What player would you start a franchise with?

This topic contains 52 replies, has 19 voices, and was last updated by IndianaBasketball 14 years, 11 months ago.

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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 10:51am #31743

aamir543
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If there was one player you could start a team with, (considering current age) who would it be?
For me it is Durant, and my next choices would be Griffin and Wall. Durant is only 22, and he is already the two time scoring champ. He has the right demeanor and attitude you need to be a leader. He still needs to learn how to demand the ball from Westbrook in crunch time, but that’s fixable. He needs to become a better defender, and put on weight. I believe that if he works on it, he could be a guy who gets you 8 rebounds, and if he ever has to play point foward, I think we will see that he is an underated passer.
Griffin would be next becasue he is also young and he got 22 and 12 in his rookie year! He needs to develop a midrange jumpshot, because that athleticism won’t always be with him, but I also think he is an underated dribbler. If needed, he could go coast to coast. He also needs to develop some post moves too. I know this seems crazy, but possibly when Duncan gets older, the Clips could get Duncan to mentor Griffin, and help him work on the skill aspect of his game.
Derrick Rose- The only reason these two are higher is because shooting 6-10 wings with handles don’t grow on trees, as well as 6-11 hybrid fowards with legendary athleticism. Rose has all the tools to be able to have his name mentioned in the same breath as Allen Iverson. He is quick, athletic, unselfish, and plays D. One good sign I see about his deneamor is that he bought into what Thibs was about from the getgo. He needs to continue to work on his Jumper, because although he improves a lot, there is still work to be done.
Wall has all the potential in the world. He can run, pass, and has good handles. But let’s face it, his jumper is broken, he needs to be able to consistantly knock down that midrange J. He also needs to improve his halfcourt game, as most of his production comes from transition opportunities.
Dwight and Lebron would follow, Dwight first simply because there is a shortage of bigs in our league. Lebron is the most talented player in the game today. If he developes a post game, I would take him first.
I am not hating on Lebron, but the reason I would chose these guys over him is that Durant is 4 years younger, and although Lebron may be a better creator and defender, scoring and rebounding wise(Durant may be a bit behind), I feel that Durant is on par, plus when he does get the ball in the clutch, he can knock down that shot. With Griffin, I see him as a 25,13 and 4 guy. Griffin also has more years, and the same thing with Wall. Rose can carry a team, and has a whole decade ahead of him, and Howard is the last franchise big left.
Who would you guys chose and why?

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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 10:57am #569456

highflyer0
Participant
Brian Scalabrine is 32 years old, but if he were younger, I’d take Scal over ’em all.
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 10:57am #569579

highflyer0
Participant
Brian Scalabrine is 32 years old, but if he were younger, I’d take Scal over ’em all.
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 10:59am #569458

Bmore_DC
Participant
if you dont pick either Dwight or LeBron, personally i think your crazy…
but besides those guys i guess itd be between Rose and Durant. prob Rose…and then after that itd be either Griffin or Wall
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 10:59am #569581

Bmore_DC
Participant
if you dont pick either Dwight or LeBron, personally i think your crazy…
but besides those guys i guess itd be between Rose and Durant. prob Rose…and then after that itd be either Griffin or Wall
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 11:02am #569462

Biggaveliii
Participant
I’d probably say Lebron just because he can carry a team to the playoffs and he can make bench players look like starters, and hes just 26. Chris Paul when healthy is in my opinion a minny Lebron but better shot.
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 11:02am #569585

Biggaveliii
Participant
I’d probably say Lebron just because he can carry a team to the playoffs and he can make bench players look like starters, and hes just 26. Chris Paul when healthy is in my opinion a minny Lebron but better shot.
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 11:04am #569464

FLYNTFLOSSYBABY
brain cardinal
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 11:04am #569587

FLYNTFLOSSYBABY
brain cardinal
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 11:05am #569468

Memphis Madness
Participant
Rose is great and deserved the MVP award. Durant is also a great player. Both guys got their teams to the conference finals, but I think Rose commands the ball more and has more of a killer instinct.
If Rose and Westbrook switched places, I think the Thunder wins the title and the Bulls lose in the 2nd round. I also think that if Rose had James Harden on the Bulls then the Bulls would have beaten the Heat.
I think Rose does more with less even though I really like Kevin Durant too. Rose is better at creating his own shot and getting into the paint.
I would take Rose first and Durant second and Dwight Howard 3rd. He is a beast and he is still only 25. I would have him higher if he was a little younger but he is still the best center in game.
I would put Blake Griffin at 4 because he is an explosive athlete, a great rebounder, and a good scorer.
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 11:05am #569590

