Let's start a Kevin Durant discussion

[Almost_Famous]

37 points, 23 rebounds tonight at Texas Tech.

a) Would you take him over Greg oden in the draft if you were Boston, Philly, or Memphis?

b) Who does he compare to? McGrady?

c) Where does he rank in NCAA history in terms of freshman awesomeness?

d) Can he do some damage in the NCAA tournament?

Stats if you want to see them ...

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/players/60085

 

[Chuck~Taylor]

Kevin Durant eats baby elephants for breakfast.

 

[indiansnetwork]

He is the best player in College Basketball to bad for him the NBA blocked him because he could be pulling in some real cash.

 

[Dignan]

Kevin Durant eats baby elephants for breakfast.

Dude needs to eat. He won't do much in the pros until he bulks up.

 

[Almost_Famous]

Who wants to list all the skinny, successful NBA players?

This guy Jordan was pretty frail when he entered the league. He was decent out of the gate.

Sure, Durant could use some lbs, but he'll be playing the three, and with his long arms, he'll be fine.

 

[write then drink]

that was an astounding second half

 

[Dignan]

Sure, Durant could use some lbs, but he'll be playing the three, and with his long arms, he'll be fine.

Durant will be a great NBA player in a few years, but take him No. 1 over Oden? No way.

 

[fever_dog]

mj was not "frail" when he was at UNC, nor when he entered the league.

durant is definitely talented and he is long. my main concern with him is his narrow shoulders. i don't know many star nba players whose shoulders/frame were so narrow. he has jonathan bender's physique, and that's scary. sure, he's away more talented than bender, but still.

other than that, he certainly appears good. i'd like to see him get to the line more and make his free throws. after all, he needed 29 shots to score 37. and it's not like tech has any real size or athletic ability.

his shooting touch is what i think is most impressive. for a guy so long, he can really shoot.

 

[ondeadline]

If every college player made himself eligible for the next draft:
1. Kevin Durant
2. Greg Oden
3. Brandan Wright

 

[fever_dog]

i'd take oden.

 

[Ellis Redding]

i'd take oden.

Assuming his wrist heals properly, I agree.

 

[Oz]

37 points, 23 rebounds tonight at Texas Tech.

Oden, because he's 7 feet tall.

 

[Almost_Famous]

you always go with height, but i don't think you can't dismiss durant as not having a chance going first.

that's jordan in 84 ... fine, maybe not frail. but he doesn't have much on durant. plus, by the time the dunk contest rolls around in 08 of durant's rookie year, he'll have gained 10-15 lbs at least.

http://www.geocities.com/mjlove8485/love8485/8485ASRocktheBaby.jpg

draft is today (obvs depends on what you have)

1. durant
1a. oden
2. noah
3. wright

it's funny how far josh mcroberts has fallen when he doesn't have shelden and redick to make him look good

 

[Almost_Famous]

ps - recent 7 foot busts

Darko
Skitishican'tspellhisname (5th to nuggets)
chandler (?)
mihm
przybillia
weis to knicks
candy man

 

[Hammer Pants]

Bottom line, if I have any of the first three picks in the draft this year, I'm really, really happy with whoever I get.

But, gun to my head, I probably still take Oden. I take a potential franchise 7-foot center over a potential franchise 6-9 wing type.

But Durant (and hell, even Wright) would go No. 1 in a lot of years. They're all awesome players. I don't agree with not letting an 18-year-old go straight to the NBA and get his money if he's good enough, but selfishly, I love this rule.

 

[Oz]

Bottom line, if I have any of the first three picks in the draft this year, I'm really, really happy with whoever I get.

But, gun to my head, I probably still take Oden. I take a potential franchise 7-foot center over a potential franchise 6-9 wing type.

What he said. A_F, Durant is an amazing player who will go very, very high when his time comes, but it's easier to get lucky finding an athletic 6-9 forward than a franchise 7-foot center, for obvious reasons. If it's that close between the two, you go with size.

As for the busts you listed, only Candy Man was expected to do great things. The rest were projects from the start. Oden won't be seen as a project when he's drafted.

 

[ondeadline]

it's funny how far josh mcroberts has fallen when he doesn't have shelden and redick to make him look good

Nice, accurate inbounds pass to the Clemson player a week or so ago, huh? Why should McRoberts' NBA prospects be any better than most Dukies. With a few exceptions such as Brand and Hill (when he's not hurt), Duke players become role players or get hurt. What's J.J.'s role this year for the Magic? Making sure the bench doesn't fly up?

 

[shotglass]

Oden's a manchild. I would have to take him first.

But I also might wind up kicking myself in four years when Kevin Durant is averaging 27 and change, and making everyone around him infinitely better.

 

[Norman Stansfield]

If every college player made himself eligible for the next draft:
1. Kevin Durant
2. Greg Oden
3. Brandan Wright

I second this list.

Durant is a once-in-a-generation type player. Garnett with three-point range. He becomes even more valuable with so many teams looking for big men who can shoot. This guy will be a coach's dream in the NBA, because he'll allow for unreal spacing on the perimeter and also create horrible mismatches for the oppostion because of his size and the threat of him taking it to the basket.

I think Oden's going to be outstanding also, but the game is going away from back-to-the-basket, true center types. He'll impact the game defensively, no question, but offensively he's going to be limited to jump hooks and putbacks for a while. A less skilled but more athletic Duncan.

Wright is Durant without a jumper. Freak athlete. He's going to be a hell of a 3-4 type.

 

[Leo Mazzone]

McRoberts will be a good "career" NBA player-- meaning he can rebound, pass and play the post. Will he be a star? Not likely. But he's a good investment.

And I'd take Durant.