Durant averaging 2.5 blocks a game?

[ISO]

I do think a season or two under Golden State's coaching and development squad could turn him into a comparable defender.

He's already a comparable if not better defender and like you said light-years ahead relative to age. Put Giannis on Golden State with a modern defensive scheme with guys like Steph, Klay, Green, Iguodala, Livingston, McGee, Jordan Bell around him, let him be a rim protector next to Green in small ball line-ups, lessen his offensive burden and you'll see what Giannis can do defensively. Kidd is running an aggressive switching, trapping, zone type defense that leaves Milwaukee's susceptible to corner threes and has nowhere near the same defensive personnel working in unison and covering each others weaknesses.

KD joined a 73-9 team he fits like a glove all his strengths are highlighted and his burden is lessened on offense, he can focus on being an All-Around player. It's no surprise he's playing his best defense and having his most efficient seasons offensively playing this unit. I already talked about how his lost ball turnovers have been cut down dramatically. It's truly a cheat code.

 

[Poitier]

He leads wing players by a wide margin on post touches, that's like a staple of his offense to get the ball on the wing and start a backdown.

*after getting a switch

 

[ISO]

WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH KD LOCKING HIM UP
WITH NO HELP?





​

You're a dumbass.

 

[Malta]

*after getting a switch

He doesn't always get a switch, also he said he was as weak as Thon who most likely couldn't post up Jameer Nelson

 

[mastermind]

I never argued to the contrary. I think Durant is probably the most underrated defender in the league because he's absolutely elite. nikkas think that because Durant still looks skinny that he's weak but he's extremely strong. Same with Curry who is shockingly strong, especially in his lower body so you see him able to hold position against strong players too. . Golden State probably got some of the best strength coaches in the league.

I do think a season or two under Golden State's coaching and development squad could turn him into a comparable defender. Giannis is also much better defender at this age than Durant was.

I never said you said Giannis was a better defender. I am agreeing with you. My post was more a critique of those who think Giannis is a better defender or even an elite defender.

 

[ISO]

even an elite defender.

So Giannis isn't an elite defender

 

[CHICAGO]

So Giannis isn't an elite defender

NO

HES A GOOD RIM PROTECTOR.

HES NOT LOCKING ANYBODY UP MAN TO MAN.



​

 

[I AM WARHOL]

Been the best player in the game for a couple years now but I'm sleep

 

[Poitier]

He doesn't always get a switch, also he said he was as weak as Thon who most likely couldn't post up Jameer Nelson

Thats an obvious exaggeration but I'm not the only one who notices he struggles against anyone who he doesn't enjoy a massive size disparity against


Giannis is great at exploiting his advantages but I do think folks have gotten ahead of themselves when dissecting his game.

 

[mastermind]

So Giannis isn't an elite defender

No, he isnt.

He makes a lot of mistakes that his athleticism makes up for. Thats not elite defending.

He can definitely be elite with more experience and in a better system, but he not there right now.

 

[Malta]

Thats an obvious exaggeration but I'm not the only one who notices he struggles against anyone who he doesn't enjoy a massive size disparity against


Giannis is great at exploiting his advantages but I do think folks have gotten ahead of themselves when dissecting his game.

That's like 3 guys in the league


He's 22 and way ahead of schedule as far as I'm concerned, he has holes in his game, but I expect him to work on them. He's a better athlete than KD in my opinion.

 

[Draje]

His handles still aren't that good compared to other perimeter scorers , I'm not comparing him to other 7 footers .. We know KD is special and not to many 7 footers can dribble like him but I'm comparing him to other elite perimeter scorers

The purpose of dribbling is to create space and attack the defense. Durant is elite at that. Y'all need to stop expecting 7 footers to dribble like Kyrie or IT.

 

[I AM WARHOL]

I'd said Durant is a quicker, more fluid athlete.
Giannis is faster, stronger and more vertically explosive.

It's close. Really depends of what you value most. Giannis is by conventional terms the better athlete but I put a premium on fluidity.

 

[Poitier]

That's like 3 guys in the league


He's 22 and way ahead of schedule as far as I'm concerned, he has holes in his game, but I expect him to work on them. He's a better athlete than KD in my opinion.

Like I said earlier in the thread, I saw him have a hard time with Stanley Johnson and by all accounts Julius Randle put the clamps on him on possessions defended. Its something to track this season. I've also been somewhat disappointed in his PnR defense, though I give him leniency given that he is near the top of the league in possessions defended. I am by no means saying he isn't a superstar talent but in the half court he is kind of boo boo on-ball without the ability to get switches on smalls

 

[ISO]

No, he isnt.

He makes a lot of mistakes that his athleticism makes up for. Thats not elite defending.

Bullshyt. And now we using the athletic cop out stop it.