Memphis Madness
Participant
Rose is great and deserved the MVP award. Durant is also a great player. Both guys got their teams to the conference finals, but I think Rose commands the ball more and has more of a killer instinct.
If Rose and Westbrook switched places, I think the Thunder wins the title and the Bulls lose in the 2nd round. I also think that if Rose had James Harden on the Bulls then the Bulls would have beaten the Heat.
I think Rose does more with less even though I really like Kevin Durant too. Rose is better at creating his own shot and getting into the paint.
I would take Rose first and Durant second and Dwight Howard 3rd. He is a beast and he is still only 25. I would have him higher if he was a little younger but he is still the best center in game.
I would put Blake Griffin at 4 because he is an explosive athlete, a great rebounder, and a good scorer.
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 11:29am #569616

kobyz
Participant
Evan Turner, i think he’s the closest thing to Kobe in today NBA
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 11:29am #569494

kobyz
Participant
Evan Turner, i think he’s the closest thing to Kobe in today NBA
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 11:42am #569630

Memphis Madness
Participant
LeBron had another superstar plus a high level all-star and still couldn’t get it done. The Heat also had a pretty good point guard off the bench in Mario Chalmers. I think that if you put Dwight Howard on the Heat instead of LeBron I think that the Heat would have beaten the Mavs. I also think that a Wade-Rose-Bosh trio would be great too. That would give the Heat a great backcourt with Rose being a better ball handler than LeBron and it would give more space for Bosh to work inside and on the baseline.
Kevin Love should get some consideration. I would put him behind Rose, Durant, Howard, and Blake Griffin but Love is an AWESOME rebounder, can score inside, can step out and hit 3’s, and he throws great outlet passes. He’s great in that he can effect the game without having plays run for him since he is such a great rebounder and can score on putbacks. Obviously, he would need to work on his defense and quickness to move up from there, but guys who can get you 20 and 15 are very rare.
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 11:42am #569507

Memphis Madness
Participant
LeBron had another superstar plus a high level all-star and still couldn’t get it done. The Heat also had a pretty good point guard off the bench in Mario Chalmers. I think that if you put Dwight Howard on the Heat instead of LeBron I think that the Heat would have beaten the Mavs. I also think that a Wade-Rose-Bosh trio would be great too. That would give the Heat a great backcourt with Rose being a better ball handler than LeBron and it would give more space for Bosh to work inside and on the baseline.
Kevin Love should get some consideration. I would put him behind Rose, Durant, Howard, and Blake Griffin but Love is an AWESOME rebounder, can score inside, can step out and hit 3’s, and he throws great outlet passes. He’s great in that he can effect the game without having plays run for him since he is such a great rebounder and can score on putbacks. Obviously, he would need to work on his defense and quickness to move up from there, but guys who can get you 20 and 15 are very rare.
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 12:06pm #569646

Pac-12
Participant
Easily Dwight or Lebron. You can get another Wall,Durant etc but Howards and Brons come around every blue moon. Plus both bring it on the offense and defensive end. No way lebron is behind Durant or Rose or Blake. This is a guy who had a horrible team and took them to the finals, Rose had a better team, Wall arguably has a better team, Blake has a better team
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 12:06pm #569523

Pac-12
Participant
Easily Dwight or Lebron. You can get another Wall,Durant etc but Howards and Brons come around every blue moon. Plus both bring it on the offense and defensive end. No way lebron is behind Durant or Rose or Blake. This is a guy who had a horrible team and took them to the finals, Rose had a better team, Wall arguably has a better team, Blake has a better team
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 12:07pm #569649

sacphil_08
Participant
Dwight Howard. He impacts both sides of the ball unlike any other player in the league. His biggest offensive improvements were obvious last season as he has some go to moves and he can still be a better offensive player. Dwight gets my vote without very much thought
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 12:07pm #569525

sacphil_08
Participant
Dwight Howard. He impacts both sides of the ball unlike any other player in the league. His biggest offensive improvements were obvious last season as he has some go to moves and he can still be a better offensive player. Dwight gets my vote without very much thought
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 12:13pm #569654

