RealGM

Alright i'm obviously a huge KD fan, but i've always had my doubts whether he'd reach that tier of LBJ, Wade, Kobe etc (Prime superstars). Every year he has improved, but last year especially in the playoffs, it drew doubts that he could regularly be that go to guy, scoring clutch buckets to take us past teams like the Lakers ('10) and the Mavs ('11).

When I first saw these reports of him having huge pick up games I just assumed it was an NBA star tearing it up against lesser competition (which was kind of true at Rucker), but the more of the videos i've seen, the more it looks like he has improved immensely in the short time since the end of the season. To the point where I think when the season starts he can really come in and tear it up, be a standout best player.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYzBGlL3ZQc&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

In this video the main improvements I see are the handle. Well I'm not so sure the skill can change too much in the short period of time, but he's definitely handling the ball with supreme confidence. Last year he was useless in an iso from the perimeter, but even from these highlights I think you can see that he now looks like a very capable iso scorer. He also seems to be using his shooting ability well to hesitate and get all the way to the rim. Instead of taking a shutter step perimeter jump shot or settling for the runner. While I know this is not against full intensity defense, what I think I can see is more willingness to get all the way to the rim and finish, which he has always seemed tentative to do. From that last video you see he is taking a few fall away face up jumpers (Dirkesque) so you know he's working hard on his mid range post game, which has been another knock on him in the past.

My general point is I see this as a big jump forward for KD. I think next season he's really going to jump out of the blocks and dominate like the way people have been predicting 'prime KD'. Coming in playing with supreme confidence and self belief and putting up something like 33 points on ridiculous efficiency, 9 and 3.5. But let's not get bogged down in the stats.

Do you think KD has made a jump? A rapid improvement that will be clearly seen whenever the next season starts?

Or do you think i'm reading too much into highlight packages, and KD is just playing well at the moment against half-assed defenses and lesser talent, and will continue on his learning curve like he has in past years?

Kevin Durant has improve alot in the summer, hes improve his ball handling skills/midrange. Also if you look at KD closely you can see he had bulk up a bit, which is good for his game. The guy had work out with Joe Johnson, learning how to attack the basket. He still needs to improve on some of his post game, but hes improve a bit in the summer.

You can also see a pair of Dirk-esque fadeaways (complete with the knee out) around the 1:20-1:30 mark.

Considering Durant's age I think it is totally reasonable to see over all improvement in his game. And I don't think it is unreasonable to think that KD can be the second best, maybe even the best player in the league this year or next. He would need to improve his "D" significantly and keep his offense revved up with as mentioned crazy efficiency.

But yes next year should be fun as hell to watch because Durant just keeps getting better.

He Improves every summer and loves to compete. Its awesome to watch such a talented hardworking guy who loves the game as much as KD. We are seeing something special evolve here.

I can't watch the vid, but from the looks of it, it's the game v LBJ where KD goes for 59? I freaking love that step back hesitation baseline move he puts on LBJ. Completely owns him. Would love to see him use that in the L at some point.

While I agree that KD is looking phenomenal with improved handles and post game, we must also remember that these games are played with next to 0 defensive sets. In the L, KD will constantly be facing a barrage of double teams and defensive schemes.