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2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 185
This is really pathetic, and a major cause for concern in my opinion.
The guy is going to be a serious defensive liability. How will he keep any four off the block? How will he keep any three off the block for that matter? He probably bailed himself out with his height in college, now I see him being terribly exposed. Add to that his slow feet and it is a really interesting dilemma.
The last player I remember not benching the minimum was Shaun Livingston and look how he has turned out. Injury after injury (not having stength leads to injury) and SL was point guard. Durant will have to guard bigger stronger players.
Maybe he is a natural scorer and a gamer with a high bball IQ, but so was Adam Morrison and look how he made the jump (yikes).
Did this news drop your opinion of Durant's star potential in your mind as it did mine? I could be overvaluing this result and Durant could end up doing just what he did in college (dominating), but we could also have the next Brad Sellers on our hands.
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 185
Every other draft candidate can probably bench Durant at least once.
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 18
[QUOTE=adamcz]Every other draft candidate can probably bench Durant at least once.[/QUOTE]
its shocking, 95% of average joe's in college can probably bench 185
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 185
He's still young and his body is growing. Cut him some slack.
He put up his numbers last season in a major conference, despite his lack of strength. We just need some patience with him, and his body will mature as he gets older.
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 18
[QUOTE=JtotheIzzo]This is really pathetic, and a major cause for concern in my opinion.
The guy is going to be a serious defensive liability. How will he keep any four off the block? How will he keep any three off the block for that matter? He probably bailed himself out with his height in college, now I see him being terribly exposed. Add to that his slow feet and it is a really interesting dilemma.
The last player I remember not benching the minimum was Shaun Livingston and look how he has turned out. Injury after injury (not having stength leads to injury) and SL was point guard. Durant will have to guard bigger stronger players.
Maybe he is a natural scorer and a gamer with a high bball IQ, but so was Adam Morrison and look how he made the jump (yikes).
[B]Did this news drop your opinion of Durant's star potential in your mind as it did mine[/B]? I could be overvaluing this result and Durant could end up doing just what he did in college (dominating), but we could also have the next Brad Sellers on our hands.[/QUOTE]
Hell no! Durant's going to be a monster in the NBA. Don't forget he's only 19 years old and he ACTUALLY looks like a 19 year old instead of some genetic mutated freak like Lebron or Oden. His first year in league he'll average 20+ and although he might struggle on the block, give him a year or two to pack on some muscle and he'll be fine.
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 185
Could Morrison bench it last year? I know Shawn Livingston couldn't do it in '04.
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 185
Durant should be ashamed... But he did grow a little over an inch during the season. So I think maybe it payed off not lifting hard.
Im just excited that he is still growing. Dude is 6"10 with a 7"5 wingspan thats impressive.
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 185
He probably started working out, later than most of the players out there.
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 185
he must have neglected to weight train in his teenage years because he wanted his body to g row to its full potential height.
being 6'10" is much harder than benching 300 pounds.
his rookie season I can see him have a terrible year plagued with fouls, but I think if he wants to succeed in the NBA he will need to hire a strength coach and he will need to lift like he's never lifteed before
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 185
he'll get stronger, he'll be benching 200+ this year with strength coaches, no problem.
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 18
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 18
Which would you rather draft?
A player who is a physically gifted player, that you have to teach the game of basketball to..
or
A player who is a gifted basketball player that you have to teach bodybuilding to?
Give me a lithe kid who can shoot over a musclehead who just can't learn how to shoot a jump shot. Give me Michael Redd over Ira Newble -any- day.
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 18
People, it is not basketball versus musclehead, it isnt even a matter of he'll improve once he starts working out...that is all irrelevant.
185 is VERY easy for most regular people to bench press. It isnt a hard thing for an every day kind of dude to do.
We are talking about a professional athlete who weighs 215lbs.
If he was weak I wouldn't worry, but to be abnormally weak is as shocking as it is worrying.
For a man in his position not to be able to do this is FREAKISHLY unathletic.
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 185
I think Kevin Durants wants his draft stock to drop so that he might finally be pick by the Boston Celtics.
