Will Durant ever be the best in the league?

[iTare]

You think there's a chance that by the time that he's better than Lebron(because LBJ is too old) there will be a better player than him? He might never get a chance to be #1 :( .

Discuss.

[aj1987]

You think there's a chance that by the time that he's better than Lebron(because LBJ is too old) there will be a better player than him? He might never get a chance to be #1 :( .

Discuss.
I think he might win MVP this year. Dude had a 28 PPG 8 RPG and 5 APG 50/40/90 season and he still hasn't hit his peak yet.

[#number6ix#]

Hell yea... he's like 24-25 he'll be the best in another 3-4 years maybe sooner if lebron can't adjust once his athleticism declines

[CelticBaller]

If LeBron blows his knee out before Wiggins hits his prime

[Spaulding]

Maybe...first Bron has to decline and when that happens who knows who else could be in the discussion

[Marchesk]

Durant isn't that far behind Lebron. The difference is mainly defense, and that Westbrook is the main distributer (so of course Durant isn't going to hand out as many assists).

The Thunder went to an unexpected finals with Durant at 23, they won 60 games minus Harden a year later.

I'm not seeing a huge difference. He probably will hit his peak in a couple of seasons when Lebron is 30-31 and has lost another step.

[Dionysus]

Nope, will always be a 2nd place loser.

[Fudge]

Next season he will be.

1. Kevin Wayne
2. Lebron Jame
3. Kobe Bryan

[Marchesk]

Nope, will always be a 2nd place loser.

You mean he won't take his talents elsewhere?

[Poetry]

I think he might win MVP this year.

I think so too.

[iTare]

I think so too.

Maybe because it would be weird to give it to Lebron 3 times in a row. I don't see Durant having better stats than Bron.

[Dionysus]

You mean he won't take his talents elsewhere?

No, because he knows he needs Westbrook to be his leader.

[Le Shaqtus]

I think it's a given.

I give LeBron a few more years of Dominance, then after he starts falling off I see Durant picking up the pace.

By this time Durant will be about 27-28 and should be peaking around there. Durant is 24 and is already this good, I can't wait to see how he evolves as a player as he gets older.

[KG215]

Silk will love this thread. "Will There Ever be a Durant Era?", or some iteration of that, was one of his favorite repeat threads for a few weeks earlier in the summer.

[Dionysus]

I think so too.

Well then you also think LeBron will die in a car accident. (trying to save someone from a burning car, saves their life but gives his own, might I add)

[ZaaaaaH]

3 Years 2016 Season he will be the Best Player.

[aj1987]

Maybe because it would be weird to give it to Lebron 3 times in a row. I don't see Durant having better stats than Bron.
IF Lebron improves himself from what he was last year, he's going to win the MVP. I definitely see Durant going for 29-30 PPG 8-10 RPG 6-8 APG along with 2 steals and a block on 50-40-90.

[KG215]

IF Lebron improves himself from what he was last year, he's going to win the MVP. I definitely see Durant going for 29-30 PPG 8-10 RPG 6-8 APG along with 2 steals and a block on 50-40-90.
I think 6 APG is the absolute highest Durant could reasonably ever reach while playing with Westbrook, and I don't think that'll be next year. I would like to see him average 9-10 RPG, but it'll depend on his mindset. He had stretches of last season where he'd go 10 games spending more time leaking out after a miss on defense and he'd only get 5-7 rebounds; then he'd go through other 10 game stretches where he'd make a conscious effort to hang back and help on the defensive glass, and get 10-12 rebounds.

Something like 29-9-5 on 50/40/90 next year isn't unreasonable, but I don't know if he can repeat a 90%+ FT year on that many attempts again, so if that dipped down to 88%-89% it wouldn't surprise me. I want to be optimistic and think 29-9-5 is what he'll do, but my mind is telling me he'll slightly regress (he was just insanely good last year but it gets overshadowed and mostly ignored because LeBron was even more insanely good) and to expect something like 28-8-4 on 49/38/89 shooting.

[28renyoy]

IF Lebron improves himself from what he was last year, he's going to win the MVP. I definitely see Durant going for 29-30 PPG 8-10 RPG 6-8 APG along with 2 steals and a block on 50-40-90.

