March 3, 200917 yr I have Durant on my fantasy team this year so I have followed him all year. He has been GREAT this year. I think they will be a factor in the West in the next 2 years, bearing in mind that their top 3 players, 2 are in their second years and one is a rookie, and they have a chance of getting Blake Griffin along with 2 other first round picks, they will be very good in the next few years.
March 3, 200917 yr Actually, I have a couple of questions in this thread? Durant first. In his second season, his posting some pretty strong numbers (rookie stats in parenthesis). Points - 26.0.......(20.3) Rebounds - 6.6........(4.4) Assists - 2.9........(2.4) Turnovers - 3.2........(2.9) Steals - 1.2........(1.0) Blocks - 0.8........(0.9) FG% - .487........(.430) 3PT% - .436.......(.288) FT% - .862.......(.873) Minutes - 39.5......(34.6) He's had 13 double-doubles this year. There has only been two games when he hasn't scored double figures...he scored 9 points in 22 minutes on 1/7 and he scored 6 points in 8 minutes on 2/27 before spraining his ankle. In the 17 games prior to his injury (from 1/16 through 2/24), his stats are phenomenal. One game under 20 points...13 times over 30 points, including a 46 and 47 point performance and 6 double-doubles. In his last 17 games... Pts - 32.3 Reb - 7.7 Ast - 4.1 TO - 3.2 Stl - 1.5 Blk - 0.7 FG% - .526 FT% - .876 3Pt% - .467 Min - 43.0 If you look at his numbers through his career to date, its obvious that he's getting better and he's getting better fast. He's largely overlooked because Oklahoma City sits at 15-45, good for 4th worst in the league and 2.5 games ahead of the last place Sacramento Kings. So, where does he rate right now? How long until he's a consensus top 5 player in the league? And, does that hinge on his team winning more, which leads to my next question... Will have a good shot at a high pick, so help could be on the way.
March 3, 200917 yr Durant is a very good player. If he gets to consensus top 5 status, it is because his defensive effort improves. He needs to work on that aspect of his game. He can score points in bunches. He has as much potential to be great as any young player. His team, IMO, is a longer way away from being great than he is. He needs a big guy that is consistent to help set up his game because he is outside so much. As these young guys develop, there is a chance. They have to stay togther and they need a coach that stays with them and helps this team develop an identity.
March 4, 200917 yr He's very good. I would say he is a top 10 player right now, top 5 within the next year or two. Hopefully the Thunder make the right moves this off season and in the draft to help the kid out.
March 4, 200917 yr Heard on ESPN that Portland is already getting tired of Oden and his inability/unwillingness to play when dinged up. The inevitable Sam Bowie references are being dragged out. Durant has already become one of the more exciting offensive players in the league.
March 4, 200917 yr His improvement in shooting - especially 3-point shooting - is remarkable. I agree, pretty amazing how good he is shooting it.
March 4, 200917 yr Heard on ESPN that Portland is already getting tired of Oden and his inability/unwillingness to play when dinged up. The inevitable Sam Bowie references are being dragged out. Durant has already become one of the more exciting offensive players in the league. Honestly, what did they expect? Wasn't Oden hurt at Lawrence North, in HS? Then he missed almost half of the season at Ohio State. Portland drafted him knowing that he wouldn't play in Year 1 due to injury. And now, in Year 2, he's hurt. Who'da thunk it?