Danny Ainge must be praying that the Celts might get Kevin Durant.
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 18
[QUOTE=JtotheIzzo]People, it is not basketball versus musclehead, it isnt even a matter of he'll improve once he starts working out...that is all irrelevant.
185 is VERY easy for most regular people to bench press. It isnt a hard thing for an every day kind of dude to do.
We are talking about a professional athlete who weighs 215lbs.
If he was weak I wouldn't worry, but to be abnormally weak is as shocking as it is worrying.
For a man in his position not to be able to do this is FREAKISHLY unathletic.[/QUOTE]
I remember a couple of years ago there was a big to-do over the bench press results for draftees, since many of them, especially the taller players, weren't able to do more than a few reps at 180 or 200 pounds (I forget what it was). They say arm length is a big factor.
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 185
Whats more pathetic Durant not lifting 185 once or everyone making topics about how the Cavs can beat the Spurs? I think if you read the first 3 pages you'll start disliking everyone being attention whores because they want you to look up under thier skirt [I](read thier enlightening thoughts on how the cavs can beat the spurs)[/I] more than Durant not being able to bench 185.
And honestly? In Durants defense if he never lifted a weight or used the bench in his life or even sparringly. There is no way he can just sit on the bench and push 185 off his chest just because he is tall and can play basketball. Lifting weights isnt exactly easy....not many are born strong. Most begginners when they first start lifting off the bench cant even bench thier own weight. So if he left high school not ever using the weight room (if they had one) or he didnt really target lifting 185 or better when he did. Then expecting him in college to hit the gym and start pushing 185 off his chest 8 times is reaching. When you're avg a double double in college having a phenominal season...chances of you being FORCED to weight train isnt likely. So until we know how Texas bball program incorporates weight training and how important it is there....then we should give him the benefit of the doubt. Him not lifting 185 just means he needs to get stronger. So get over it. Nash probably is a weakling.
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 185
[QUOTE]185 is VERY easy for most regular people to bench press. It isnt a hard thing for an every day kind of dude to do.[/QUOTE]
Its really not. I bet a large % of the posters who actually post here (not just members) couldnt bench 185 if they havent been in the gym at all or in a long time. So thats a wrong assumption on your part. And if you take graduating highschoolers and freshman in college who never lifted weights or lifted them off and on...nothing consistent. Placing them on the bench and orcing them to push 185 off thier chest they couldnt do. He's 19. Every 19yr old can push 185 off thier chest? Thats hilarious...so we got a bunch of billy bad asses in America? So all it takes for kids to lift 300lbs is basically a year. If you can push off 185 easily then within a year you should be able to hit 300. According to your logic.
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 185
When I was 16-17 or so, I went with my friend in the morning's to the local gym. I was around 180 pounds at the time (I'm 6'1") and had never lifted a weight in my life, nor done much manual labor of any sort. I had no problem doing 2-3 sets of 10 reps at 185 pounds.
I mean, I agree with you that everyone's different, but it's still pretty surprising that a guy who's in such great shape wouldn't be able to do it, since you'd think that he would have done other sorts of similar strength-building exercises over the years (push-ups, resistance training etc.) just by virtue of being active. I mean, not being able to do a set I can understand, but [i]one rep[/i]?
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 18
[QUOTE=JtotheIzzo]This is really pathetic, and a major cause for concern in my opinion.
The guy is going to be a serious defensive liability. How will he keep any four off the block? How will he keep any three off the block for that matter? He probably bailed himself out with his height in college, now I see him being terribly exposed. Add to that his slow feet and it is a really interesting dilemma.
The last player I remember not benching the minimum was Shaun Livingston and look how he has turned out. Injury after injury (not having stength leads to injury) and SL was point guard. Durant will have to guard bigger stronger players.
Maybe he is a natural scorer and a gamer with a high bball IQ, but so was Adam Morrison and look how he made the jump (yikes).
