The Astounding Evolution of Kevin Durant | The Ringer

[@Sssteps123]

This is prime Dime Drop content that has been sorely missed in the waffling landscape of NBA commentary

[@loicthiant7448]

TRUE .

[@kalvin9479]

no CAP

[@calebm.8264]

❌🧢

[@pipersspamfolder9026]

@@patrickseeley797 ok.

[@gaming_warzone1964]

@@loicthiant7448 nets 76ers lakers

[@LiamborninDC]

KD's face after Payton Mannings joke is amazing.

[@onedone2011]

stone cold

[@younggrinch2826]

He knew it was coming

[@jayxreeves]

legendary

[@soulinthefrijol]

Even his mom was laughing 🤣

[@preston1916]

If he could just not get his feelings hurt and laugh along at some of that stuff a lot of the bullshit would probably quiet down. Guess he still thinks he took the hardest road.

[@BrianSuttererMD]

You know you've made it when the absolute mastery of a J Kyle Mann video includes your content. Appreciate the inclusion 🙏

[@jw3638]

Love that they included you Doc. I always watch your videos, too. Being a sports massage therapist, it really helps to understand the body, how injuries happen and how recovery works. Thanks so much!

[@marlonumali3825]

Both of you are awesome! Thank you both for your masterful content!

[@onedone2011]

Brian Suture-rer hits the chat.

[@onedone2011]

Thanks for your content. It refreshes in informs my understandings, 🙏 .....

[@YaBoySheeny]

We appreciate the combo

[@BeatsbyBlanch]

KD kinda reminds me of myself when i used to dominate against my little cousins on a 7 ft hoop

[@onedone2011]

lolz

[@krste3000]

Had the same thought. No one should be this tall, athletic and skilled.

[@brendansomerville2412]

That last point he made about enjoying greatness while they are still around really stuck with me. Over the past couple years I have been trying to re-wire my sports brain and become less tribal and rather just appreciate the sport and all the greats within it. When KD signed with Golden State I reacted like Stephen A. Smith, hated the decision. But as the years passed that faded and I realized that I had wasted my time being a hater rather than appreciating Kevin's uniqueness let alone greatness. At the end of the day I am a Nuggets fan, but before all, I am a basketball fan. Enjoy these guys before it's too late, you're gonna wish you did

[@onedone2011]

Smart! I spent Jordan's entire career disliking him and refusing to watch him. Tribalism is an impediment!

[@JackyDayt]

I couldn't not have put it better , hope Blue arrow comes healthy

[@jac23mj]

Right there with you my boy

[@JoeyBK_86]

✊🏽Facts ✊🏽

[@Sr_Lobo_92]

Still a weak move

[@dyalander]

"he is arguably the encapsulation of the scoring lexicon of the past 90 years of basketball" - you couldn't put it any better. Great analysis, incisively and precisely expressed.

[@Anthonydu01630]

