The answer is obviously Kevin Durant because LeBron is a much better player at this point in their careers. No clue how anyone can argue that right now...
Speaking to Durant though, pretty disappointing finish to his season. I don't wanna go too over the top on him but he obviously has some late game issues and some competiveness issues as well. He's never really been criticized by the media in his career but my guess is that will start to change. Pat Riley said after the 2011 finals that turned LeBron into a different player because it was the first time in his career where the blame was really on him. Magic went through the samething when they called him Tragic, Jordan vs the Pistons, Kobe after the Celts beat him.
Magic said the '84 summer was the longest of his life, Durant needs to feel something similar to that.
Speaking to Durant though, pretty disappointing finish to his season. I don't wanna go too over the top on him but he obviously has some late game issues and some competiveness issues as well. He's never really been criticized by the media in his career but my guess is that will start to change. Pat Riley said after the 2011 finals that turned LeBron into a different player because it was the first time in his career where the blame was really on him. Magic went through the samething when they called him Tragic, Jordan vs the Pistons, Kobe after the Celts beat him.
Magic said the '84 summer was the longest of his life, Durant needs to feel something similar to that.
Yeah I doubt the local media will give him shit. It's OKC and they are lucky to even have a team but I do think the national media will start to.
Best thing for him would be he is working out in the gym during the finals and ESPN is on and he sees StephenA and Skip screaming back at one another "KEVIN DURANT IS SOFT HE CANT WIN" "YOU DONT KNOW WHATS IN THE MANS HEART SKIP"
I initially considered that as a way to look at it, and knew others would as well.
But I think it goes deeper than that.
I think it's obvious that Lebron wouldn't have the rings he currently has, without Wade...
easy, Lebron 
in all seriousness, Westbrook is a black hole. I think he may be akin to a modern day Stephon Starbury
teamwork and chemistry very important, just ask Pop and the Spurs. Westbrook is nothing about either, IMHO
in all seriousness, Westbrook is a black hole. I think he may be akin to a modern day Stephon Starbury
teamwork and chemistry very important, just ask Pop and the Spurs. Westbrook is nothing about either, IMHO
I couldn't disagree more. He is 1 of the best players in the league easily. Just averaged a 26-10-8 and took his defense to another level vs the best comp for a solid 6 weeks.
He makes plays that change the game and his will to win is 2nd to none. Durant was a distand 2nd to him in this series, Westbrooks play was the only reason the series was even competitive. I'll kill a guy for lack of effort/heart over lack of execution anyday.
If Durant is standing in the corner and not fighting to get open, that isn't Russ fault. That is just Durant going soft. Durant's defensive intensity when he wasn't scoring was pretty awful too. Great players find a way to effect the game when their shot isn't falling.
He makes plays that change the game and his will to win is 2nd to none. Durant was a distand 2nd to him in this series, Westbrooks play was the only reason the series was even competitive. I'll kill a guy for lack of effort/heart over lack of execution anyday.
If Durant is standing in the corner and not fighting to get open, that isn't Russ fault. That is just Durant going soft. Durant's defensive intensity when he wasn't scoring was pretty awful too. Great players find a way to effect the game when their shot isn't falling.
It's not even close and this comes after watching Westbrook and coming to the conclusion that he is the equivalent of Iverson - but James without Wade? or a loaded team - he is a distributer first and foremost - he scores the quietest pounts u could ever imagine - the majority coming in transition where he is as good as Magic was at pushing the ball - but James is not a guy u can totally rely on for big basket AFTER big basket in BIG moments - this is not Dirk or Bird or even Manu in his prime - he hates that roll too - realistically James' perfect fit would be SA where he would be the best player on the team but be able to play team ball passing, boarding, defending and playing into a system where the guy with the best shot takes the next shot - he's the ultimate team player of all time just not the biggest gamer - nothing even remotely close to Kobe or Jordan in the regards
I hate to make you relive this nightmare but http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_2013_finals.html#MIA-SAS
177 through 7, 140 through 6
He started the series tentative on offense and should've been more aggressive but he scored 34 per game in their last 3 wins. Not sure what more people want...The Spurs aren't exactly chopped liver, not like he is getting to play the 2003 Nets in the finals here. I think Kawhi is probably the best guy to guard LeBron in the entire NBA. His play on Westbrook last night was the play of the game.
Pop really showed Durant no respect whatsoever in that series. To take Kawhi off him and put him on Westbrook starting in game 5 was an insult.
177 through 7, 140 through 6
He started the series tentative on offense and should've been more aggressive but he scored 34 per game in their last 3 wins. Not sure what more people want...The Spurs aren't exactly chopped liver, not like he is getting to play the 2003 Nets in the finals here. I think Kawhi is probably the best guy to guard LeBron in the entire NBA. His play on Westbrook last night was the play of the game.
Pop really showed Durant no respect whatsoever in that series. To take Kawhi off him and put him on Westbrook starting in game 5 was an insult.
It's not a nightmare if we win 4-2 or less this year - than Lebron, Wade, Bosh and Spolestra need to have some honor and hand over last years rings and give SA the back to back they deserve - Allen can keep his ring
It's not a knock on Durant - remember Boston set out to focus on shutting down Kobe rather than Shaq and shocked the world beating LA - every other team was doubling and tripling Shaq for decades
It's not a knock on Durant - remember Boston set out to focus on shutting down Kobe rather than Shaq and shocked the world beating LA - every other team was doubling and tripling Shaq for decades
I remember reading a comment from Durant saying he isn't as obsessive about winning now as he was earlier in his career. Even though he won the MVP this year, it showed. He wasn't as consistently lethal as he used to be and may have lost some of his killer instinct.
Russell Westbrook literally played at a league MVP level during these playoffs and should be in consideration for the award if he keeps up this level next season. Completely unguaradable, and the team would have been absolutely screwed without him.
Russell Westbrook literally played at a league MVP level during these playoffs and should be in consideration for the award if he keeps up this level next season. Completely unguaradable, and the team would have been absolutely screwed without him.
Of course it was a knock on Durant and it worked because he cameup small. They took Kawhi Leonard off him because Westbrook was killing them, now its your job to make them pay for playing you with inferior defenders and he just didn't have it in him. Deferred to Westbrook and like I said even if your shot isn't falling you gotta do a better job effecting the game in other ways.
Durant has a massive mismatch and isn't fighting for the ball, what do you want Russ to then do? Durant 0-3 with 0pts in OT, he can't shoot the ball for him.
And yeah, looking forward to the finals. This is the rematch everyone wanted. I favor Miami but SA is no joke.
+999999999
There is hope for Durant though. Keep in mind he has been largely praised by the media to this point in his career, going through some adversity might be good for him. If he wants to be 1 of the best players ever, he certainly has the talent to do so. Just needs a little more killer instinct and intangibles....
Just as a fan of the game I hope he figures it out.
