Okay, let me walk you through what I did the other day, just messing around with some basketball thoughts, specifically thinking about Jaden Ivey and Kevin Durant.
How This Whole Thing Started
So, I was just kicking back, watching some game highlights, you know how it is. And I saw a flash from Jaden Ivey, that burst of speed he has going to the hoop. It got me thinking. Not necessarily about him being the next KD, that’s a huge stretch, obviously. But more about comparing that raw potential, that explosive first step, to how Durant looked when he was younger, even though they’re very different players.
Diving Into It – The Process
First thing, I pulled up YouTube. Spent a good chunk of time just watching Ivey’s plays from his time with the Pistons. Focused on his drives, his finishing, how he creates space. Just getting a feel for his raw tools. Lots of speed, sometimes a bit wild, but definitely eye-catching stuff.
Then, I switched over to Kevin Durant. Man, watching KD is always something else. I looked at his early stuff, Sonics and early OKC days. Trying to remember what that felt like watching him emerge. The key difference, right away, is the frame and the shooting. KD was always smoother, longer, and that jumper was pure from day one.
I wasn’t doing crazy stat breakdowns or anything super technical. This was more of a gut-feel exercise. I literally grabbed a notepad and started jotting down impressions:
- Ivey: Explosive first step, aggressive driving, developing playmaker, streaky shooter right now.
- Durant (early): Unnatural scoring ability, smooth jumper, incredible length, surprisingly good handle for his size.
It was just about putting those initial thoughts down on paper, side-by-side almost. Seeing where the immediate contrasts were. It helps me organize my thoughts instead of just having them swirl around.
What I Realized Doing This
The comparison is tough, maybe even a bit silly, I get that. They are built differently, play differently. Durant is a unicorn, a 7-footer with guard skills. Ivey is a power guard, pure speed and downhill force.
But the exercise wasn’t really about saying Ivey will be Durant. It was more about appreciating different paths and skill sets. It helped me see Ivey’s specific strengths more clearly – that sheer acceleration is his calling card right now. And it reminded me just how polished Durant was, even from the start. His scoring was just effortless in a way that’s incredibly rare.
So yeah, spent maybe an afternoon just watching clips, thinking, scribbling notes. It was just a personal project, a way to engage with the game beyond just watching scores. Came away appreciating Ivey’s energy and reminded, once again, of KD’s greatness. Just a simple practice I went through, nothing too fancy, but I enjoy doing stuff like this sometimes. Helps me process the game.
