Better pure scorer: Kevin Durant or Carmelo Anthony?

[hawkfan]

Better pure scorer: Kevin Durant or Carmelo Anthony?

Discuss.

[Segatti]

Durant is better from everywhere.

[Teanett]

melo
because of:
post game
bully ball

[Budadiiii]

Stats don't lie. Durants been better for the past 3 years.

[f0und]

durant. and its not that close.

[Teanett]

melo and it's not even close.

[DStebb716]

Anybody that says it's not close can use the door, their legs and a GPS to find the nearest highway...

Melo can score in many more ways than Durant, but Durant's shooting makes him unstoppable. So it's a near toss up (and in tossups, I go to stats for the answer)

[swag2011]

Kobe>>>>>>> both

[jlip]

What's the difference between a "pure" scorer and a "regular" scorer?

[(e)]

Durant. But both are great scorers.

[DMV2]

FG% = Durant (.471 for career)
3-PTS = Durant (over .400 twice)
FT% = Durant (90% twice)
PPG = 3-time scoring champ, Durant

This season, it's close though.

[Hotlantadude81]

Durant. Mello is a good player, but...

Durant has already been to the finals... Mello hasn't won jackshit.

[hawkfan]

Durant. Mello is a good player, but...

Durant has already been to the finals... Mello hasn't won jackshit.

Wow. This must be like the first post about a non-Hawks topic.

[TerranOP]

Durant. He can score at will basically anytime. Melo is a great scorer too, but he's much streakier. Also, Durant has a better shot selection. Melo takes terrible shots on a regular basis.

[Batz]

What's the difference between a "pure" scorer and a "regular" scorer?
It's not in hierarchical terms. By 'pure' we mean a guy whose only debatable ability is his scoring talent, and everything outside of it is not accountable.

It's like arguing who the better pure scorer is - Derrick Rose or Chris Paul. A hefty amount would say Rose. But now who is the better offensive player? Now the scale tips and you have people saying Chris Paul.

Or at least I hope that's how the criteria is set here.

[Hotlantadude81]

Durant. He can score at will basically anytime. Melo is a great scorer too, but he's much streakier. Also, Durant has a better shot selection. Melo takes terrible shots on a regular basis.

Pretty much.

[Derka]

Every single time Durant shoots the ball, I feel like its going in.

[Ikill]

Durant. He can score at will basically anytime. Melo is a great scorer too, but he's much streakier. Also, Durant has a better shot selection. Melo takes terrible shots on a regular basis.
Neither of them have great shot section but there is no bad shot for Durant he's so tall he'll get a clean look every time. On the other hand Melo misses a lot of easy baskets at the rim thats what hurts his efficiency not bad shots.

[28renyoy]

Everytime the ball leaves Durant's hands, it seems like it's going in.

[upside24]

It's not in hierarchical terms. By 'pure' we mean a guy whose only debatable ability is his scoring talent, and everything outside of it is not accountable.

It's like arguing who the better pure scorer is - Derrick Rose or Chris Paul. A hefty amount would say Rose. But now who is the better offensive player? Now the scale tips and you have people saying Chris Paul.

Or at least I hope that's how the criteria is set here.
Good post.

[KG215]

Neither of them have great shot section but there is no bad shot for Durant he's so tall he'll get a clean look every time. On the other hand Melo misses a lot of easy baskets at the rim thats what hurts his efficiency not bad shots.
How many OKC games have you watched this year?

And be honest. Because Durant's shot selection this year has been pretty damn good, especially comparing it to past seasons.

[JerryWest]

Durant

[Young X]

Durant

[Jolokia]

Melo is the better pure scorer (as in more versatile) but Durant is the better shooter.

Who's more effective and has more impact is a better question.

[upside24]

Durant is better.

Melo is an exceptional scorer though.

[chazzy]

I like watching Melo more but this is Durant

[ralph_i_el]

durants pullup is unstoppable. He's the best scorer in the league right now

[ClutchOver9000]

Well I think Melo has the more diversified scoring arsenal, and is a match-up nightmare because of his potent inside-outside game. Can play on the perimeter, can bang in the paint. Too strong for guards, too fast for bigs. Arguably best iso player in the league (both a pro and con depending on circumstances). When he is on fire, give me Melo over anyone else in the league :pimp:

Durant however is basically a 6'11 2-guard :eek: Can get his shot off over anyone. Great slasher, great in transition. Throw in that consistency and efficiency to the mix, and Durant gets the edge. His game meshes extremely well within the flow of OKC's offense. However, big con for me is that, although gifted length-wise, he lacks strength/size and therefore can be bullied by physical defenders. Also lacks a strong post up game.

[Foster5k]

Gotta go with the Durantula. I never thought he would be this good, but he proved me wrong. Still needs to lead a team to a championship to seal his fate.

