DALLAS – For a player toe-deep into what should be a colossal and potential Hall of Fame career, Thunder forward Kevin Durant has already piled up plenty to be proud of.
Back-to-back scoring titles, All-Star and All-NBA honors, a Rookie of the Year award, international acclaim (and a gold medal) and universal appeal as a breath of fresh air for fans and observers alike.
Yet his stumbles down the stretch in games during these Western Conference finals has suddenly cast a different light on him.
Suddenly, people are questioning his abilities as a finisher and as a leader. Some are suggesting that the 22-year-old Durant, as good as he is right now and could be in the future, is not yet the superstar he’s been made out to be.
This is, mind you, Durant’s first foray into the pressure cooker that is the conference finals. Had he mastered the moment at his young age we’d need to require a DNA sample to make sure he’s human. We understand here at the hideout (we’re a Western Conference finals mobile-command unit right now) that this is a part of the process.
So too does Durant’s first NBA coach, P.J. Carlesimo. He offers up an interesting defense of Durant, via my main man Dave D’Alessandro of the Star-Ledger, who offers up his own (and quite interesting) take on Durant’s current predicament:
Yes, he is a brilliant scorer. He is a brilliant passer. By all accounts he wants to be great. But his effort and his IQ have yet to catch up to his talent, and because of this there are gaps in his game that make you (okay, us) want to strangle him.
He doesn’t do some fundamental things well, such as box out or move without the ball. He’s not ready to lead a champion. And as is the case with Russell Westbrook, he just doesn’t have the poise, the patience or the shot selection to take the next — and hardest — step. Yet.
But the way people talk about him, he’s already been placed in the pantheon, and that’s the part we don’t get.
Not that we’re rigidly against hearing a counterpoint.
“I disagree,” said P.J. Carlesimo, who coached Durant for the first 92 games of his career. “And the disclaimer is, I haven’t had him for two-and-a-half years. But he deserves to be ranked on the highest level, because you’ll find very few kids who have ever put a franchise on his back at this age and carried it as far as this kid has carried that team.”
That is the very reason we’re willing to give Durant a pass right now. This is more than any young player is ready to deal with at this point of his career.
We’re not completely absolving him of his mistakes: the turnovers, the bad shots and the poor decisions. But these are missteps that you have to make and then learn from in order to take that next crucial step in your development as a true superstar.
When Durant showed up at the podium to face the heat after that Game 4 meltdown, it was clear that he understands this as well. Another point Carlesimo agrees with:
“Here’s what separates him from others, though,” Carlesimo said. “He took the heat last night, and I guarantee he was the first guy in the gym this morning. He cares so much, and he’s a no-excuse kid. And he welcomes the pressure. I guarantee you, he’ll become better because of this game.”
“I got bad on him when he took bad shots, but I encouraged him, because even then you had to realize everything — post, midrange, 3s — would be a part of his game,” said Carlesimo.
“But look, young guys have games like this. He’ll get better. This will fuel him. He’ll get completely (ticked) off by this, and he won’t shrink from his responsibility. We haven’t pushed him into that group too soon. You’ll probably find that out tomorrow: I don’t like their chances much now, but I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t come back with a monster game.”
A monster Game 5 from Durant tonight at American Airlines Center might not be enough to save the Thunder. But he can save some face and go a long way in improving his stock with the masses by showing that he’s learned from his own mistakes.
i admire KD. because he doesent blame anyone for his mistakes..
exactly, he owns up the responsibilities and mistakes he makes, unlike that ‘Black Mamba’ in purple and gold who always, always blame somebody else besides himself
Agreed 100%. They should leave this kid alone. Realize he is only 22 and look how much he has accomplished!! He carries a franchise in his back, and keeps humble in the process. Though he might be stubborn, its part of his succes at sucha a young ag, if he did listen too much he would doubt himself cause he is too young. Its okay to lose if you learn and get better. It happened to jordan, kobe and a lot of the greats, so give the guy some slack.
What do you think sekou?
PD: i love this blog men
Im a MAvs fan but i love this kid!!! It was hard to watch his press conference after the game!!! I just wish they would have kept green and not got Perkins!!! This guy sucks and gives the thunder a bad rap. I love watching the rest of the team. Have done so all year long!!!