Exactly, but i think Khawi these last 3-4 years elevated himself on the level of KD, he is maybe not as tall, but he is still 6´7 with a 7ft3 wingspan and high release point. He can shoot 40% from 3, he is deadly from mid range like MJ or KD himself, he has handles and footwork like MJ and can palm the ball and dunk like him, and he is even stronger than them with his super large frame … I watched both NETS and Clippers playoffs series this season, and i can tell you Khawi would probably be a champ again if he wasn’t injured, and that’s the thing with him, he is injury prone, do load management in the reg season… But if he was playing 100%, 90% of the time like Westbrook and wasn’t injury prone, i think guys like Westbrook, Harden or even Giannis wouldn’t have won an MVP, and Khawi show in the playoffs that he can easily averaged 30ppg … So it’s a shame for me, this era is so stacked man, i really believe KD is better than MJ, and i really believe Khawi is as good in the playoffs … But like the guy said, its not fair to compare era, but when i see MJ games and highlights, i just don’t see what KD, Lebron or Khawi couldn’t do, and im sure players like Curry, Harden, Giannis, Dame, Doncic ect would destroy any defenses of the 90´s, just look at what Harden and Curry are doing to todays defenders, people don’t realise what James Harden is, the guy is 6-5, 230pounds and built like a powerlifter, according to NBA players he is super strong, and the guy has arguably the best handles in the league with Kyrie, the hand speed is amazing for a guy of his size, and his anticipation skills combined with his 3 points shot make him the best 1 vs 1 player ever, on par with KD for me, Harden is fucking unguardable, the guy can average 29ppg and 9 apg, or 36ppg and 7.5 apg, when you take into account scoring AND playmaking, Harden is the best offensive player ever with Lebron, he is the only player i have seen averaging stats like that other than Westbrook and Doncic, but Westbrook wasn’t very efficient and never lead his team to 65wins like Harden, and Doncic, well, he will be in that conversation if he keep playing like that, because the kid’s game translate into playoffs … So yeah, this era is stacked, it has the best offensive players (Lebron, Harden, Doncic) the best scorers (KD, Lebron, Harden, Curry) the best 2 ways players (Khawi, Giannis, Lebron, KD), the best shooters (Curry, Klay, Dame, KD, Khawi), the best driver (Lebron, Giannis, Westbrook, Zion) … All the best are playing right now, it’s evolution, and the next generation will be even better, NBA created many Basketball schools in Africa and other part of the world, you saw the antetokoumpo family ? 4 brothers in the NBA, and according to stats, Africa will have 2.4Billions people in 2050, with half of them being -25 years old, and they will be as developped as countries like Brazil … So in 2050, Giannis antetokoumpo will be looked like Kareem abdul Jabbar or MJ, very athletic guys for todays standard, but nothing out of this world. MJ was 6´6 210pounds with a 46inches vertical, Zach Lavine is around the same size and can do a 360dunk from the FT line but no one care, when MJ dunked from the FT line he became fucking AIR JORDAN, but todays he would be Zach Lavine … Lebron is 6´9 250+ pounds with a 44inches vertical and now Zion is 6´6 285 fucking pounds and have a 44inches vertical like Lebron and can Dunk from the FT line, but no one care, it’s normal now, the hype last 6month-1year and then you see the next physical freak … And in 30years, you will see players like Lebron, Giannis, MJ, Zion, Shaq every seasons … Embiid started basketball at 16 for god sake, when Africans will start playing basketball seriously, with real hope of going to the NBA or even Euro league, you will see how many freak of nature they have, remember there are 40Millions African American, and they are from West africa, same genetic as Giannis, Embiid, Olajuwon ect, the perfect genetic for bball, and there are 400millions west african NOW, so its just a matter of opportunity, look at Ngannou, he grew up in a village from cameroon, didn’t even have money to have a fucking pen and pay school, had to work in sand mine and didn’t even knew what MMA was, at 26 he went to france, he had to pass by Niger, Sahara desert, morroco and spain, he had to live in the forest for 6 month and was still homeless for a lot of time in France, and with his incredible genetic, he became an UFC fighter in 2 years of training, and he had no experience with martial art before, and now he is a champion … So believe me, when Africa will rise and be as developped as countries like Brazil, not even Western european countries, it will be over for a lot of sports lol, bball, football, soccer, boxe, MMA, sprint … All the sports were you need speed, explosivity and power.

[@EmacMac-ph2zd]

This video should be apart of KDs Hall of Fame introduction

[@doveseltzer]

Loved this! A 28-min deep dive on KD?? That’s an immense amount of work. Terrific job Kyle and Megan. I’ll be here to inhale your next one. No pressure, of course ;-) I deeply appreciate your work. Keep it up.

[@futurehofer1564]

who is Megan?

[@chromeantennae]

@@futurehofer1564 illustrator of these thumbs for these videos and obviously has a lot to do with the other aspects of art within these videos. and j.kyle mann's wife.

[@mervyngl]

Meg is Goated. Talk about a power couple.

[@DavidBagga]

Love the movie mashup to describe KD. We need more of you breaking down all things nba J Kyle mann! ✊🏽🏀

[@jaywkl7]

Was dying for more J Kyle Mann content. Where’s the rookie analysis at?

[@sammy8749]

he did cade cunningham last year and jalen green, arguably the classes two best products, and he usually does rookie midterms midseason and we’re pretty far past midseason of 20-21, so we’ll have to wait until like january. not saying i don’t want rookie analysis tho, definitely looking forward to it.

[@riancarlson7924]

The only man who could bring peace to humanity is J Kyle

[@blackcobra7055]

Was this a joke cause I don’t understand what it means.. can you plz explain

[@onedone2011]

@@blackcobra7055 never seen exaggeration humour?

[@blackcobra7055]

@@onedone2011 ik but I didn’t even get the joke .. that’s why is asked him to explain the joke ..

