FanNation - The Republic of Sport

G.O.A.T. said 07/31, 06:02 PM
I'm probably going to lose this because I was just going against popular opinion. Anyways, just hear me out on this one.

Durant isn't strong. It will be tough for him to get off his shot and, also, to match up defensively against other players. He doesn't weigh much for being 6'11" and will be bullied by other players, simply put. Jeff Green is more NBA ready than Durant. He is a more well-rounded player and a better passer than Kevin Durant. KD cannot match up with players on the block in the League. Their physical nature will be too much for him. He will get posted up all day long. Green is 2 inches shorter than Durant YET weighs 13 pounds more. That makes a big difference. Durant might have trouble passing out of the double. Green, on the other hand, is great at recognizing double teams and, suprisingly, has a pretty good post-up game for a small forward and can take advantage of smaller players. They will lock on Durant in Seattle leaving even more opportunities for Green, who is a great finisher who can leap out of the gym. And, lastly, Green can take the hit and finish as Durant cannot, which stems back to Durant not being very strong compared to others at his position.

G.O.A.T. said 07/31, 06:49 PM
First off, that list isn't a good measuring stick because all of those guys played different positions and played in different eras where the style of basketball wasn't the same. So you can't really use that list for a good comparison. Amare Stoudemire was the last power forward to win it and when he came into the League he was ripped and he was powerful underneath. The last small forward to do it was Brandon Roy, last year. This is the best comparison because they are from the same era AND the same position. Now, there are exceptions on your list of so-called pure scorers: Kidd, Paul, Jackson, and Stoudemire. Why not put Roy on that list? He actually averaged less points per game than Jackson in his rookie year.

But there have been exceptions. So I don't understand why Jeff Green can't be another exception of pure scorers. Besides, like you said, he didn't score as much due to having a great big man in Roy Hibbert. I mean, the last "exception" on that list was Chris Paul, only two years ago.

And Durant can NOT finish when he gets fouled by physical and stronger players because he is weak for his height.

G.O.A.T. said 07/31, 07:25 PM
Are you saying Green doesn't have a wide wingspan? Because his is pretty good as well. Durant will NOT be able to play inside in the NBA. Even against smaller opponents, such as Green, because they are stronger and have more meat on their bones. They are both very versatile, no doubt about that. What's it matter if Durant has more flare? Nothing.

What's it matter if Durant has more hype? The only thing that means is that he has more pressure on him to do well which isn't alway a good thing. I think there may be too much hype for Durant. So much that it will be next to impossible for him to live up to it in his rookie season. Everyone expects Green just to be a tag-along to KD. But he can make things happen out there, and not always by scoring. His shot can be off and he can still have a decent game. If Durant's shot is off he, plainly put, sucks out there. He can't help his team. Jeff Green was the leader on his college team as well. How does Durant somehow have better leadership skills considering Green took his team deeper into the NCAA Tourney? Green completely came out of nowhere last year in college basketball. Continued below...