AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2007 > February > 15 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USComparing Young and Durant
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Not to dive too deeply into a story I’m working on for Sunday, when Tech will play at Duke, but is Thaddeus Young ahead of, or behind, projections? Or, is it crazy to ascribe certain expectations to freshmen?
Paul Hewitt said Young’s fine. He said he’ll be surprised if Young doesn’t make the ACC All-Rookie team, given that he’s been 1 or 2 in scoring all season.
Yet, Young and Texas’ Kevin Durant were viewed by some folks somewhat as equals coming out of high school, and Durant has gone nuts. “A once-in-a-generation player,” Hewitt said.
Hewitt said he’s been surprised by Durant (but absolutely not Duke’s Jon Scheyer), yet he’s far from disappointed and, in fact, quite pleased with Young, even though he’s averaging about half the points, and less than half the rebounds, of Durant.
We spoke some about the fact that Young’s playing on the perimeter now (one of the reasons he chose not to attend his hometown Memphis; because he pretty much figured out that Calipari was going to play him mostly inside and he didn’t want to) as opposed to playing with his back to the basket most of the time during his last season or so in high school. That’s a big change, obviously.
Durant’s playing a position more similar to what he did in high school, Hewitt noted, although Durant was a center-power forward in high school and, from the Texas games I’ve seen, he sure seems to spend a lot of time facing the basket now.
What do I know, though? What does anyone know?
Permalink | Comments (14) | Post your comment | Categories: Basketball
Comments
By GT_JJ
February 15, 2007 3:07 PM | Link to this
There’s no question in my mind that Durant’s (and I’ve only had a couple of chances on ESPN to watch him) game is much more polished that Young’s right now. Still, though, the comparison is hard because the teams are so different. Texas only plays 6-7 guys, so not only does Durant play more minutes than Young, he plays more minutes with almost the same five. And the focus of those five guys is to get the ball to Durant. I don’t think Durant’s numbers would be anywhere near as gaudy as they are now were he to play for Hewitt.
As for Young, there are still many parts of his game that need work (and, hopefully, he’ll stick around for a while to learn and improve). He needs to work on his passing; someone who has the ability to get in the lane and disrupt the defense, as he does, needs to learn how to find the open man (too often his good effort is wasted on a poor layup attempt). He also doesn’t seem to be able to consistently get open jump shots (and/or make them). I think we have seen a significant improvement in his defense, of late.
We’ve seen bare glimpses of Young’s potential, whereas Durant’s is on display every single game. I’d like to think (though I have no sense of what NBA scouts look for as far as current ability vs. future potential) that Young will see he can get a lot of benefit from sticking around the college game for another year or two, and he and Crit can take this team into the upper echelon of the NCAA.
By Najeh Davenpoop
February 15, 2007 4:38 PM | Link to this
Well, let’s see… Durant is taller, longer, handles better, shoots better, posts up better, and defends better. Otherwise, they are pretty similar. Don’t get me wrong, Young’s got a lot of talent, but if Durant went into the NBA right now, he could probably put up 18 PPG, 7 RPG, 3 APG with a couple of 3’s and blocks mixed in (that’s a conservative estimate). On the other hand, if Young were to enter the NBA right now, he would have to dramatically improve his handles and jumpshot, among other things, to even stay on the floor at this point. I’m confident he can improve, and there’s no question he’s talented enough, but right now there’s no comparison between Durant and Young.
By George
February 15, 2007 5:37 PM | Link to this
Thad needs to play stronger. He tends to shy away from contact and doesn’t take the ball to the rim aggressively. Thad needs to learn to get to the foul line to keep his offensive flow going. Still, Thad does things every game that show his immense talent. He just doesn’t seem to have learned how to harness it yet.
By GT
February 15, 2007 6:38 PM | Link to this
When you first see Durant on television you think you are watching a normal size point guard the way he handles the ball and shoots from the perimeter. Young is almost unnoticed while he is playing more less taking over the game like Durant.
By noel malone
February 15, 2007 7:07 PM | Link to this
no comparison - young won’t even make the ACC all rookie team. No one in the NBA will take him after this year. He’ll be back at Tech, and hopefully, a more complete player.
