Kenny Smith: "In 3 Years..."

[KG_ended_Bias]

I hope Danny is doing a little tampering without getting caught telling Mr. "Velvet Hoop" Kevin Durant to sign with us in 2012. We would have alot of money off the books then with Rondo and hopefully Perkins still in the fold. I would take Durant with a excelled game in 2yrs. and start printing up multiple banners in the Garden, he is that good! And with help and a decent sidekick number 2 option Durant is gonna play in multiple Finals Lebron not withstanding.

[PosImpos]

I hope Danny is doing a little tampering without getting caught telling Mr. "Velvet Hoop" Kevin Durant to sign with us in 2012. We would have alot of money off the books then with Rondo and hopefully Perkins still in the fold. I would take Durant with a excelled game in 2yrs. and start printing up multiple banners in the Garden, he is that good! And with help and a decent sidekick number 2 option Durant is gonna play in multiple Finals Lebron not withstanding.

Durant will never hit free agency.  He loves playing in OKC and they have a fantastic foundation in place for him there.  He'll sign an extension soon (probably this summer).

[rav123]

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.

If you're talking about range, then Rashard Lewis, Steve Novak and some more are 6'10"+ and great three-point shooters (and probably FT shooters). Of course, if you talk about mid-range game, then those guys I mentioned don't have it.

But Dirk is even taller than Durant (7'0" vs 6'10") so if you're correlating size and shooting ability Dirk is more accomplished (he is the tallest elite-shooter ever?).

[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.

If you're talking about range, then Rashard Lewis, Steve Novak and some more are 6'10"+ and great three-point shooters (and probably FT shooters). Of course, if you talk about mid-range game, then those guys I mentioned don't have it.

But Dirk is even taller than Durant (7'0" vs 6'10") so if you're correlating size and shooting ability Dirk is more accomplished (he is the tallest elite-shooter ever?).

I'm talking about guys who can hit tough shots from anywhere on the floor even when they're the main focus of the offense and the opposing defense.  Guys who can regularly score 20+ points a game primarily on jumpshots.  Guys with fluid form that hit the kind of shots that make you think "[dang], he's unguardable."

[rav123]

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.

If you're talking about range, then Rashard Lewis, Steve Novak and some more are 6'10"+ and great three-point shooters (and probably FT shooters). Of course, if you talk about mid-range game, then those guys I mentioned don't have it.

But Dirk is even taller than Durant (7'0" vs 6'10") so if you're correlating size and shooting ability Dirk is more accomplished (he is the tallest elite-shooter ever?).

I'm talking about guys who can hit tough shots from anywhere on the floor even when they're the main focus of the offense and the opposing defense.  Guys who can regularly score 20+ points a game primarily on jumpshots.  Guys with fluid form that hit the kind of shots that make you think "dang, he's unguardable."

Fair enough. Then you're definitely right (but there could still be a 6-10er that could hit these kinds of shots - don't think anyone as tall as Dirk will ever be that good though).

In response to the main topic: Durant's ceiling, in terms of scoring, is probably higher than Lebron's (especially if he adds bulk and a few more post moves) - of course, Lebron could get better offensively quite quickly as well if he gets some post moves, improves his jumper and his FT%. But I give that one to Durant.

Durant could definitely be as good a defender as Lebron. His relative lack of athleticism (to Lebron, not to average NBA) is made up by his length. A tie (assuming Durant does reach his potential - Durant is below-average after three seasons, while Lebron was at least mediocre as a rookie, and has kept improving since).

Rebounding , Durant may have the edge. We have to remember, this was just one game (the 19-rebound one), his previous high is 15. His average is 7.3 (LBJ averaged 7.6 in his third season), playing with a poorly-rebounding frontcourt (Krstic and Green). But he does have long enough arms to be great at this.

But the main thing that separates LBJ from Durant is his passing/court vision and unselfishness. Kobe will be surpassed by LBJ, but this may not have happened if Kobe was unselfish - he had great enough court-vision to be a wonderful teammate, but he decided to ball-hog. Durant is not selfish, but he is a poor passer. This is probably the hardest skill to develop, and it's unlikely Durant will ever attain even 3/4 of Lebron's level.

KD will be second-best in the league soon. And very close to Lebron. But Lebron is just special.

[Donoghus]

Lebron is still going to be the best player in the NBA in 3 years. 

As KD improves, so will Lebron's game.  Its a scary thing to think about but there's room for improvement in Lebron's game also.

Lebron is already the best in the game and he's not relinquishing that title any time soon and certainly not within 3 years.

[moiso]

Lebron will still be the best.  The next two will be Durant and Howard, in some order.  It would be hard not to pick the guy who leads the league in rebounding and blocks every year, while scoring 20ppg, and winning defensive player of the year.  Durant is awesome though.

[Greenbean]

Durant vs. Lebron will be a fun debate for years to come. I think Durant can be dominant defensively if he works at it.

