Last night's game, Fluke or glimpse of the future? Durant: 37 points 11 for 24: 46% 2 for 4 on threes: 50% 13 for 13 on free throws: 100% 8 rebounds 9 assists 3 steals 5 turnovers Green: 35 points 14 for 21: 67% 2 for 3 on threes: 67% 5 for 6 on free throws: 83% 11 rebounds 3 assists 3 steals 2 turnovers I like Al Horford and Luis Scola, but at this point, the way Durant has turned around his game improving his shot selection and driving to the basket...how can anyone give serious thought to anyone other than Durant for ROY?
I love Horford's game and there's no doubt he's made a big impact in Atlanta, but it's not like they're suddenly a 50-win team. To me the playoff argument is overrated when you're a 36 win team in a horrible conference, save for two teams. How many rookies could have produced the sort of game Durant did last night? I understand the Horford argument, but I think those in the Al camp are trying to emphasise Durant's inevitable struggles earlier on and overlooking his last month a bit.
Great games from both in a vengeful win against Denver. Being that the team is young, one would assume that these guys would have a youthful chip on their shoulder after being demolished by the Nuggets earlier. Good to see the "cornerstones" of this franchise step their game up and do what we all knew they could do on draft day.
Sir Desmond, I haven't watched many Sonics games lately. Maybe one game in the past month. But I am a Georgetown fan, and Jeff Green is absolutely my favorite college basketball player of all-time. In Seattle, have they allowed Green to create with the ball in his hands? For his size, he has terrific ball skills and court vision. Have they allowed him to utilize those skills?
In Seattle Green is a spot up shooter from the corners, or he is asked to run an isolation on wing. He occasionally posts up smaller forwards. They do not generally let him handle the ball or create a responsibility that rests with Watson, Ridnour or Durant most of the time. Green has been at his best this season when he is aggressive taking the ball to the basket or fading to the corner for an open three. Defensively Seattle uses him in a number of ways, generally based on matchups because of his versatility.
To answer the first question - Fluke or glimpse of the future - let me go on record as saying Fluke. 72 points, 19 rebounds, 18-19 from the line, 12 assists, 6 steals, and 7 TO's? I can name on my hand the type of duos that are capable of those type of stats. Jordan and Pippen, Kobe and Shaq (sans the FT's), Williams and Boozer, Arenas and Butler on a great night, Baron Davis and Jackson/Ellis, AI and Melo, to name a couple. Durant and Green just do not have that type of assertiveness to be able to rely on them to score 35+ points as a tandem. Eventually I can see Durant being able to average 25+ points a night but Jeff Green is a 18-20 point a game scorer at best. He is very versatile but no one can expect him to be someone that is counted on to get 30+ a night. Scorers have a history of scoring well before they reach the NBA. Green has never had the reputation of being a scorer and their is no doubt that if he focused on that aspect it would negatively affect his ability to showcase his versatility - just like it did for Durant in the early part of the season. Durant should be ROY and Green should make All NBA Rooke Second Team. They both have a very bright NBA future but in no shape would I characterized their night versus the Nuggets as what we can expect from the duo on a nightly basis.
Please note that I am going on the record of rescinding all of the negative comments that I have made about Durant this year. He will be an absolute star in this league. His March and definitely April has proven that.
That mid-range jumper is going to be some weapon. For him to play is best basketball in March and April as a skinny 19-year-old is something. Just a shame that if something doesn't happen against the odds, Seattle won't get to see it.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Iron Shiek @ Apr 17 2008, 10:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Please note that I am going on the record of rescinding all of the negative comments that I have made about Durant this year. He will be an absolute star in this league. His March and definitely April has proven that.</div> Same here. I doubted Durant like hell. I didn't think he'd make it in the NBA. He pretty much proved me wrong.
Best part for me is, after all the criticism Durant copped through January and February, he took it on board,put his head down and became a far more efficient player. Better shot selection, less threes, much better at recognising the double team (and hence more assists) and getting to the line more, where he's shooting nearly 90%. The result was his two best months by far to end the season. He can get his jumper off whenever he likes, which is fine, but the best players get to the line at will.
I agree with Shiek and don't see Green being a huge scorer in this league, but I certainly can see a few games a season where they both break 25-30 with solid numbers in all the other key categories. They both have pretty well rounded games...though Durant is much better offensively and Green better defensively. The key is that as a tandem they can be quite dynamic... if the Sonics can add a reasonably good rebounder (Wilcox is not a rebounder and Nick is out sized too much) and a deadeye shooter....they can be quite good as a team.
