Kevin Durant has elite athleticism

[JohnMax]

He's in the Lebron/Wade tier of athleticism but his body is too underdeveloped to showcase it like those guys.

[superduper]

Hot take of the year :applause: :rockon:

[StrongLurk]

He's not in prime Lebron-tier athleticism, but KD's athleticism is easily the most underrated part of his game.

[Marchesk]

He's not Shawn Kemp level elite.

[hiphopanonymous]

He's very long and very coordinated for being so long - also soft touch

- but that's about it

Not a great leaper, not blazing fast, not incredibly strong, not blindingly quick, not gifted with huge hands for palming the ball

:confusedshrug:

I think he's so good due to his skill + length, his athleticism (other than length and coordination) isn't what stands out to me

[Meticode]

Durant doesn't have elite athleticism. Otherwise he'd do some things like Giannis does around the basket, but he doesn't. Giannis stuffing people's faces.

You don't see Durant do dunks anything like Giannis...

https://thumbs.gfycat.com/LonelyGiantCub-size_restricted.gif

[Jasper]

He's in the Lebron/Wade tier of athleticism but his body is too underdeveloped to showcase it like those guys.
if this would be true , he would post up.....
failed on thread(.)

[eliteballer]

He might if he juiced like wade and lebron.

[ZMonkey11]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIM2a8e6qfI

[E_Stamkos]

He's very long and very coordinated for being so long - also soft touch

- but that's about it

Not a great leaper, not blazing fast, not incredibly strong, not blindingly quick, not gifted with huge hands for palming the ball

:confusedshrug:

I think he's so good due to his skill + length, his athleticism (other than length and coordination) isn't what stands out to me

This is a really accurate post.

[ImKobe]

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/11494741/slack_imgs_4.gif

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/df/e9/b6/dfe9b6fb5e6c9b7337ce3de469ea9b78.gif

LOOK AT THIS BEAST

[CTbasketball92]

Durant doesn't have elite athleticism. Otherwise he'd do some things like Giannis does around the basket, but he doesn't. Giannis stuffing people's faces.

You don't see Durant do dunks anything like Giannis...

https://thumbs.gfycat.com/LonelyGiantCub-size_restricted.gif

It probably sounds blasphemous, but I actually think KD's athleticism is easily on par with Giannis'. He's got a 36+ inch vertical now and he's very fast in the open court. His first step for a 6'10" player is also astonishing. Also, he pulls off moves that a 6'3" guard can't pull off, and that's because his feet are incredibly nimble. Giannis has the power and even more length, but he'll never be more smooth/coordinated and maybe even much more of a leaper than KD.

[TheCorporation]

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/11494741/slack_imgs_4.gif



I was literally at this game, so this one did hurt a little.

Bron still dropped a 33-point triple double, having played 47 freakin' minutes but Golden State was still too much.

[AngelEyes]

It probably sounds blasphemous, but I actually think KD's athleticism is easily on par with Giannis'. He's got a 36+ inch vertical now and he's very fast in the open court. His first step for a 6'10" player is also astonishing. Also, he pulls off moves that a 6'3" guard can't pull off, and that's because his feet are incredibly nimble. Giannis has the power and even more length, but he'll never be more smooth/coordinated and maybe even much more of a leaper than KD.

Durant may be more smooth but he's definitely not more coordinated and he's nowhere near as explosive.

[bizil]

Elite YES! Freak athlete NO! I would compare KD to what Gervin was in his era. Iceman was an elite athlete in that era FOR SURE! BUT he wasn't a Dr. J or David Thompson level freak athlete. So u can't put KD on the level of an MJ, Nique, Bron, Drexler, Vince, Kobe, T Mac, or Wade type perimeter guy. BUT I would put him in the very good athlete type of class though. The freak guys have a certain type of explosiveness that jumps off the page. KD isn't quite on that level. KD and Ray Allen are great examples of guys who are very good athletes.

