Report card : Kevin Durant
Remember the hot debate over Kevin Durant or Greg Oden on this site as draft night drew nearer? They were touted as the two best prospects in a decade. We didn't know for sure how KP was going to pick until the final hours. Unfortunately we were not able to see Oden in action but Durant went right to work in Seattle.
So...how is Kevin Durant doing in your opinion, in his rookie year? He's averaging about 20 points, 4 rebounds and 2.5 assists. Is he meeting or exceeding expectations? Will he be a major force in the league?
Here's a totally un-related musical interlude to listen to as you ponder.....and an un-related poll to satisfy a curious dog lover.
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24 comments
Comments
shot selection
On any other team that has some legitimate talent that he would have to share the ball with i would say he wouldn't do as well
by BlazerBandit on Apr 5, 2008 9:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
re: shot selection
On another note, the thing that has really impressed me with Durant this year has been his clear fundamental skill. His physical strength and NBA experience are both obviously lacking at this point, but the guy moves like he's been playing in the league for several years. It's apparent by the way he plays that he has spent his life practicing and practicing and practicing to play at this level.
by bocious on Apr 6, 2008 2:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Regarding shot selection
by Eventine on Apr 6, 2008 10:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
maybe sour grapes
by lefty30 on Apr 6, 2008 2:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was going to point out the same.
by timg56 on Apr 7, 2008 1:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
A solid B for me
Then the Sonics dumped Ray Allen as well as Rashard (and for that ludicrous contract I would too). So basically all Seattle had left was a bunch of stiffs at center, Jell-o ball, and Luke Ridnour, and Earl Watson at PG. Yikes.
To have a first year player, 2 years removed from HS, who lacks the NBA body, be your only threat on offense is not a good siltation. That's how I judge KD's stats. So he's been a poor defender, rebounder, and passer, but that's to be expected. He's putting up numbers on a bad team, at a rate that isn't terribly inefficient but is far from satisfactory.
What's really impressed me is that he didn't hit that rookie wall mid season. In fact March has been his best month, where he's pretty much wrapped up the ROY. If Seattle didn't blow their #5 pick on Jeff Green he would have been having a much better season. That's all speculation though.
He's done as well as can be expected on a team whose offense can only be described as pathetic. Next year after the Sonics get Rose or Beasly and add their 2 other 1st rounders, I'll judge with more scrutiny. There just isn't enough talent on the Seattle roster, to say he has under preformed this season.

by Dheepan on Apr 5, 2008 10:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
They have Jeff Green too
I think you mentioned Jelloball just because you think that is a humorous nickname.
Would you trade Jack for Jelloball? Which single player on the Blazers do you think would be a fair trade for Jelloball?
by fisheyes on Apr 5, 2008 10:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
lol
I did mention Jeff Green but to me he is going to be a decent role player that plays good defense. He's averaging like 10 and 4.5 shooting 43% on a horrendous lottery bound-Oklahoma bound team. If his team is this bad he should be averaging more than 28 minutes a game in my opinion.

by Dheepan on Apr 5, 2008 10:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The scrub that lit us up last game...
by bocious on Apr 6, 2008 2:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
KD35
by Jason3123 on Apr 5, 2008 11:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
like....... Tracy Mgrady
by raging WebTed on Apr 5, 2008 11:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
KD = A-
by Ben. on Apr 5, 2008 11:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Like with the Blazers
I see the similarities with Tracy McGrady. However McGrady shot 45% to Durant's 42% FG and 34% to Durant's 28% 3-point FG. On a 36 minute basis Durant scores 21 points to McGrady's 14 points. Durant's defensive WIN shares are 4.5 vs McGrady's 1.8.
Other comparisons are interesting against Ray Allen (the player Durant replaced) and Brandon Roy (his primary young competitor at SG in the PNW. On a 36 minute basis for his rookie year Allen scored 16 points and Roy 17 points. Allen shot 39% from 3-point and Roy shot 28% from 3-point. Allen's defensive WIN shares are 4.5 while Roy was 3.2 and Allen 4.2. Considering that McGrady was 18 (no college)(age at start of rookie season),Durant 20 (1 year college) Allen was 22 (4 years college) and Roy was 23 (4 years college) Durant looks pretty good so far.
Stats are from Basketball Reference.
by lee3022 on Apr 6, 2008 2:09 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Whar impresses me is how well KD
by annthefan on Apr 6, 2008 3:46 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
English bulldog
by jorga on Apr 6, 2008 8:19 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Meant to add
by jorga on Apr 6, 2008 8:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm thinkin'...
by Dr Dave on Apr 6, 2008 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Durant's first season: B+
by timbo on Apr 6, 2008 8:59 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
He's young.
I'd also like to add that Durant as 2-guard seems like a really bad idea to me. I think he'd improve in at least rebounding and shot blocking on defense. On offense, he would probably be in less of a position to chuck up the 3-pointer too. Very few SF's actually post up; even if they do, his lankiness might save him from getting destroyed. He already gets destroyed by faster SG's, which are probably more common than post-up SF's.
I'd give him around a B-, though that is all about the extremely inflated expectations for a 19-year-old rookie.
by poster on Apr 6, 2008 10:15 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I am not impressed
by trk on Apr 6, 2008 2:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
he just shocked the nuggets tonite
by spikex on Apr 6, 2008 9:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Yup
by broggerboy19 on Apr 7, 2008 1:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nice Music Thing
by tominhawaii on Apr 7, 2008 11:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Erik Mongrain
I'm responding later because I have to go home from work to watch YouTube.
by tominhawaii on Apr 8, 2008 4:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

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