Is Kevin Durant on the level of Karl Malone,David Robinson and Barkley

[TripleA]

Is he as good as these superstars of the 90s or do you think he is better or worse.
All had dominant mvp seasons.

[dannywpt]

If he retired today he would be rated around those

[3ball]

Durant and Lebron are both this caliber of player.

Lebron specifically is a Karl Malone-level player who colluded to play with Drexler and McHale, with whom he only went 2/4.. He disappointed in the same way Malone would.

Btw, the INSTANT Jordan got just 1 all-star, he went 6/6 with just a single all-star.

[Vaniiiia]

Way better than Robinson, Better than Barkley, and slightly better than Malone.

[AnaheimLakers24]

Following in the foots of barkely. Embarrased so bad in the finals by a better player that he just couldnt recover. Will never make finals again

or he will end up like tmac

[GIF REACTION]

Yeah pretty much

Don't let these 90's jerk offs tell you otherwise

[90sgoat]

Durant and Lebron are both this caliber of player.

Lebron specifically is a Karl Malone-level player who team-hopped to play with Drexler and McHale to go 2/4.

Btw, the INSTANT Jordan got just 1 all-star, he went 6/6 with just a single all-star.

Correct.

This era doesn't have any real elite players like MJ, Shaq, Bird, Kareem, Wilt, Magic.

Only second tier legends. Skill wise I don't even think Lebron is better than Barkley. His production would take a great hit in the handchecking 90s.

[GIF REACTION]

KD's MVP season was as good as any of all time, excluding the playoffs

[TripleA]

Durant and Lebron are both this caliber of player.

Lebron specifically is a Karl Malone-level player who colluded to play with Drexler and McHale, with whom he only went 2/4.. He disappointed in the same way Malone would.

Btw, the INSTANT Jordan got just 1 all-star, he went 6/6 with just a single all-star.

Chris bosh is not half the player McHale is.
:facepalm

[90sgoat]

I think of Durant more of an 80s scorer like Dantley or Chambers.

Doesn't play both end of the courts.

Not good enough for that level.

I really like Durant though and if he becomes an above average defender and above average passer then I would say he is in that 90s tier.

[Vaniiiia]

KD's MVP season was as good as any of all time, excluding the playoffs
Better than 96 Jordan though, that's for sure

[GIF REACTION]

Put it this way

Kobe had to put up 28 shots to get 35 points a game

Durant put up 20 shots for 32 points

[Akrazotile]

Durant and Lebron are both this caliber of player.

Lebron specifically is a Karl Malone-level player who colluded to play with Drexler and McHale, with whom he only went 2/4.. He disappointed in the same way Malone would.

Btw, the INSTANT Jordan got just 1 all-star, he went 6/6 with just a single all-star.


Pippen - 8 times All Defense First Team
Rodman - 7 times All Defense First Team
Kucoc - 6MoY


How many times has Lebron played with guys who were getting awards like that while they were teammates?

[Vaniiiia]

I think of Durant more of an 80s scorer like Dantley or Chambers.

Doesn't play both end of the courts.

Not good enough for that level.

I really like Durant though and if he becomes an above average defender and above average passer then I would say he is in that 90s tier.
He already is that you ****ing retard. You don't watch any games. You didn't even know who Elgin Baylor was.

KD is above average defender and above average passer for his position.

Pay attention moron.

[GIF REACTION]

KD had a noticeably down post season, and he still put up 30/9/4 on 57 TS% (Which is higher than Jordan's post season average)

[TripleA]

He already is that you ****ing retard. You don't watch any games. You didn't even know who Elgin Baylor was.

KD is above average defender and above average passer for his position.

Pay attention moron.

He actually very good at those things including rebounding.
People think of third year Durant when they state his flaws.
He is a much more complete player now.

[GIF REACTION]

If Durant comes back fully healthy and is so for the rest of his career, I think he can crack top 10 and push someone like Kobe out

He has the perfect game to be elite all the way til 37+.... As long as he has room to hit shots, he'll continue to put up 20+ a night

[GIF REACTION]

He has a lot of options for his game as he ages... He could stay light and play a faceup style PF, or he could bulk up a bit and play inside out from the 4... He has the length to get shots off inside and out

[90sgoat]

KD is a poor defender, I have eyes and can see. He is a twig and doesn't use his length as he should.

