How good was Kevin Durant at his best? | Greatest Peaks Ep. 14

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 มี.ค. 2021
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    Kevin Durant won the MVP in 2014, starting a multi-year run as one of the best players in the world. (It was briefly interrupted in 2015 by injury.) How impactful was his switchable defense? What were his strengths and weaknesses as a playmaker? Just how important was his shooting and off-ball game? And was he actually the best scorer in NBA history?
    This is the 14th episode in a series on the greatest peaks in NBA history (focusing on 1977-2020), featuring detailed scouting reports and film breakdown on the best players in NBA history at their best, along with analysis of their impact using historical data & stats to size up the highest peaking players ever.
    -----
    Book: www.amazon.com/Thinking-Baske...
    Podcast: player.fm/series/thinking-bas... or at www.stitcher.com/podcast/ben-...
    Website: www.backpicks.com
    Twitter: @elgee35
    Ben Taylor is the author of Thinking Basketball, a Nylon Calculus contributor, creator of the Backpicks Top 40 series & host of the Thinking Basketball podcast.
    Stats courtesy:
    www.pbpstats.com @bballport
    www.basketball-reference.com
    stats.nba.com
    For more, see the Thinking Basketball stats series: • NBA Stats 101 Series
    -----
    Footage in this video is owned by the NBA and its partners. It is intended for critique and education.
    *SERIES MUSIC*
    Bames Jond by Mikey Geiger
    csus (instrumental)
    Hair (fairlight)
    Our Imperfect Place by Strength to Last
    Lost by Alter Ego
    Restless Knight by Greg Collins
    Empire Season by Dan Henig
    Confronting the Void by Cody Martin
    Bloom by Bryant Lowry
    Nemesis
    #ThinkingBasketball #GreatestPeaks #NBAGoat
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ความคิดเห็น • 1.7K

  • @isiahsarne8505
    @isiahsarne8505 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2720

    Could we see your best starting 5 of all time counting how well they fit together in the final episode?

    • @broccolihighkicks708
      @broccolihighkicks708 3 ปีที่แล้ว +54

      I was thinking the same thing! But maybe it deserves its own video

    • @mve5758
      @mve5758 3 ปีที่แล้ว +240

      Apart from the (classic) big it is not a hard choice for me:
      Steph
      MJ
      KD
      LeBron
      Hakeem/Duncan/Shaq

    • @Mdautkreix
      @Mdautkreix 3 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      People bump up this comment so it happens! Don’t leave it underrated. 1K likes min

    • @arthurdiserbeau1736
      @arthurdiserbeau1736 3 ปีที่แล้ว +30

      @@mve5758 I have seen way worse starting five than yours but although those are all all time players I'm not sure they would fit that well together. MJ ,Lebron and a big man like Shaq, Duncan etc don't space the floor well enough to create the best team possible

    • @Nuthinnull
      @Nuthinnull 3 ปีที่แล้ว +64

      @@arthurdiserbeau1736 best fit is
      Curry
      Jordan
      Bird
      Garnett
      Shaq

  • @gyeongchankim5423
    @gyeongchankim5423 3 ปีที่แล้ว +625

    Last time I was this early okc fans still loved kevin durant.

    • @johnsmith1474
      @johnsmith1474 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Is there a world where people keep track of "how early" they are to a TH-cam video? Sad!

    • @eboy4216
      @eboy4216 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@johnsmith1474 how is it sad?

    • @diatribeeverything
      @diatribeeverything 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Best scorer? Lmao, that's ridiculous! There's this dude named Jordan than won 10 scoring titles. Scoring titles are not subject to era inflation. Scoring titles are an objective way of judging "the best scorer."

    • @NM-ev7pu
      @NM-ev7pu 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@diatribeeverything What about Wilt then? Sorry but KD is the most unstoppable scorer ever. Nobody had that length and mobility.

    • @anthonychang2298
      @anthonychang2298 3 ปีที่แล้ว +27

      @@diatribeeverything It isn’t objective. There are many other factors besides era inflation, such as teammates, the system, efficiency, volume, and your ability to score from everywhere on the court. A single number can’t define that, so scoring titles shouldn’t be the only way to measure how good someone is at scoring.

  • @MrDavid4301
    @MrDavid4301 3 ปีที่แล้ว +821

    Kevin is a true unicorn man. To be that size, that skilled and that gifted athletically is just wow

    • @colemanmurray2762
      @colemanmurray2762 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      and Greg Oden might have been a better athlete, major what if

    • @sambalaskas5082
      @sambalaskas5082 3 ปีที่แล้ว +44

      @Ezio Auditore I think Kd is the most versatile scorer in history but I still give the best scorer nod to Jordan. Being able to score at all levels is important but Shaq was an amazing scorer and he basically sucked beyond 10 feet.. Points are points.

    • @LilShrooms
      @LilShrooms 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      @@sambalaskas5082 also if Jordan grew up in today’s era im pretty sure he would easily develop his 3 pt game to be at least good if not great

    • @sambalaskas5082
      @sambalaskas5082 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@LilShrooms probably right. It’s easier to compare against contemporary players and use that as the basis. How good of a shooter was Jordan compared to shooters back then and assume that the best shooters back then given today’s knowledge and training would be just as good today.