MagikKnick
Participant
"if you dont pick either Dwight or LeBron, personally i think your crazy…"

What he said^
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 12:13pm #569531

MagikKnick
Participant
"if you dont pick either Dwight or LeBron, personally i think your crazy…"

What he said^
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 12:16pm #569659

rileymcshea3
Participant
Ummm you can get another Durant or Rose ? Durant is the youngest guy to league the league in scoring .And Rose is the youngest guy to win MVP so you cant just simply get another one of them .
But I would pick Dwight Howard because he is still only 25 and still is improving.He only averaged 5 less ppg then KD and shot a way better field goal % and he won defensive player of the year for the 3rd row in a year.Plus he is a C and its hard to find a good C.
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 12:16pm #569535

rileymcshea3
Participant
Ummm you can get another Durant or Rose ? Durant is the youngest guy to league the league in scoring .And Rose is the youngest guy to win MVP so you cant just simply get another one of them .
But I would pick Dwight Howard because he is still only 25 and still is improving.He only averaged 5 less ppg then KD and shot a way better field goal % and he won defensive player of the year for the 3rd row in a year.Plus he is a C and its hard to find a good C.
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 12:17pm #569661

rileymcshea3
Participant
I meant to say KD is the youngest player to lead the league in scoring
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 12:17pm #569537

rileymcshea3
Participant
I meant to say KD is the youngest player to lead the league in scoring
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 12:46pm #569669

JordanC20
Participant
DeMarcus Cousins future top 10 player all time.
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 12:46pm #569545

JordanC20
Participant
DeMarcus Cousins future top 10 player all time.
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 1:02pm #569683

iguapops420
Participant
IMO, It’d be Blake Griffin. He is a super-human athlete who actually knows the game. Next up would be Wall just because he’s a pass first pg and IMO, if I’ve already got Blake, what better running mate than John Wall to set him up and runn the brak w/.
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 1:02pm #569558

iguapops420
Participant
IMO, It’d be Blake Griffin. He is a super-human athlete who actually knows the game. Next up would be Wall just because he’s a pass first pg and IMO, if I’ve already got Blake, what better running mate than John Wall to set him up and runn the brak w/.
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 1:09pm #569685

ilike.panochas
Participant
I would start my franchise today with Durant. Workethic, skills, desire, and talent, the guy has it along with youth on his side. And for guy his built, he’s pretty durable and reliable.
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 1:09pm #569561

ilike.panochas
Participant
I would start my franchise today with Durant. Workethic, skills, desire, and talent, the guy has it along with youth on his side. And for guy his built, he’s pretty durable and reliable.
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 1:24pm #569689

natedoggg
Participant
Im starting my franchise with Dwight, He is the only dominant guy at his position so you automatically have an advantage every time your team steps on the floor.
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 1:24pm #569565

natedoggg
Participant
Im starting my franchise with Dwight, He is the only dominant guy at his position so you automatically have an advantage every time your team steps on the floor.
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 3:50pm #569704

tyasay
Participant
you gotta have a big guy if you want to compete in the leauge, and dwight is still young so that would be my choice… close second would be KD he is a prolific scorer and has lead the leauge in scoring the past two years and you cant win if you dont put points on the board
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 3:50pm #569829

tyasay
Participant
you gotta have a big guy if you want to compete in the leauge, and dwight is still young so that would be my choice… close second would be KD he is a prolific scorer and has lead the leauge in scoring the past two years and you cant win if you dont put points on the board
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 4:46pm #569890

Grovesinternational
Participant
Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, LeBron James, Blake Griffin, Dwayne Wade, Kevin Durant, John Wall and Derrick Rose are all good centrepieces for building a team around, i put dwight first because with such a dominant defensive presence down low and an improving offensive game he gives a team such a huge advantage to start. Chris paul is also good on both ends and does what a team requires to win. i was hoping to have a chris paul/dwight howard core in orlando before we got gilbert f&<king Arenas.
i like rondo as a key piece on a team, but his scoring ability is lower because of his shot, so he seems more like a complimentry star, second star on a good team, where he has another player who his playmaking can open the game up for…
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 4:46pm #569764