[OKCThunderUP]

Neither of them have great shot section

uh LOL WHAT

[Sarcastic]

Neither of them have great shot section but there is no bad shot for Durant he's so tall he'll get a clean look every time. On the other hand Melo misses a lot of easy baskets at the rim thats what hurts his efficiency not bad shots.


If he got the star calls that Durant gets, his numbers would look much better since he gets fouled so many times at the rim.

[KOBE143]

Durant

He's a taller version of Kobe in offense but not in defense..

[28renyoy]

Well I think Melo has the more diversified scoring arsenal, and is a match-up nightmare because of his potent inside-outside game. Can play on the perimeter, can bang in the paint. Too strong for guards, too fast for bigs. Arguably best iso player in the league (both a pro and con depending on circumstances). When he is on fire, give me Melo over anyone else in the league :pimp:

Durant however is basically a 6'11 2-guard :eek: Can get his shot off over anyone. Great slasher, great in transition. Throw in that consistency and efficiency to the mix, and Durant gets the edge. His game meshes extremely well within the flow of OKC's offense. However, big con for me is that, although gifted length-wise, he lacks strength/size and therefore can be bullied by physical defenders. Also lacks a strong post up game.

Hate to tell you, but Durant has been the most efficient post scorer in the league this season by a HUGE margin.

[Ikill]

How many OKC games have you watched this year?

And be honest. Because Durant's shot selection this year has been pretty damn good, especially comparing it to past seasons.
My main point was shot selection is not the reason Durant is more efficient or maybe i should of said neither of them bad shot selection. It doesn't matter how good Durants shot selection is anyways he's so tall he'll get a quality look everytime he shoots.

[bizil]

In terms of the bottom line, which is the points u can rack up, Durant, Melo, Bron, Kobe, and Wade get it done better than anybody. But from there it comes down to scoring skillset, size, etc. that separates Durant and Melo. In comparing the two, Melo has the better scoring skillset due to a more physical post game. I don't recall a 6'8 240 pound SF with the scoring capabilites and skillset of Melo. But KD is the better pure shooter( even though Melo has a sick stroke) and at 6'10 or even 6'11 has skills and agility never seen before for a player that tall. U can't go wrong either way scoring wise. This is like comparing those 80's SF's like Bird, Nique, King, English, Dantley, and Aguirre to each other. All great and most likely the best in certain ways at scoring. Gun to my head, I would take KD.

[JerryWest]

In terms of the bottom line, which is the points u can rack up, Durant, Melo, Bron, Kobe, and Wade get it done better than anybody. But from there it comes down to scoring skillset, size, etc. that separates Durant and Melo. In comparing the two, Melo has the better scoring skillset due to a more physical post game. I don't recall a 6'8 240 pound SF with the scoring capabilites and skillset of Melo. But KD is the better pure shooter( even though Melo has a sick stroke) and at 6'10 or even 6'11 has skills and agility never seen before for a player that tall. U can't go wrong either way scoring wise. This is like comparing those 80's SF's like Bird, Nique, King, English, Dantley, and Aguirre to each other. All great and most likely the best in certain ways at scoring. Gun to my head, I would take KD.
dat avatar....yum

[redrich2000]

Well I think Melo has the more diversified scoring arsenal, and is a match-up nightmare because of his potent inside-outside game. Can play on the perimeter, can bang in the paint. Too strong for guards, too fast for bigs. Arguably best iso player in the league (both a pro and con depending on circumstances). When he is on fire, give me Melo over anyone else in the league :pimp:

Durant however is basically a 6'11 2-guard :eek: Can get his shot off over anyone. Great slasher, great in transition. Throw in that consistency and efficiency to the mix, and Durant gets the edge. His game meshes extremely well within the flow of OKC's offense. However, big con for me is that, although gifted length-wise, he lacks strength/size and therefore can be bullied by physical defenders. Also lacks a strong post up game.

I think this is right. How about this for a question, if you switched Melo and Durant, would OKC have a better shot at beating the Heat?

[knickscity]

When I think scorer...I think Melo.....when I think shooter.....I think Durant.

They both rack up a bunch of points in different ways.

Don't even know what a "pure" scorer is though.

[Draz]

honestly their both amazing players. i love watching melo more than durant perhaps because of his ability to score in many different ways.

[Michael_Wilbon]

Carmelo Anthony

[Rissa]

I haven't seen a lot from Durant since I mostly watch Knicks but Carmelo is an amazing scorer, he makes it look so easy.

[SilkkTheShocker]

Seems like the term "pure scorer" is used mostly as a way to defend Melo.