    • @sambalaskas5082
      @sambalaskas5082 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @Ezio Auditore I don’t know about player but sure if you want. It doesn’t really change anything. Rebounding isn’t very useful of a skill set to have though.. rebounding above all else is effort and some basic IQ of rebounding angles. If you think Michael couldn’t rebound 10+ a night if he wanted to, you’re crazy. KD could do it too. That is not either of their roles though. Neither are looked on to gather boards so using that as a metric to say why ones more versatile when it’s not really apart of either players game doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. I guess KD is taller so that’s an advantage for him.

  • @gabrielwinston9426
    @gabrielwinston9426 3 ปีที่แล้ว +280

    Gervin said on an interview with the Knuckleheads that KD was the modern player he saw himself in so fitting comparison

    • @robertbowen5457
      @robertbowen5457 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      its not a new revelation or anything. The comp has been made for over a decade now that old NBA forever commercial even had them side by side th-cam.com/video/q3WG1Bv5aBE/w-d-xo.html
      Offensively I think KD in his prime years had more in common with Bob McAdoo offensively than Gervin though. He is truly a unicorn. 6'11 without shoes, basically an offensive amalgamation of Dirk, T-Mac, McAdoo and Gervin. And he was a really good defender from 2013/14 till even now. Just a freak of nature.

    • @mashwork6615
      @mashwork6615 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@robertbowen5457 T-Mac was the KD pre cursor

    • @swpdisciple
      @swpdisciple 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@mashwork6615 kinda, not quite the precision on offense. Better passer though and (believe it or not) better defender in his Toronto days. T-Mac more of a hybrid of Kobe/Dominique Wilkins with some KD elements.

  • @arp_909
    @arp_909 3 ปีที่แล้ว +150

    This is one of those moments where you realise we should appreciate KD while he’s still in the league and now back healthy. It’s just a joy to watch him do his thing on the court

    • @jengonzales502
      @jengonzales502 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      💕💕💕

    • @thedarkfrost2351
      @thedarkfrost2351 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Everyone’s always appreciated KD the basketball player. People just don’t like KD the person.

    • @QueGee774
      @QueGee774 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      @@thedarkfrost2351we don’t know KD the person smh

  • @xViolentDeathx
    @xViolentDeathx 3 ปีที่แล้ว +171

    Kevin Wayne Durant, because of him I became engrossed in the sports of basketball, fell in love with it & learn how to play it. One of the best player that ever play

    • @jeffreyt4345
      @jeffreyt4345 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      I know this should make me feel old... But that's so dope to hear. One word that undoubtedly describes what it's like watching KD play: Inspiring.

    • @SuperJamal1996
      @SuperJamal1996 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      My thoughts exactly he is to me one of the purest scores of all time. My favorite player of all time. people say he isn’t the best and that’s cool because we ALL KNOW he will give anybody buckets. WE ALL KNOW💪🏾💪🏾

    • @orange_cat
      @orange_cat ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Steph is the same way for me. They are both equally great.

    • @kylerfite9323
      @kylerfite9323 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Finally I found someone who thinks the same as me lol

  • @adrianmaliackel2651
    @adrianmaliackel2651 3 ปีที่แล้ว +132

    One of the best and most effortless scorers I have EVER seen

    • @eduardoalegre9075
      @eduardoalegre9075 3 ปีที่แล้ว +22

      He shoots like no one is contesting him. No one bothers his form.

    • @chambeet
      @chambeet 3 ปีที่แล้ว +28

      Yep, "effortless" is the best word I've ever heard to describe KD's scoring. When he's in full health, KD in the playoffs is wild to watch.

    • @NM-ev7pu
      @NM-ev7pu 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@eduardoalegre9075 Well you can contest him, is just doesn't matter. Similar to how you could stand between Shaq and the basket, he would go through you.

    • @theretrosavage
      @theretrosavage 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Durant could easily average 40 a game if he wanted

    • @oupentertainment
      @oupentertainment 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Beat scorer of all time IMO

  • @austinrawlins
    @austinrawlins 3 ปีที่แล้ว +177

    It’s real simple, I see a thinking basketball video I watch a thinking basketball video.

  • @floijd
    @floijd 3 ปีที่แล้ว +344

    Funny, how most of the clips highlighting his good passing ability end in a bricked shot by Westbrook, Adams or Roberson.

    • @gt8mar
      @gt8mar 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      I was just gonna comment this lol

    • @12gark
      @12gark 3 ปีที่แล้ว +52

      That's basically why they didn't won and he left 😅

    • @tokenblack7983
      @tokenblack7983 3 ปีที่แล้ว +27

      If Russ had a basketball IQ over 50 they would have won

    • @allenxavier6073
      @allenxavier6073 3 ปีที่แล้ว +58

      @@tokenblack7983 or if they actually had a shooting guard that can shoot.

    • @t4d0W
      @t4d0W 3 ปีที่แล้ว +25

      Its similar to the KG vid. With KG however his court vision was underratedly better but since most of his teammates couldn't shoot either those brilliant passes ended possessions with bricks or air balls.

  • @chanendlerbong
    @chanendlerbong 3 ปีที่แล้ว +919

    Next one: The Unanimous MVP season of Steph Curry and his breakdown of his insane shooting and his insane off ball moves and his greatest OBPM and greatest plus minus ever

    • @armandtonga4501
      @armandtonga4501 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      Agreed, great idea

    • @ratedpending
      @ratedpending 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      100%

    • @wallstreetzoomer
      @wallstreetzoomer 3 ปีที่แล้ว +36

      The best point guard of all-time.

