Thinking Basketball 21st century peaks Ep 9 | Mega Hybrid scorers
Sep 17, 2025
Dive into the world of mega hybrid scorers like Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant, exploring their unique offensive skills. Discover how Durant's playoff prowess and impactful gravity shaped his team's dynamics, alongside an insightful critique of Bryant's scoring efficiency. The conversation delves into the challenges faced by elite players in different team environments. With a humorous twist, they examine the legacies of basketball legends, highlighting their distinct scoring styles and the influence they had on the game.
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Durant's Hybrid Scoring Gravity
- Kevin Durant is a hybrid scorer who creates offense both on-ball and off-ball through movement and gravity.
- His unique combination of size, release point, and mobility forces defenses to adjust differently than for other shooters.
Same Volume, Different Context
- Durant produced similar scoring volume in Oklahoma City and Golden State but with different free-throw and team offensive outcomes.
- Context and teammates (Westbrook vs Curry) materially changed how his scoring translated to team offense.
Durant's Two Diverging Shot Paths
- Durant shifted toward even better shooting from long mid-range and three as he aged, especially after injury.
- At the same time his downhill rim attempts decreased, creating two diverging shot-diet paths across his career.