Kevin Durant, 610, Freshman, SF/PF, Texas
37 points, 16 rebounds, 2 assists, 5 turnovers, 13-23 FG, 5-7 3PT, 6-6 FT vs. Colorado
Rodger Bohn
Texas freshman Kevin Durant put on easily the most dominant performance by any of the stellar freshman the college game has to offer this week, boasting a ridiculous 37 points, collecting 16 rebounds, and drilling five three pointers. What made things even more impressive was that he did all of this within the flow of the game, not forcing anything at all. Durant is making his case for number one louder and louder as the days go on, as he has even surpassed what Carmelo Anthony did at Syracuse at this point in his freshman season.
Offensively, Kevin was a nightmare for all opposing Buffalo defenders. He was scoring from inside and out, from the pick and roll and off the dribble. It was virtually impossible for any opposing power forward to guard him, as his excellent quickness allowed him to blow past them on the perimeter, and he was able to utilize his height down low on the blocks. Then of course, you had to deal with Durants outside shooting ability, which is unparalleled at the collegiate level by any player his size.
Durant displayed his remarkable perimeter shooting ability, knocking down five three pointers for the second time in a game this season, with the first coming earlier in the season against St. Johns. He combines the range and shooting ability of a Steve Novak with a remarkably quick release and feathery soft touch. Kevin hit jumpers from virtually every angle of the court, both from a stand-still and on the move. It was simply an amazing shooting performance by the freshman that Texas depends on every game, but Durant showed us a little more against Colorado: An emerging post game.
For quite some time early in the season, Durant chose to roam around the perimeter, firing up outside jumpers. While there is nothing wrong with this due to his excellent accuracy (39% on the season), one would like to see him utilize his length (610 with 74 wingspan) closer to the basket. Well, Kevin must have gotten the memo, making it a point to show everyone watching the game that he is excellent with his back to the basket as well. He showed off a beautiful right handed jump hook, as well as a smooth turnaround jump-shot from the low post. Both shots looked seemingly unblockable, as Durant used his freakish wingspan to extend far beyond where any Buffalo defender could reach.
Despite his small frame, the Maryland native showed that he had no problem mixing it up inside, collecting 16 rebounds, 7 of which came from the offensive end. He did not back down from the smaller and stronger Colorado big men, holding his ground on the blocks and using his length to alter plenty of shots. Kevin used his length and athleticism on the offensive end as well, delivering two SportsCenter Top 10 quality dunks that left the crowd in awe. He also used his guard-like quickness to break down whoever was placed on him off the dribble, Richard Roby included
Despite his outstanding performance, it was clear that Kevins ball-handling skills could use some refinement if he plans on being a full time small forward in the NBA. As it stands now, his handle is outstanding for a power forward, but still marginal for a wing. Durant has a tendency to let his dribble get a bit high, allowing smaller guards to get their hands in there and poke the ball away, which played a part in his five turnovers for the game.
Offensively, Kevin was a nightmare for all opposing Buffalo defenders. He was scoring from inside and out, from the pick and roll and off the dribble. It was virtually impossible for any opposing power forward to guard him, as his excellent quickness allowed him to blow past them on the perimeter, and he was able to utilize his height down low on the blocks. Then of course, you had to deal with Durants outside shooting ability, which is unparalleled at the collegiate level by any player his size.
Durant displayed his remarkable perimeter shooting ability, knocking down five three pointers for the second time in a game this season, with the first coming earlier in the season against St. Johns. He combines the range and shooting ability of a Steve Novak with a remarkably quick release and feathery soft touch. Kevin hit jumpers from virtually every angle of the court, both from a stand-still and on the move. It was simply an amazing shooting performance by the freshman that Texas depends on every game, but Durant showed us a little more against Colorado: An emerging post game.
For quite some time early in the season, Durant chose to roam around the perimeter, firing up outside jumpers. While there is nothing wrong with this due to his excellent accuracy (39% on the season), one would like to see him utilize his length (610 with 74 wingspan) closer to the basket. Well, Kevin must have gotten the memo, making it a point to show everyone watching the game that he is excellent with his back to the basket as well. He showed off a beautiful right handed jump hook, as well as a smooth turnaround jump-shot from the low post. Both shots looked seemingly unblockable, as Durant used his freakish wingspan to extend far beyond where any Buffalo defender could reach.
Despite his small frame, the Maryland native showed that he had no problem mixing it up inside, collecting 16 rebounds, 7 of which came from the offensive end. He did not back down from the smaller and stronger Colorado big men, holding his ground on the blocks and using his length to alter plenty of shots. Kevin used his length and athleticism on the offensive end as well, delivering two SportsCenter Top 10 quality dunks that left the crowd in awe. He also used his guard-like quickness to break down whoever was placed on him off the dribble, Richard Roby included
Despite his outstanding performance, it was clear that Kevins ball-handling skills could use some refinement if he plans on being a full time small forward in the NBA. As it stands now, his handle is outstanding for a power forward, but still marginal for a wing. Durant has a tendency to let his dribble get a bit high, allowing smaller guards to get their hands in there and poke the ball away, which played a part in his five turnovers for the game.
Saturdays game was just another page in the remarkable storybook that Kevin Durant is writing in what will surely be his only season of collegiate basketball. It was his most dominant performance of the year, but what makes things even scarier was that he had 33 points with 12 minutes to go and his teammates stopped feeding him the ball. If he would have kept getting consistent touches, the outstanding freshman surely would have been in the mid 40s at the rate he was going. He has surely solidified himself of the #2 pick in this years NBA Draft barring any catastrophe, and could wind up making a legitimate case for top pick in the draft over Greg Oden if he is able to continue his remarkable play as of late.