    • @Goldengamer444
      @Goldengamer444 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@wallstreetzoomer MJ better but steph better then Stockton

    • @jackpeyton1894
      @jackpeyton1894 3 ปีที่แล้ว +21

      @@Goldengamer444 stockton isnt top 5

  • @gabrieltierrafria9740
    @gabrieltierrafria9740 ปีที่แล้ว +22

    Like most fans. I would say he has the most effortless offensive game ever. He truly makes it look too easy. Plus he definitely holds his own on defense side of the ball.

  • @BladeintheBrain
    @BladeintheBrain 3 ปีที่แล้ว +174

    19:38 "Kevin could be a bit... Spacey", I see what you did there 😂

    • @silverfox389
      @silverfox389 3 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      i dont get it, could u explain it to me like I'm a vulnerable little boy?

    • @mintesinotsturm388
      @mintesinotsturm388 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      Kevin Spacey is a person I’m pretty sure

    • @swpdisciple
      @swpdisciple 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@mintesinotsturm388 correct

    • @fabianperspectv
      @fabianperspectv 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      🙆‍♂️🙆‍♂️🙆‍♂️

    • @pedromdcc13
      @pedromdcc13 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@silverfox389 I see you, you maniac

  • @caleb_lane
    @caleb_lane 3 ปีที่แล้ว +206

    The Iceman reference makes me hope we get an analysis of him

    • @Cyrusislikeawsome
      @Cyrusislikeawsome 3 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      Would have been here by now if it was gonna be in the series:/

    • @Cyrusislikeawsome
      @Cyrusislikeawsome 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      But would be a good future vid for sure

    • @vanhoot2234
      @vanhoot2234 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      his peak was before the nba-aba merger .. plus i think he is going by each decade... so the problem with gerving is his 80's success coincides with magics

    • @caleb_lane
      @caleb_lane 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@vanhoot2234 I never asked for a greatest peaks episode

    • @caleb_lane
      @caleb_lane 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@Cyrusislikeawsome I never said I wanted his peak

  • @chungusbudungus4062
    @chungusbudungus4062 3 ปีที่แล้ว +145

    There’s finally a good breakdown of KD’s game

    • @dusk6159
      @dusk6159 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      And it's not even close with the rest.

    • @russellpo7758
      @russellpo7758 3 ปีที่แล้ว +43

      My own criticism of this is that I feel that Ben undersells how bad his help those OKC teams were offensive because OKC didn't have "some spacing issues" the spacing was just trash with 3 nonshooters on the floor most of the time.

    • @Van_ax
      @Van_ax 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Not really. His breakdown is misleading when talking about KDs scoring with Curry and Russ of the floor. KD’s scoring stays the same every year with Westbrook & Curry off the floor in the sample he uses except 2014....one bad year that’s likely noise takes down entire sample

    • @TheDarkChemicalBond
      @TheDarkChemicalBond 3 ปีที่แล้ว +33

      @@Van_ax The analysis is good. KD just isn't as good as people make him out to be. He's certainly not in the GOAT conversation. A guy that can't get his own shot reliably and is not a leader on the floor is just not top 10 all time material. He has some amazing skills off-ball, but he's just not the world beater people claim he is. If he wasn't 6'11" but more the size of a guard at 6'7" or so he wouldn't even be up here. As was stated repeatedly in the video, he is barely a plus defender. At his height with his reach, he should be All NBA defense. But he's not. Why? Only he can answer that.

    • @cottonmather8146
      @cottonmather8146 3 ปีที่แล้ว +22

      @@russellpo7758 Shooters don't just grow out of trees, and the idea that every team needs at least 3 shooters on the floor is something that the Spurs and Warriors revolutionized. OKC was BUILT against the Warriors. Athletic bigs, Westbrook, and KD all got that 3-1 lead over the Warriors for a reason. It took Klay Thompson going nuclear, and both Westbrook and KD choking in game 6 to lose that series. Otherwise, they might have had a ring.

  • @calebgilbert4382
    @calebgilbert4382 3 ปีที่แล้ว +49

    Next greatest peaks episode is gonna be "Klay thompson, 5/28/16"

    • @jlui21
      @jlui21 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      - greatest Robin? nope. Greatest shooting robin? yup.

    • @autumnleaf2976
      @autumnleaf2976 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      If talking about greatest single game peaks, he's top 5 all time, easy.

    • @calebgilbert4382
      @calebgilbert4382 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@autumnleaf2976 For sure. He's also got 60 points on 11 dribbles in three quarters on his resume, as well as 37 in a quarter. Those should be up there as well.

    • @colingremse9069
      @colingremse9069 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      greatest single game multi-peaks confirmed. LoL get well soon

    • @petersonofleo11
      @petersonofleo11 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Klay is like that stoner guy in class that you know he is really smart but he gets distracted by random stuff but once he decides to focus he is the smartest guy in class.

  • @aidangibbons4131
    @aidangibbons4131 2 ปีที่แล้ว +22

    KD and Steph were the best duo in NBA history at their peak.

    • @hesiiii
      @hesiiii 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      only shaq and kobe compare

    • @Vyuel
      @Vyuel 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      jordan and scottie, Kareem and magic, kobe and shaq were all much greater, hard to say they were the best duo if without KD at all, they go 73-9 lmao...

    • @aidangibbons4131
      @aidangibbons4131 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +8

      @@Vyuel those were good, but scottie isn't very close to either prime KD/Steph, and Kareem wasn't in his prime with magic. Shaq and Kobe is definitely a close one though

  • @bigbrotherallstars43
    @bigbrotherallstars43 3 ปีที่แล้ว +93

    Durant officially stands at 6'10.5" without shoes!

