KD in 1957-1971

[RCM88x]

To me KD feels like the kind of player that would be hurt more than helped playing in this era. He probably stretches dribbling rules to his advantage more than anyone else and going back to a more strict era I think he would really have to change his approach. Obviously he's very tall but back then would he actually be allowed to shoot from the outside? He'd probably play a lot of C and struggle with some of the physicality of the higher profile players then, especially later in the 60s. Not necessarily from a defensive perspective but from a rebounding one, which was a much more critical component of the game then.

His length probably doesn't provide as much value either as he'd almost never defend out on the perimeter, not that he couldn't but that it just wasn't something he would be asked to do. I do think he's become a better shot blocker/rim protector as hes gotten older and naturally there is a lot of potential there so perhaps he could make up a lot of value in that respect if given the proper opportunity.

So I think he'd have the potential to probably be a very good, but not great player. Hard one to project though, as the ball handling thing is just really hard for me to wrap my head around.

[CharityStripe34]

I'd guess a Top 5 player. His shooting touch and natural agility for his size would still stand out.

[dygaction]

KD would be among top 3 players each and every season except rookie or injured years, so 7 is not an aggressive estimation.

[kendogg]

I don't think most of the people in this thread understand the dribbling rules of that era. You notice how all the bigs (to a large extent) and even wings have to hunch down to dribble? Because of the strict carry rules its the only way to limit steal opportunities by keeping the ball lower to the floor. Durant would have a limited slashing ability in this era. He'd also have less of a size advantage with how small lineups these days are compared to back in the day.

He'd probably be the best shooter in the league, though Jerry West and others are no slouch either in terms of relative TS%. West has has multiple 9+ seasons and a 8 year prime of 7.6 which is better than any player in history not named Curry or Durant. Better than MJ, LeBron, Kobe, Bird. And West didn't break the system with 3PT percentage. That was all 2PT shooting. I would actually argue that West's pull-up jumper is the best in history, period. Durant would still have his jab step jumper and his catch and shoot ability but how much of his other game would be as dominant that is very debatable.

I'm not convinced he'd be better than any of Wilt, Russell, West or Robertson in that era. I don't think he'd win a single MVP in that stretch. Hell West never got an MVP but he got snubbed in 1970 getting 2nd to Willis Reed.

[Heej]

Yea I'm sorry but respectfully the caliber of perimeter defenders back the just wasn't the great. And UniBro sums it up very well. Would KD be the best player? No. Bill Russell would likely give him the work tbh, and be the one guy in the league that could "lock him up". Would he be the best perimeter player? Absolutely. If he got on the right team I don't think Bill Russell wins 8 straight tho, that's for damn sure. He's definitely sneaking one and stealing a ring even tho no one would give him the best player in the world title, just like during the 2010s with Bron and Steph playing.

He's probably putting up some crazy numbers tho. I wouldn't be surprised if he put up 45 or 50 a game in one season.

[MyUniBroDavis]

Yea I'm sorry but respectfully the caliber of perimeter defenders back the just wasn't the great. And UniBro sums it up very well. Would KD be the best player? No. Bill Russell would likely give him the work tbh, and be the one guy in the league that could "lock him up". Would he be the best perimeter player? Absolutely. If he got on the right team I don't think Bill Russell wins 8 straight tho, that's for damn sure. He's definitely sneaking one and stealing a ring even tho no one would give him the best player in the world title, just like during the 2010s with Bron and Steph playing.

He's probably putting up some crazy numbers tho. I wouldn't be surprised if he put up 45 or 50 a game in one season.

Honestly I doubt anyone locks KD up fully 1v1, Russell was insane but seeing his perimeter D on west and Oscar I feel I was expecting a super saiyan young KG or Bam and it kinda just felt like putting them back then

The perimeter guys just weren’t it lol, I feel if he was born at the time I agree he wouldn’t be the best but I don’t see 1960s guys guarding him looking at the leading perimeter guys

Honestly I think it’s interesting to look at KD on offense and see if that can outweigh everything but realistically going from guarding 2020 guys to 1960 guys makes KD ridiculous on defense anyway lol

[MyUniBroDavis]

I don't think most of the people in this thread understand the dribbling rules of that era. You notice how all the bigs (to a large extent) and even wings have to hunch down to dribble? Because of the strict carry rules its the only way to limit steal opportunities by keeping the ball lower to the floor. Durant would have a limited slashing ability in this era. He'd also have less of a size advantage with how small lineups these days are compared to back in the day.

He'd probably be the best shooter in the league, though Jerry West and others are no slouch either in terms of relative TS%. West has has multiple 9+ seasons and a 8 year prime of 7.6 which is better than any player in history not named Curry or Durant. Better than MJ, LeBron, Kobe, Bird. And West didn't break the system with 3PT percentage. That was all 2PT shooting. I would actually argue that West's pull-up jumper is the best in history, period. Durant would still have his jab step jumper and his catch and shoot ability but how much of his other game would be as dominant that is very debatable.

I'm not convinced he'd be better than any of Wilt, Russell, West or Robertson in that era. I don't think he'd win a single MVP in that stretch. Hell West never got an MVP but he got snubbed in 1970 getting 2nd to Willis Reed.

1. Dribbling was stricter but the ability to dribble was lower as well, as was defenses raw ability. West was one of the best slashers for example and his level of ball handling certainly wasn’t anything impressive even in the context of the rules.

2. Size wise I don’t see how this is true, KD is oversized because he can play as a perimeter guy at his size. Unless the implication is that coaches would be stupid this doesn’t make sense because this would be even more true in this era

3. Relative TS is based on your competition, if your competition is lower you can go higher. That’s fine for players in their own time but you can’t extend it to moving a guy 60 years back

4. I would certainly prefer the 7ft+ Guy that’s more accurate on more difficult pullups

Durants slashing game has never been the largest thing but his finishing touch would still be his best and since it was more about fluidity and avoiding contact back then I don’t see how that hurts Durant relative to everyone else.

The rules would restrict Durant for sure but the implication is always in a modern context rather than a 1960s context when players didn’t use these skills at this extent to score anyway. Setting an attribute cap on his skills still means he’s at the attribute cap