KD is guy is so incredibly humble. Obviously, talent does not always come with big ego. Great character
I admire KD too. Even when Westbrook was failing to get him the ball earlier in the playoffs KD closed ranks and took partial blame for the loss. And when he was the one that dropped the ball late the other night, he owned up to it and didn’t make any excuses for himself. You know he’s got an extreme work ethic. That combined attitude means this won’t be the last time he’s back in this position, and next he’ll almost certainly be ready–this experience will still be vivid in his memory.
I say leave KD alone. He is young, very very talented, humble, what more do you guys want? Like all the previous posts had mentioned, he lacks the experience of having to carry OKC on his back. For his age, he should be praised for what he has done so far. KD will learn, adapt and then move on. Keep it up KD!!
I think that the best option (if possible) would be trade Russell Westbrook for 1st and 4th Cleveland’s round picks (probably Irving and Kanter). Cleveland gets an all-star, all-nba and a franchise player. And OKC gets a PG with less athleticism but with more IQ and better Jump-shot (also J selection) and also gets and incredible big man for the paint. (the bad is OKC would be already too young, but you can solve this adquiring veteran free agents ofr the minimum, like mcgrady for example)
Are you really suggesting that an unproven point guard out of college who barely played in college and has yet to play on the NBA level has a higher basketball IQ than Westbrook, you really can’t be suggesting this. I agree Westbrook has some things to work on but I would never trade him for unproven talent not in a million years that is a serious gamble.
It’s amazing how similar Durant and Dirk are. Playing style, character, role etc.
I mean KD is much further advanced in his career at his age but still he should take a look at Nowitzki and realize that this is the route he will have to take.
Dirk had to take a lot of criticism after 2006 and 2007. He learned from it and is now playing a much more intelligent game.
I’m certain Durant will go the same way and hopefully both will have a ring to show for at the end of their careers.
So much heat given to very young superstars. KD, like Rose, are really under fire for “choking” or “leadership problems”. And they’re just 22 years old… MJ has his ring in his late 20′s
But on the upside, I’m just glad that the next generation of superstars are not Divas. The entourage, the whining, the “I’ll leave unless they get me great teammates”, the Decisions… its not about basketball anymore. I just hope that these new breed of players will just cut the life short out of the NBA Divas.
Then maybe its all about basketball again.
Owww subliminal hating, is that the new trend starting? Lol.
no new trend, no subliminal hating… i just want to watch the “old” NBA, where the personalities do not overmatch the game… just think about it
how the hell is that subliminal hating the guy is completely right
your just mad because your a heat fan and you know lebron is the biggest DIVA in the NBA
Kobe is the biggest Diva of them all, the biggest loser too
@ Sean, point proven by you. You knew as well as I do he was indirectly talking about Lebron. Call him whatever you want but name calling is the act of a hater, just saying.
@ Think, are you kidding me? NBA had some great personalities in the past who were crazier, flashier, more arrogant, you name it! In this age of reality TV all people want is to know more about players and their lives. I guess some could be called divas because of how we see it, but look at guys of the past. If the media now was the same then we would have a different picture about a lot of those guys, think about that : )
@ HeatWave… true, any sports at any time have Divas and crazy people. But the whole deal right now is these personalities just takes over the league and the game itself. I’m not just talking about the Kobe’s and Lebron’s (and Im sorry if I hurt your feelings
), we’ve had an era where players get into domestic violence, gun charges, bar fights and some are just being a pain to their team. And these players are more into their talents rather than respecting basketball itself.
Im just glad that at least we have something to look forward with KD and Rose, who are just into loving to play the game. Again Im sorry for hurting your feelings
@ Think, no offense taken. I “Think” I see your point now, lol. Peace.
KD will be a great player in the next future.. in age of 22 you can deal with all of pressure that’s amazing
@KDthunderup not only KD is going to the finals, he’s bringing the ring to Thunder this year!
lol
im thinkin next year!
You’re a good fan.
But sorry in advance.