    • @exiledknight3961
      @exiledknight3961 3 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      Nope 6'9.5 "
      www.si.com/nba/2019/10/18/kevin-durant-height

    • @joshjohnson3867
      @joshjohnson3867 3 ปีที่แล้ว +21

      @@exiledknight3961 Have you seen him next to Demarcus Cousins? Or even Lebron?

    • @exiledknight3961
      @exiledknight3961 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      ​@@joshjohnson3867 Yes man , all their heights were reduced by official measurements. Like how are you arguing official NBA measurements ?

    • @jjarvo1245
      @jjarvo1245 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@exiledknight3961 6”9.5 with shoes is 6”11😂 so who really cares

    • @joshjohnson3867
      @joshjohnson3867 3 ปีที่แล้ว +24

      @@exiledknight3961 Once again your are wrong his height got officially changed by the NBA to 6’10 without shoes. Nice try tho. www.google.com/amp/s/crownhoops.com/2019/10/08/complete-list-of-nba-player-height-changes-and-updates/amp/

  • @Alphasports576
    @Alphasports576 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    This guy knows more about basketball then all the people that talk basketball on ESPN put together and half of those guys played in the NBA

  • @parangjothic5737
    @parangjothic5737 3 ปีที่แล้ว +53

    "Slithery enough to catch off the screen". I see what you did there 😉

    • @KByrd80
      @KByrd80 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      I was Looking For this Comment 😁😆😆

    • @dusk6159
      @dusk6159 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      The spacey snake!

  • @AbsentCircle
    @AbsentCircle 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Great Series Keep it up Bro!

  • @Riccardopelle98
    @Riccardopelle98 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    I can just imagine the amount of work you put for this series, amazing job Ben! 🏀♥

  • @AllucB
    @AllucB 3 ปีที่แล้ว +504

    Please stop teasing and just do a breakdown of the goat himself: Brian Scalabrine

    • @Bankai2169
      @Bankai2169 3 ปีที่แล้ว +38

      It'll be a year-long video

    • @marquisdaniels8371
      @marquisdaniels8371 3 ปีที่แล้ว +19

      Video would be way too long! TH-cam doesn’t allow uploads to use that many Terabytes!

    • @diatribeeverything
      @diatribeeverything 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Idk who can possibly respect a guy who joined the team that eliminated him after he checked a 3-1 lead. Draymond said it best "we didn't need you bitch." Then KD had to go and say some dumb bitch shit, after inevitably beating the cavs, about the torch being passed. Lmao, ok KD... Sure

    • @drehasthebestbeats2874
      @drehasthebestbeats2874 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      @@diatribeeverything
      Where the fuck did that even come from?

    • @lachlanobrien7401
      @lachlanobrien7401 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@drehasthebestbeats2874 he's still upset because he's either a LeBron fan or an OKC fan who still hasn't recovered.

  • @ggyougotmetoreply
    @ggyougotmetoreply 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    This series has been so amazing so far. Thanks for all the work you put in for this!

  • @catherinelynnfraser2001
    @catherinelynnfraser2001 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Absolutely riveting series. Thank you so much🏀

  • @eliasdejene2779
    @eliasdejene2779 3 ปีที่แล้ว +47

    Yo Ben I'm really excited to watch this video; KD is actually my favorite player and I'm pumped you did a video on him. Thanks so much man

    • @mve5758
      @mve5758 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      I started watching basketball, because I saw him play (on tv) in an international tournament once. Still my favorite basketball player to this date.

    • @chambeet
      @chambeet 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Cat can ball.

  • @danebeaulieu6411
    @danebeaulieu6411 3 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    Not the same series, but would love to see you analyze Ben Wallace's impact. He's up for HOF again, but the analytics don't have him as an all-timer but he's a 4x DOP and all the ex-players talk about how much an impact he had. Kind of a polarizing figure in that sense plus he's like 6'8 playing center. Definition of an anomaly

  • @othotheartist7688
    @othotheartist7688 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Been waiting for this one 💯

  • @Mozzermarr10
    @Mozzermarr10 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Really good series. Thanks for this.

  • @darrellludlow
    @darrellludlow 3 ปีที่แล้ว +92

    Durant admitted that he was recorded at "6'10" and three-quarters with no shoes, so with my shoes on I'm 7-feet."

  • @nonutemperor
    @nonutemperor 3 ปีที่แล้ว +50

    6"11 with althleticism, handles of a guard and literally can create shots whenever he wants. Defensively, he's also great able to guard all positions. Yes he is one of the most complete scorer in basketball history

  • @Blkslvr18
    @Blkslvr18 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    This might be the greatest series I've ever seen from a youtuber... Such great insight and knowledge.

  • @jaiden8102
    @jaiden8102 3 ปีที่แล้ว +28

    Been waiting for this one. One of my favorite players to ever touch a basketball.

  • @Fooglegod
    @Fooglegod 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    This series is amazing. Keep up the good work!

  • @timbowerman779
    @timbowerman779 3 ปีที่แล้ว +41

    Love this series please keep dropping these videos

  • @tg2112
    @tg2112 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I love this series
    Keep it up !!!....🙏🏼

  • @louis2927
    @louis2927 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    i feel like dirk deserves a
    video. Your vids are amazing!

