornet45]

team leadership

ROTFLMAO!!!!

son Kobe knows NOTHING about being a team leader.

[LongtimeSpursFan]

Im hoping the Spurs make a run for him in 2011. Durant loves UT and the city of Austin. He made several appearances in SA to watch the Spurs when he was at UT. Plus, I think he is not the type of player that wants the spotlight or focus to be all about him. He is a very low key type of person, ala Duncan.

[j.dizzle]

Buddy he is only 21 years old and averaging 30 points per game. He can shoot from anywhere on the floor. You actually don't think Durant will get any better? Are you kidding me?

Durant in a couple of years can average 35 points per game easily. He is nearly impossible to guard and this is while the kid weighs nothing.

Since the Thunder are a good defense team ..and their coaching staff preaches defense, he will definitely improve in that department too.

He isn't lazy, and he is a strong work ethic too, The Blazers are idiots for not taking him when they had a chance.

Good analysis mang. I said in another thread, wait till Durant puts on some more muscle..With that stroke & size he'll be impossible to guard..He shoots three's like he's a PG. at the Blazers. They would be real contenders if they picked him over glass knees

[DazedAndConfused]

Durant's size is what could separate him from any SG that has ever played this game.

Time will tell how he develops.

A lot of players have been dubbed the next Kobe or the next MJ, but very few have come close to living up to the hype.

[Xylus]

The only thing I question about Durant is his killer instinct. We'll get to see if he has one when the playoffs start.

[Halberto]

The only thing I question about Durant is his killer instinct. We'll get to see if he has one when the playoffs start.

He has it... believe me. Watching him play at UT, you could see him turn it on at the end of games. Absolutely no hesitation to shoot a game winning shot. He did it a few nights ago I think.

He simply has no weakness on offense.

[Pelicans78]

Durant has been clutch late in games during this whole streak. The killer instinct is definitely there.

[23LeBronJames23]

Do ya'll know that Durant has verbally agreed to join the Lakers when kobe retires in 7 years? On to the next one sons. Lakerfan are some lucky ass motha ers.

In your dreams?

[JoeTait75]

David Stern is going to be ting bricks when Cleveland and Oklahoma City are meeting every year in the Finals.

[Pelicans78]

David Stern is going to be ting bricks when Cleveland and Oklahoma City are meeting every year in the Finals.

Which is why James and Wade are going to the Knicks while CP3 and Durant are going to LA after Kobe retires. It's a fact.

[Pelicans78]

David Stern is going to be ting bricks when Cleveland and Oklahoma City are meeting every year in the Finals.

Isn't life better in the NFL when a New Orleans/Indy Super Bowl is the most watched program in television history? Imagine a Hornet/Pacers Finals

[j.dizzle]

In your dreams?

In my dreams? hahaha do you even understand how many elite players will be dying to be the new face of the Lakers when Mamba retires? Like my homie said, Cp3 or Durant or even both will be rockin purple n gold in the future. & Bynum will be turning 28-29 & in his prime..45-55 milllion dollars will be off the books when Kobe & Pau retire their jerseys at staples & we all know the Buss family will spend any amount to keep the dynasty train rollin..Hop on its gonna be fun.

[Leetonidas]

This thread made me lol.

[Ode to Triple Ocho]

Which is why James and Wade are going to the Knicks while CP3 and Durant are going to LA after Kobe retires. It's a fact.

Wade will be like 35 by then. Give me CP3/Durant over Lebron/Wade anyday.

Seriously would be sick. Paul/Durantula/Bynum just another Lakers dynasty

[Killakobe81]

Durant is great and I like him I hope turns out to be all he can be ...

But I BET some of you guys that are slob knobbing him now saying he is better than Kobe argued the same thing about Tracy McGrady or Penny Hardaway or Grant Hill or Allen Iverson or even did this last year with Brandon Roy ...

CONSISTENT greatness is the key even Lebron hasnt done it LONG enough CAREeR wise to be on Kobe's level ...the past 2 years? Lebron has been better than Kobe.

Career wise Kobe still gets the nod plus he has the rings ...

You guys slay me with this need to displace Kobe. Kobe will displace himself age is catching up to him it's just a matter of time why the rush? Why also a rush to annoint the next one? The age of Lebron is almost here ...and we maybe all witnesses for the next few years ...

[Will Hunting]

Durant is ok, he'll never be a superstar. Kool-Aid is 99.9% on point most of the time with his timely posts, but I'm going to have to disagree on this one. I have to see how that frail body if his responds to major injuries that will eventually come. Also, Durant will never have the flair of Kobe, and he'll never be as clutch, or dynamic as Kobe. I could give you a list of that he'd never reach, but he'll be ok.

29.8 PPG isn't a superstar? God damn you're dumb. If he currently isn't a superstar then neither is Kobrick.

[djohn2oo8]

29.8 PPG isn't a superstar? God damn you're dumb. If he currently isn't a superstar then neither is Kobrick.

Don't mind Lakaluva, he is just sucking on Kobe's man juice, no surprises here

[Killakobe81]

If Serge Ibaka develops into the consistent interior defensive anchor they need, they'll be even better at D. Their starting point (Westbrook), backup point (Maynor), starting 2-guard (Thabo) backup 2-guard (Harden) are all defensive studs. Adding a veteran inside like Kurt Thomas would help them a lot. Already have the most versatile, deep perimeter D in the league.

IMHO Harden is a good defender hardly a "stud" ...but agree with the rest ...Westbrook and Thabo are ...

[TheMACHINE]

haha i thought the kobe hate would be less after he won a championship without shaq..in fact it has increased...haha...i love it!

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

IMHO Harden is a good defender hardly a "stud" ...but agree with the rest ...Westbrook and Thabo are ...

I'm basing it off what I saw in college but you're right he's not a "stud" yet and Maynor probably isn't for that matter, however both of them are really hard workers who will only get better once they have more experience. Utah gifted them the perfect fit at backup PG when they traded Maynor. Been a fan of his ever since he busted a nut all over Duke his sop re year.

[Ode to Triple Ocho]

Not true. There's no evidence of that.

Yes there is. Sorry if you don't understand how defense works.

No reason why Durant couldn't be as good as Kobe. He's only getting better and isn't an arrogant prick like Kobe who thrived on making every as difficult as possible because he had a chip on his shoulder.

They're different players. Kobe will always have been a better defender/facilitator. Durant is a pure scorer with inferior clutch as Kobe at the same age and post game. Which is sad considering KD is 4inches taller than Kobe.

Kobe's career high FG% is 46%. Durant's already surpassed that. Pretty much carrying a mediocre team to the playoffs and a top 4 seed. Durant can be just as good as Kobe. It's not like he's trying to catch Michael Jordan.

OKC is far from mediocre. It's not like he's carrying Kwame Brown and Smush Parker to the playoffs.