Big mavs fan here but Kd is one of a kind…i wished he played with Dirk not against him….thats is guaranteed rings right there…..keep up the awesome character Kd…stay humble stay faithful and MORE success will follow you…u deserve it…just dont let it get to ur head
Yeah Durant and Nowitzki would very likely equal at least one championship. They’re styles would definitely help each other out, and Durant could learn the art of ‘clutch’. As good as Durant is, he’s just not in the right environment at OKC to fulfill his potential. He needs someone like Dirk or Kidd, for instance, to help him mature and make better decision. Still a great guy though.
Get off KDs back he is only 22 very humble young man KD is one of the elite players in the NBA, He is the face of franchise at 22 years of age and carries his team on his back. i agree it is because he is so skilled. He does have to make fewer mistakes, he takes bad shots and and lets physical contact bother him at times. HE should bulk up get a post game and learns how to get easier looks at the basket and take better shots he will end up being one of the all time greats.
i agree that westbrook should be traded but not for draft picks..try cp3.a true point guard that would help KD get his own and would be able to carry the load when KD is on the bench..CP3 is the best fit for the thunder..no doubt about that..
for a aging injury prone pg? no ty
thank you everyone screaming CP3 and in NBA years this guy is old and injury prone and will require a lot of $$$ putting your franchise in a position where you can’t sign talent. Just be patient and let this kid grow 2 years into playing a position that is not naturally his. Wonder how many of these “critics” can play one of the toughest positions in the league at the speed that these guys do and make every right decision, folks have to let up this kid was an olympian, all-star and second team all NBA, which shows he is improving his game every year!!
Stephen Curry
Looks like Lebron and the Cavs for his first 7 years. Taking all the pressure, carrying the team. If the Thunder dont sign some better role players and win in the next 3 years KD is gonna get just as frustrated as Lebron and sign with another team.
probably not he doesnt have the ego that lebron does i could see KD staying oklahoma is whole career he is a lot more loyal than lebron
KD signed a 5 yr extension so he will be in okc awhile. and i dont see him leaving he loves where he is and he isnt ego driven.
@Sean, Y? are you the spokesperson of KD?lol
KD (and D. Rose for that matter) has more help and a far better team around him than LBJ, Kobe (1st 3 years after Shaq) & Wade (after 1st 2 years with Shaq). He possibly could stay and get it done. He has a legit #2 & #3 in Westbrook and Harden. He has good role player bigs. The hard part will be keeping these pieces in the free agency era. If they cant keep those peices it will be tough to get it done (see KG in Minnesota)
By the way stop talking about loyalty. Your LOYALTY is in coming out and doing your job and being a pro – period. It is also a BUSINESS. That’s unfortunately what a fanatic does not understand. To put that into perspective see KG in his 2010 postgame press conference after defeating the Cavs.
I think at a young age Durant has proved himself as one of the elite. He has carry this team on his back and should be consider as one of the consistent players around in the NBA. Remember Durant and his teams are playing with veterans Mavs who has not proven anything yet, Dirk Nowitzki has been playing more than twice or thrice the number years Durant has been playing as well as Jason Kid but until now they have not won any championship. Maybe it’s the MAVs time to shine now, For Durant, he will have his time, win or lose it will be a learning experience for the kid.
@Think
Ahh I guarantee Bron woulda stayed if he had the supporting cast the Rose or Durant have early in their career. Westbrook is already considerably betta than any Lebron teammate prior to MIA. james harding in only his second year will most likely be betta than mo will or any otha bron teamate in the comin 2 seasons. The problem wit bron is where he shouldve lost and allowed the lottery to help his team he was to busy carrying an entire city as far as one man could take them. Neva a first round exit. upset a still contending pistions team by himself, and pushed the celtics big three to 7 games in there first year. Enough wit the excuse for these young stars whove had it betta than bron ever had.