March 4, 200917 yr Actually, I have a couple of questions in this thread? Durant first. In his second season, his posting some pretty strong numbers (rookie stats in parenthesis). Points - 26.0.......(20.3) Rebounds - 6.6........(4.4) Assists - 2.9........(2.4) Turnovers - 3.2........(2.9) Steals - 1.2........(1.0) Blocks - 0.8........(0.9) FG% - .487........(.430) 3PT% - .436.......(.288) FT% - .862.......(.873) Minutes - 39.5......(34.6) He's had 13 double-doubles this year. There has only been two games when he hasn't scored double figures...he scored 9 points in 22 minutes on 1/7 and he scored 6 points in 8 minutes on 2/27 before spraining his ankle. In the 17 games prior to his injury (from 1/16 through 2/24), his stats are phenomenal. One game under 20 points...13 times over 30 points, including a 46 and 47 point performance and 6 double-doubles. In his last 17 games... Pts - 32.3 Reb - 7.7 Ast - 4.1 TO - 3.2 Stl - 1.5 Blk - 0.7 FG% - .526 FT% - .876 3Pt% - .467 Min - 43.0 If you look at his numbers through his career to date, its obvious that he's getting better and he's getting better fast. He's largely overlooked because Oklahoma City sits at 15-45, good for 4th worst in the league and 2.5 games ahead of the last place Sacramento Kings. So, where does he rate right now? How long until he's a consensus top 5 player in the league? And, does that hinge on his team winning more, which leads to my next question... I can remember my younger brother claiming during Durant's lone year in college that he would be one of the best players in the NBA in three years. I called him crazy at the time but I believe he is getting there quick. The NBA is fortunate to be getting a great influx of young talent right now-LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Amare Stoudemire may be clasified as older, but all are under 28, and Wade is the oldest at 27. Dwight Howard, Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Brandon Roy, Al Horford, Andrew Bynum, Devin Harris, Rajon Rondo, Trevor Ariza and Kevin Durant are all still in the first three to four years of their NBA careers and all will get even better. (If I left any other young up and comers off, just add). I think Durant has the potential and capability to be the #3 player in the NBA eventually-never better than LeBron or Kobe-but he may end up leading the NBA in scoring more than a handful of times. To answer your second question, I think that Durant is key to the Thunder's success over the next few years. I think both the Grizzlies-watch out for the Juice-and the Thunder have the young talent in place to eventually be a contender. I think if the Thunder can get Blake Griffin in the draft, which is a great possibility, and they can get a quality center to compliment him, the Thunder have a great young nucleus in Durant, Russell Westbrook, Jeff Greene and the possibility of Blake Griffin.
March 4, 200917 yr I agree, pretty amazing how good he is shooting it. I agree, he has one of the ugliest/goofiest shots in the NBA.
March 4, 200917 yr I wouldn't put his ceiling below Wade. Wade is a World Champ and the MVP of the finals. He's also one of the 3 best players in the league and he's not done. He has a nice ceiling.
March 4, 200917 yr Honestly, what did they expect? Wasn't Oden hurt at Lawrence North, in HS? Then he missed almost half of the season at Ohio State. Portland drafted him knowing that he wouldn't play in Year 1 due to injury. And now, in Year 2, he's hurt. Who'da thunk it? Didn't he get hurt in the summer league after the draft?
March 4, 200917 yr Author Wade is a World Champ and the MVP of the finals. He's also one of the 3 best players in the league and he's not done. He has a nice ceiling. Certainly. I just wouldn't say Durant's ceiling is lower than Wade's.
March 4, 200917 yr Author I can remember my younger brother claiming during Durant's lone year in college that he would be one of the best players in the NBA in three years. I called him crazy at the time but I believe he is getting there quick. The NBA is fortunate to be getting a great influx of young talent right now-LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Amare Stoudemire may be clasified as older, but all are under 28, and Wade is the oldest at 27. Dwight Howard, Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Brandon Roy, Al Horford, Andrew Bynum, Devin Harris, Rajon Rondo, Trevor Ariza and Kevin Durant are all still in the first three to four years of their NBA careers and all will get even better. (If I left any other young up and comers off, just add). I think Durant has the potential and capability to be the #3 player in the NBA eventually-never better than LeBron or Kobe-but he may end up leading the NBA in scoring more than a handful of times. To answer your second question, I think that Durant is key to the Thunder's success over the next few years. I think both the Grizzlies-watch out for the Juice-and the Thunder have the young talent in place to eventually be a contender. I think if the Thunder can get Blake Griffin in the draft, which is a great possibility, and they can get a quality center to compliment him, the Thunder have a great young nucleus in Durant, Russell Westbrook, Jeff Greene and the possibility of Blake Griffin. He has a ways to go. But, as of now, I'm not willing to put a limit on how high Durant can go. He's got the tools.
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