Grovesinternational
Participant
Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, LeBron James, Blake Griffin, Dwayne Wade, Kevin Durant, John Wall and Derrick Rose are all good centrepieces for building a team around, i put dwight first because with such a dominant defensive presence down low and an improving offensive game he gives a team such a huge advantage to start. Chris paul is also good on both ends and does what a team requires to win. i was hoping to have a chris paul/dwight howard core in orlando before we got gilbert f&<king Arenas.
i like rondo as a key piece on a team, but his scoring ability is lower because of his shot, so he seems more like a complimentry star, second star on a good team, where he has another player who his playmaking can open the game up for…
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 4:58pm #569900

IndianaBasketball
Participant
Dwight Howard.
History shows that the game is played best from the inside out. Dwight dominates the paint defensively. He’s a dominant rebounder. IF he’s working on his offense this summer as hard as he did last summer, then it won’t be too long before he’s a dominate offensive player as well.
Big men who dominate the paint at both ends make the game easier for everybody else and are easier to build around than high scoring wing players in my opinion.
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 4:58pm #569774

IndianaBasketball
Participant
Dwight Howard.
History shows that the game is played best from the inside out. Dwight dominates the paint defensively. He’s a dominant rebounder. IF he’s working on his offense this summer as hard as he did last summer, then it won’t be too long before he’s a dominate offensive player as well.
Big men who dominate the paint at both ends make the game easier for everybody else and are easier to build around than high scoring wing players in my opinion.
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 5:00pm #569904

IndianaBasketball
Participant
Another thing about Dwight that nobody talks about is the man has barely missed any games during his entire career, which is amazing when you look at the fouls he takes. He’s an iron man and built to last a long time.
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 5:00pm #569778

IndianaBasketball
Participant
Another thing about Dwight that nobody talks about is the man has barely missed any games during his entire career, which is amazing when you look at the fouls he takes. He’s an iron man and built to last a long time.
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 6:30pm #569973

iguapops420
Participant
I agree. I just don’t think you will ever be a to win with Dwight as main guy. He’s not good when doubled. That’s why I chose Blake, while not abele to block shots, he can ultimately become a terrific man defender and good team defender in an Anderson Varejao,Chris Bosh, Lamar Odom type of way. His offensive game is just way better IMO. Coach’s son. Makes those around him better, just ask DeAndre.
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 6:30pm #569845

iguapops420
Participant
I agree. I just don’t think you will ever be a to win with Dwight as main guy. He’s not good when doubled. That’s why I chose Blake, while not abele to block shots, he can ultimately become a terrific man defender and good team defender in an Anderson Varejao,Chris Bosh, Lamar Odom type of way. His offensive game is just way better IMO. Coach’s son. Makes those around him better, just ask DeAndre.
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 6:31pm #569979

gmforhire
Participant
I think I would have to go with either Dwight or Rose! Look I love Lebron and Melo but both of those players stop the flow of the offense. I personally don’t think Lebron has had a real coach yet besides Coach K at the world games. Nobody has ever got in his chest and told him to play his position and show him how to be a leader. True he is a star but his obviously lacks in the leadership department. I just think melo is selfish but I love watching him score. Howard and Rose to me will adjust to there teamates make them accountable plus help improve there game..
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Posted on: Tue, 07/12/2011 - 6:31pm #569851

gmforhire
Participant
I think I would have to go with either Dwight or Rose! Look I love Lebron and Melo but both of those players stop the flow of the offense. I personally don’t think Lebron has had a real coach yet besides Coach K at the world games. Nobody has ever got in his chest and told him to play his position and show him how to be a leader. True he is a star but his obviously lacks in the leadership department. I just think melo is selfish but I love watching him score. Howard and Rose to me will adjust to there teamates make them accountable plus help improve there game..
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Posted on: Wed, 07/13/2011 - 7:51am #570205

aamir543
Participant
You guys all have valid points, but wasn’t Shaq the last big to win a tittle, and he had Kobe and Wade. Why do you think Shaq didn’t win it all untill 2000, because Kobe wasn’t Kobe yet. As soon as Kobe started scoring 30 a game they started winning, so while I do agree with the decision to take Dwight, I am very high on Durant.
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Posted on: Wed, 07/13/2011 - 7:51am #570335

aamir543
Participant
You guys all have valid points, but wasn’t Shaq the last big to win a tittle, and he had Kobe and Wade. Why do you think Shaq didn’t win it all untill 2000, because Kobe wasn’t Kobe yet. As soon as Kobe started scoring 30 a game they started winning, so while I do agree with the decision to take Dwight, I am very high on Durant.
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Posted on: Wed, 07/13/2011 - 7:56am #570212