Did this news drop your opinion of Durant's star potential in your mind as it did mine? I could be overvaluing this result and Durant could end up doing just what he did in college (dominating), but we could also have the next Brad Sellers on our hands.[/QUOTE]
Adam Morrison doesn't have Durant's 7'5 wingspan and 6'10 height. And although Durant may struggle in man-to-man d (like most rookies) if his strength is such a problem compared to other picks, why were none of them ever able to exploit it? He's a small forward, not a defensive end, and if he plays the 3 most sfs won't be able to post him up that well at all because, remember, he's 6'10 with a 7'5" wingspan. If you could be an effective post player by just muscling then guys like Brandon Hunter would be great. but no 6'7/220 lbs. SF is going to succeed against Durant in the paint. This isn't football.
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 185
By the way, I think his physical limitations are more reason to pass on him at #1 and go with super-freak athelete Oden. It's [i]not[/i] a reason to think twice about him at #2. He's still a way better prospect than anyone else in the draft, and anyone else from most drafts.
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 18
[QUOTE=JtotheIzzo]This is really pathetic, and a major cause for concern in my opinion.
The guy is going to be a serious defensive liability. How will he keep any four off the block? How will he keep any three off the block for that matter? He probably bailed himself out with his height in college, now I see him being terribly exposed. Add to that his slow feet and it is a really interesting dilemma.
The last player I remember not benching the minimum was Shaun Livingston and look how he has turned out. Injury after injury (not having stength leads to injury) and SL was point guard. Durant will have to guard bigger stronger players.
Maybe he is a natural scorer and a gamer with a high bball IQ, but so was Adam Morrison and look how he made the jump (yikes).
Did this news drop your opinion of Durant's star potential in your mind as it did mine? I could be overvaluing this result and Durant could end up doing just what he did in college (dominating), but we could also have the next Brad Sellers on our hands.[/QUOTE]
Panelists were talking about this on ESPN (Entertainment & Sporting Network)'s Around the Horn and one of the Panelists compared Kevin Durant's situation to Scottie Pippen's situation. Scottie Pippen was probably as thin as Kevin Durant until the Chicago Bulls staff got a hold of him and he turned out like he was - more muscular than he was when they drafted him.
They also made the point that this is not the NFL (National Football League) Combine. Lifting so much weight shouldn't matter. The only thing you need to worry about is the basketball which is one and a half pounds.
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 18
[QUOTE=adamcz]By the way, I think his physical limitations [/QUOTE]
One thing: It's not a "limitation." It's just an extremely long-armed, skinny beginner doing poorly on the bench press, something that doesn't even matter much for perimeter players anyway. He can and will get stronger and it's only going to be important when he's trying to get And-1s. What's more important is leg strength and quickness. Most plays where upper body strength is important are fouls.
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 18
His weakness will effect his game obviously. I have been saying all along that he won't be able to back down anyone, get to the basket as easy as he did in college(rebounding and driving), or be able to defend many small forwards when they back him down from the very beginning.
I have been saying all along he will be a jump shooter to start (also has to do with his handles) and will rely on pump fakes to drive....but of course he better be hitting his shots his rookie season or he's going to disappoint many people this year.
Wouldn't suprise me if he's a lot like Tim Thomas his first season or at least the first half until he better acclimates himself to the NBA. Of course I feel he'll be a little bit better than that, but that is a worst case scenario.
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 185
I weigh 210 and can't bench 185. I'm not a weight lifter.
Have you never seen Durant play?
Kid will be just fine..........
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 18
[QUOTE=LakerRaider]Panelists were talking about this on ESPN (Entertainment & Sporting Network)'s Around the Horn and one of the Panelists compared Kevin Durant's situation to Scottie Pippen's situation. Scottie Pippen was probably as thin as Kevin Durant until the Chicago Bulls staff got a hold of him and he turned out like he was - more muscular than he was when they drafted him.[/QUOTE]Hmm, i can't remember Pippen being touted as a the best player in the draft, so this is nothing like the Pippen situation. The ridiculous thing about this is that he has known for a long time that this was going to come up. He should have been prepared. Either get in the weight room for a few months so that you can bench your weight, or pass on the attempt all together. To attempt the lift and not be able to complete it shows an extreme lack of brain power. He is going to be a bust. :)
Also, ESPN stands for "Entertainment and Sports Programming Network". If you are going to be annoying, at least get it right.