[@timboslice8559]

@@blackcobra7055 your clearly a 12 year old

[@Nicky_Rozay]

You know Kyle is a real one for giving that shoutout to Greg Oden

[@CriminallyRegarded]

This deserves an Oscar. I don't know what the category would be but you fucking deserve one. J Kyle Mann with an absolute gem.

[@markteague49]

That man is a 7 foot assassin. Purest scorer I have ever seen, literally no weakness offensively

[@ariborud2778]

This video literally made me cry tears of joy; reminding me how lucky we are to witness this in our lifetime. Thank you 😭

[@stefanogasasira9406]

appreciate him while he's here and playing at the level that he is. i remember watching lakers games post-Kobe's retirement and missing seeing him playing in his prime. people get too caught up in his "legacy" and "all-time ranking" that they don't even sit back and watch him go to work . truly one of the best to ever play.

[@jayjones9225]

This is so spectacularly well done. KDs skill set at his size, or any size, is extraordinary and this video was perfect

[@B.Piercesports]

But he gets the advantage because on his hesi he gets to come all the way on the side of the ball. They giving zion his no dribble face up first step like he a superstar also

[@gabdex83]

KD is the best scorer of the basketball I've ever seen.

[@holdingsand]

big factz

[@Hamzethegoat]

What would MJ n Kobe look like in this era tho we’re they weren’t forced to shoot lots of contested jumpers KD is the most efficient scorer ever

[@markybrickenmort8142]

@@Hamzethegoat well kd is good but he's actually not the most efficient scorer ever lol

[@GameChanger-xi4iy]

Probably the most versatile but the greatest has to be either MJ or Kareem.

[@SmokeChocolate]

@@markybrickenmort8142 no jumps hooter is as efficient as KD except Stephen Curry

[@zakwanpathan691]

KD my favorite player ever i really appreciate giving people a reasonable outlook on this man career and journey. he's truly one of the most misunderstand people in sports and the perception around him, due to his decisions, always lacks the human aspect.

[@amanmalik117]

Absolutely amazing work. I remember being in high school when Kd made the decision to join GS and how angry I was with the move. Growing up a few years later you start to understand the dude was just doing whatever he could to make himself happy and as a man I'm truly happy for him and his bounce back this year.

[@newrecruit100]

Not only that but to make himself a better player

[@RumbScroll101]

As KD FAN THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO well thought out especially the very end and view of him leaving. I get why it upset so many people in aspect of sports but like Dime drop said, we can’t always please everyone.

[@joaopcoutinho]

These J. Kyle Mann pieces are simply outstanding. Love the storytelling, the knowledge, the rhythm and the subject chosen.

[@alba7or]

Another absolutely incredible video. Westbrook as Elaine dancing though, chef's kiss.

[@MacAndCs]

28 minute video and not an ounce of fat. Every minute more enthralling than the last. There are not many videos that have blown me away like this one. Take a bow, J. Kyle Mann, this is a masterclass.

[@LennieNelson55]

Thanks for making this video Kyle, it's phenomenal. Eventually, after enough time passes, KD will be appreciated as the best scorer ever and one of the 10 best players ever. That last line about being the 'encapsulation of the scoring lexicon of the past 90 years of basketball' is incredible. KD is a scholar and philosopher of basketball, and we'll be studying his works for as long as basketball exists.

[@famousxji1852]

Shit, right now, he is already a top 10 player of all time and his career is far from over.

[@SplashBucketz]

Great video! KD is a different breed of nba superstar on and off the court, but I appreciate him regardless. Basketball is a game about buckets and KD is the greatest bucket getter to grace the basketball court. Enjoy him and his talents while he’s here!

[@joross8]

How have I not seen this until now? What a video! 10/10 J Kyle Mann

[@nbayoungblood4447]

I hope Kevin sees this, he deserves his flowers, one of the greatest artists to grace the hardwood

[@jiggafromstatefarm9997]

I Hope He Does Too

[@thesoundofmo]

Some real love for KD. Beautiful reflection of his skills.

[@pranavmanie1479]

one of the greatest videos I've seen on KZbin. rewatched it at least 5 times front to back.

[@RaafiRivero]

KD is the atomic unit of NBA scoring. Now we understand why. Phenomenal video about an extraordinary player.

[@finneganwalsh8937]

These videos are so high quality. Been watching since dime drop

[@Budaboombudabeard]

This is one of the best videos I've ever seen. Holy cannoli, I watched it twice already and there wasn't a moment where I wasn't glued to the screen. This man has such an awesome voice, the instrumentals in the background are great, the editing is on another level and the basketball thinking at play is as good as it gets. I could watch one of these summaries on every great. Please please please make more of these kind of videos. J Kyle Mann you da mann!