R-Dot-13
Participant
Kevin Durant.
You can get another one of him? Gimme a break.
A 6’10". player who can do everything a guard can do, and better than most.
The youngest scoring champ ever, his wingspan is scary and he’s a good athlete. His shooting and scoring ability for his size in unheard of.
His work ethic is probably the best in the league so he’s surely to get even better, which is scary to think of. And he’s only 22.
Give me negatives if you want, but Kevin Durant will be the best player in the NBA in 2-3 years.
The next person I would take is either Griffin or Howard.
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Posted on: Wed, 07/13/2011 - 7:56am #570341

R-Dot-13
Participant
Kevin Durant.
You can get another one of him? Gimme a break.
A 6’10". player who can do everything a guard can do, and better than most.
The youngest scoring champ ever, his wingspan is scary and he’s a good athlete. His shooting and scoring ability for his size in unheard of.
His work ethic is probably the best in the league so he’s surely to get even better, which is scary to think of. And he’s only 22.
Give me negatives if you want, but Kevin Durant will be the best player in the NBA in 2-3 years.
The next person I would take is either Griffin or Howard.
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Posted on: Wed, 07/13/2011 - 8:09am #570219

aamir543
Participant
Thank, you that is exactly what I have been trying to say.
Durant has all the tools you want in a young and growing player. He still needs to learn how to demand the ball in crunch time, and he definitly needs to put on some weight (not too much, just look at Lebron) as well as workon sliding his feet on D. He has the right attitude, and to be the best on your team and to still be the first one in the gym and the last one out, this kid is special.
But somthing occured to me while watching the Mavs- OKC sieres. Durant is a very good midrange shooter, so what if OKC utilized him the way the Mavs use Dirk. Post him up, give him the ball, let him make a pump fake, spin, try to get to the basket, if not, shoot a turnaround Jumper. Of course he would have to put on a ton more wieght and has to be able to hold his own ground. I know it sounds crazy, but it’s worth the try.
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Posted on: Wed, 07/13/2011 - 8:09am #570350

aamir543
Participant
Thank, you that is exactly what I have been trying to say.
Durant has all the tools you want in a young and growing player. He still needs to learn how to demand the ball in crunch time, and he definitly needs to put on some weight (not too much, just look at Lebron) as well as workon sliding his feet on D. He has the right attitude, and to be the best on your team and to still be the first one in the gym and the last one out, this kid is special.
But somthing occured to me while watching the Mavs- OKC sieres. Durant is a very good midrange shooter, so what if OKC utilized him the way the Mavs use Dirk. Post him up, give him the ball, let him make a pump fake, spin, try to get to the basket, if not, shoot a turnaround Jumper. Of course he would have to put on a ton more wieght and has to be able to hold his own ground. I know it sounds crazy, but it’s worth the try.
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Posted on: Wed, 07/13/2011 - 8:19am #570229

IndianaBasketball
Participant
@iguapops420

Griffin is my favorite player, but not only is he a terrible shot blocker… He’s a long way away from being a terrific man to man defender. He doesn’t have any length, which causes him to struggle defending certain players. He moves his feet well laterally, which helped him bait a few players into charging every now and then, but he just isn’t a good defender at this point. He didn’t show much interest at that end last season. He’ll get better, but I have my doubts about him ever being a Karl Malone type of defender.

Griffin passes better out of the double than Howard, but Howard still has plenty of time to improve there. Griffin, on the other hand, will never impact the defensive end like Howard does. That’s why I think it’ll be easier to build a championship squad around Howard.
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Posted on: Wed, 07/13/2011 - 8:19am #570359

IndianaBasketball
Participant
@iguapops420

Griffin is my favorite player, but not only is he a terrible shot blocker… He’s a long way away from being a terrific man to man defender. He doesn’t have any length, which causes him to struggle defending certain players. He moves his feet well laterally, which helped him bait a few players into charging every now and then, but he just isn’t a good defender at this point. He didn’t show much interest at that end last season. He’ll get better, but I have my doubts about him ever being a Karl Malone type of defender.

Griffin passes better out of the double than Howard, but Howard still has plenty of time to improve there. Griffin, on the other hand, will never impact the defensive end like Howard does. That’s why I think it’ll be easier to build a championship squad around Howard.
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