  • @kierankobaissi2396
    @kierankobaissi2396 3 ปีที่แล้ว +131

    alright where's kd's burner account comments at lemme see

    • @haydenmellsop2270
      @haydenmellsop2270 3 ปีที่แล้ว +22

      Just becuz he was caught out once dosent mean he's comentinng on everything. He's very loyal btw
      - Devin Kurant

    • @kierankobaissi2396
      @kierankobaissi2396 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@haydenmellsop2270 kd... that you??

    • @haydenmellsop2270
      @haydenmellsop2270 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@kierankobaissi2396 ay... shit.... who said what?

  • @JoshOlawale
    @JoshOlawale 3 ปีที่แล้ว +25

    I've always seen Kevin as the greatest scorer ever but found it weird that he struggled to generate more shots. This clears a lot of it up. Kevin really relies a lot on a creative playmaker. He's a great ceiling raiser but may not raise the floor as high as a James Harden for example.

    • @steveno7058
      @steveno7058 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      The dude is 7 feet. Expecting him to be point guard is pretty silly. Its like expecting Shaq to play PG and create his own shot. As long as KD was paired with a decent PG he could easily create his own shots.

    • @StefanoFalchi99
      @StefanoFalchi99 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@steveno7058 well, James is 6'9" (nice) and he is a brilliant playmaker.

  • @bobbysbluebooster
    @bobbysbluebooster 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    This makes my Monday morning. Ty sir :)

  • @philiph616
    @philiph616 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great video as always! So excited for the Stephen Curry one. You’ve given us all some great entertainment and made us better students of the game :D

  • @jimbix8517
    @jimbix8517 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    LETS GOOO NEW GREATEST PEAKS

  • @notatrueroute
    @notatrueroute 3 ปีที่แล้ว +65

    20:30 "offensive linemen" lol

  • @jamesmontgomery1930
    @jamesmontgomery1930 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    YES! MOAR VIDS PLZ! whoever you want to cover, how ever long you want to take on the vid. I'll be here, im ready! THE GREATEST PEAKS BABEEE!

  • @milesmungin2754
    @milesmungin2754 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Such an under appreciated channel

  • @swpdisciple
    @swpdisciple 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    I love how this series shadow-references Lebron and Bird and how all episodes fit together if you know what to listen for. Excellent, scientific analysis and super entertaining.

  • @zbt62
    @zbt62 3 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    streets been waiting for this one

  • @JP-jd8wr
    @JP-jd8wr 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Spot on analysis!

  • @mantassbakas
    @mantassbakas 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    This intro is so epic, gives me chills every time

  • @asaarnold8751
    @asaarnold8751 3 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    That Kevin Spacey joke was both the best thing I’ve heard all day and the worst thing I’ve heard all day

  • @mudyez
    @mudyez 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Really would love to see this series expanded.
    Isiah, Erving, Barkley, Malone, Nowitzki, Nash and Pippen come to mind. Maybe Steph and Stockton also would be very interesting.

  • @MrTeaveee
    @MrTeaveee 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Love these vids so much, and would love to see in-depth analysis, even a similar series, on the greatest WNBA players! Keep up the great work 🙌🏻

    • @swpdisciple
      @swpdisciple 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I’d like that too!

  • @sergeyegiyan9577
    @sergeyegiyan9577 3 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    Amazing content, enjoyed every second
    Though I feel the part about Durant's passing focused too much on how he's still not a traditional playmaker level passer and a bit less on how he managed to add passing to his arsenal and make his game more deadly. Because he was a great scorer already in his 2nd season and the main difference offensively between young & developing KD and established KD that won MVP and Finals MVPs was his ability to share the ball properly. His first 5 seasons he averaged just 2.8 assists per game with 3.1 turnovers, finishing with less assists than turnovers in every season. That made him predictable and more guardable as he is now because you knew that if you make him the primary ballhandler and put a lot pressure on, he's going to take bad shots or lose the ball rather than finding an open men and using that extra pressure on himself to create easier shots for his partners.
    From his MVP season he averaged 5.3 assists per game with the same 3.1 turnovers per game making him better prepared for those situations and just a better team player integrated into overall ball movement and style. From that moment of time he became top-1/top-2 NBA player. I just feel like that was a huge transformation and was not appreciated enough

  • @itssecret.722
    @itssecret.722 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    It's easier to score when you have five Allstars and 2 mvp....noted.... makes sense to me.

  • @sarveshdeshmukh3310
    @sarveshdeshmukh3310 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    I wonder if kawhi will be mentioned in this series. I mean he's been historically great at improving his numbers in the playoffs, plus he has great scoring and defense. He's also added some playmaking since toronto

    • @geordiejones5618
      @geordiejones5618 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Kawhi is a pretty unique NBA story. 2017 you could argue he was MVP and maybe even this year in 23/24, but his health issues and identity as a defensive first guy kinda precluded him from the buzz he needed in 16/17 to generate MVP noise over Steph, LeBron and KD. Russ never should have won in 2017, yeah he was on fire but I think Kawhi was the best player on one of the best teams, and that they would have upset the Warriors sans Zaza's bullshit. Spurs-Cavs would have been a six or seven game slugfest between peak Kawhi and peak LeBron.

  • @Bruhbruhmcgee
    @Bruhbruhmcgee 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great videos man these help me out so much, could you do a video on Nash or another great recently modern point guard because I noticed the only other point guard you have done a video on is Magic. Keep up the great content and god bless 🙏

  • @ryuk3950
    @ryuk3950 3 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    As a football(soccer) fan I'm thoroughly impressed that you mentioned Lionel Messi.

