Kevin Durant: ‘I Think I’m Established Now. My Time is Now’

Kevin Durant had quite the year—he led the NBA in scoring, made an NBA Finals appearance, won Olympic gold, etc. All of which, you’d think, would have some people saying it’s finally KD’s time to step up and win a couple chips, but from the sounds of it, people are still hitting the forward with the “You’re the future” speech…and Durant isn’t having it. Per the Washington Post: “Back home in Washington for a brief reprieve to promote and premiere for family and friends his feature film debut, ‘Thunderstruck,’ Durant also wanted to let it be known that while he won’t turn 24 until late September, the Oklahoma City all-star forward considers himself too much of an essential element of the NBA’s present to be clumped into discussions about its future. ’I’ve heard a few times, in three or four years, this league is going to be yours. . . . I don’t like that. Because I think I’m established now. My time is now,’ Durant said. ‘I feel as though I’ve proved myself these last five years that I can be one of the top players in the league. I’ve got a long way to go to being the ultimate best, but I think my time is now. And I’m starting to enter my prime.’ Durant explained that he felt he belonged in the discussion of the league’s best since playing in the 2011 All-Star Game in Los Angeles but has mostly kept that sentiment bottled up, because, ‘I don’t like to talk about myself, but I had to get that out there.’ He probably felt a bit more comfortable after a dominant run this summer for the U.S. Men’s National Team, capped off by his 30-point outburst in the closely contested gold medal victory against Spain. Durant led the team — which featured nine all-stars, including two Finals MVPs and regular season MVPs in Kobe Bryantand LeBron James — in scoring at 19.5 points and set a new American men’s record for most points scored in an Olympic tournament with 156.”

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Rainman

@redd: i like jj. But no. Ginobili when healthy is a whole nother beast. Put ginobili as the main option in atlanta like jj has been and u’l see. (That wuda obvs been in his prime as well) put JJ on the spurs? He’s joe johnson of the phx suns(05 and earlier).
http://www.xvideos.com nbk troll

kobe is aged but not significantly. He ain’t dunking on fools domes, but he is still strong as shlt and taller than wade by like 3 inches. I feel he is still a smarter player than wade @ this point and I feel like judging kobe fg% as a reflection of how good he is, is kinda unfair knowing he is a chuck. Like atleast four times a game he is shooting bad shots just cause he cocky like that. Like I know it sound crazy, but if you forced kobe to not force bad shots his fg% would be closer to 50%
http://Slamonline.com Kap

@nbk…but Kobe is still elite is all I’m saying. I could care less about ranking or stats. Kobe wins and so do the lakers and that’s all us lakers fans care about. Our team constantly wins and the current star has achieved more than any other player since MJ.
http://Roosterteeth.com Caboose

Actually, by Draft Express, Kobe has 1 inch on Wade, Their strength is roughly the same. And you can’t say assumptions like “if Kobe didn’t chuck.” That’s pathetic and you know it. Watch:
“If Dwight didn’t get fouled so much, he wouldn’t miss so many free throws. That’s why Dwight is a good free throw shooter.” That’s an equivalent argument.
http://www.slamonline.com nbk

Shooting a bad shot is like giving away a possession. It’s so utterly stupid to make an argument and willfully ignore a negative aspect of a players game just because he’s cocky. Like that aspect of his game doesn’t actually exist when it matters or something. Kobe being a Chucker and shooting 43% is a negative. It’s not just something to shrug your shoulders at and ignore..
http://Roosterteeth.com Caboose

Kap, know who actually has achieved more, won more, and been better? Duncan. You speak in such absolutes, it’s so easy to make you look stupid by inserting one little counterpoint.
http://www.slamonline.com nbk

Kap I never said he wasn’t elite, I said he’s not better than Wade. Kobe is the second best (and on some nights the best) shooting guard in the league. Not a bad thing.
http://www.slamonline.com nbk

Shooting a bad shot is like giving away a possession. It’s so utterly stupid to make an argument and willfully ignore a negative aspect of a players game just because he’s c0cky. Like that aspect of his game doesn’t actually exist when it matters or something. Kobe being a Chucker and shooting 43% is a negative. It’s not just something to shrug your shoulders at and ignore.
http://Roosterteeth.com Caboose

Sorry nbk, just one step ahead of you on this one.
http://www.slamonline.com nbk

I would got you if I woulda type c0cky with a zero
http://Roosterteeth.com Caboose

