Kenny Smith: "In 3 Years..."

[Who]

In terms of clutch scoring, check out how badly Wade has fallen off this season:

08/09 -- 49.2 points on 32.7 FGA + 16.3 FTM
09/10 -- 32.6 points on 28.3 FGA + 8.3 FTM

[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.

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.

You are right but my point was that Durant can score a lot easier and doesn't need to get to the line to score efficiently because he can shoot jumpshots over anyone in the leuage. Then I look up his clutch stats and realize he is shooting bad percentages late but going to the line and my argument goes to crap. Still, on paper it makes sense and I think in a couple of years, KD will be unstoppable in the clutch in so many ways, not just by going to the line but by being able to score dynamically.

[Greenbean]

In terms of clutch scoring, check out how badly Wade has fallen off this season:

08/09 -- 49.2 points on 32.7 FGA + 16.3 FTM
09/10 -- 32.6 points on 28.3 FGA + 8.3 FTM

Wow. Very telling. Wade hasnt looked right to me the first 2 games of this series too. Are we keeping him out of the paint or is he unwilling to attack for 48 minutes?

His scoring binge late in game 2 came via jumpshots.

[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.

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.

He does look like he can hit those shots in his sleep, but look at his shooting percentage in the playoffs so far, when the defense is intense and focused.  He was like 8 for 24 last night, so it hasn't been very easy for him.

[KungPoweChicken]

Out of all of the players in the league, KD reminds me the most of Larry Bird. Durant just needs to work on passing.