Comments on: Setting the Bar: Kevin Durant http://www.dailythunder.com/2009/09/setting-the-bar-kevin-durant/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:12:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Midseason Report: I’d say it’s an A+ but then I forgot there’s an A++ | Daily Thunder.com http://www.dailythunder.com/2009/09/setting-the-bar-kevin-durant/comment-page-1/#comment-48493 Midseason Report: I’d say it’s an A+ but then I forgot there’s an A++ | Daily Thunder.com Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:59:03 +0000 http://www.dailythunder.com/?p=4660#comment-48493 [...] Peering over the things I said about Kevin Durant, I was pretty spot on in some areas, and missed in others. He’s scored 40 twice, he’s in the MVP discussion, he’s going to be an All-Star, his defense is vastly improved, his PER is up and I’m pretty close on his ideal stats. But I was off on the turnovers, the 180 shooter (though it’s getting closer; 172 right now) and cutting down the minutes. But as far as Durant meeting the arbitrary goals I set for him, I’d say he’s a 10 out of 10. [...] [...] Peering over the things I said about Kevin Durant, I was pretty spot on in some areas, and missed in others. He’s scored 40 twice, he’s in the MVP discussion, he’s going to be an All-Star, his defense is vastly improved, his PER is up and I’m pretty close on his ideal stats. But I was off on the turnovers, the 180 shooter (though it’s getting closer; 172 right now) and cutting down the minutes. But as far as Durant meeting the arbitrary goals I set for him, I’d say he’s a 10 out of 10. [...]

]]> By: Jim http://www.dailythunder.com/2009/09/setting-the-bar-kevin-durant/comment-page-1/#comment-23708 Jim Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:47:55 +0000 http://www.dailythunder.com/?p=4660#comment-23708 He needs to get better in the open court. I can't remember how many times last year he had an opportunity for a fastbreak slam or dish and he dribble the ball off his foot because he tried to do too much with the ball (usually it was trying to do a behind the back dribble before going up). We need less of that. He needs to get better in the open court. I can’t remember how many times last year he had an opportunity for a fastbreak slam or dish and he dribble the ball off his foot because he tried to do too much with the ball (usually it was trying to do a behind the back dribble before going up). We need less of that.

]]> By: Bryan http://www.dailythunder.com/2009/09/setting-the-bar-kevin-durant/comment-page-1/#comment-23524 Bryan Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:35:16 +0000 http://www.dailythunder.com/?p=4660#comment-23524 I think Durant will get there on D because for one, as Mike Krzyzewski said, he is long and versitile and two, he is only entering his third year in the league, Lebron James and Kobe Bryant had to grow into their defensive roles as well. I'll side with Coach K on KD: "Everyone who was watching from our group said you could tell that Durant was a little bit on a mission -- and that's good for them to see that; it picks everybody up," Krzyzewski said. "He's that versatility guy, and the other thing is he's a shooter, and with the way we were playing defense for most of the Olympics, with his length, he could be a heck of a defender." I think Durant will get there on D because for one, as Mike Krzyzewski said, he is long and versitile and two, he is only entering his third year in the league, Lebron James and Kobe Bryant had to grow into their defensive roles as well.

I’ll side with Coach K on KD:

“Everyone who was watching from our group said you could tell that Durant was a little bit on a mission — and that’s good for them to see that; it picks everybody up,” Krzyzewski said. “He’s that versatility guy, and the other thing is he’s a shooter, and with the way we were playing defense for most of the Olympics, with his length, he could be a heck of a defender.”

]]> By: Bridogg http://www.dailythunder.com/2009/09/setting-the-bar-kevin-durant/comment-page-1/#comment-23493 Bridogg Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:13:21 +0000 http://www.dailythunder.com/?p=4660#comment-23493 I think the goals are great! I love the 180 shooter test. Leave it to a great coach like Majerus to coin the idea. I believe the Thunder still need a big man to keep them competitive. I like Kollison's game but he's not a true, back-to-the-basket kind of guy. I also think they need a guy who can knock down the 3-ball consistently. Hopefully, that's where Harden comes in. I think the goals are great! I love the 180 shooter test. Leave it to a great coach like Majerus to coin the idea. I believe the Thunder still need a big man to keep them competitive. I like Kollison’s game but he’s not a true, back-to-the-basket kind of guy. I also think they need a guy who can knock down the 3-ball consistently. Hopefully, that’s where Harden comes in.