I agree with Carlos, to help the KD maturation process, Westbrook has got to go … KD35 is so humble that he took up for a teammate who obviously thinks he should be #1 option on the team. OKC needs to nip this in the bud now while they get something for him, his body language speaks volumes. It has been so hard to watch KD trying his best to keep Westbum engaged W/the team, only to have his efforts meet W/ the blank stare … I’ve played sports through the collegiate level, as I’m sure many of U have, U know when a teammate is not part of the team, but, pursuing an individual agenda. I tell all the kids I come in contact with to watch KD35, including my son’s. Chuck was right when he said “I am not a role model” “Ball players shouldn’t be role models, parents should be” However, in the case of KD35 I can’t think of a better example of a ball player, who accepts responsibility, stands proudly as a man, and offers no excuses. OKC needs the right ppl w/him … Westbum is not one of them, he is the pouting, personification of what is wrong with the game I Love.
dang this is news to me i thought OKC liked westrbook haha
I like how everyone knows what is going on in OKC lockerroom everything I have seen and read indicates otherwise considering Westbrook is only doing what he has done all season, I love the “just tuning in the playoffs” people with all of their opinions lol
Take a look at this guys http://sportales.com/basketball/top-five-nba-players-in-all-time/
if anyone’s to blame, it’s the coach. coaches need to stick up for themselves and their team. your superstar freezes and begins jacking up 3′s left and right? bench him! sure, you could say “it’s a learning experience.” but when you’re down 2-1 and this is as “must win” of a game as there is, let him learn next game. i admire Westbrook’s benching in Game 2. That took guts. And it’s not surprising that was the only game OKC has won.
another thing, let’s not get too carried away with how “responsible” KD is. this is the guy who said “they made shots, we didn’t” as a reason for why OKC lost in Game 4. let’s try “i started jacking up 30 footers instead of executing our offense. my bad and it won’t happen again.”
Viva Miami,Los Tres Amigos y Viva Cuba!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hell yea cuba is awesome!
I’m a Mavs fan who has immensely enjoyed seeing KD improve through this year. I have a note for the Sports Writers: Stay off his back! He is talented, growing, and humble. In his press conference he showed his emotional maturity. He will mature in his game, given the time and I believe will be in the all-time Top-20 Greats of the NBA. I look forward to seeing him play in the future, but I do not look forward to the tougher time the Mavericks will have playing against him as he gets better.
This article wouldn’t have been written if OKC won on Monday, lol.
My prayers and good luck to Kevin Durant. Hope he plays well tonight. Whatever happens, he already has a tremendous achievement this year.
More power to you Kevin.
Oh, btw, I am a Miami Heat/LA Lakers fan.
Agreed. KD is young and sometimes rash in decisions, forces maybe a bit too much, etc. But remember that LeBron is in his eighth season in the NBA and still without a title with only one Finals appearance. And LeBron was welcomed in the NBA as a combo of “an alien and a ravaged monster” (in a basketball sense, of course). Even Jordan (for me by far the greatest player in the history of basketball) had to wait 7 long years before becoming a champion, and he was with Dean Smith for four years. I mean, give this kid some slack-he earned it. With thime, he will become the Jordan-esque powerhouse superstar who will bring many titles to OKC. Patience is the word.
Humble? I remember him saying bosh is a fake tough guy, whos the fake tough guy now huh?
So true!
Too bad, no one is writing about Nowitski… Honestly, he’s the epic hero, not Durant.
Im just happy Mavericks are going back to the NBA Finals.
durant will get his ring(s) hes only 22 and i cant wait…well i can wait this year since im a mavs fan
…to see him get it
He’s way ahead of schedule. Get a good inside presence (please not Perks) and improve outside shooting of the supporintg cast, including Westbrook, then they will contend every season. DO NOT give up Westbrook, it will be a terrible mistake. Any other team will know how to use Westbrook; coach Brooks does not.
im also mavs fan,but watching KG playing is a joy,He remind me of MJ at his young age,I think it not only takes practise,but also takes time to get into the best team and the best leader in the league,Every superstar had the same problem when they are young,But they grow and they learn from it and become the best in the history,It’s a road they must take in order to become the best of the best in NBA history,KG is showing use his talent,just a matter of time to transform into that shape.
KG is not young. The man is 35 and plays for the Celtics.
I can see a lot of pple admire Humility in KD and also Dirk. I don’t like the mavs but I do admire Dirk. I wish he played for a more humble owner. I hope KD stays humble even though they say fortune and fame changes pple I don’t see him going that route. KEEP IT UP KD .
