Today is the first time I have had a chance to see him play. He has 25 against Kansas at the half including a bunch of threes.

However, so far I have not been impressed with his potential as an NBA player.

In the first half he avoided all body contact, both on offense and defense. All his points came on either turnaround jumpers or face up jumpers except for a breakaway dunk and a inbounds lob.

You can't judge a player off of 20 minutes and there is no doubt that he can shoot.

However, jump shooters can be neutralized in the NBA. What has made the great offensive players great (other than the centers) in the NBA is their ability to create their own shots and get to the foul line in addition to being able to hit the outside shot.

Another half to come and then there is the NCAA tournament. I want to see Durant put the rock on the floor and take it to the hoop. If I see this then I will be impressed.

:hoops:

In the second half, the last 10 minutes, Durant took it to the hoop 4 times and lost the ball 4 times, getting no foul shots.

Not impressed, but then he is only a freshmen.

I see him at this point as a shooting guard in the NBA.

:hoops:

I think he projects out to be a more finesse version of Chris Bosh.

He's way too tall to be a SG in this league. With so many coaches playing small ball, he's probably an NBA PF.

He's just the latest overhyped player. It's not even a lock he will go pro this year.

This guy moves very well... let's remeber he's only a FRESHMAN... putting up gr8 numbers in a hostile environment... it was obvious he suffered a bad ankle sprain which effected his 2nd half performance...
I'm impressed with his range and mature post game... he'll fill out in the next couple of years.

I think he projects out to be a more finesse version of Chris Bosh.

He's way too tall to be a SG in this league. With so many coaches playing small ball, he's probably an NBA PF.

He's just the latest overhyped player. It's not even a lock he will go pro this year.

I can only speak for today's game, but he was never in the paint the whole game. No way did he look like even a high school version of Bosh.

He did everything he could to avoid contact. You can't play the front line in the NBA if you don't like contact unless you play like a Euro and Bosh does not play like a Euro.

:hoops:

This guy moves very well... let's remeber he's only a FRESHMAN... putting up gr8 numbers in a hostile environment... it was obvious he suffered a bad ankle sprain which effected his 2nd half performance...
I'm impressed with his range and mature post game... he'll fill out in the next couple of years.

Greg Oden is the same age and he goes right at them. Durant avoided contact the whole game which included before he hurt his ankle, even on defense.

I don't think hostile environment has anything to do with it. By the time you have played at this level (one whole year) you are either the type who likes contact, tolerates it, or avoids it. Durant was an avoider all day on offense and defense, just like a Euro player.

I was not impressed except with his outside shooting and quick release, but the rest of his game was non-existent. Julian Wright impressed me more today.

:hoops:

Greg Oden is the same age and he goes right at them.


:hoops:


Yeah same age as who? He looked as old as I did when I was 40!!:)

Yeah same age as who? He looked as old as I did when I was 40!!:)

Yes I have noticed that too, but I am going with the Wikipedia on this one. LOL

Actually Oden and I were both born in Buffalo NY, but I left about 2 decades before he was born and have never been back.

Greg Oden - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Oden)

:hoops:

Yes I have noticed that too, but I am going with the Wikipedia on this one. LOL

Actually Oden and I were both born in Buffalo NY, but I left about 2 decades before he was born and have never been back.

Greg Oden - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Oden)

:hoops:

Well, you don't know how old I look. Man it is really tough growing up in Buffalo. You get to acting and looking old real fast there. LOL

:hoops:

Overated?? No. Overhyped....HELL YES!!! He's one of if not the bes player in college basketball right now. Here's the thing, just because you're good in college does not mean you'll be good in the league. When I look at Durant it looks as if he could at best be the next T-Mac if he fills out and gets some hops, at worse the next Jonathan Bender, or in the middle as another Tayshaun or Rashard Lewis.

Yes Durant is OverHyped, however, I cannot call him overrated when he is still projected as a #2 pick behind Greg Odenwokandi.

Thats right.

I said it. :gun1:

Overated?? No. Overhyped....HELL YES!!! He's one of if not the bes player in college basketball right now. Here's the thing, just because you're good in college does not mean you'll be good in the league. When I look at Durant it looks as if he could at best be the next T-Mac if he fills out and gets some hops, at worse the next Jonathan Bender, or in the middle as another Tayshaun or Rashard Lewis.
To show this kinda of poise at his age is remarkable... this kid is the real thing... sure he'll make youthful mistakes... but why would any one expect more from him at this time???
Buhda, we didn't watch the same game... he definately scored in the paint on several occasions.
Looks like a big SF down the road.

To show this kinda of poise at his age is remarkable... this kid is the real thing... sure he'll make youthful mistakes... but why would any one expect more from him at this time???
Buhda, we didn't watch the same game... he definately scored in the paint on several occasions.
Looks like a big SF down the road.


Durant doesn't turn 19 until September, he could grow like Amir did.

I'd take him with the #1 pick without thinking twice about it.

Yes Durant is OverHyped, however, I cannot call him overrated when he is still projected as a #2 pick behind Greg Odenwokandi.