Haha fair enough. Is this even fun, though, debating with Kobe fanatics? It’s like watching Dwight post up a point guard.
http://www.xvideos.com nbk troll

Naw chucking is definitively a fault that kobe has, I’m just putting it out there that his fg% is a little skewed by that fact. I feel like if u judging how good a player is, skills like passing shooting rebounding are more important than decision making. And u gotta look @ things realistically and not like the computer stat number cruncher u are nbk. ( see my post on the bosh thread yesterday) we all know kobe got a great jumper, the fact that he chucks doesn’t make his jumper worse it just lowers his fg%. And u right those are basically turnovers for the team but him shooting a bad shot is usually the best option for the team. Kobe over two defenders or Blake over 1. Kobe 6’7 wade 6’4
http://www.slamonline.com nbk

Lol Some of them aren’t crazy. And it’s hard to let go of something that was so wonderful. I went through Charles Barkley denial when I was younger. I understand it. But no, this really isn’t fun. Arguing rationally to people in a state of denial
Or whatever is not as much fun as having a genuine debate (civilized argument is what I prefer to call it).
http://Slamonline.com Kap

@Caboose. I stated a fact. You can’t possibly argue that Kobe isn’t the most accomplished player in the L. You’re just as bias as a Kobe Stan if you disagree.
Drig

@nbk……So, the 2012 playoffs proved nothing because Wade was hurt ( which I agree ) but you discount the fact that Kobe had a balky knee vs Dalals?? How? BTW, before you get on my case about being a Kobe maniac, I’d agree with the premise that Wade was overall better than Kobe in ’11, Kobe was better in ’12 because he played more games and meant more to the team and either player would’ve been okay in ’10.
http://Roosterteeth.com Caboose

Troll, you’re stupid. Just stop. None of that carried any intellectual weight. And I used Draft Express for my information: Wade is 6’4.75″ with shoes. Kobe is 6’6.00″ with shoes. So sorry, it was 1.25 inches. Where did you get yours? Wikipedia?
http://slamonline.com Datkid

see the disconnect here is that you guys are arguing about 2 different things. statistically Wade is the superior shooting guard. that’s not arguable. yes he’s hurt more but that’s irrelevant. however kobe is far more skilled in terms of shooting and post game etc etc. but kobe being skilled doesn’t make him better than wade, especially at this point in their careers, where kobe isn’t as athletic. It just makes him more skilled. and it’s hilarious that you guys don’t think that wade wouldn’t do damage w/ the lakers roster against the mavs. Did you see what he did w/ the heat? the only reason the mavs won that series was because they were able to stop lebron. they had NO answer for wade, who was having a vintage performance against them. and wade was having trouble against westbrook bc his knee was killing him… he’d been hurt all playoffs.Also black mamba? buddy? anytime you find yourself agreeing with the seed…it’s time to stop arguing. you too kap.
http://slamonline.com Datkid

the disconnect here is that you guys are arguing about 2 different things. statistically Wade is the superior shooting guard. that’s not arguable. yes he’s hurt more but that’s irrelevant. however kobe is far more skilled in terms of shooting and post game etc etc. but kobe being skilled doesn’t make him better than wade, especially at this point in their careers, where kobe isn’t as athletic. It just makes him more skilled. and it’s hilarious that you guys don’t think that wade wouldn’t do damage w/ the lakers roster against the mavs. Did you see what he did w/ the heat? the only reason the mavs won that series was because they were able to stop lebron. they had NO answer for wade, who was having a vintage performance against them. and wade was having trouble against westbrook bc his knee was killing him… he’d been hurt all playoffs.Also black mamba? buddy? anytime you find yourself agreeing with the seed…it’s time to stop arguing. you too kap.
Drig

Now, regarding placing Wade on the ’12 Lakers……LAL’s D would’ve improved ( provided he could actually play as many games as Kobe did ) but their O would’ve been chaotic. Anyone who saw LAL play last season know that the 3 biggest problems for LAL were lack of spacing, Gasol-Bynum games not meshing together well, no perimeter scoring aside from Kobe. So tell me how replacing LAL’s best perimeter scorer with a slasher and an inconsistent jumper would help LAL’s spacing woes??? Again, this is assuming the supporting cast on the perimeter lets the Lakers down as they did with Kobe.
http://slamonline.com Datkid

smh can i post? please?
Drig

@Caboose……one thing…why do you not think Kobe’s FG% is atleast gonna be around 47% this year provided LAL work out the O???
http://Roosterteeth.com Caboose

