this post was submitted on 23 Oct 2023
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What player had the youngest prime? (alien.top)
submitted 11 months ago by Different_Benefit807@alien.top to c/nba@nba.space
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I was thinking today, I’ve seen talks about people entering their prime at really old ages, like Karl Malone for example. But that made wonder, who hit the peak of their career at the younger ages? For example, micheal carter Williams practically peaked in his rookie year.

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[–] Beautiful_Ad55@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (4 children)

I know it’s unfair to bring up his name hear because he had a great overall career and has great longevity as well, but in terms of individual awards, Kevin Durant was kind of an early bloomer.

He was the NBA scoring champ in 2010, 2011, 2012 & 2014, at age 21-25. He never won it after that again. He was in the Top-2 of the MVP Awards in 2010, 2012, 2013 & 2014, at age 21-25. He never was in the Top-3 after that again. He was in the All NBA First Team from 2010-2014, at age 21-25. He reached the First Team only once after that (in 2018 at age 29).

So in terms of individual success, at least in the regular season, KD had an early prime.

[–] L_sigh_kangeroo@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (2 children)

Would you consider him a better basketball player in 2010-2014 than in 2017-2018?

[–] ImanShumpertplus@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

id say he was a better scorer, he used to be so god damn athletic and if he had today’s spacing instead of playing with Westbrook/Thabo/Perkins/Collison i think he’d score even more

he’s still amazing but damn he was so god damn quick back then

much more well rounded on GS tho

[–] yanansawelder@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

I wouldn't, he was defs better 2017-2018 and was just asked to do less

[–] Charlie_Wax@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (2 children)

I like this analysis, but then I also remember him carrying the Olympic team to gold in 2020 (really 2021). He was easily the best player on a team full of All-Star/HoF types.

I actually think a lot of his "decline" could just be explained by Steph Curry happening. Warriors took over the conference and then KD joined them a couple years later. All of that hurt his individual accolades, apart from the two FMVPs, which you didn't mention.

[–] eightslipsandagully@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

I remember him completely cooking Australia. As crazy as it sounds I think we could've actually beaten the USA if KD wasn't playing, which is pretty crazy when you compare the lineups!

[–] Beautiful_Ad55@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Injuries also played a role.

[–] sonofcabbagemerchant@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

The difference in individaul awards is mostly due to his imjuries though. If he was playing all 82 he would still win the same or more awards to this day.

[–] PeanutFarmer69@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (2 children)

This is ridiculous, his best seasons were pre Achilles tear in golden state when he won back to back finals MVPs at ages 28 and 29. He didn’t get any all nba or mvp love because everyone hated him for leaving OKC to go to GSW.

How does this have any upvotes?

[–] trojan7815@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

You're 100% correct, and I can't stand the guy.

[–] fuckitiroastedyou@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

How does this have any upvotes?

Because it diminishes Kevin Durant on /r/nba