[3ball]

Pippen - 8 times All Defense First Team



.
This was the consensus about Pippen:



Bill Laimbeer:


"The Jordan Rules were to just stop him, because no one else could beat you on that ballclub"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2v0LOhjsJs&t=1m22s



Chuck Daly:


"It doesn't entail me playing you necessarily... it's our 5.... playing... you."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gCMWuCdsGQ&t=27m41s



Chuck Daly:


"We knew how dangerous he was and we knew going into the playoffs that we had to do something special.. So we most definitely devised what we called "the Jordan Rules""

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIY_4vIxGEE&t=22m49s



Bill Laimbeer:


"We didn't even think about Scottie Pippen. It was Michael Jordan and the Jordannaires - and you can't win championships like that with only 1 player."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqC74bv46Z8&t=1h07m33s



Shaquille O'Neal:

"You did okay, but MJ did most of the work"

"Remember I WAS BATMAN YOU WAS ROBIN , I was PUFFY YOU WAS MASE"

"See what happens when Michael Jordan ain't protecting you, you lose a 17 pt lead in the fourth quarter." (referring to 2000 WCF Game 7)


Phil Jackson:


"Don't leave Michael all alone here. It's not TIME YET."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOgJhzj4W9M&t=30m20s

This was Phil Jackson during a huddle in the 1991 NBA Finals, showing how the everyday game plan was to leave Michael alone and let him do everything down the stretch of games.



Dumars and Isiah:


"Isiah said he sat out by the water for 4-5 hours (thinking about MJ)".

"Dumars and i were on the phone for hours, talking about 23 in red."

"Isiah called me at 3 in the morning and said 'I think i finally figured out a way to stop MJ"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqC74bv46Z8&t=1h05m33s

This was Dumars' and Isiah's reaction to the Bulls taking 2-1 series lead in 1989 ECF after MJ hit GW over Rodman.. The last quote is from assistant coach Brendan Malone, who said that Isiah called at 3 am to talk about stopping MJ.




Reporter Pat O'Brien in 1989, confirming that Chuck Daly's championship defense was about stopping 1 guy via the "Jordan Rules":


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2v0LOhjsJs&t=3m27s




Horace Grant:


"If it wasn't for MJ, I don't think I'd be sitting here right now. I mean, would've had a decent career, but for a leader like that to lead you to 3 championships..."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_aYOQVWSCY&t=14m44s


Scottie Pippen:


"It was the pressure. As the pressure grew, the pounding grew. I wasn't able to answer the bell."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqC74bv46Z8&t=1h22m15s

This was Pippen in the Bad Boys documentary ADMITTING he the pressure caused him to disappear in 1990 ECF Game 7 - this cost the Bulls a trip to the Finals and the ring - (Bulls would've beaten Blazers - Blazers only took Pistons 6, while Bulls took then 7.


WOAT Support from 2nd Option:

1988 ECSF:.. 9 ppg on 42%
1989 ECF:... 10 ppg on 40%
1996 Finals: 15 ppg on 34%
1998 Finals: 15 ppg on 41%

Then he had the epic choke in Game 7 of 1990 ECF, which cost the Bulls their first championship - they would've beaten the Blazers in the Finals since the Pistons beat the Blazers in 6, but needed 7 and Pippen choke to beat Bulls.
.

[dazzer87]

If he retired today he would be rated around those
https://media.giphy.com/media/4WGr6Jnd7TBte/giphy.gif

[Akrazotile]

.
This was the consensus about Pippen:



Bill Laimbeer:


"The Jordan Rules were to just stop him, because no one else could beat you on that ballclub"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2v0LOhjsJs&t=1m22s



Chuck Daly:


"It doesn't entail me playing you necessarily... it's our 5.... playing... you."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gCMWuCdsGQ&t=27m41s



Chuck Daly:


"We knew how dangerous he was and we knew going into the playoffs that we had to do something special.. So we most definitely devised what we called "the Jordan Rules""

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIY_4vIxGEE&t=22m49s



Bill Laimbeer:


"We didn't even think about Scottie Pippen. It was Michael Jordan and the Jordannaires - and you can't win championships like that with only 1 player."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqC74bv46Z8&t=1h07m33s



Shaquille O'Neal:

"You did okay, but MJ did most of the work"

"Remember I WAS BATMAN YOU WAS ROBIN , I was PUFFY YOU WAS MASE"

"See what happens when Michael Jordan ain't protecting you, you lose a 17 pt lead in the fourth quarter." (referring to 2000 WCF Game 7)


Phil Jackson:


"Don't leave Michael all alone here. It's not TIME yet."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOgJhzj4W9M&t=30m20s

This was Phil Jackson during a huddle in the 1991 NBA Finals, showing how the everyday game plan was to leave Michael alone and let him do everything down the stretch of games.



