Durant at PF?

[Golabki]

This is a question from an outsider...

When he came into the league I saw him on a Dirk/KG type career progression, where he would start at the 3-spot (due to lack of strength) and eventually become a long athletic 4, with a perimeter orientated offensive game that would cause major match-up problems for opponents.

Now, Durant played almost exclusively PF in the world's and obviously did extremely well. Is he ready to play some 4 in the NBA? Is this part of the long-term plan for Durant? Should it be?

[slick_watts]

There are split opinions on this. I think it will happen eventually, especially if he can't develop the play making skills to a certain level.

[Clangus]

I think it will maybe happen in a few years - kinda like Garnett - who was a skinny SF until he bulked up(got stronger) a bit. (KG obv didn't have the range KD has though)

But right now I see him as a SF - I dont see any change to that for a while.

[Golabki]

Well if you follow the Nowitzki / Garnett comparison. Both those guys were more or less full time PFs around age 22/23... which means Durant might switch in the next 2 years. I think we'll get more information from how OKC handles the upcoming free agents.

[rasta_marley]

Durant play pf? HAHAHAHAHAHA oh man Im glad I came here I needed a good laugh...

[wiff]

I think he will see some spot minutes at the four this year.

I could see a small ball line up of Westbrook, Harden, Thabo, Durant and Ibaka.

[Clangus]

Durant play pf? HAHAHAHAHAHA oh man Im glad I came here I needed a good laugh...

I dont see what you're laughing at?

KD is tall - like 6'10 or so - his wingspan and standing reach is equivellent to someone like Tyson Chandler, His Athleticism and handle wold make him a tough mathcup for most 4's. If Rashard can play the 4 KD can - Durant is a much much better rebounder than Lewis and quite a few other 4's too which is another thing that points to the facts that he could eventually be a 4.

[chyau.00]

...but why? if durant plays the 4....he wont be much better than someone like lewis..
he plays the 3..hes one of the top players in the league...

personally id rather see him at the 2.

[Krodis]

Putting him at the 4 allows Green to slide back over to the 3.

Really, I think Durant could handle the 4 much better than Green can, so from that perspective, I'd like to see it.

[ISB]

...but why? if durant plays the 4....he wont be much better than someone like lewis..
he plays the 3..hes one of the top players in the league...

personally id rather see him at the 2.

errr, what? Durant has a huge quickness advantage on pretty much every 4 in the league. Short of a prime KG I'm not sure there are any true PFs that can guard Durant out to the 3 point line. He already has played the 4 in small ball lineups, and he was dominate. He defended Paul Gasol better than anyone else on the Thunder. The question is can his body handle the banging that a post player takes for 38 minutes per game and 82 games.

[wiff]

Actually Ibaka covered Gasol better than anyone else on the Thunder.

[lovecats]

This is a question from an outsider...

When he came into the league I saw him on a Dirk/KG tyr4 career progression, where he would start at the 3-spot (due to lack of strength) and eventually become a long athletic 4, with a perimeter orientated offensive game that would cause major match-up problems for opponents.

Now, Durant played almost exclusively PF in the world's and obviously did extremely well. Is he ready to play some 4 in the NBA? Is this part of the long-term plan for Durant? Should it be?

it is impossible. D is too small for PF

[Sinant]

It depends on how the rest of the roster pans out.

If Ibaka works out at PF, or they get a good PF through trades/free agency, I can see him staying at the 3 for the remainder of his career.

If none of the above happens, I could also see OKC trying him at the 4 and seeing how he does.