Kenny Smith: "In 3 Years..."

[PosImpos]

"...Kevin Durant will be the best player in the NBA."

You know what?  I agree.  Kevin Durant is already, by many statistical measures, the second best player in the NBA (PER, value added, estimated wins added, points per game).  He probably won't continue to improve from year to year as much as he did this year, but I think it's safe to say his ceiling is very high and there's every indication that he can reach it.  Durant is already a more gifted scorer than LeBron from most places on the court except for right inside.  If he can become a better defender and a better passer, he could very well surpass LeBron as the best player in the world.

What do you think?  Crazy to suggest that somebody other than LeBron could be the best, or is it possible?

[Bahku]

I hope LeBron was watching.

[Who]

Kevin Durant is more a suped up version of Carmelo Anthony than a LeBron-like player.

I don't know, I doubt it. I don't think Durant catches up to LeBron.

Durant hasn't shown much ability as a passer yet and LeBron is one of the most gifted passers around. That is the main difference between the two players. That allows LeBron James to be a game changing figure in more ways than Durant.

[PosImpos]

Kevin Durant is more a suped up version of Carmelo Anthony than a LeBron-like player.

I don't know, I doubt it. I don't think Durant catches up to LeBron.

Durant hasn't shown much ability as a passer yet and LeBron is one of the most gifted passers around. That is the main difference between the two players. That allows LeBron James to be a game changing figure in more ways than Durant.

A suped up version of Carmelo Anthony is one hell of a player.  Carmelo could challenge for MVP if he were more mature / focused and were better on defense.  Durant is already better than Melo, and he's in his 3rd season.  He's also only 22 years old.

- Durant could easily be a better rebounder than LeBron (19 rebounds tonight).  He's a few inches taller and has longer arms. 
- He has the tools to be an even better defender than LeBron (exhibit a: block on Kobe in the 4th tonight).  He has incredible height and length, and he can play 3 positions (2,3,4). 
- He's already on par with LeBron in terms of scoring, and he's only liable to get even better as he gets stronger and develops a post game.  He could seriously average 30-35 ppg for the next 10 years.

Do I think it's a certainty?  No, not at all.  But I do believe Durant will be giving LeBron a run for his money in MVP voting for a long, long time and he has the potential to eventually surpass him.

[Who]

Kevin Durant is more a suped up version of Carmelo Anthony than a LeBron-like player.

I don't know, I doubt it. I don't think Durant catches up to LeBron.

Durant hasn't shown much ability as a passer yet and LeBron is one of the most gifted passers around. That is the main difference between the two players. That allows LeBron James to be a game changing figure in more ways than Durant.

A suped up version of Carmelo Anthony is one hell of a player.  Carmelo could challenge for MVP if he were more mature / focused and were better on defense.  Durant is already better than Melo, and he's in his 3rd season.  He's also only 22 years old.

Oh yeah, absolutely. A suped up version of Carmelo is an amazing player, an MVP candidate.

I have Durant #4 on my list for MVP this season and he is going to crank it up another notch or two defensively over the next few years. He is a legitimate MVP caliber player.

LeBron James is just so freakishly special that it'll be extremely difficult for that to be enough for Durant to pass out LeBron.

- Durant could easily be a better rebounder than LeBron (19 rebounds tonight).  He's a few inches taller and has longer arms.  
- He has the tools to be an even better defender than LeBron (exhibit a: block on Kobe in the 4th tonight).  He has incredible height and length, and he can play 3 positions (2,3,4).  
- He's already on par with LeBron in terms of scoring, and he's only liable to get even better as he gets stronger and develops a post game.  He could seriously average 30-35 ppg for the next 10 years.

Do I think it's a certainty?  No, not at all.  But I do believe Durant will be giving LeBron a run for his money in MVP voting for a long, long time and he has the potential to eventually surpass him.

I think there are two main routes for Durant to take should he pass out LeBron:

(1) Durant becomes an elite passer (somewhat unlikely) and a comparable defender to LeBron (fair shot at). This combined with his superior rebounding a comparable scoring ability puts him in the conversation.

(2) Durant switches to the power forward position where the value of his passing relative to his position will be much higher + where he can make better use of his talents as a rebounder and as a shot blocker.

I think the second option is more likely to come true than the first.

[PosImpos]

Kevin Durant is more a suped up version of Carmelo Anthony than a LeBron-like player.

I don't know, I doubt it. I don't think Durant catches up to LeBron.

Durant hasn't shown much ability as a passer yet and LeBron is one of the most gifted passers around. That is the main difference between the two players. That allows LeBron James to be a game changing figure in more ways than Durant.

A suped up version of Carmelo Anthony is one hell of a player.  Carmelo could challenge for MVP if he were more mature / focused and were better on defense.  Durant is already better than Melo, and he's in his 3rd season.  He's also only 22 years old.

Oh yeah, absolutely. A suped up version of Carmelo is an amazing player, an MVP candidate.

I have Durant #4 on my list for MVP this season and he is going to crank it up another notch or two defensively over the next few years. He is a legitimate MVP caliber player.

LeBron James is just so freakishly special that it'll be extremely difficult for that to be enough for Durant to pass out LeBron.