Dumars and Isiah:


"Isiah said he sat out by the water for 4-5 hours (thinking about MJ)".

"Dumars and i were on the phone for hours, talking about 23 in red."

"Isiah called me at 3 in the morning and said 'I think i finally figured out a way to stop MJ"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqC74bv46Z8&t=1h05m33s

This was Dumars' and Isiah's reaction to the Bulls taking 2-1 series lead in 1989 ECF after MJ hit GW over Rodman.. The last quote is from assistant coach Brendan Malone, who said that Isiah called at 3 am to talk about stopping MJ.




Reporter Pat O'Brien in 1989, confirming that Chuck Daly's championship defense was about stopping 1 guy via the "Jordan Rules":


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2v0LOhjsJs&t=3m27s




Horace Grant:


"If it wasn't for MJ, I don't think I'd be sitting here right now. I mean, would've had a decent career, but for a leader like that to lead you to 3 championships..."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_aYOQVWSCY&t=14m44s


Scottie Pippen:


"It was the pressure. As the pressure grew, the pounding grew. I wasn't able to answer the bell."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqC74bv46Z8&t=1h22m15s

This was Pippen in the Bad Boys documentary ADMITTING he the pressure caused him to disappear in 1990 ECF Game 7 - this cost the Bulls a trip to the Finals and the ring - (Bulls would've beaten Blazers - Blazers only took Pistons 6, while Bulls took then 7.


WOAT Support from 2nd Option:

1988 ECSF:.. 9 ppg on 42%
1989 ECF:... 10 ppg on 40%
1996 Finals: 15 ppg on 34%
1998 Finals: 15 ppg on 41%

Then he had the epic choke in Game 7 of 1990 ECF, which cost the Bulls their first championship - they would've beaten the Blazers in the Finals since the Pistons beat the Blazers in 6, but needed 7 and Pippen choke to beat Bulls.



[quote]Scottie and Michael used to compete on everything. Jordan used always claim his hands were bigger, but they weren

[Vaniiiia]

KD is a poor defender, I have eyes and can see. He is a twig and doesn't use his length as he should.
I beg to differ..

It was Jordan that couldn't use his length(lack there of) as he should. Ask Madonna.

But again, you don't know bro. You just don't know. KD is a good, not yet great, but good, more than capable defender. Early on in his career he wasn't as effective because little Kevin was weighing him down. It's hard to play D when your D swings around and throws you off balance all the time. He overcame that though and has some of the best defensive %'s in the game now.

[G-train]

Way better than Robinson, Better than Barkley, and slightly better than Malone.

Michael Jordan isn't way better than Robinson, let alone Durant.

If Durant plays a couple more seasons he will be in this mix of players.

[GIF REACTION]

:yaohappy:
:roll: :roll:

[DonDadda59]

Pippen - 8 times All Defense First Team
Rodman - 7 times All Defense First Team
Kucoc - 6MoY


How many times has Lebron played with guys who were getting awards like that while they were teammates?

:whatever:

1997 Playoffs
Pippen- 19/7/4 (42% FG)
Rodman- 4/8 (37% FG)
Kukoc- 8/3/3 (36% FG)


End Result-

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2gd0m0lBR1qe1pkvo1_500.gif

Mind Boggling how GOAT the GOAT was. :bowdown:

[JT123]

Vaniiia pushing 3ball and his alt's shit in at the same time! :eek: :bowdown:

[GrapeApe]

Strictly in terms of play and ability, Durant has shown top 10 caliber form, but it's too early to be having these types of discussions in terms of career. If Durant retired today he would most definitely NOT be ranked among those players mentioned. Malone, Robinson, and Barkley were all playing at a high level into their 30's. In historical terms, as of right now Durant is simply an elite scorer. He's built a solid foundation on which to make a run at being an all-time great (health permitting), but it's too difficult at this point to judge him from a historical perspective.

[TheBigVeto]

Not yet.