A lot of people still don’t understand Cubes. When he is on the court side, he acts like a fan and you know how fans can be very fanatic. He is just a diffferent type of owner and one that engages himself may be a litlle too much – which he has every right to do so. That does not make him a bad person. If one only knows what he really does, how he accomplished what he has and what he is right now, it is just very humbling to have a chance to know this guy. Oh and by the way, this guy also matches on charitable donations any penalty NBA dealt him.
Bottom line is CUBES IS A GREAT GUY, people are just not use to see a team owner acting like a fan on a courtside seat.
“Leave KD alone”
You guys are so swayed by the media. Can’t you have your own opinion?
You are the same people that say, “Lebron never won a ring, got swept in the finals against the spurs”
Well boys, let me remind you that he was the same age when he was IN the finals! And you still criticize him, even though he never had a second option as good as Westbrook, or even Harden.
You used to think you were Witnesses. Really, you are just sheep riding the coat tails of the media.
The kid is only 22. He’s man enough to accept his shortcomings even though no one expected his team to make it as far as they have. Good player and good character.
OKC is a good team but the reason why they keep losing is because of the coach…the coach always seems to want to run the ball through KD near the end of the games and thats when he’s always jacking up wild shot instead of driving to the paint and getting a better shot. Dont get me wrong the guy is great but he need to start driving more at the end of games and learning to trust his team mates at also…Kobe use to be like that till he started sharing the ball at end of game…
this is stupid. no one is hating on Kevin Durant. This article should be about informing everyone how great and clutch Dirk Nowitzki IS, rather then about how KD will be someday. The Mavericks, being a team with lots of white players, just won’t ever get the credit they deserve. Vegas has picked the mav’s opponent in almost every game played in these playoffs, and i’m betting people still think OKC is going to win tonight. It’s just ridiculous.
Durant hands down is the future of the nba, along with Rose, at least in my opinion. We tend to criticize players if they do not go beyond what we expect, we always expect greatness on a game to game basis, What all these players deal with pressure wise is beyond our understanding. I grew up watching Jordan ( who i believe to be the greatess player the game has seen) and even jordan would have a bad night. are we right to talk down over a bad night by our standards and then turn around and be back on the band wagon when they score 40 the next game. If we think we could do better how come we are not out there…. because we cant!!!
Go MAVS… one to go.. just 48 mins…
KD just need to take over on the clutch moments of the game . he should always touch the ball to generate their offence . that’s where they were lacking . westbrook is too much of a ball hugger and he needs to play smarter
Let”s Go Mavs… finish them now.. one to go… just 48 minutes…
okc shouldn’t let westbrook go anywhere!
they should just get a real pg and move him to the sg
that way he doesn’t get up all the shots he’s wanting to take
It’s what criticism that makes them better, Maybe KD needs this, since he always humble and never criticized.
this is an artical about kd, why do the haters speak of lebron, is it because he is winning like charlie?
DURANT humble? he must first learn when to celebrate and put an imaginary championship belt on his waist. that sucked.
KD is a great player and humble unlike the other SUPERSTARS who think they are the best player in the league….
I think that KD could really benefit from a veteran coach. I like Scott Brooks, think he’s a good coach, but I’m not sure he has the experience to bring a young team to the next level. I would love to see someone like Larry Brown in OKC. He’s a great coach, has a proven record of success, and is known as a great teacher, especially for young players.
WOW KD IS GREAT…. NEXT YEAR IS THE TIME FOR KD AND OKC BECOME A CHAMPION FOR WEST……..
okc become back to back to back to back champion…
why wud u trade westbrook, the kid can only get better, hes a triple-double player, all these pg’s coming thru the drafts dont have anything on him, dont forget he’s the other reason they made it this far. he has not missed a game since he came into the nba, hes durable, even with all the high-flyer acts he does, hes tough hes fast, and once his decision making gets better ur looking at wat will be one of the greatest partnerships of the nba this era.
though they play different positions, in terms of attitude and talent level, kd reminds me a lot of tim duncan, and i think okc will build a dynasty around him like the spurs did.