- Durant could easily be a better rebounder than LeBron (19 rebounds tonight).  He's a few inches taller and has longer arms.  
- He has the tools to be an even better defender than LeBron (exhibit a: block on Kobe in the 4th tonight).  He has incredible height and length, and he can play 3 positions (2,3,4).  
- He's already on par with LeBron in terms of scoring, and he's only liable to get even better as he gets stronger and develops a post game.  He could seriously average 30-35 ppg for the next 10 years.

Do I think it's a certainty?  No, not at all.  But I do believe Durant will be giving LeBron a run for his money in MVP voting for a long, long time and he has the potential to eventually surpass him.

I think there are two main routes for Durant to take should he pass out LeBron:

(1) Durant becomes an elite passer (somewhat unlikely) and a comparable defender to LeBron (fair shot at). This combined with his superior rebounding a comparable scoring ability puts him in the conversation.

(2) Durant switches to the power forward position where the value of his passing relative to his position will be much higher + where he can make better use of his talents as a rebounder and as a shot blocker.

I think the second option is more likely to come true than the first.

Durant would have to add a lot of muscle to play at PF full time.  We'll see though.

I agree that right now it seems a little bit unlikely considering how freakishly great LeBron is, but given how much Durant has improved in only a few seasons, I wouldn't put anything past him.  He has all the tools at his disposable to be an All-Time great, just as LeBron does.

In a few years, Durant's stat line really could be 30+ ppg, 10+ rpg, 5+ apg, 1-2 bpg, 1-2 spg, 50/40/90 shooting...incredible. 

[GreenFaith1819]

He could be a mad mix of George Gervin and Kevin Garnett? Kid can score from anywhere.

Showed tonight that he can rebound in bunches.

As soon as he has Shot Blocking Mixes on Youtube (KG) then I am convinced. Defensive Intimidation is key.

Needs to show me that he can elevate his team defensively, like Garnett. He is certainly showing some signs, though.

Poster Who made another Valid point - must be able to dish out the assists.

[liam]

KD already a much better free throw shooter.

[PosImpos]

KD already a much better free throw shooter.

He's a much better shooter, period.  The only other person with that kind of size and shooting ability in the game at the moment is Dirk.

[guava_wrench]

He could be a mad mix of George Gervin and Kevin Garnett? Kid can score from anywhere.

Showed tonight that he can rebound in bunches.

As soon as he has Shot Blocking Mixes on Youtube (KG) then I am convinced. Defensive Intimidation is key.

Needs to show me that he can elevate his team defensively, like Garnett. He is certainly showing some signs, though.

Poster Who made another Valid point - must be able to dish out the assists.

I don't see the KG similarity. Lacks the height and athleticism.

[guava_wrench]

KD already a much better free throw shooter.

He's a much better shooter, period.  The only other person with that kind of size and shooting ability in the game at the moment is Dirk.

How tall are we saying Durant is? ESPN lists him as only 6'9". Is that wrong?

Some of the comments in this thread are comparing him to 6'11" or 7'0" guys, which he isn't.

He does have the long arms, but there is something to be said for seeing over people.

He is a great shooter. It will be nice if he can get some of that Carmelo strength, but he's not there yet.

[KungPoweChicken]

Durant is already a way better shooter than Lebron. He also has the potential to be a better rebounder and defender. If Durant continues to work on rebounding, defending, and passing, I agree; he will be the best player in the game three years from now. 

How many players have ever averaged 30+ points, 10+ rebounds, 5+assists, while shooting 90% from the line, 40% from the three, and 50% from the field. Did Larry? KD has the chance to do it.

[Who]

KD already a much better free throw shooter.

He's a much better shooter, period.  The only other person with that kind of size and shooting ability in the game at the moment is Dirk.

How tall are we saying Durant is? ESPN lists him as only 6'9". Is that wrong?

Some of the comments in this thread are comparing him to 6'11" or 7'0" guys, which he isn't.

He does have the long arms, but there is something to be said for seeing over people.

He is a great shooter. It will be nice if he can get some of that Carmelo strength, but he's not there yet.

Durant measured in at 6-10 with a 7-4 wingspan for a standing reach of 9-2 (about average for a center) at the pre-draft measurements.

[Who]

LeBron James

• 64% of his shots are jumpers and he hits 43.6% of them
• 36% of his shots came in the paint and he made 74% of them
• A true shooting percentage of 60.4%
• 29.7ppg in 39mpg

Kevin Durant

• 75% of his shots were jumpers and he made 45.2% of them
• 25% of his shots came in the paint and he hit 70% of them
• A true shooting percentage of 60.6%
• 30.1ppg in 39.5mpg

Durant took 10.1 shots per game outside of 16 feet while LeBron took 10.4. Durant took slightly more long twos and LeBron slightly more threes. The difference in interior shots is Durant takes more shot two point jumpers (inside of 15 feet).

[PosImpos]

KD already a much better free throw shooter.

He's a much better shooter, period.  The only other person with that kind of size and shooting ability in the game at the moment is Dirk.

How tall are we saying Durant is? ESPN lists him as only 6'9". Is that wrong?

Some of the comments in this thread are comparing him to 6'11" or 7'0" guys, which he isn't.

He does have the long arms, but there is something to be said for seeing over people.

He is a great shooter. It will be nice if he can get some of that Carmelo strength, but he's not there yet.

Durant measured in at 6-10 with a 7-4 wingspan for a standing reach of 9-2 (about average for a center) at the pre-draft measurements.

It's possible he's grown since then, too.