Home > Commentary > John Hollinger has Kevin Durant as an All-Star starter

John Hollinger has Kevin Durant as an All-Star starter

Pretty straightforward. Hollinger says KD should start over Carmelo Anthony:

3202Both players are high-volume scorers who constantly get to the line, rebound well for their position, have low assist rates and have substantially improved their once-laughable defense. Anthony leads the league in scoring while Durant is third, with the margin between them (0.9 points per game) close enough that either could end up first at season’s end. Durant has shot more efficiently, helped by his 86.9 percent mark from the line, but Anthony has won more.

What it ultimately came down to for me was availability. Durant hasn’t missed a game; Anthony has missed five. In a race this close, that matters, and it’s why I give Durant the nod. Anthony fans needn’t worry, however — back in the real world, he’s going to win the voting by a wide margin.

This is the second-most difficult choice on the ballot, as Durant and Carmelo Anthony have essentially equal résumés. If somebody wanted to pick Carmelo, I don’t think I could generate a strong enough case for Durant to change his mind. Of course, the opposite is also true.

Of course you won’t hear any disagreement from me. ‘Melo will obviously will start because of the fan vote, but I like the fact people are giving KD credit in the “deserves to start” area. Last year, it was that he deserved to be an All-Star. Now he deserves to start the All-Star game. I like this progression.

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@Bryan
He is an upgrade in certain aspects, but Philly can't even give him away for nothing right now. Even if we like him, we wouldn't give more than market value for him (which at the moment is less than nothing). If Philly wants to unload him bad enough, give us Iggy (a legit second option on offense) or Speights (a big man with an actual future).

@Keith
Fair enough I suppose. I would just really like to see a solid defensive rebounder and shot blocker in the game. I certainly would not giveaway too much to get him.

And...while the interior defense has been good in terms of shot% allowed, that has largely been the result of agressive help D, not the current front court rotation. We also need some help on the defensive glass. I don't know that Dalembert is the perfect guy, but he is an upgrade.

Okay so I have to admit something. All season I have been waiting on Durant to just go beserk for one game. Something out of the ordinary for durant (which considering he's hit 40 quite a few times) I keep waiting to see the 50 points game!...

although as i'm watching that game i would probally think he only has 20 points... Durant is so silkily sneaky with his points!

@Bryan
But what do horror do they endure to receive our help? Dalembert is non-existent offensively, which is what we need most (justin already highlighted our quite good defense around the basket). He is also ridiculously overpaid. To take on that contract, even for two years, would require more than just Dalembert. Unless Philly is willing to give up Speights or Iggy (after which he or Harden gets traded) as well, Dalembert isn't worth just taking his contract.

I can put Kevin Durant in the top ten this year, top five is pushing it for me. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul, Tim Duncan (who's playing great..), Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, Kobe Bryant, and Dwight Howard are all better right now IMO. Dwight because of his position, Dirk and Kobe because they can close out games, Steve Nash because of his position. The other four are just playing at a higher level.

You could argue Kevin Durant ahead of some of those guys based on numbers..

justin :Sam Dalembert is second in the league in blocks, third in DRB% and sixth in ORB% right now. Probably having his best year..

Which is why we "help" Philly with their rebuilding efforts ;)

Once Durant get's a chance to cut his teeth in the playoffs and sees what it really takes to have that instant impact a la Kobe and Lebron... he will be top three for sure.

Sam Dalembert is second in the league in blocks, third in DRB% and sixth in ORB% right now. Probably having his best year..

Last year I would have called Durant top 10. This year? Top 5 for sure.

And, like Hollinger, I really can't make much more of a case for Durant than I can for Melo...

But I do know that once Kobe, Lebron and Melo retire, KD will stand for King Durant!

Paul (Arkansas)

Where does Kevin Durant rank among the best players in the NBA today? Top 5?
Chad Ford
(1:39 PM)

I'd put him in my Top 5

Chad Ridgeway (Auburn Hills, MI)

How excited are you to see Kevin Durant in the playoffs?
Chad Ford
(1:39 PM)

Thrilled. Love watching the Thunder and love watching KD do his thing. I try not to play favorites but he's one of my Top 5 players in the league to watch right now.

@Keith

Durant should make 3rd team all NBA this year.

The only sad part of being a Durant fan is that he's destined for All NBA 2nd Team for as long as LeBron is in the league with him.

Just think what he'll "deserve" next year. An all-NBA selection? An MVP award? A championship ring? Just being on the team means something... or did before AI and McGrady were voted in, but baby steps.

It's extremely close and impossible to choose objectively. It depends on what you value.. Carmelo takes care of the ball better, and Kevin Durant is a bit more efficient scoring the ball.

Other than the missed games I think that's the only difference between the two this season.