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Around SBN: SB Nation MMA Rankings for August 2010

Under The Radar

On Tuesday night, a rising NBA star dropped 47 points in a spectacular performance and it was barely mentioned in highlight shows across the nation. This growing talent is Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder. The former Texas Longhorn stud has quietly produced in the shadows of fellow NBA superstars consistently throughout his young NBA career.

 

Star-divide

 

This second year player has not only been putting up tremendous numbers so early in his career, but more importantly his game continues to improve. Durant showed flaws in his rookie year with his poor shot selection and lack of success from behind the arc, but he has already showed tremendous progress in these areas midway through his sophomore season.

 

Could you even imagine the headlines on ESPN if say LeBron James or draft counterpart Greg Oden were to produce such a performance? We all know they would both get the headline to every sport show on the agenda, but for some reason this young superstar in bloom just isn’t getting the spotlight he deserves.

 

The 2007 NBA Draft battle for the number one spot between Greg Oden and Kevin Durant was a laughable debate. Durant has shown that he was clearly the better player and this miscued pick by the Trail Blazers might put them in the history books yet again, dare I say Sam Bowie. Yes Oden is still young and has had injuries, but Oden never had that superstar potential. He just became an overblown ESPN character that they create every year, similar to this years Hasheem Thabeet of the UCONN Huskies.

 

What many may not realize is that if you contrast LeBron James’ first two seasons to Kevin Durant’s, they are extremely comparable. For those who will try to combat this comparison with team success, LeBron missed the playoffs in both his first two seasons as will Durant. And when looking at supporting casts, it really can’t get as bad as what Durant has been dealt, with one of the most inexperienced thin squads we have seen in a while. Not even mentioning how his franchise got moved halfway across the country.

 

                                    Min      Pts        Rebs   Ast    Stl    Blk   To     FG%    3Pt%      FT%

LeBron     Year 1        39.5      20.9      5.5      5.9    1.6   0.7    3.4     41       29.0        75.4

Durant      Year 1        34.6      20.3      4.4      2.4    1.0   1.0    2.9     43       28.8        87.3

 

LeBron       Year 2      42.4      27.2      7.4      7.2    2.20   0.7   3.28   47.2    35.1        75.0

Durant        Year 2      39.9      25.9      6.6      2.8    1.21   0.8   3.11   48.2    43.7        85.7

 

In this case, the numbers don’t lie and with the proper help from the front office, the Oklahoma City Thunder can soon be a playoff regular. With young studs Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Jeff Green, a little veteran help and a piece here or there and this team will be a contender soon.

 

Hopefully as Kevin Durant continues to improve we will get to see a lot more of him on National television. He put his skills on display last weekend during the All Star Break netting the Horse Competition victory and dominating the rookie sophomore game. This kid has earned the spotlight and we as fans deserve to see him in action.

 

           

This post does not reflect the views of the staff of Welcome to Loud City or SB Nation. However, it was made by one of the members of the Welcome to Loud City community, so there is a large chance the above post is extremely ballin'!

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If Durants dimes were up they would be neck and neck.

by blackvanilla on Feb 19, 2009 3:26 PM CST reply actions  

His numbers are right there with LeBron. He is the next great superstar in the NBA. People just don’t know it yet.

WELCOME TO LOUD CITY!

by Mr Pappagiorgio on Feb 19, 2009 5:31 PM CST reply actions  

That's cuz people are stupid

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....

I am the stone that builder refused..I am the visual...The inspiration..That made lady sing the blues....I'm the spark that makes your idea bright.....The same spark that lights the dark....So that you can know your left from your right...I am the ballot in your box....The bullet in your gun...The inner glow that lets you know...To call your brother son....The story that just begun...The promise of what's to come...And I'm 'a remain a soldier till the war is won....

by pookeyguru on Feb 19, 2009 6:36 PM CST up reply actions  

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