Kevin Durant JUST Misses Out On Exclusive 30/.300 Season

[Hoopz2332]

saw this elsewhere

The "30/.300 Club" consists of three individuals in NBA history who had both a 30 PER and .300 WS/48 season in the same regular season. In terms of advanced stats (or at least ones not involving RAPM or some version of it), this is probably about the most exclusive club that exists. Or at least that I am aware of.

First, here are the people in the club. References at the bottom of the post. All figures from Basketball Reference.

Jordan -----> Number of 30/.300 seasons = 2
---------------> 1987-88 --- 31.7 PER --- .308 WS/48 (League MVP)
---------------> 1990-91 --- 31.6 PER --- .321 WS/48 (League MVP)

LeBron -----> Number of 30/.300 seasons = 2
---------------> 2008-09 --- 31.7 PER --- .318 WS/48 (League MVP)
---------------> 2012-13 --- 31.6 PER --- .322 WS/48 (League MVP)

Wilt --------> Number of 30/.300 seasons = 1
---------------> 1963-64 --- 31.6 PER --- .325 WS/48 (2nd in MVP voting to Oscar Robertson)


Durant in 2013-14 was right on the verge of the mark. How close was he? This close:

PER --------> 29.8 (29.90 on ESPN)
WS/48 ----> .295

Durant was over both 30 and .300, I believe, with two games remaining in the regular season.

In examining the historical data, we see another figure who had just about the exact same "almost there" stats only a few seasons ago.

Chris Paul 2008-09

PER --------> 29.96
WS/48 ----> .293

So when looking for perhaps the most analogous season to the one Durant just put up -- clearly a towering historical season, way up the charts for best individual season in NBA history, IMO -- Chris Paul's 2008-09 campaign may be the most similar, in terms of individual advanced stats. Durant's Thunder, however, won 10 more games than did Paul's 2008-09 Hornets (59 wins vs 49 wins). Durant also played in 3 more games than did Paul in 2008-09 (81 vs 78). Had Durant played in just 78 games this year, I believe he would have been in the 30/.300 club right now.

There is no reason to think Durant won't be in the same statistical neighborhood next year, and for the foreseeable future. So if he were to join the 30/.300 next season, I would not be surprised at all.

***

For those wondering how Oscar Robertson beat out Wilt Chamberlain for the MVP vote in 1963-64, it was because (I'm guessing) Robertson averaged 31.4/9.9/11.0. Yes, AVERAGED that. Roberston averaged 30.8/12.5/11.4 (the "triple double average" season) in 1961-62 and came in 3rd in the MVP voting behind Bill Russell and Wilt. So I'm guessing the voters may have felt it was Robertson's turn in 1963-64. Also, Roberston's Cincinnati Royals (55-25) won 7 more games than did Chamberlain's San Francisco Warriors (48-32) in 1963-64.

[Hoopz2332]

people calling this one of the best seasons ever and it still misses the bench marks of historic greatness

[Trollsmasher]

But... but according to Joyner he was about to break the records in both departments

[imdaman99]

FFS you guys overrate the shit outa stats. I just wanna see who wins in the playoffs.

I want Bran vs Durant in game 7 of the Finals

[HoopsFanNumero1]

Couldn't even get a 30 PER

[plowking]

This is quite clearly a top 30 or 40 season ever, but I find it funny how he's literally missed out on just about every benchmark his fans on here were saying he was going to reach. I remember something about this win share one. His fans were previously harping on about his PER and how he might set the record. Then you had joyner recently going on about 30ppg while shooting 50/40... lol.

Just funny to see him fall short because of his obnoxious fans.

[navy]

Stans are the worst. Cant let the idiots on here make you stop appreciating the greatness that is Kevin Durant.

[HylianNightmare]

dude is trash obviously

[Hoopz2332]

This is quite clearly a top 30 or 40 season ever, but I find it funny how he's literally missed out on just about every benchmark his fans on here were saying he was going to reach. I remember something about this win share one. His fans were previously harping on about his PER and how he might set the record. Then you had joyner recently going on about 30ppg while shooting 50/40... lol.

Just funny to see him fall short because of his obnoxious fans.

[SpecialQue]

Worthless piece of shit.

[Keno]

so much for historic season. durant was spectacular for only one-two weeks in january, and stans were saying durant was having the goat season. shit was hilarious.

[code]A Year For the Ages: 35.0
Runaway MVP Candidate: 30.0
Strong MVP Candidate: 27.5
Weak MVP Candidate: 25.0[/code]

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Player_...eference_guide

lebron could very well win mvp too.

[SexSymbol]

so much for historic season. durant was spectacular for only one-two weeks in january, and stans were saying durant was having the goat season. shit was hilarious.

[code]A Year For the Ages: 35.0
Runaway MVP Candidate: 30.0
Strong MVP Candidate: 27.5
Weak MVP Candidate: 25.0[/code]

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Player_...eference_guide

lebron could very well win mvp too.

Durant was literally matching LBJ's production in latter's best month
This is an unanimous MVP.

[J Shuttlesworth]

Someone mind explaining how the WS stat works? Never really looked into it, but hear a lot of people talking about it these days

[Genaro]

FFS you guys overrate the shit outa stats. I just wanna see who wins in the playoffs.

This.

[riseagainst]

and who cares about PER and WS again?!

oh yeah, full 'tard stans.