    • @diegocarvajalcastro
      @diegocarvajalcastro 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Its not the first football reference in this channel

    • @padraigdoyle9262
      @padraigdoyle9262 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      the true GOAT

    • @obed8960
      @obed8960 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@diegocarvajalcastro I remember him likening Siakam to Mbappe too lmao

    • @diegocarvajalcastro
      @diegocarvajalcastro 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@obed8960 and comparing Hakeem to a golie or Giannis to a football Sweeper (the most impressive reference for me)

    • @Thomas-dl4cb
      @Thomas-dl4cb 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Do you guys know anything like thinking basketball for football? I love this kinda thing but I can't find anything close to Ben's quality.

  • @Smiththebat
    @Smiththebat 3 ปีที่แล้ว +17

    Durant’s listed height is the biggest joke since Boogie Cousins.

    • @acgeewhiz
      @acgeewhiz 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      For real, lol. Any side by side with other tall players put that joke about him only being 6’9” in the spotlight.

    • @zacwoods
      @zacwoods 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Russell Westbrook’s is wrong too. Westbrook is AT LEAST 6’5 but he’s listed at 6’3. When Westbrook and Harden are side by side Westbrook is the same height if not a bit taller

  • @leothetang
    @leothetang 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    This is my fav series of all time, i would love to see these analysis of other players that are not considered the "greatest" but still superstars such ass melo, patrick ewing, nash ... etc

    • @Beyonder-rq2gx
      @Beyonder-rq2gx 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yea dumb reference by narrator

    • @theretrosavage
      @theretrosavage 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Patrick ewing is a top 50 player

    • @leothetang
      @leothetang 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@theretrosavage i agree but he not one of the goats, he a superstar fr thoguh

    • @theretrosavage
      @theretrosavage 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@leothetang he had offense and defense though...melo and nash couldn't play defense if someone placed a 12 gauge to their temple

    • @leothetang
      @leothetang 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@theretrosavage i nvr said he is worse than melo and nash, i want this series to included players like ewing and such cause this series only has the goat

  • @KByrd80
    @KByrd80 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    This Is The Best Series On TH-cam.. Bar None . 💯💯💯

  • @kalginage
    @kalginage 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I could watch these on every player in the league and never get bored

  • @bradlylawson6923
    @bradlylawson6923 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Durant also has some of the best nicknames to date: Durantula, Slim Reaper...

    • @demolisherOfMoney
      @demolisherOfMoney 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      And snake, burner, etc lol

    • @Christopher._M
      @Christopher._M 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@demolisherOfMoney hahahaha

    • @Christopher._M
      @Christopher._M 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      No one uses them anymore. But they were good.

  • @qdgamer7183
    @qdgamer7183 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Please do 1 for harden. I'd love your view and assessment. Maybe be even a great video after this playoffs for an in depth assessment of him before and after Houston. It would help us understand his game much better overall.
    Once again thank you for the great content

  • @TroyBrownTV
    @TroyBrownTV 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    This is the best comprehensive punlic breakdown series probably of any league and amy sport

  • @noahcunningham3166
    @noahcunningham3166 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Best Series on YT

  • @Shosei_iw
    @Shosei_iw 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    13:05 that speech bubble tho

  • @n_a8917
    @n_a8917 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Bro, the fact that this content is free is absurd. Well done.

  • @CoachMarcus92
    @CoachMarcus92 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Best series!

  • @MrJh0vi
    @MrJh0vi 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Finally steph's video is next 🔥🔥🔥

  • @pau6762
    @pau6762 3 ปีที่แล้ว +87

    Haven’t watched yet, but I assume Curry is next. I wonder how close guys like Giannis and Harden were? Who were some of your hardest cuts?

    • @bobbypayne9843
      @bobbypayne9843 3 ปีที่แล้ว +82

      He said wade was one of his hardest cuts

    • @mve5758
      @mve5758 3 ปีที่แล้ว +36

      Giannis is still young. Might get a video in a couple of years.

    • @bigfella1612
      @bigfella1612 3 ปีที่แล้ว +20

      what's giannis' peak? his 24 and 25 year old seasons? that doesn't seem right.

    • @allan9095
      @allan9095 3 ปีที่แล้ว +33

      Giannis is like 25 years old or something, his peak likely hasn't happened yet.

    • @sophtkid1014
      @sophtkid1014 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Wade was really close, Ben had already started a video

  • @riancarlson7924
    @riancarlson7924 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    I know it wouldn’t happen but I’d love to see a greatest peak on linsanity for the memes plus it would low key kinda fit

  • @jahdaijackson4755
    @jahdaijackson4755 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great vid and a lot of detail. It would be interesting to see and point out the differences in Kyrie’s and Harden’s playmaking and scoring skills.

  • @toxicmustardwasabi
    @toxicmustardwasabi 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    the one I was waiting for. GOAT scorer.

  • @moneymitch100
    @moneymitch100 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    You may have to make another one 😂😂😂😂

  • @ryansquizzles6562
    @ryansquizzles6562 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Yo Ben. Will the original efficiency monster (Charles Barkley) be included in this series?
    If not, might be worth doing an additional series of the gaps that were missing in would-be greats. Or maybe regular season monsters, post-season game-planned out players?
    P.s. Spacey inclusion 10/10

  • @nickdamas2164
    @nickdamas2164 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I've been watching basketball a LONG time. Since the days of Magic and Bird...
    There has NEVER been anyone like KD.
    UNBELIEVABLE basketball player.
    People gotta enjoy him while hes playing, AND give that brother his flowers.