He will never be as good a passer as Lebron but is already a better pure scorer. He gets his points 10 times easier than Lebron making him more effective.

[moiso]

Durant vs. Lebron will be a fun debate for years to come. I think Durant can be dominant defensively if he works at it.

He will never be as good a passer as Lebron but is already a better pure scorer. He gets his points 10 times easier than Lebron making him more effective.

He makes it look a lot easier- he's so smooth and graceful.  But if you need two points at the end of a game, I don't think there is anything easier than Lebron blowing by everyone to get to the rim or the foul line.  It a surer two points.

[Who]

Durant could definitely be as good a defender as Lebron. His relative lack of athleticism (to Lebron, not to average NBA) is made up by his length. A tie (assuming Durant does reach his potential - Durant is below-average after three seasons, while Lebron was at least mediocre as a rookie, and has kept improving since).

I disagree on the defense, I thought LeBron James was a below average defensive for the first three years of his career. He became an average defender during the year he led Cleveland to the Finals (fourth season), a very good defender the year Boston won the title, and an elite defender the following season (year six).

Kevin Durant, in his third year, has become an above average defensive player but an unexceptional one. A 6 out of 10 type of defender. His team defense has been excellent and his one-on-one defense has been solid against lesser threats (Thabo takes the tough checks).

[PosImpos]

But if you need two points at the end of a game, I don't think there is anything easier than Lebron blowing by everyone to get to the rim or the foul line.  It a surer two points.

Durant can do that too, since he's a star now.  Pretty easy to just say "hey give me the ball so I can pull it out to half court and then run full speed at the defense and pick up a foul when somebody doesn't get out of my way fast enough."

[Greenbean]

Durant vs. Lebron will be a fun debate for years to come. I think Durant can be dominant defensively if he works at it.

He will never be as good a passer as Lebron but is already a better pure scorer. He gets his points 10 times easier than Lebron making him more effective.

He makes it look a lot easier- he's so smooth and graceful.  But if you need two points at the end of a game, I don't think there is anything easier than Lebron blowing by everyone to get to the rim or the foul line.  It a surer two points.

I argue the exact opposite. What takes more energy? Taking a jumpshot that looks like you could take and make it in your sleep, or driving past 2 maybe 3 defenders and hoping to get fouled and then actually make free throws or a contested layup?

Give it to Lebron for being able to do it but I know one is more stoppable than the other.

Edit: Just to add I know KD's clutch stats stink this year. Im just giving my opinion on how he should be able to utilize his matchups against defenders in end of game situations. I dont think he has fully figured it out yet so right now, at the end of games, Lebron is better.

[Greenbean]

But if you need two points at the end of a game, I don't think there is anything easier than Lebron blowing by everyone to get to the rim or the foul line.  It a surer two points.

Durant can do that too, since he's a star now.  Pretty easy to just say "hey give me the ball so I can pull it out to half court and then run full speed at the defense and pick up a foul when somebody doesn't get out of my way fast enough."

Hey I didnt say that!

[Who]

Durant vs. Lebron will be a fun debate for years to come. I think Durant can be dominant defensively if he works at it.

He will never be as good a passer as Lebron but is already a better pure scorer. He gets his points 10 times easier than Lebron making him more effective.

He makes it look a lot easier- he's so smooth and graceful.  But if you need two points at the end of a game, I don't think there is anything easier than Lebron blowing by everyone to get to the rim or the foul line.  It a surer two points.

I argue the exact opposite. What takes more energy? Taking a jumpshot that looks like you could take and make it in your sleep, or driving past 2 maybe 3 defenders and hoping to get fouled and then actually make free throws or a contested layup?

Give it to Lebron for being able to do it but I know one is more stoppable than the other.

Edit: Just to add I know KD's clutch stats stink this year. Im just giving my opinion on how he should be able to utilize his matchups against defenders in end of game situations. I dont think he has fully figured it out yet so right now, at the end of games, Lebron is better.

Durant's eFG% is awful but he also gets to the line at a fierce clip which brings his overall scoring efficiency up to an average level (roughly 54%, slightly below)).

Average scoring efficiency + 36 points per 48 = pretty good

Not as dominant a scorer as LeBron James but Durant is still pretty good in the clutch.

LeBron is also a dominant rebounder, playmaker and defensive player towards the end of games too ... which Durant isn't but you'd expect the defense + rebounding to come in time.

[PosImpos]

But if you need two points at the end of a game, I don't think there is anything easier than Lebron blowing by everyone to get to the rim or the foul line.  It a surer two points.

Durant can do that too, since he's a star now.  Pretty easy to just say "hey give me the ball so I can pull it out to half court and then run full speed at the defense and pick up a foul when somebody doesn't get out of my way fast enough."

Hey I didnt say that!

My bad, must've been Moiso. The outer quote thing got messed up