I can’t Kap? Watch me.
Duncan: 3 rings as the best player on his team, missed an All Star game twice in his career, missed all-defensive team twice in his career, never missed the playoffs, missed all-NBA team thrice in his career, 2 MVP’s, and a ROY. Is Kobe close in terms of career? Of course. That’s why dismissing Duncan so easily just reveals how utterly stupid, biased, ill-informed, and wrong you are.
http://Roosterteeth.com Caboose

Drig, because he’s never done it once in his career. And he’s been declining for the past 4 years. There’s no reason to expect him to buck his career trends at age 34. Or magically get better.
ka$h

@ nbk’s comment Posted: Aug.26 at 6:56 pm… Why am I giving Wade a pass for this yrs playoffs, when u won’t do the same for Kobe’s knee issues in the 2011 playoffs? Wasn’t 2011 the summer KB went to Germany for the knee procedure? He was bone on bone before that I recall…
Drig

@Caboose…..but even last season, Kobe shot at a pretty good clip off screen curls thanks to Gasol/Bynum. What hurt Kobe’s FG% the most last season aside from his isos at times was his inability to play the PnR because his hands aren’t where they used to be anymore because of injuries. If Nash and Pau can run the PnR and help Kobe set up on the opposite site to keep defenders from committing towards Nash/Pau or Dwight, I’d say LAL’s O would be superb and Kobe would have the time of his life shooting open Js on most shots. I’m expecting 21-6-6 line from Kobe next season with 47% FG% and 34% 3PT FG%
http://slamonline.com Datkid

as I side note I f*ck w/ slick rick’s list. here’s mine. (when healthy)
Lebron
Dwight
Durant
Wade
D.will/CP3
Kobe
Westbrook
Rondoooooooooo

and I could be convinced to flip westbrook and kobe’s spaces. or wade and durant’s bc wade can be an absolute game changer on defense.
also cosign the homie caboose’s ranking for next year
http://www.xvideos.com nbk troll

Caboose I’m just telling y fg% is not the end all be all to being a great shooter, its just a stat that u can look @ and use in a argument. That’s why I said look @ it realistically. Kobe never has had a great fg% but look what he has done. His fg% prob will improve next year just simply by taking less shots conversely he will prob avg. Less points… See how math works!
http://Roosterteeth.com Caboose

Drig, Kobe shot 44% when he had Payton, Malone, and Shaq on his team. He has NEVER shot 47% in his career so I really can’t project him to do something he’s never done when he’s clearly on the decline. And no chance Kobe’s rebounds go up with Dwight around. C’mon, you know that. 21-5-4 with 44% and 31%
http://Roosterteeth.com Caboose

nbk troll, so the fact that Kobe’s lowest fg%’s have come when he shoots less are meaningless to you? I know you’re -trying- to reason through things, but your brain isn’t better than actual stats.
http://Slamonline.com Kap

Umm ok Caboose let’s bash my intelligence bc I stated Kobe is most accomplished player in the L. It’s a fact like I said. No debate.
http://www.slamonline.com nbk

Read what I said again.
.
“Wade has been better during the regular season and playoffs when healthy. He played bad for 2 series in 2011, then murdered the team that swept Kobe and the reigning champion Lakers in the second round. If you look at the last 3 seasons + playoffs and compare the two players it’s clear who has been better.”
.
“The 2012 playoffs proved little to nothing because Wade was hurt and still was the second best player on a championship team, and 2011 showed little between the two because although Wade played bad, he excelled against the very team that Swept Kobe and his Championship roster in the second round. So you have to look at te wealth of data over the last 3 years, which is definitely in Wades favor. Kobe is 34 going into his 17th season, if he was still better than a 30 year old Wade then he’d be a robot anyway. I’m sorry Kobe/Lakers fans, father time is an asshole.”
.
- and Kobe’s trip to Germany for that provide, that is a temporary fix. Like duct tape.
http://www.slamonline.com nbk