Thats right.

I said it. :gun1:

I believe he has changed his name to Harrison. So it would have to be Greg Odenharrison. Somehow that doesn't sound as good. LOL


Personally, as a "Casual Fan" I would take Horford, if he comes out, over either of those guys.


:hoops:

Yes I have noticed that too, but I am going with the Wikipedia on this one. LOL

Actually Oden and I were both born in Buffalo NY, but I left about 2 decades before he was born and have never been back.

Greg Oden - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Oden)

:hoops:Did u graduate from high school with Rick James?:pound: .......i'm in love with maryjane
she's my main thang
she makes me feel all right-a
she makes my heart si-ang
and when i'm feelin low
shecomes as no suprise
takes me away with love
and leads to par-a-dice i-i- ice i-i-ice
do u love me MARYJANE???? - " a stone groove man, u r the most righteous...."

I don't think so. I grew up in Buffalo but went to high school in one of the suburbs.

:hoops:

I don't think so. I grew up in Buffalo but went to high school in one of the suburbs.

:hoops:

Actually, my older brother went to the same high school as Bob Lanier, only about a decade before Lanier.

That is how I became a Piston fan, when he got drafted by the Pistons from St. Bonnie, who actually had some of the best teams in the country in those days.

Those were the days when Lanier and Calvin Murphy had some great battles. Those were the glory years for Western N.Y. State college hoops.

Calvin Murphy Past Stats, Playoff Stats, Statistics, History, and Awards (http://www.basketballreference.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=MURPHCA01)


:hoops:

Calvin Murphy was by far the best under 5'10" guy to ever play in the NBA. If they had the slam dunk contest when he played, he probably would have won it at least 5 or 6 times.

He was also, believe it or not, a world class baton twirler!!

:hoops:

I havent seen too much of him to comment on his actual game, but from what I have seen and read from those who have, yes he is overhyped, but thats the media's fault, again just labeling him the "next big thing" rather than seeing how his game pans out over the next few years.

He reminds me of Rashard Lewis without the post-up game.

Not that that's a bad thing.

I saw one game. Can't remember who it was against. I do remember thinking... who is that guy? Durant? He shure is good.




If you would like more in depth analysis like the quality one above, just let me know.

No I don't think he is.

I do confess part of the reason why I posted this opinion is because I got tired of logging in and seeing the Yao getting married thread. No basketbills, don't be funny and add a comment to Yao's. No offense to whoever started the Yao thread. it was just time for some new scenery.

Shooting star as shooting guard: Durant will likely start as the '2' for Sonics



Shooting star as shooting guard: Durant will likely start as the '2' for Sonics - NBA - Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AoH5kMvNoid2UfkhW4UuCfi8vLYF?slug=ap-supersonics-durant&prov=ap&type=lgns)

:hoops:

Durant leaves arena on crutches after spraining ankle in Sonics' exhibition loss
October 24, 2007
SEATTLE (AP) -- Kevin Durant (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/4244/;_ylt=AnqvZYMcmRFvUGyA8.SwSp6LvLYF), the second overall choice in the NBA draft, left the arena using crutches and was wearing a soft boot after spraining his left ankle late in the SuperSonics' exhibition game loss to Golden State on Tuesday night.



Durant leaves arena on crutches after spraining ankle in Sonics' exhibition loss - NBA - Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=ArVNgi3UJ512dn4Ed7zcu8C8vLYF?slug=ap-supersonics-durant&prov=ap&type=lgns)

:hoops:

18 in the first half tonight in a run and gun shoot out with the Suns.

He should get 30 and maybe even 40 tonight if it goes to OT

:hoops:

No I don't think he is overrated at all. First and foremost there is his game which will get better as he learns. In fact, as far as a marketable young superstar he is perfect (not that I'm in favor of all that hyping). So much easier to be "in his corner" as a fan who tries to follow the rookies. I mean he looks like a kid.

LeBron never looked like a kid in his life. Wade didn't either and I guess he was older than LeBron because he went to college. Anyway, my point is that someday I'll say "I saw Kevin Durant's first game with the Sonics. He was a skinny, long gangly kid but I knew he had it right then and there."

I mean I was sick to death of LeBron before he was even drafted all that hype and he just doesn't have the kind of personality that you want to cheer on. Neither does Wade. False humility all the way on those two guys in public and then they are text messaging each other with new ways to get more money out of their teams. The "global icon" and the "fall down seven times get up eight" guy.

Kevin Durant. He looks and acts like a rookie. With insane talent. It'll be great to watch his learning curve. And he is already really fun to watch. So entertainment value on this young man....HUGE. How far will his talent take him? Who knows but the Sonics made a good choice when they took him. This rookie will be selling some tickets, no matter where the Sonics end up next year.

aurora, I really liked that last post of yours. Durant is the type of rookie you like to watch learning the game. He doesn't look like 30 as a rookie. You don't need to suspect him of doing steroids. He simply seems to be a young, talented player who still has to learn alot but who'll probably become an All- Star.