By ben
February 15, 2007 7:49 PM | Link to this
No comparison- you’re right, but something seemed to have spooked Young early in the year. Whether it was Hewitt riding him about not playing the team game and defense, or just the level of play in the ACC, I’m not sure. But, in the first few games, there was a glimpse of greatness that went away. Durant, on the other hand, is a young T-Mac, definitely ready for the big show. Don’t forget Bosh, who also developed slowly under Hewitt, and now is money.
By Brian Jones TECH FAN
February 15, 2007 7:50 PM | Link to this
noel malone you are a damn idiot no i dont think thad is ready but if the hawks will take sheldon williams 5 overall the thad will get a look he has so much up side 6 9 and can shoot from outside so please dont post anymore until you have any sense of what you are talking about
By Ol' Gold and White till I die
February 15, 2007 8:03 PM | Link to this
TY could still go in the NBA draft.. only because they draft more on potential then other things.. Still I think he needs another year to really develop and be a force. He’s just fine the way he’s playing right now.. I dont think you can compare him to Bosh. Bosh was money too.. like Durrant. Bosh def didn’t develop slowly under Hewitt?? He had potential all along. That’s why he was ACC ROY over a lot of really good rookies.. Durrant reminds me of Bosh.
By Najeh Davenpoop
February 15, 2007 11:07 PM | Link to this
Bosh was a much, much more complete player in his freshman year than Young is. In fact, if anything, Bosh and Young as freshmen were exact opposites. Bosh had all the skills to play both inside and outside, he just didn’t have the body to bang in the post consistently. It took him until his 2nd year in the NBA to put on enough weight to play consistently in the post. Young, on the other hand, has an NBA body right now, but the skills are lagging behind. But obviously, skills get you a lot farther than athleticism does, otherwise Ismail Muhammad would be on an NBA roster.
By DfromDville
February 16, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this
Durant is a top 2 pick and the hawks should be kicking themselves for there meaningless wins and not trying to land durant or Oden. Young is a good player but in no way should enter the draft this year. Hopefully him and crintennton will stick around at least another year or 2 and improve there games. Go Tech!!
By lescher
February 16, 2007 7:03 PM | Link to this
for those of you who think Young should stick around GT another year, you are probably being selfish. An NBA team will do a much better job of developing Young b/c they will hone in on his offensive potential. No defense in the league will play to Young’s advantage. He’s probably gone after this year. Great learning experience for him. The risk of injury versus money is too great.
By Navigator
February 17, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this
I will take a comment by Billy Packer during the UConn - Tech game. Both team have prised freshman, but his comment cut to the point. He said no man on either team is ready to go to the next level. We’ll find out at the end of the season how much basketball savvy that Young has. If he tries to go up, he’s a late round pick, and probably no chance of making a team (basketball minor leagues for him). If he’s really smart, he’ll realize that he’s got no outside shot, is lazy on offensive rebounding, and is average on defense. This guy should come out no sooner than his junior year, and that’s if he works hard and hones his skills.
By Call me Earl
February 18, 2007 9:01 AM | Link to this
I watch the GT games and compare the level of play to OSU, Texas, and NC. Until the last couple of weeks, I haven’t been able to find a standout leader on this team. Young sure does have the frame to be a great basketball player, but it seems he lacks the aggressiveness and desire to bang in the paint and dominate teams. Other than Smith and Dickey, there are no real hogs in the paint. I’m waiting for the day when you see Young flying to the rim for a put back dunk every game.
On the other hand J.Crittenton has grown up before our eyes and taken the challenge to be the teams leader. I’d like to see Young step up and take charge on the floor with rebounding, defense, crisper passing, and better shot selection. I’m no coach, but I love college basketball. I love GT basketball. I’d like to see each one of these players commit themselves even more to making this a better team, especially Young. What’s the use of having those wide shoulders and you don’t like banging in the paint from time to time. Can you imagine Salley playing wing? NOT! Get in the paint and dominate Young! Let that open your outside drive/penetrate and jumpshot game.
Come down to Ben Hill recreation center for instruction.
By Jason Bird
February 28, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this
I think KEVIN DURNANT IS A N**** AND BLOWS C**!