Read what I said again.
.
“Wade has been better during the regular season and playoffs when healthy. He played bad for 2 series in 2011, then murdered the team that swept Kobe and the reigning champion Lakers in the second round. If you look at the last 3 seasons + playoffs and compare the two players it’s clear who has been better.”
.
“The 2012 playoffs proved little to nothing because Wade was hurt and still was the second best player on a championship team, and 2011 showed little between the two because although Wade played bad, he excelled against the very team that Swept Kobe and his Championship roster in the second round. So you have to look at te wealth of data over the last 3 years, which is definitely in Wades favor. Kobe is 34 going into his 17th season, if he was still better than a 30 year old Wade then he’d be a robot anyway. I’m sorry Kobe/Lakers fans, father time is an asshole.”
.
- and Kobe’s trip to Germany for that procedure, that is a temporary fix. Like duct tape.
Drig

@Caboose….but Payton was never the shooter that Nash still is. Malone played only about half the season if I remember correctly. Also, Kobe was the guy who provided the perimeter scoring punch for LAL back then. This season, I expect Nash and Pau to help him out in that department and let him breathe more. Damn, I forgot Kobe’s minutes are gonna be decreased next season as well ( to around 32 minutes from the ridiculous 38 mpg he was forced to play last season ). You got the stats right but I still think 46-48% and around 34% are gonna be the figures.
http://www.slamonline.com nbk

Duncan is the greates player in the NBA right now. I still gave never heard a genuinely good argument that Kobe has had a better career or was a better player.
http://Roosterteeth.com Caboose

Kap, you say it’s a fact but you’ve given NOTHING to back it up. Do you have some nitrogen bubbles on your brain that prevent you from comprehending the definition of a “fact?” That’s why I mock your intellect, what little of it there is.
Drig

@nbk…..I read what you said. “The 2012 playoffs proved little to nothing because Wade was hurt and still was the second best player on a championship team, and 2011 showed little between the two because although Wade played bad, he excelled against the very team that Swept Kobe and his Championship roster in the second round. So you have to look at te wealth of data over the last 3 years, which is definitely in Wades favor.”

Wade excelled against a team a liftless or more aptly, a lifeless Kobe struggled against. Just wanted to make that clear. Also, I don’t quite agree with Wade being the better playoffs performer for the last 3 years outright. Kobe was very good and at the very least on par with Wade till Game 7 vs the Celts in ’10. In ’11, Wade was better. ’12 is a case when both players didn’t manage to pull their weight enough IMO.

As long as Kobe’s knees last for 2 more seasons, I’ll be content.
http://Roosterteeth.com Caboose

Drig, read the comment I addressed to troll; Kobe’s lowest fg%’s of his career come when he shoots less. So sadly, I can’t see any fact-based logic to justify a jump in his shooting percentages. I understand it in concept; Nash should up his fg% but in history, it just hasn’t happened.
Drig

@nbk……you could also make a case for Kobe. More Finals appearances. More titles. Just as many all-star games. Don’t think there’s too much of a disparity among the all-nba teams they made or whether deserving or not, the defensive teams as well. Duncan had one more MVP but I’m among those who believe Kobe was snubbed in ’06 as well. Duncan was the man in 3 NBA Finals while Kobe was the man in 2 of them and was the man till the Finals in 02. Duncan’s considered to be arugably the greatest PF ever while Kobe is considered to be the 2nd greatest SG ever. Duncan has a ROY over Kobe but that means squat IMO.
Drig

@Caboose……got a class right now but I’ll check up on it and post back after 3-4 hours after checking the stats. BTW, if possible, give me the link of where you obtained it. IMO, the games Kobe attempted less shots are usually the games Kobe doesn’t get his shot on ( USUALLY…… ), is tired or tries to make a statement. But I’ll check it out.
http://Roosterteeth.com Caboose

I meant based on season, Drig. His two lowest FG%’s (for a season) came when he scored and shot the least. In addition, Kobe shot .438 and .433 when he averaged 24 and 28 a game, in contrast to the seasons when he averaged 30, 35, and 32 and shot .451, .450 and .463.
http://Slamonline.com Kap

