Rob Parker- "Kevin Durant is the NBA's Donovan Mcnabb"

[gotjoker?]

Wasn't a young Tim Duncan supposed to be too humble or too nice of a person? Or was that said of David Robinson.

What's interesting is Kevin Durant is one of a very few young players in the league that I like as a player.  But then, being a fan of his has more to do with me liking certain skills of a basketball player, shooting, than anything else.

I also believe that diplomacy is lost in the NBA.  Players such as Grant Hill, Ray Allen and Kevin Durant represent diplomatic players.  Whereas, players such as LeBron James represent egotistical players.  Too many young players develop a sense of entitlement and they're self-centered.

Durant is what he is: A likeable personality and I like him for that.  So if he's supposed to be the anti-LeBron.  Well, that's fine with me because I'm no LeBron James fan.  But I don't believe a player's personality will dictate his success on-the-court.  Individual talent, the head coach and the teammates you're surrounded by will ultimately determine your path to a NBA championship, in my opinion.

[OsirusCeltics]

Tim Duncan comes to mind as well as someone who was considered "too nice" early in his career.

I think Duncan's early part of his career, he was the best player, but David Robinson was the leader

That's true, and after Robinson retired a lot of people questioned if Duncan had what it took to take over that leadership role, if he had that "killer instinct."

  I think a lot more people doubted Robinson's killer instinct than Duncan's.  Very few people that I know of would have said DR and not TD led them to that first title.

But for the recored, the Spurs teams in Duncan's early career had loads of veteran leaders on that team. Mario Ellie, Sean Elliot, Avery Johnson, David Robinson, Jerome Kersey

All Duncan had to do was be the talented player that he is, took alot of pressure off of him

[paulcowens]

Durant is awfully young to be drawing conclusions about him.  But, so far, he's been doing amazingly well leading his team to success.  I do think Rondo might be a better match for Durant than Westbrook.  Not that I'd like to see us give Rondo up!

[RJ87]

I also believe that diplomacy is lost in the NBA.  Players such as Grant Hill, Ray Allen and Kevin Durant represent diplomatic players.  Whereas, players such as LeBron James represent egotistical players.  Too many young players develop a sense of entitlement and they're self-centered.

Couldn't have said it better myself; it just seems people are confusing egotistical with the "killer instinct". I don't have any insight into Durant's thinking, all we see is what's on the court. And every year he's been in the league, he's improved and his team has improved. Just because he's a nice guy doesn't mean he doesn't have a will to win - you don't have to be a jerk to compete for a championship.

[OsirusCeltics]

I also believe that diplomacy is lost in the NBA.  Players such as Grant Hill, Ray Allen and Kevin Durant represent diplomatic players.  Whereas, players such as LeBron James represent egotistical players.  Too many young players develop a sense of entitlement and they're self-centered.

Couldn't have said it better myself; it just seems people are confusing egotistical with the "killer instinct". I don't have any insight into Durant's thinking, all we see is what's on the court. And every year he's been in the league, he's improved and his team has improved. Just because he's a nice guy doesn't mean he doesn't have a will to win - you don't have to be a jerk to compete for a championship.

Yeah I totally agree. I still think you can have both
Julius Erving was the perfect example of being diplomatic as well as having a killer instinct

[KindBass]

If you're going to go the football metaphor route, I'd say KD is more like Adrian Peterson.  Both are young, came into the league with high expectations, lived up to them by becoming top-3 at their position, and carried their team to within one game/series of competing for a championship.  And they both have a whole career left ahead of them.

[KindBass]

Also, I don't remember Kevin Durant ever puking all over the court because he couldn't handle the pressure of a big moment.

[Rondo2287]

Also, I don't remember Kevin Durant ever puking all over the court because he couldn't handle the pressure of a big moment.

I thought Donovan Puked cause he was out of shape?  Also you gotta do it the Way Matty "Ice" did at BC.  Dominate the closing moments of the game, then puke on the sidelines.