]]> By: Joe http://www.dailythunder.com/2009/09/setting-the-bar-kevin-durant/comment-page-1/#comment-23473 Joe Tue, 22 Sep 2009 23:47:44 +0000 http://www.dailythunder.com/?p=4660#comment-23473 I'm probably the only one here, but I actually hope KD's scoring goes down this year, yet efficiency increases. I'd like to see him do all that little stuff better (rebounding, assists, steals and fewer turns) yet be needed less to take so many shots per game. This can happen if Green takes a third year bump in efficiency, Westbrook gets his shooting percentages up and his turnovers down, and Harden is all that I think he is. Also Krstic makes a bump up in efficiency. If those things happen, KD can take say 16 or so shots per game instead of 18.8. That would put his average somewhere around 21-22 ppg, but the team would be better off. The more weapons that are out on the field the better the team. But, in the end, if KD averages 26-29 and the team finds other ways to get up to around .500 ball (defense anyone? a better more versatile offensive scheme?)I would be more than fine with it. I’m probably the only one here, but I actually hope KD’s scoring goes down this year, yet efficiency increases. I’d like to see him do all that little stuff better (rebounding, assists, steals and fewer turns) yet be needed less to take so many shots per game. This can happen if Green takes a third year bump in efficiency, Westbrook gets his shooting percentages up and his turnovers down, and Harden is all that I think he is. Also Krstic makes a bump up in efficiency. If those things happen, KD can take say 16 or so shots per game instead of 18.8. That would put his average somewhere around 21-22 ppg, but the team would be better off. The more weapons that are out on the field the better the team.

But, in the end, if KD averages 26-29 and the team finds other ways to get up to around .500 ball (defense anyone? a better more versatile offensive scheme?)I would be more than fine with it.

]]> By: Derrick http://www.dailythunder.com/2009/09/setting-the-bar-kevin-durant/comment-page-1/#comment-23470 Derrick Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:49:48 +0000 http://www.dailythunder.com/?p=4660#comment-23470 Durant's minutes will go down when the Thunder start dominating games and that is the ONLY reason he shouldn't get 40 minutes. Do Work.. then rest. Durant’s minutes will go down when the Thunder start dominating games and that is the ONLY reason he shouldn’t get 40 minutes. Do Work.. then rest.

]]> By: Ctp. C-Note http://www.dailythunder.com/2009/09/setting-the-bar-kevin-durant/comment-page-1/#comment-23468 Ctp. C-Note Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:29:25 +0000 http://www.dailythunder.com/?p=4660#comment-23468 I hope KD steps up as the natural leader and they reach their short-term goals, and in tern, reach the medium and longer-term goals.(i.e. .500+ ball, playoffs, Western Conference Champs, ect...) I just hope they weather the early schedule enough not to demoralize the younger players.(most the team can't even buy beer, right?!) Any new news on "the Polish Hammer to OKC" front? I hope KD steps up as the natural leader and they reach their short-term goals, and in tern, reach the medium and longer-term goals.(i.e. .500+ ball, playoffs, Western Conference Champs, ect…)
I just hope they weather the early schedule enough not to demoralize the younger players.(most the team can’t even buy beer, right?!)

Any new news on “the Polish Hammer to OKC” front?

]]> By: Tapdog72 http://www.dailythunder.com/2009/09/setting-the-bar-kevin-durant/comment-page-1/#comment-23467 Tapdog72 Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:20:08 +0000 http://www.dailythunder.com/?p=4660#comment-23467 If there is better distribution from the guards, then maybe KD doesn't have to work as hard on the offensive end, so he has more energy on defense... If there is better distribution from the guards, then maybe KD doesn’t have to work as hard on the offensive end, so he has more energy on defense…

]]> By: Jax Raging Bile Duct http://www.dailythunder.com/2009/09/setting-the-bar-kevin-durant/comment-page-1/#comment-23463 Jax Raging Bile Duct Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:43:43 +0000 http://www.dailythunder.com/?p=4660#comment-23463 I read a lot of basketball articles, and I forget when and where I read what I read, if that makes sense. But, I do remember reading that it takes players about 5 seasons to establish themselves as a defender. Of course, there are always players that come into the league just for defense. Guys like Thabo and Ariza and D12. It took Mello a trip to the Olympics to figure out that his colleagues were focusing their efforts on defense. But when he did, he got much, much better in one off-season. That was the start of his 5th year. Kevin is ahead of the curve when it comes to offense, so he may be able to focus on defense sooner than other players, thus establish a defensive presence sooner than other players. Time will tell. But if not, then we've got this season and next to go before Kevin hits that magical 5th year of defensive growth. I read a lot of basketball articles, and I forget when and where I read what I read, if that makes sense. But, I do remember reading that it takes players about 5 seasons to establish themselves as a defender. Of course, there are always players that come into the league just for defense. Guys like Thabo and Ariza and D12.

It took Mello a trip to the Olympics to figure out that his colleagues were focusing their efforts on defense. But when he did, he got much, much better in one off-season. That was the start of his 5th year.

Kevin is ahead of the curve when it comes to offense, so he may be able to focus on defense sooner than other players, thus establish a defensive presence sooner than other players. Time will tell. But if not, then we’ve got this season and next to go before Kevin hits that magical 5th year of defensive growth.

]]> By: Kevin http://www.dailythunder.com/2009/09/setting-the-bar-kevin-durant/comment-page-1/#comment-23462 Kevin Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:37:50 +0000 http://www.dailythunder.com/?p=4660#comment-23462 Durant is a couple years away from being a mediocre defender, but who cares when he puts up 35-50 points a night? Durant is a couple years away from being a mediocre defender, but who cares when he puts up 35-50 points a night?

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