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 18
[QUOTE=LakerRaider]Panelists were talking about this on ESPN [B](Entertainment & Sporting Network)'s [/B]Around the Horn and one of the Panelists compared Kevin Durant's situation to Scottie Pippen's situation. Scottie Pippen was probably as thin as Kevin Durant until the Chicago Bulls staff got a hold of him and he turned out like he was - more muscular than he was when they drafted him.
They also made the point that this is not the NFL [B](National Football League) [/B]Combine. Lifting so much weight shouldn't matter. The only thing you need to worry about is the basketball which is one and a half pounds.[/QUOTE]Seriously, guy.
You have got to cut that out. That is annoying and pointless.
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 18
[QUOTE=fatboy11]I weigh 210 and can't bench 185. I'm not a weight lifter.
Have you never seen Durant play?
Kid will be just fine..........[/QUOTE]So you are saying that Durant is just like you. Are you sure that is a compliment? How much did you sign for?
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 18
[QUOTE=hippos]His weakness will effect his game obviously. I have been saying all along that he won't be able to back down anyone, get to the basket as easy as he did in college(rebounding and driving), or be able to defend many small forwards when they back him down from the very beginning.[/QUOTE]
He's got too much length for most SFs to post him. They can push him all they want to, but he's going to have over a foot of standing reach advantage on most of them so as soon as they get that ball up in the air he's going to swat it unless they fire it from awkward angles, which can be as bad as getting blocked.
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 185
[QUOTE=Loki]When I was 16-17 or so, I went with my friend in the morning's to the local gym. I was around 180 pounds at the time (I'm 6'1") and had never lifted a weight in my life, nor done much manual labor of any sort. I had no problem doing 2-3 sets of 10 reps at 185 pounds.[/QUOTE]
I find that hard to believe. Maybe genetics played a part in that? But Durant is rail thin. When I first started lifting weights I had to start out using the bar to get down the technique then gradually add weight. Lifting 185 took time. And I played sports and boxed. So i was in shape. Just not strong. Just never lifted any weights. But I remember kids who just genetically had bodies like they lifted before and didnt. And they could do more weight then me. Maybe you were one of those kids.
185 is basically 2 45lb plates and 2 25lb plates. Bar is generally 45lbs on its own. I just dont see a mofo who never lifted sitting down and pushing that off thier chest like you did. I can see Durant not lifting 185 once before i can see 2-3 sets of 10 at 185 from someone who never lifted weights a day in his life. Sorry.
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 18
[QUOTE=vert48]Hmm, i can't remember Pippen being touted as a the best player in the draft, so this is nothing like the Pippen situation. The ridiculous thing about this is that he has known for a long time that this was going to come up. He should have been prepared. Either get in the weight room for a few months so that you can bench your weight, or pass on the attempt all together. To attempt the lift and not be able to complete it shows an extreme lack of brain power. He is going to be a bust. :)[/QUOTE]
What does lifting a certain amount of weight have anything to do with basketball??? This is not the National Football League or the Strong Man's Competition.
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 185
Again, it's amazing how this kid, who is being bashed as a weakling and underdeveloped, had managed to dominate the NCAA this year. We seem to be missing the big picture; all of this says an awful lot about athleticism vs. skill. If people want to let him drop in the draft... be my guest... some team will pick him up and we'll all be looking foolish in the near future.
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 18
[QUOTE=Real Men Wear Green]He's got too much length for most SFs to post him. They can push him all they want to, but he's going to have over a foot of standing reach advantage on most of them so as soon as they get that ball up in the air he's going to swat it unless they fire it from awkward angles, which can be as bad as getting blocked.[/QUOTE]
I'm not going to assume he's gonna block shots left and right. All a smart player needs to do on a rookie is pump fake and get under his arm. Draw a foul or have a clear 5 footer.
