Not So Fast KD & Laker/Jazz Discussion

Everybody got very exciting including myself of what the Oklahoma City Thunder could do in the NBA Playoffs because of the play of Kevin Durant throughout the season.  Then that all came crashing down to earth when their team had to face the Los Angeles Lakers.

It wasn't the best performance we have seen out of the Lakers but they did enough to frustrate Durant, never letting him go off like he did in the regular season.  I forgot about how good Ron Artest can be as a defender until the first round because during the season, he looked lost on this Laker team and didn't seem like he really fit into their system.  But Ron proved once again why he is a top five defender, he did a magnificent job on the young Durant.  This wasn't the only thing telling about telling about this series.

The Lakers' perimeter defense was so bad that people like my roommate B-Squared made the claim, "I think Russell Westbrook is more key to the Thunder's success than Durant." This deserves a big time DOH but honestly, I could see why he thought this way.  Derek Fisher looks like a 40 year old guy playing at the rec center and Kobe Bryant's body is the definition of playing through injury. Westbrook really had a breakout series and put his name on the map saying "I am a great second banana, and look out for us in the future." This should create another worry for the Lakers though....

They have to face Utah's Deron Williams who all the media has anointed him the "best point guard in the NBA." I would have to agree even if I don't like him (never enjoyed his career at Illinois).  He could create some major problems for that poor Laker defense we discussed.  I have a distinct feeling that Williams will put up 25 or more easily and make this series more interesting than the last two times they met. 

A lot like the Celtics-Cavs, the front court play will be very interesting.  The Jazz do have the size to throw at Pau Gasol with the physical play of Carlos Boozer and Paul Milsap. I expect Gasol to struggle with those two coming at him consistently and especially if Andrew Bynum is unable to play at 100%. I would give the Jazz the advantage almost having both Boozer/Milsap. 

The other big key is the Ron Artest/Lamar Odom vs. Wes Matthews/CJ Miles match up.  I am puzzled to think who really has the edge, I mean yes the Lakers have the experience but Miles/Matthews has been playing at a superior level.  I believe the swing men will be the difference in this series.

I expect a physical series and a very good series, there will be a ton of emotion.  They do not like each other but I worry about the Jazz's ability to win in Los Angeles (something like 0-14 in the playoffs). If the Jazz want to win, they need a Game 1 or Game 2 in LA.  I have the Lakeshow in 7.

-Charlie.

Consider me on the Kevin Durant Bandwagon

Most of you who know me would probably say "Oh you are just joining the KD bandwagon because your boy Simmons is all over him like J-Woww with some guido at the club."  False.  I almost picked the Oklahoma City Thunder to get to the playoffs but I honestly couldn't see them winning enough games in the Western Conference. But oh how wrong I was. 

The Thunder are currently sitting in seven place in the Western Conference and Kevin Durant has been the reason why the Thunder are the NBA's version of the Milwaukee Brewers threatening to make the playoffs this season with such a young nucleus.   Durant has had over twenty-five points in the last twenty-three games.  That is something that only a few players have done in the past couple of decades.  The names are Michael Jordan, and Allen Iverson, two of the most prolific scorers in the NBA.

What mind boggles me about his scoring ability is the fact he can do all of this with only being 205 looking softer than the Rosanne's son as Lil Wayne once said in a song. I never thought he would be this good in the NBA because he was too skinny and I gave him plenty of shit for not being able to bench 185.  In my opinion, the reason he is so good is because like LeBron, he is a matchup disaster for teams.  Not many teams have a 6'5 and taller guy who is a good defender to keep up with Durant during an NBA game.  This begs the question...

Is Durant the best young player in the NBA today?  Absolutely, there is no question about that when a 21-year old is averaging 27.9 points 7 rebounds 3 assists a game and when this season is over, he may be a top five player in the league.  That is a scary thought, but in all honesty, a guy at 6'9 doing some things that a 6'2 point guard cannot do. 

Right now, he is on the LeBron James level of the NBA.  Only James and Durant are on that level right now, no Dwight Howard, no Kobe Bryant, and no Dwyane Wade.  That might seem crazy to some of you but look at the things, those two guys are doing compared to the rest of the league.  It's not even funny the level of basketball these two guys are playing at therefore it's making their teams ten times better.  

The other great thing about Durant is he is a likable guy just like the other newcomers that have come before him (see Chris Paul, Howard, James, Wade).   He doesn't have an attitude just yet and he seems happy to be playing with the Thunder. In addition, just playing basketball in general seems to put a smile on Durant's face.

I really hope that ESPN leads with Durant as they do LeBron so much because we are that point with him.  He needs that LeBron-Kobe level of attention and I would like to think Durant should be apart of that equation.  Yes, he is that good.

-Charlie.