Home > Commentary, Video > Video: KD and Donte Greene exchange crossovers

Video: KD and Donte Greene exchange crossovers

Kevin Durant’s crossover is getting to the point where it’s not just a nasty little move he can bust out on occasion for funs. It’s quickly become a move. Like a dirty, filthy, disgusting move. In [insert pickup game] over the weekend, KD and Sacramento Kings forward Donte Greene traded crossovers. Greene’s was nice. A quick move on Durant that led to a serious dunk.

But Durant’s was the kind where you don’t even have to shoot after. Greene went tumbling backwards and already before KD even attempted his jumper, he’d won. He could’ve just flipped the ball back to Greene and went the other way. It’s one of those moves that as KD starts his sequence of breaking down Greene, the crowd is starting to rumble (hrrrmm) and then as KD tests Greene with the first little cross and backs him off, the noise jumpers (ahhh) and when he breaks out the big move, everyone just lets it all out (OOOOOOOOOOOHAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH). Love that.

Durant’s used this cross at time — quite effectively, I might add — but I’ve seen it a ton in these pickup videos this summer. KD’s always had a solid handle, but he’s getting more comfortable with it, especially in terms of using it to create space and find a good look. Which is one of the few things Durant can improve upon — creating his own shot with space. Looks like he didn’t have much trouble there.

Via TBJ

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Kobe and Harden played in the Drew League last night and Kobe hit the game winner. Darnell tweeted that Harden also brought out the leg kick on a 3 pointer.

LA vs DC Game Aug. 20th nuff said

KD dribble looks more compact rather then loose and easy to pick like last season. Plus handling the rock in these street games can only help him be more comfortable and able to dribble in traffic instead of picking the ball up or turning it over like he did last season sometimes.

Still, I think playing loose in all these games could be a bonus for his development, provided he doesn't hurt himself. When you feel freer to just hang things out there and try stuff you normally wouldn't, it can get you out of a rut as an athlete.

Durant seems to be a guy who gets stuck in ruts of doing too much of one thing and going away from other things that work. At least it seems that way at times.

@ gokc

I agree with this assessment. In real games when they send an extra defender or don't get sold as easily on the cross he'll still struggle. I've come to terms with the fact that Durant is too big to have a tight handle. I'd like to see him working on more things like that training video with Joe Johnson - i.e. play through contact, establish positioning closer to the rim, etc. Working on the handle is nice and all but I feel he's rather close to his ceiling there already.

I dont think his handle is getting better, its just poor defense in streetball games. That is the same cross over that gets stripped by good defenders in the league. One of my concerns about KD playing so much summer ball is that it will make him sloppy. I hope not. But he has been busting out that move since he first started playing at Goodman years ago

@okc baby

I agree with you. He looks a lot more confidant this summer. In fact, he's doing so well that maybe the Thunder ought to think about moving out of the Ford...oops Chesapeake Arena...and start playing their games in a high school gym or local park. lol

That was sick. I am liking KD's ball handling skills. Looks like hes improving