  • @cristiandelvillar3121
    @cristiandelvillar3121 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Love the channel and the series, would love it if you did Oscar Robertson too. Either way, these videos are amazing.

  • @ShooterSanoff
    @ShooterSanoff 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    The best per scorer I have ever seen in person and I saw Kobe when he came to town and LBJ his whole career but at 7ft and can score from anywhere at anytime is amazing still, he was a walking bucket

    • @t4d0W
      @t4d0W 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@GameChanger-xi4iy Which is funny because he gets memed for the 'hardest road' thing. But ideally Durant's high level basketball is unlocked with another super star offensive playmaker playing alongside him.

    • @steveno7058
      @steveno7058 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@GameChanger-xi4iy KD didn’t need anyone to create for him when he nailed both dagger 3’s over Lebron in the 17 and 18 finals. It isn’t a negative that KD plays better with a PG. The dude is 7 feet. You really expect him to be the PG? Its like saying a negative in Currys game is his shot blocking. KD is a wing, not a PG.

  • @randomcat5262
    @randomcat5262 3 ปีที่แล้ว +29

    about the point that Durant functions way better with a star PG then without: that's why the Nets will be very good for they have not 1 but 2 star guards

    • @Van_ax
      @Van_ax 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      It’s not true though....KD functions just as good without a point guard

    • @scordatura9259
      @scordatura9259 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@Van_ax ok

    • @billybob3672
      @billybob3672 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@Van_ax Yea he has greatly improved as a playmaker and has plays PG whenever Russ or Steph aint play,, its just OKC had terrible spacing and no real role player they had were that good offensively at all so without them KD would be heavily trapped/double. Driving lanes were just heavily clogged and that happen sometimes even with Russ.

    • @ezraprzytyk
      @ezraprzytyk 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Two of the top 5 PGs in the league 😳 (harden, Curry, Dame, Luka, Kyrie)

    • @ezraprzytyk
      @ezraprzytyk 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@Van_ax did you not watch the video? There was clear evidence it's not debatable and I'm a KD fan. He's still amazing without but with one he's arguably the best in the world

  • @JonnyLin7
    @JonnyLin7 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    You should do a 1 episode briefly covering each of the honorable mentions for greatest primes. I'm thinking Moses Malone, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, Steve Nash, Dwyane Wade, James Harden and Kawhi Leonard would be my contenders for greatest primes honorable mentions.

  • @llleeolly1717
    @llleeolly1717 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hey Ben know you’re probably super busy but would love to see an update on your 2way hierarchy method from episode 66 of the podcast would love to see that model be implemented in the world of player projection and analysis

  • @abdeenabdul7803
    @abdeenabdul7803 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    kevin durant,micheal jordan and kawhi leonard make basketball look so easy such efficient scorers who dont need only physicality to beat pkayers because they are so smooth.Lebron is great also but is game is not as appealing like durant,mj and kawhi.super smooth operators who make basketball seem effortless

    • @jaobille79
      @jaobille79 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Kawhi and KD are uber efficient scorers

  • @rome8180
    @rome8180 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    I know the LeBron and Durant episodes have been about previous seasons, but I still think it's a weird choice to use the past tense when talking about them. Not only are they still playing, but many of the elements you mention are still very much aspects of their game.

  • @nickolasbarnes4430
    @nickolasbarnes4430 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Literally came to TH-cam to look for a video like this and it was the first thing when the app opened.

  • @splashnskillz37
    @splashnskillz37 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    GSW legit tamed KD like a horse, crazy
    btw i hope you do a part II with his Nets years when he's done

  • @ImBarryScottCSS
    @ImBarryScottCSS 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Nice to see an honest breakdown of KD. When people say he is the greatest scorer ever they really need to qualify what they mean. If you take that to mean iso scorer he's probably not even top 10. But as a flow scorer in an offence, maybe as the primary scoring option behind pass first PG he may very well be the best ever, his catch and shoot game is so OP it should be banned.

    • @t4d0W
      @t4d0W 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      With how the rules have changed over the course of decades, being the 'best' scoring in the NBA requires granularity on what makes up that component. That said KD in this modern era is one of the elite ISO scorers especially his GSW run. But stacked against the legends and he probably will be ranked lower against guys who are triple threat masters who had the physical gifts, great length and size but also explosive first steps.

    • @williamjackson5421
      @williamjackson5421 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      This is BS his MVP season leading the league in every advance stat per bpm vorp WS WS/48 came with Westbrook hurt. Elgee is a known Curry guy.

    • @steveno7058
      @steveno7058 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      BS. Wheres your proof KD isn’t a great iso scorer.

  • @kiranm1166
    @kiranm1166 3 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    KD in 2014: Honestly, I think I can score better than anybody
    Harden sitting next to him: and I took that personally...

    • @darkswaggboss9059
      @darkswaggboss9059 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      ? Harden scan score better than him tho lol harden shoots more shots more fts and is less efficient

    • @TheMissinLink
      @TheMissinLink 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@darkswaggboss9059 He’s been nearly as efficient as KD for the past few seasons and that is with nearly all of his offense being created by himself. They’re entirely different scorers but very comparable volume/efficiency wise.

    • @NM-ev7pu
      @NM-ev7pu 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@TheMissinLink KD is more versatile than Harden and has delivered in the playoffs.