[Round Mound]

Nope

[ShawkFactory]

.
This was the consensus about Pippen:



Bill Laimbeer:


"The Jordan Rules were to just stop him, because no one else could beat you on that ballclub"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2v0LOhjsJs&t=1m22s



Chuck Daly:


"It doesn't entail me playing you necessarily... it's our 5.... playing... you."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gCMWuCdsGQ&t=27m41s



Chuck Daly:


"We knew how dangerous he was and we knew going into the playoffs that we had to do something special.. So we most definitely devised what we called "the Jordan Rules""

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIY_4vIxGEE&t=22m49s



Bill Laimbeer:


"We didn't even think about Scottie Pippen. It was Michael Jordan and the Jordannaires - and you can't win championships like that with only 1 player."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqC74bv46Z8&t=1h07m33s



Shaquille O'Neal:

"You did okay, but MJ did most of the work"

"Remember I WAS BATMAN YOU WAS ROBIN , I was PUFFY YOU WAS MASE"

"See what happens when Michael Jordan ain't protecting you, you lose a 17 pt lead in the fourth quarter." (referring to 2000 WCF Game 7)


Phil Jackson:


"Don't leave Michael all alone here. It's not TIME yet."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOgJhzj4W9M&t=30m20s

This was Phil Jackson during a huddle in the 1991 NBA Finals, showing how the everyday game plan was to leave Michael alone and let him do everything down the stretch of games.



Dumars and Isiah:


"Isiah said he sat out by the water for 4-5 hours (thinking about MJ)".

"Dumars and i were on the phone for hours, talking about 23 in red."

"Isiah called me at 3 in the morning and said 'I think i finally figured out a way to stop MJ"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqC74bv46Z8&t=1h05m33s

This was Dumars' and Isiah's reaction to the Bulls taking 2-1 series lead in 1989 ECF after MJ hit GW over Rodman.. The last quote is from assistant coach Brendan Malone, who said that Isiah called at 3 am to talk about stopping MJ.




Reporter Pat O'Brien in 1989, confirming that Chuck Daly's championship defense was about stopping 1 guy via the "Jordan Rules":


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2v0LOhjsJs&t=3m27s




Horace Grant:


"If it wasn't for MJ, I don't think I'd be sitting here right now. I mean, would've had a decent career, but for a leader like that to lead you to 3 championships..."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_aYOQVWSCY&t=14m44s


Scottie Pippen:


"It was the pressure. As the pressure grew, the pounding grew. I wasn't able to answer the bell."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqC74bv46Z8&t=1h22m15s

This was Pippen in the Bad Boys documentary ADMITTING he the pressure caused him to disappear in 1990 ECF Game 7 - this cost the Bulls a trip to the Finals and the ring - (Bulls would've beaten Blazers - Blazers only took Pistons 6, while Bulls took then 7.


WOAT Support from 2nd Option:

1988 ECSF:.. 9 ppg on 42%
1989 ECF:... 10 ppg on 40%
1996 Finals: 15 ppg on 34%
1998 Finals: 15 ppg on 41%

Then he had the epic choke in Game 7 of 1990 ECF, which cost the Bulls their first championship - they would've beaten the Blazers in the Finals since the Pistons beat the Blazers in 6, but needed 7 and Pippen choke to beat Bulls.
No...that was the consensus about Pippen in 1989.

He's a dream-teamer and a legend.

[Angel Face]

Let's see...

4x Scoring champion
MVP
Led his team to the Finals

yes, obviously he is.

[fandarko]

Way better than Robinson, Better than Barkley, and slightly better than Malone.


Nope, nope and nope.

At the same level if he retired today.

And I love Durant.

[Dragonyeuw]

Way better than Robinson, Better than Barkley, and slightly better than Malone.

The criminal underrating of David Robinson continues.

[Clifton]

This is exactly where I think he belongs, OP.

Can't see how you can put him on a tier with Magic and Bird. But it's these tier-2 legends that he belongs with.

He'll definitely be in the top 20 all-time when he retires IMO. There is a big drop from Larry Bird and Shaq to... Malone, Robinson, Stockton.

[RidonKs]

i wouldn't take him over them

hes lanky weak and not german

[Natureland]

I think his play from '12-'14 compares favorably to any stretch Barkley or Malone had, but I don't think I could put him on Robinson's level yet because of the defensive gap.

[SsKSpurs21]

Way better than Robinson, Better than Barkley, and slightly better than Malone.

wtf? what makes him way better than robinson?