Uh...30/10/8 50-40-90 would be the GOAT season

[JimmyMcAdocious]

Bird's 87 season: 28.1/9.2/7.6 52-40-91
Bird's 88 season: 29.9/9.3/6.1 52-41-91

[Hoopz2332]

I definitely see Durant going for 29-30 PPG 8-10 RPG 6-8 APG along with 2 steals and a block on 50-40-90.

GTFO:coleman: :oldlol:

[aj1987]

GTFO:coleman: :oldlol:
He just had a season in which he averaged 28/8/5 on 50/40/90 and he's only 24. 29/9/6 isn't possible?

[SillyRabbit]

I can almost guarantee that Durant will win an MVP in the next few years. The guy hasn't even peaked yet.

So to answer the question: Yes.

[All Net]

When lebron slows down sure...when that will be who knows.

[Vienceslav]

I'm sure there will be a time where a lot of people will say it, but I'm not sure he'll ever be consensus best player on the planet like Lebron is now.

[Spaulding]

I can almost guarantee that Durant will win an MVP in the next few years. The guy hasn't even peaked yet.

So to answer the question: Yes.

Just because a player gets the MVP award doesn't mean he is the best player in the league.

[TimmyDuncan]

The problem is that OKC got worse this offseason

Even if the media don't want to give it again to Lebron, OKC may not have enough wins for a MVP

[All Net]

The problem is that OKC got worse this offseason

Even if the media don't want to give it again to Lebron, OKC may not have enough wins for a MVP


They wont be worse

Their young core means they will only get better.

Reggie Jackson will fill what martin gave them.

[raprap]

westbrook will eventually be better than him.
:D

[Frozen1]

LOL maybe durant will average 6 assists with 8 turnovers.

Guys round up his numbers a lot. There is a difference between 4.5 assists and 5 assists.

The guy is not a playmaker, he is a shooter, and that's what he will always be.

[noob cake]

Probably not. LeBron James will beast for another few years, then he runs into falling behind one of the 3:

Anthony Davis
Kyrie Irving
Andrew Wiggins

[Bigsmoke]

He would be the worst best player ever

[SilkkTheShocker]

No. The guy will never be the best player in the league. He will
Get passed over like he has his whole life. And the of OKC winning titles in the future is a joke. They are a cheap franchise that trade Harden for pennies on the dollar. And this year they got even worse.

[Marchesk]

No. The guy will never be the best player in the league. He will
Get passed over like he has his whole life. And the of OKC winning titles in the future is a joke. They are a cheap franchise that trade Harden for pennies on the dollar. And this year they got even worse.

They won 60 games last season without Harden. Westbrook goes down and then all of a sudden everyone thinks the Thunder are pretenders. They had the best record in the tough West. Memphis doesn't beat them if Westbrook plays.

The Thunder are following the Spurs model, which works well for SA. They're going to draft guys and develop them.

Westbrook, Durant and Ibaka have improved every year. They just need decent support from the rest of the team and they're ready to contend for a third year in a row.

[plowking]

food

[SilkkTheShocker]

They won 60 games last season without Harden. Westbrook goes down and then all of a sudden everyone thinks the Thunder are pretenders. They had the best record in the tough West. Memphis doesn't beat them if Westbrook plays.

The Thunder are following the Spurs model, which works well for SA. They're going to draft guys and develop them.

Westbrook, Durant and Ibaka have improved every year. They just need decent support from the rest of the team and they're ready to contend for a third year in a row.

I just don't they have a 3rd piece. Ibaka is more of a 4th option imo. And their coaching and bench are pretty poor. Having the 2nd best player in the league and arguably the best PG will make them a Final contender every year. But their team needs work. And as for Durant being the best player one day. I just don't see it. I honestly believe by the time LeBron is regressing from his prime, guys like Wiggins and Anthony Davis will be there to step up.

[SilkkTheShocker]

Probably not. LeBron James will beast for another few years, then he runs into falling behind one of the 3:

Anthony Davis
Kyrie Irving
Andrew Wiggins

Forgot about Irving also. Love his game. Will be interesting to see how the Cavs core comes around.