    • @ajdaking507
      @ajdaking507 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@TheMissinLink that's primarily because harden shoots more 3s and fts than kd does, even though he's a few percentage points worse in both categories. Also, almost half of kd's shot attempts are from mid-range where he shoots about 50%, which is better than every single player in the league over the last 7 seasons, obviously harden included. I'm bringing up the difference in their shooting tendencies to make this point. kd shoots on average better than harden does from every single spot on the floor, but because harden shoots more 3s and fts than kd does on average, his ts% is greatly boosted.

    • @TheMissinLink
      @TheMissinLink 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@ajdaking507 I understand that. That doesn’t change the fact on a per true shot basis he’s just as efficient as KD. And like i said harden is creating almost all of his own offense which usually drives efficiency way down but that’s not the case when it comes to him which makes it even more impressive. KD is 100% the more versatile, resilient scorer but that wasn’t my point.

  • @n813productions2
    @n813productions2 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I really love your videos! Here's some criticism: I almost missed this awesome content because I didnt click it because the thumbnail didnt attract me. I passed this vid a couple of times in my subscription box and ignored it subconsciously then when I realized it was Thinking Basketball's video, I clicked immediately because I know you have good content. For new vieweres though, they probably wouldn't find you easily. I know your theme in your thumbnails are consistent but changing it up a bit might help you reach wider audiences. Anyway, keep making quality content! ❤️ Good luck!!

  • @magicmagic8188
    @magicmagic8188 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    3:18 “he was slithery enough” 😭

  • @commanderjoj6426
    @commanderjoj6426 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    One of the great questions in NBA history: What if the Thunder had decided to give James Harden a max deal instead of dealing him?

  • @mentalgame5608
    @mentalgame5608 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Kevin Durant is a hybrid of T-Mac & Dirk……Ball handling like T-Mac with Dirk efficiency shooting.
    All time Great….arguably top 10 ever.

    • @_Gwuapo
      @_Gwuapo หลายเดือนก่อน

      Yousirrr are speaking facts 🙏🏼

    • @ron88303
      @ron88303 หลายเดือนก่อน

      You can make a good case for it.

  • @ollieblass9370
    @ollieblass9370 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Could you do a series of players just a tier below the peak level? Players such as Dirk, Iverson or Carmelo?

  • @Oskar1000
    @Oskar1000 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Can you do one on Kevin McHale? He only had how killer seasons but his combination of efficiency and proficiency is statistically one of the best ever. Also, super cool to be the originator of the term 'torture chamber'

  • @Isaac_Essa
    @Isaac_Essa 3 ปีที่แล้ว +18

    Man I’m so hyped for the curry episode

  • @langslays1881
    @langslays1881 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    KD when healthy, in his prime, playing his best ball, took over games like few ever could. He did EVERYTHING well. Zero weaknesses to his play. Top 5 scorer ever easily to me.

    • @blvckzulu9469
      @blvckzulu9469 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      top 1 scorer ever easily

    • @t4d0W
      @t4d0W 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Its more like with the right team, his ability to take over in bursts and stretches was VERY evident. His time with GSW is a testament of that. Sure he didn't have to drop 30+ to prove a point having Steph and Klay alongside him. But he can easily rack up 20-30 easily because defenses have to worry about Steph and Klay so KD can get to his spots easily. Then if he needs to he'll drop another 20 difficult shots in the process to try take over and win.

    • @blvckzulu9469
      @blvckzulu9469 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@t4d0W With or without the right team he's the best individual scorer ever. Has the numbers to show and the skillset to match while also being an athletic damn near 7 footer. No one else compares. Literally can score in every way over any defender from any spot of the court with efficiency.

    • @BenjaminFranklinFF1706
      @BenjaminFranklinFF1706 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@blvckzulu9469 1. Jordan 2.Shaq 3. KD

    • @t4d0W
      @t4d0W 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@blvckzulu9469 Except you missed the part Ben talked about when his playoff scoring numbers dipped down a bit. Along with the careful notion that Durant's offense game gets further unlocked with another primary ball handler/scorer with him because KD's offensive game is getting to his off-ball spots and beating his matchups there along with isolation match ups. Plus when he's on attack mode he's not crazy dominant either more than he's using his length to leverage against defenders already at the paint to finish. Its a stark comparison when he's the primary option with OKC who got around 9 FTAs but simmered down to about 6 FTAs playing with the Warriors. Which is still good because his role was streamlined so he gets more opportunities for buckets while playing in the flow of the Warriors offense. Plus he doesn't have to force his shots as defenses can't throw the kitchen sink at him because they have to account for Steph/Klay's gravity.

  • @ashwincheekala1566
    @ashwincheekala1566 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Now that u finishing ur greatest peak series. U think u could do a greatest/biggest what if players in nba history(Sabonis GHill hardaway bias Walton etc) for historical perspective and learning about their game before injury.

  • @racuz8
    @racuz8 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    This should be required viewing for NBA Twitter

  • @HarryCrackz
    @HarryCrackz 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Lol Draymond's dirty dog trip attempt at 21:07

  • @LxyD
    @LxyD 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Series suggestion: "What if" covering the NBA's great athletes who are weighed down on the past injuries. like Brandon Roy, T-Mac etc.

  • @lars2675
    @lars2675 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Gonna have to make another one soon with the way kd has been playing since his achilles return

  • @jdterrell
    @jdterrell 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    upset dirk didn't make this series. I'd love to see you break down his game