[JohnMax]

who's the girl in your avatar

[lilteapot]

Most NBA players have elite athleticism, lol, unless you're a post scorer or jared dudley.

[superduper]

Durant doesn't have elite athleticism. Otherwise he'd do some things like Giannis does around the basket, but he doesn't. Giannis stuffing people's faces.

You don't see Durant do dunks anything like Giannis...

https://thumbs.gfycat.com/LonelyGiantCub-size_restricted.gif

Very good point.

[Overdrive]

Durant doesn't have elite athleticism. Otherwise he'd do some things like Giannis does around the basket, but he doesn't. Giannis stuffing people's faces.

You don't see Durant do dunks anything like Giannis...

https://thumbs.gfycat.com/LonelyGiantCub-size_restricted.gif

KD is the same height and has some dunks with the head at about rim level. He just keeps his feet straight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTuHxpFldjw

Giannis' is a tad more highflighing, but it's not like KD is Zach Randolph.

[PP34Deuce]

So I've learned there are smooth athletes and explosive athletes......

I'm going to separate the freaks of nature which are Bron, Shaq, MJ, etc..

Both can be great-elite. When you think explosive, you think

Westbrook
Prime Rose
John Wall
Prime Blake Griffin
Prime Dwight
Prime VC

Smooth athletes would be:

Prime Ray Allen
Prime Melo
Paul George
Anthony Davis
Tracy Mcgrady ( He was explosive but he tended to be much more smooth)

All these guys are elite athletes. I think explosive guys tend to be stronger and are able to move their weight faster while smooth guys are able to change directions like a precision car.

[FKAri]

So I've learned there are smooth athletes and explosive athletes......

I'm going to separate the freaks of nature which are Bron, Shaq, MJ, etc..

Both can be great-elite. When you think explosive, you think

Westbrook
Prime Rose
John Wall
Prime Blake Griffin
Prime Dwight
Prime VC

Smooth athletes would be:

Prime Ray Allen
Prime Melo
Paul George
Anthony Davis
Tracy Mcgrady ( He was explosive but he tended to be much more smooth)

All these guys are elite athletes. I think explosive guys tend to be stronger and are able to move their weight faster while smooth guys are able to change directions like a precision car.
You're basically talking about body control and coordination when you say "smooth". You can liken it to dancing. It can be further broken down into 2 categories: muscle memory and natural coordination. Muscle memory comes with repetition and is strongly amplified the younger you started those reps. It's why in soccer they say after a certain age there are some techniques you just can't absorb because even training it everyday won't get you to where it would've if you were younger.

[HoopologyPhD]

I don't know of too many elite athletes that can't even bench press their own body weight at the age of 18.

[tpols]

Durant doesn't have elite athleticism. Otherwise he'd do some things like Giannis does around the basket, but he doesn't. Giannis stuffing people's faces.

You don't see Durant do dunks anything like Giannis...

https://thumbs.gfycat.com/LonelyGiantCub-size_restricted.gif


he's done dunks better than that... KD has thrown down some unreal space jam esque poasters. His body control is extremely elite.

[tpols]

i found the one i was looking for :lol

https://www.totalprosports.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/kd-monster-jam-kevin-durant-gifs.gif

[FKAri]

i found the one i was looking for :lol

https://www.totalprosports.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/kd-monster-jam-kevin-durant-gifs.gif
Defender(Haywood?) literally jumped up into him, lifting him higher. This is more egregious than Tom Chambers. Look at KD's belly absorb the contact.

[tpols]

Defender(Haywood?) literally jumped up into him, lifting him higher. This is more egregious than Tom Chambers. Look at KD's belly absorb the contact.


that was from the 2011 playoffs versus the Mavs.

if you look at the full vid (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyrGAPQyhEw) he takes off way outside the restricted area... most of his dunks do that though

[TheImmortal]

KD is such a legend.. :bowdown: His defense tonight is tenacious. I can't wait when LeFlop is locked up and grilled at by KD. Bran ain't ready for the big boys!