Irving
Waiters/Karasev
Bennett
Thompson
Bynum

[KG215]

I like Kyrie, but he won't be better than Durant any time soon. It'll have to be when Durant (like LeBron in this hypothetical) is in his early to mid 30s and Kyrie is in his mid to late 20s.

Davis and Wiggins might be possible, but again (and I know I've said this a lot), that would mean they are really, REALLY damn good in the next 2-3 years. Durant's not too far behind 24-25 year old LeBron, so in order for Wiggins to be "better" than Durant, he'd have to come in the league and be as good as 25-26 year old LeBron as a 20-21 year old. Not saying the gap won't be thin after Wiggins has been in the league for a few years, but I don't think he's going to be better than Durant his first 3-5 years in the league or anything.

With Davis, we'll see, but he wouldn't surprise me. I have a big man bias so if he gets stronger, and he becomes a 22-11-2 player with elite defense, I could admit he's better than Durant.

[Marchesk]

I honestly believe by the time LeBron is regressing from his prime, guys like Wiggins and Anthony Davis will be there to step up.

Wiggins hasn't played college ball yet, so I don't know why people have any ground to think he's going to end up better than the 2nd best player in the league right now.

We'll see whether Davis turns out to be better than Howard.

Durant is the 2nd best player at 24. He just put up Bird-like numbers last season. I'll agree with you that OKC needs a third option.

[KG215]

Wiggins hasn't played college ball yet, so I don't know why people have any ground to think he's going to end up better than the 2nd best player in the league right now.

We'll see whether Davis turns out to be better than Howard.

Durant is the 2nd best player at 24. He just put up Bird-like numbers last season. I'll agree with you that OKC needs a third option.
I mean even if Wiggins mostly lives up to the hype, I don't think people realize just how damn good he's have to be by the time he's 21-23 to be better than 27-29 year old Durant because that's when Durant will probably be peaking.

I know Silk is just a troll, but I'm not sure others really understand just how good Durant already is and he might still be 2-3 years away from reaching his absolute (1-year) peak.

[juju151111]

Why are people acting like LJ is far superior to KD. LJ is better, but it's not some crazy unreachable distance.

[riseagainst]

isn't he the best in the league currently?
lol

[iTare]

Bump

[SilkkTheShocker]

Why are people acting like LJ is far superior to KD. LJ is better, but it's not some crazy unreachable distance.


Don't fool yourself, he is.

[Eric Cartman]

Why are people acting like LJ is far superior to KD. LJ is better, but it's not some crazy unreachable distance.


It is though. For reference look at their Finals matchup.

[juju151111]

It is though. For reference look at their Finals matchup.
What about it? The one where Durant avged 30ppg on 50+% :wtf: are you stupid. LJ didn't destroy him or severely outplayed him. LJ was better but not by much. Gane was decided on a no call. Neither Durant or LJ could guard each other for long periods and they bothdid good when they did guard each other.. Like I said is better but not by much.

[juju151111]

Don't fool yourself, he is.
No he is not. Show me where LJ severely outplays Durant. For example, like what MJ did to Clyde in 92. That's severely outplaying someone or what Hakeem did to David Robinson.

[SilkkTheShocker]

No he is not. Show me where LJ severely outplays Durant. For example, like what MJ did to Clyde in 92. That's severely outplaying someone or what Hakeem did to David Robinson.

Why would I waste my time arguing with a known Jordan stan? You're stuck in the past and won't hear it any other way.

[HomieWeMajor]

OKC should play him at the 2 and let him post up shorter players all day. He could easily shoot about 55% for a season. Think about a 55/45/90 season. Stat whores would ejaculate like their prostate got touched.

[juju151111]

Why would I waste my time arguing with a known Jordan stan? You're stuck in the past and won't hear it any other way.
What does Mj have to do with this? So basically you have no response. I laid down the facts and you couldn't take it.:lol that was easy

[KG215]

It is though. For reference look at their Finals matchup.
Durant's better now than he was in 2012.

[riseagainst]

OKC should play him at the 2 and let him post up shorter players all day. He could easily shoot about 55% for a season. Think about a 55/45/90 season. Stat whores would ejaculate like their prostate got touched.