Kobe holds just about every franchise record for the most storied NBA franchise and one of most accomplished franchises that includes many HOFs. That’s a valid enough argument. I also factor Kobes global appeal and box office appeal as career accomplishments along with 7 finals, 5 titles, 81 points, all nba, all defense, all star MVP, 2 MVP finals, 2 gold medals, top 5 all time in points, and so on. I think that’s a good argument NBK. Kobe has been elite for 17 seasons while Duncan as elite stopped two seasons ago.
RKJ92

man these kobe dick riders actually hurt my head.. its sad to think that they really have no arguments other then “kobe WAS so greaaatt!! kobe was so CLUTCHHH and no matter how old he gets or how much more shots he chucks up at shitty fg% hes ALWAYS gonna be the best!”
NO HE ISNT YOU DUMB ASS STUPID LAKER NATION DICK RIDERS.
Kobe fell OFF thats it THATS ALL. Wade has been better then kobe the last 2 seasons and the next one he will be and the one after that and so on.. so JUST STOP. -.-
http://Roosterteeth.com Caboose

Kobe was elite averaging 8-2-1? Wow, Kap, you truly are stupid. Or you’re 13, and I apologize for ruining your adolescent fandom. Duncan leads the Spurs the same way Kobe leads the Lakers, so nice try there. Marketing appeal isn’t exactly a good argument as to why someone is a more accomplished player. Otherwise Dennis Rodman is more accomplished than Duncan. You ignore the fact that Duncan has more MVP’s and Finals MVP’s, the things you Kobe fans tend to point to as great achievements. Timmy also hasn’t lost in the Finals, something Kobe can’t claim. Honestly dude, it just sounds like you’re trying to be ironic. If you are, great job, you’ve baited me into actually arguing. If not, it’s just sad.
http://Slamonline.com Kap

Duncan wished he had Kobe’s career. I just asked my GF and her friend if they know who Tim Duncan is and they asked was he one of my friends. Case closed.
http://Roosterteeth.com Caboose

Kap, you’re pathetic. That’s it huh? The end all be all of basketball discussion rests with a girl who’s attracted to an idiot and doesn’t know basketball? That makes sense. You win, based on the great oracles.
ka$h

@ nbk, here is what you wrote, that I replied to:
Uhm, Look what Wade did against Dallas in the playoffs in 2011 – and compare it to Kobe against Dallas in the playoffs in 2011. Then stop bringing up 2012, Wade was hurt, which is well documented and resulted in surgery right after the playoffs. Your argument sounds dumb when you keep harboring on an irrelevant point. Look at their seasons over the lay 3 years, Wade has been better in every way but total points. Which is probably judging by the evidence, a consequence of shots attempted.
.
Wade is better for two main reasons, he plays better overall defense, specifically as a help defender. And he attacks the rim rather than settle for jumpers like Bryant. Which is a factor of age.

That’s what I was responding to…

I didn’t see:
Wade has been better during the regular season and playoffs when healthy. He played bad for 2 series in 2011, then murdered the team that swept Kobe and the reigning champion Lakers in the second round. If you look at the last 3 seasons + playoffs and compare the two players it’s clear who has been better.”
.
“The 2012 playoffs proved little to nothing because Wade was hurt and still was the second best player on a championship team, and 2011 showed little between the two because although Wade played bad, he excelled against the very team that Swept Kobe and his Championship roster in the second round. So you have to look at te wealth of data over the last 3 years, which is definitely in Wades favor. Kobe is 34 going into his 17th season, if he was still better than a 30 year old Wade then he’d be a robot anyway. I’m sorry Kobe/Lakers fans, father time is an asshole.”

What’s the timestamp on that must have missed it?
http://Roosterteeth.com Caboose

WOE BETIDE HE WHO DISOBEYETH THE ORACLE!
b2bmvpnashty

I’m a lakers fan, and I love kevin durant, and I believe he will nab the mvp this year, he is coming into his prime, and he is a beast. I think westbrook is awesome, and really has become a solid 2nd option for OKC, but he is playing out of position, he should be a PG. That being said, this is the list of the most talented players in the league, sorry derrick rose, but until your healthy, I can’t put you in this top ten:(

1.Lebron James
2.Kevin durant
3.D12
4.Deron williams
5.Rajon rondo
6.Kobe bryant
7.Chris paul
8.Dwayne wade
9.Tony parker
10.Carmello anthony
b2bmvpnashty

Close calls for me, to add to the list above, would be :Russell westbrook, amare stoudemire, Andrew bynum, Dirk nowitzki, steve nash, paul pierce, and blake griffin.
http://slamonline.com Black Mamba

Caboose come on. nobody here is stupid. just have opinions

Kevin Durant: ‘I Think I’m Established Now. My Time is Now’

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