[aj1987]

If he retired today he would be rated around those
:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

[Rocketswin2013]

He could be. I would go:

1. Durant
2. Robinson
3. Barkley
4. Malone

[Straight_Ballin]

Lol kid said way better than D Rob. :lol :lol :lol

Put the compressed air down kid.

[Papaya Petee]

Lol @ old timers blowing smoke out of their ass.

No, resume wise Durant isn't there yet.

But peak and as a player he's better than all of them.

2014 Durant > any of those guys.

Edit- 3ball, stop ****ing saying that 1990 Bulls would beat the Blazers because they lost to the Pistons in 6 and Bulls lost in 7. Literally the most retarded logic ever and I'm shocked nobody called you out on that shit.

[GrapeApe]

Lol @ old timers blowing smoke out of their ass.

No, resume wise Durant isn't there yet.

But peak and as a player he's better than all of them.

2014 Durant > any of those guys.

Edit- 3ball, stop ****ing saying that 1990 Bulls would beat the Blazers because they lost to the Pistons in 6 and Bulls lost in 7. Literally the most retarded logic ever and I'm shocked nobody called you out on that shit.

I've called him out about it and his use of "transitive property" logic on several occasions. He does it all the time. I've seen him basically say "team A beat team B and team B beat team C so it is an INDISPUTABLE FACT that team A would beat team C". He has zero understanding of how sports work.

[Straight_Ballin]

I've called him out about it and his use of "transitive property" logic on several occasions. He does it all the time. I've seen him basically say "team A beat team B and team B beat team C so it is an INDISPUTABLE FACT that team A would beat team C". He has zero understanding of how sports work.

It's not indisputable but it is much better logic than than some beta rebuttal along the lines of:

"well you see, team C matches up better with team A unlike team B, so...." :lol

[Papaya Petee]

It's not indisputable but it is much better logic than than some beta rebuttal along the lines of:

"well you see, team C matches up better with team A unlike team B, so...." :lol No it's not lol, its all about the matchups come playoffs.

Clippers beat the Spurs this year, but the Rockets beat the Clippers.

Are we really gonna sit here and argue that the Rockets would beat the Spurs because they beat the Clippers? :roll:

Or 2006 Heat beat the Mavericks but the Mavericks beat the Spurs so the Heat would beat the Spurs?

Hell no. The 2014 Spurs would beat the 14 Rockets and the 2006 Spurs would probably sweep 2006 Heat.

[dannywpt]

:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

He is already the best player with the best peak of all these at age 27 with an MVP and 4 scoring titles. He's been neck and neck with prime LeBron since 2011. No one would say Barkley, Malone, Robinson >>>>> Durant in 20 years if KD hung them up today. If that was the case, Durant would be a bigger what-if story than Grant Hill and T-Mac combined.

Durant will finish well within the top 15 and probably top 10 if he stays healthy the next 10 years. Don't let nostalgia get the better of you. He's an all-time great talent and scorer.

[dazzer87]

He is already the best player with the best peak of all these at age 27 with an MVP and 4 scoring titles. He's been neck and neck with prime LeBron since 2011. No one would say Barkley, Malone, Robinson >>>>> Durant in 20 years if KD hung them up today. If that was the case, Durant would be a bigger what-if story than Grant Hill and T-Mac combined.

Durant will finish well within the top 15 and probably top 10 if he stays healthy the next 10 years. Don't let nostalgia get the better of you. He's an all-time great talent and scorer.
:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

[DaOldLion]

I see the same people ITT who ridicule other posters for caring too much about scoring - jerking themselves off to KD's scoring titles

does the agenda just change from thread to thread?

[90sgoat]

He is already the best player with the best peak of all these at age 27 with an MVP and 4 scoring titles. He's been neck and neck with prime LeBron since 2011. No one would say Barkley, Malone, Robinson >>>>> Durant in 20 years if KD hung them up today. If that was the case, Durant would be a bigger what-if story than Grant Hill and T-Mac combined.

Durant will finish well within the top 15 and probably top 10 if he stays healthy the next 10 years. Don't let nostalgia get the better of you. He's an all-time great talent and scorer.

The next 3 seasons are make or break for his resume. 27 isn't young, it is prime, now is the time to deliver. He's got 3-5 years at prime level and needs to get a couple of FMVPs now. If he wins next year against tough competition, then he will worth talking about. 3 rings within next 5 years and edges out both Kobe and Lebron from top 10.