:roll: :roll: :roll:




:roll: :roll:

[zoom17]

eventually Lebron isnt getting any younger and durant will surpass him at some point.

[Clifton]

Durant isn't that far behind Lebron. The difference is mainly defense, and that Westbrook is the main distributer (so of course Durant isn't going to hand out as many assists).
Durant is a second-rate passer/distributor/creator for others. Let's not lean on Westbrook to make excuses for him. He simply does not have the timing or the vision of the 6apg 2s and 3s of history (Garnett, Bird, Jordan, T-Mac, and so on).

He's still going to retire a top 20 player of all-time, though. A great player. But the difference between him and Lebron should be blindingly obvious. Just as obvious as the difference between someone like Durant and someone who simply puts up a lot of shots to score 30 every night like Melo or Gilbert Arenas. Durant's the real deal.

[aj1987]

OKC should play him at the 2 and let him post up shorter players all day. He could easily shoot about 55% for a season. Think about a 55/45/90 season. Stat whores would ejaculate like their prostate got touched.
:facepalm

[KG215]

Durant is a second-rate passer/distributor/creator for others. Let's not lean on Westbrook to make excuses for him. He simply does not have the timing or the vision of the 6apg 2s and 3s of history (Garnett, Bird, Jordan, T-Mac, and so on).

He's still going to retire a top 20 player of all-time, though. A great player. But the difference between him and Lebron should be blindingly obvious. Just as obvious as the difference between someone like Durant and someone who simply puts up a lot of shots to score 30 every night like Melo or Gilbert Arenas. Durant's the real deal.
I agree that Durant's not on the same level as other "first rate" wing playmakers but I do think there is some potential there to get semi-close. He made considerable improvement in that department last year (somewhat out of necessity after losing Harden) and was a willing passer in the playoffs after Westbrook got hurt. He had too many turnovers but I also felt like he did a solid job setting up his teammates and trying to get them involved. I think he at least understood that that was the only way he was going to have a chance to keep advancing. Unfortunately Kevin Martin was inconsistent, Ibaka went cold and was inconsistent, Thabo was bad, and Perkins is Perkins. His most reliable/consistent teammate was second year Reggie Jackson, who was thrown into the fire in a starting role, getting his first playoff action -- he didn't play at all in he playoffs in 2012.

One thing that will for sure keep Durant out of the "great scoring forwards" category is his defense, if he keeps improving. In 2013 he was a good defender (not just average, below average, or even slightly above average like some people claim) in my opinion. If he continues improving that aspect of his game, while scoring his regular 28-30 PPG on insane efficiency, and even just slightly improves his playmaking/facilitating ability, he's going to be even more scary when he's likely peaking in 2-3 years. I mean there's not another player 25 years old or younger that's even close to him right now, and the only non-LeBron player 25 or older that I feel that does have a similar impact on his team is Chris Paul...who's three years older than Durant so he'll likely be slowing down to some extent when Durant's peaking.

[Papaya Petee]

LeBron is either going to stay the best player in the league until retirement like Jordan, or will decline after 2015-2016 and Durant will take over and be the best player in the league 2-3 seasons.

Honestly, when all said and done IMO Durant will win 2x MVP, and 2 Rings

[inclinerator]

nope he can b 2nd best tho

[russwest0]

I think he might win MVP this year. Dude had a 28 PPG 8 RPG and 5 APG 50/40/90 season and he still hasn't hit his peak yet.

You are one of the few Heat fans that I can respect.

Not afraid to give credit when it's due

:cheers:

[Rose'sACL]

He will win at least 2 MVPs and multiple rings and will easily be top 10 of all time by the time he retires.

[Poetry]

http://img.pandawhale.com/post-29966-ITS-HAPPENING-gif-Ron-Paul-HD-xThK.gif

[Black and White]

KD IS the best in the league :bowdown:

[iTare]

:applause: :applause:

[Heisenberg]

hes the best right now

[aj1987]

I definitely see Durant going for 29-30 PPG 8-10 RPG 6-8 APG along with 2 steals and a block on 50-40-90.


GTFO:coleman: :oldlol:
This guy...