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 18
[QUOTE=vert48]Hmm, i can't remember Pippen being touted as a the best player in the draft, so this is nothing like the Pippen situation. The ridiculous thing about this is that he has known for a long time that this was going to come up. He should have been prepared. Either get in the weight room for a few months so that you can bench your weight, or pass on the attempt all together. To attempt the lift and not be able to complete it shows an extreme lack of brain power. He is going to be a bust. :)[/QUOTE]
He is prepared...to play basketball. And that is not the same thing, or even similar, to the bench press. If you want to talk about strenght, his leg press numbers are actually far more important. Question for anyone that thinks his bench press is a major issue: What plays will his inability to overpower opponents with his upper body be a problem? Other than getting and1s it doesn't matter.
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 18
[QUOTE=fatboy11]Seriously, guy.
You have got to cut that out. That is annoying and pointless.[/QUOTE]
You're talking to a stubborn individual who will reply about how he isnt bothering you, he is talkin basketball blah blah blah ontop of asking you to relax because he takes your feelings into consideration. If you reply to him just start your post off with "You're a dyckhead..." then get into your point. Its what I would do.
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 18
[QUOTE=LakerRaider]What does lifting a certain amount of weight have anything to do with basketball??? This is not the National Football League or the Strong Man's Competition.[/QUOTE]I have never heard of the National Football League. Is there another, generally accepted name that it is known by?
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 18
[QUOTE=vert48]I have never heard of the National Football League. Is there another, generally accepted name that it is known by?[/QUOTE]
NFL (National Football League)
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 18
[QUOTE=hippos]I'm not going to assume he's gonna block shots left and right. All a smart player needs to do on a rookie is pump fake and get under his arm. Draw a foul or have a clear 5 footer.[/QUOTE]
Here's the thing: If you have a foot of reach advantage you can wait for the shooter to jump before you go for the block. That's why length is such a major advantage. He'll have problems with d like most rookies do but that's definitely not something that ought to be held against him. If it was really so easy to post taller guys with naught but a strength advantage guys like Antonio Gates wouldn't wind up in the NFL.
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 185
[QUOTE=MaxFly]Again, it's amazing how this kid, who is being bashed as a weakling and underdeveloped, had managed to dominate the NCAA this year. We seem to be missing the big picture; all of this says an awful lot about athleticism vs. skill. If people want to let him drop in the draft... be my guest... some team will pick him up and we'll all be looking foolish in the near future.[/QUOTE]
Big 12 had no big men. See what happened when he went up against a group bigs that are aggresive and enjoy contact (MSU). He had a subpar game and Texas lossed.
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 185
[QUOTE=GOBB]I find that hard to believe. Maybe genetics played a part in that? But Durant is rail thin. When I first started lifting weights I had to start out using the bar to get down the technique then gradually add weight. Lifting 185 took time. And I played sports and boxed. So i was in shape. Just not strong. Just never lifted any weights. But I remember kids who just genetically had bodies like they lifted before and didnt. And they could do more weight then me. Maybe you were one of those kids.
185 is basically 2 45lb plates and 2 25lb plates. Bar is generally 45lbs on its own. I just dont see a mofo who never lifted sitting down and pushing that off thier chest like you did. I can see Durant not lifting 185 once before i can see 2-3 sets of 10 at 185 from someone who never lifted weights a day in his life. Sorry.[/QUOTE]
Well, I did it. I have no reason to lie, really -- it's not like I'm flapping about pressing 300+ pounds or something. 185 isn't [I]that[/I] big of a deal. And yeah, I've been told that I'm naturally strong; I'm also very broad-shouldered. If I lifted weights for a few years I'd probably look like DHoward, since everyone always thinks I lift as it is because of my chest/shoulders.
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Re: 2 Days Have Passed and I STILL Can't Get Over the Fact That Durant Can't Bench 18
[QUOTE=LakerRaider]What does lifting a certain amount of weight have anything to do with basketball??? This is not the National Football League or the Strong Man's Competition.[/QUOTE]
you've obviously never played at a high level of organized ball before.
strenght means everything.
if you are not strong, and you play against very tall and strong guys, you will get no layups. if you are in that situation, you better pray your jumpshot never fails