Most in-season coaching moves in the NBA do little more than signal to upset fans that losing is unacceptable or perhaps shift moods in the locker room. But as we argued Saturday, the change in the Oklahoma City foretells larger concerns. Analysts expected Scott Brooks to slow down the fast but ugly Thunder attack when P.J. Carlesimo and top deputy Paul Westhead were sacked. Some fans, like myself, hoped Brooks would also shift Kevin Durant to the small forward position, his more natural home despite 90-some games as a two-guard.Wish granted, reports Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman.
Durant says he's ready to take on the move full time.From an individual perspective, Durant's numbers should shoot up: his field goal percentage will be much better, adding a perimeter player will eventually space the floor more for his excellent slashing skills to take shape, and you'd expect him to earn a few more rebounds on each end. For the team, it's also a smart move long-term: it's a lot easier to find an undervalued two-guard than a power forward. Of late, teams have been allergic to shooting guards in the draft, with Eric Gordon the only true two taken in the top 10 last June. In the immediately (the next two years), OKC should be able to fill the two slot with a serviceable player. Going forward, it'll be easier to nab a high-power two than it would have been to find a four.
"I definitely am," Durant said. "That's my natural position. I've been playing that mostly my whole life. The last game I felt a lot more comfortable at (small forward), guarding (small forwards) and just helping my team out in different areas. So I'm excited."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-25-2008 @ 1:16PM
John said...
I'm confused. Is he moving to small forward (like the first half of your post suggests) or power forward (like the second half of your post suggests).
Reply
11-25-2008 @ 1:17PM
Ziller said...
Sorry, I wasn't very clear on that point. He's moving to SF, which moves Jeff Green to PF. Green had been playing SF.
11-25-2008 @ 1:44PM
Step said...
I don't know if there will be a change from moving to small forward. I don't think there's much of a difference between guards and small forwards in the first place. They're both perimeter positions and how they're used within in an offense isn't so much predicated on what positional name they're given but rather the skills of the player. Back in the eighties and early to mid-90's, a lot of small forwards were really big. Larry Bird, Jerome Kersey, AC Green, guys who would be power forwards now. The skills of these guys were very different from guards but that's not the case anymore.
Whatever position he's designated with now, Durant is still going to get the ball in the same places. He's not going to suddenly post up more now because he's still not strong enough. He's still going to come off screens, get iso opportunities, run in transition and so on. And while he's going about his offensive moves, the same guys will guard him because teams put their best perimeter defenders on the other team's best perimeter scorers.
I thought Kevin Durant's uniqueness coming out of college was going to be his eventual ability to play power forward in the nba. That's what he played in college, that's one of the reasons why his rebounding numbers were so high, why he registered block shots and generally filled up the stat sheet in ways he hasn't done as a pro. As a power forward, he would be one of the biggest matchup nightmares in the history of the game. But possibility of him filling out so much and taking the banging in the post seem unrealistic right now..
Reply
11-25-2008 @ 10:17PM
grover said...
It may not change Durant's positioning much, but it does change his team's outlook. Now he will have an extra guard out there helping to open things up (although on OKC I can't imagine who would do a good job).
And the hyperbole about Durant at PF? "One of the biggest matchup nightmares in the history of the game?" What makes him different from a Bosh, Peja, Dirk, Garnett, Turkoglu, etc etc? The guy he most reminds me of right now is Rashard Lewis.