[Trentknicks]

Seems like the term "pure scorer" is used mostly as a way to defend Melo.
Talking about defense, why don't you come back and defend yourself in the last two Knicks-Heat game threads. Knicks spankin dat ass without STAT, Melo, Shump & Camby :roll:

[pnyozzzoo]

This is beating a dead horse, I'll close it here:

Durant will always be more efficient, due to body and shooting stroke.

Melo will always be more versatile, due to style and skill sets.

Nothing else to discuss about.

[Y2Gezee]

I think this is right. How about this for a question, if you switched Melo and Durant, would OKC have a better shot at beating the Heat?


If OKC had Melo, they'd have a post game.

[Human Error]

Durant, easily.

[gengiskhan]

Better pure scorer: Kevin Durant or Carmelo Anthony?

Discuss.

from what I've seen. Durant. Melo is streaky ala Kobe. Can turn it on when going gets tough or having an off night.

Durant can.

[Dro]

Umm...the guy who had led the league in scoring for the past 3 years.....

[Dro]

If OKC had Melo, they'd have a post game.
Have you been paying attention? DURANT is one of the leading post scorers in the league this season...:confusedshrug:

[avonbarksdale]

melo, durant better shooter

and lets get real if durant didn't get so many phantom foul calls melo would probably be leading the league in scoring

[Dro]

melo, durant better shooter

and lets get real if durant didn't get so many phantom foul calls melo would probably be leading the league in scoring
Yes, the only reason a guy has the led the league in scoring for THREE straight years is because of the refs....Because Melo has never gotten superstar calls right? And if he hasn't, maybe its because he's not a superstar....:confusedshrug:

[TylerOO]

LeBron

[avonbarksdale]

Yes, the only reason a guy has the led the league in scoring for THREE straight years is because of the refs....Because Melo has never gotten superstar calls right? And if he hasn't, maybe its because he's not a superstar....:confusedshrug:


i don't care

[dunksby]

Purely talking from a scoring standpoint, Durant is the better scorer, beside being more efficient at it, he has added new weapons to his repertoire. He has been much more active in the post, additionally now he attacks the basket relentlessly, which have made him even harder to defend now. Melo has been pretty much the same player for a few years now, while KD has leaped ahead every season passing Anthony after his 3rd year.

[SilkkTheShocker]

Durant is a better scorer. Melo never wins these debates so people start using the term "pure"

[tazb]

LeBron

This. It's sad how Carmelo & Durant are one-dimensional players who can only score yet LeBron still does it better than them. :lol

[Living Being]

Melo doesn't improve his team, so Durant wins by default.

[LikeABosh]

The guy who actually wins scoring titles.

[La Frescobaldi]

Have you been paying attention? DURANT is one of the leading post scorers in the league this season...:confusedshrug:

This is why Oklahoma City isn't going to win rings as long as Heat are on the other side of the line in the Finals.
Until Thunder get a offensive force that has post moves, they will be too one dimensional for Bosh - James defense. Perimeter game is nice but it's paint ball that generally wins it all and their defense is stellar.

Now if Thunder had a guy like Al Jefferson or Pekovic in the middle?
They would live up to their name at that point.
:eek:
Right now the more correct name has to be Oklahoma City Lightning

But we'll see! That team looks real good. Tho very very weak physically that is deceptive. The greyhound game can destroy power teams if you don't beat them down in a hurry.

As far as OP it isn't really as close as you would think. Carmelo Anthony has more experience and can break down opponents but Durant is elite level NBA scoring machine. All-Time great for scoring.

Durant scoring abilities ranks somewhere right in here with these guys:

1985-86 Dominique Wilkins Hawks 30.3 2,366 78
1984-85 Bernard King Knicks 32.9 1,809 55
1983-84 Adrian Dantley U Jazz 30.6 2,418 79
1982-83 Alex English Nuggz 28.4 2,326 82
1981-82 George Gervin SSpurs 32.3 2,551 79
1980-81 Adrian Dantley U Jazz 30.7 2,452 80
1979-80 George Gervin SSpurs 33.1 2,585 78
1978-79 George Gervin SSpurs 29.6 2,365 80
1977-78 George Gervin SSpurs 27.2 2,232 82
1976-77 Pete Maravich NOJazz 31.1 2,273 73
1975-76 Bob McAdoo Braves 31.1 2,427 78
1974-75 Bob McAdoo Braves 34.5 2,831 82
1973-74 Bob McAdoo Braves 30.6 2,261 74

Whereas Carmelo Anthony is a notch or two below all of those guys. Noticeably not that same level.

And actually If you were to place Kevin Durant into a time zone he'd have been great in the 70s, battling Gervin for scoring titles. I doubt he would have beat Bob McAdoo though. The Mac Attack was absolutely insane.

[Ikill]

What really hurts Melos efficiency is his poor finishing ability he misses too many easy baskets. He also doesn't get as many fastbreak points or points from playing off the ball.