[@yahshgarcia3689]

the one guy who you didn’t mention early in the video (who i’d argue plays more like durant than anyone you mentioned) is bob mcadoo. that guy was a pure bucket getter and his pull ups and moves resemble kd uncannily

[@cutc2k764]

Big facts

[@Azure_Oases]

This was vintage dime drop. I'm so grateful.

[@jrobfilms1]

this was amazing. thank you.

[@josephchandler8418]

Can we talk about how awesome the references, music and analysis was

[@JordanConley808]

I like the collaboration comparison at the end. We do love it when other artists come together. Kinda made me think of KD joining the Warriors in a different light.

[@TheSalsaFoundationMelbourne]

It is a good point…but sports is a bit different. Athletes are expected to compete against and defeat each other, it’s kind of the purpose of sports…not so much in music and movies

[@JordanConley808]

@@TheSalsaFoundationMelbourne it is very much the same in music and movies. They compete for awards, money, and more. You can beat someone out for best actor and share a movie with them the upcoming year. Just to make it in music or show biz is a huge cutthroat competition. When movies come out, they talk about the other movies they are competing with that weekend. They even track box office sells to compare which movie did the best that day, that weekend, or even all time.

[@TheSalsaFoundationMelbourne]

@@JordanConley808 the awards were invented after the concept of movies and music had reached a tipping point of creation and consumption. Sports were invented from day one with one competitor trying to defeat the other. Most actors and musicians don’t go to work each day trying to beat other actors and musicians for an award. If you ask them, they’re just trying to create great art. Athletes do go to work each day trying to beat other athletes. If you ask them, they’re trying to win (ie defeat someone else) And box office and record sales are not exactly a zero sum game. Multiple movies every year are box office hits and multiple albums reach platinum sales, but only one team wins each game, only one team wins a title. It’s a zero sum game. Competition is inherent in sports…it’s a secondary factor in entertainment But you’re right, there are existing parallels…just not a direct comparison

[@jiggafromstatefarm9997]

@James Black I Like That Rebuttal

[@heruamun3690]

a genuinely nice guy who decided to do something for himself for a change. I couldn't be more proud of the person & player that i idolized. GROWTH.

[@mortyexplains]

Loved every moment of this. A most perfect breakdown of KD with production value to match.

[@V99899]

Probably one of the best pieces of media I have ever consumed in my life. Thank you J Kyle Mann for the absolute masterpiece.

[@JbobandCoe]

Favorite creator doing a deep dive on my favorite player, I’ll take a 10 part Netflix doc!

[@broderickcamel1701]

bang up job on the stats, commentary and inclusion of KD's thoughts and comments. thoroughly enjoyed it!

[@notatrueroute]

There is so much value in these deep dives on revolutionary players, especially while they are still playing. Before all of the drama fully crystallizes in people's minds and their entire careers get reduced to a small handful of cliches. I hope people will still be watching this video (and others like it) 10, 20 years from now.

[@Pau1danelli]

I find these videos so calming… could watch them all day.

[@MrCelloBoi]

Epic video, epic amount of work put into this. I hope people 10+ years from now see this video and wish they had the opportunity to watch KD live

[@ruelez]

Another certified banger from GOAT Kyle mann

[@onedone2011]

certified banger!

[@noahtaylor9266]

J Kyle and Ringer is the greatest assortment of media in history

[@JoelGraves]

Just the intro is worth multiple thumbs up. Quality content right here!

[@jayeeeedeeee2102]

The people need more J Kyle videos!!!

[@gabrielsongradtke4441]

J Kyle Mann is the man! Best NBA content on the internet!

[@PurpleHippoCinema]

J Kyle Mann is the king if basketball content

[@markochamber7540]

Love that sonics throwback! Miss that team

[@johnmacdonald7372]

I literally got giddy seeing 28 min and J Kyle Mann😍😍😍

[@latenightnessii]

SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL WORK

[@salmott]

J Kyle, those intros are 🔥🔥🔥

[@hikki6478]

Beautiful 30 min video, thank you for making this!!!

[@EzekielDBarrett]

He could've had that 2012-13 scoring title, too. I remember him saying towards the end of the season the scoring title wasn't important to him and he was focused on getting ready for the playoffs. Meanwhile Melo was gunning crazy and overtook him right at the very end. KD must regret it, 5 straight scoring titles would've been all time

[@EzekielDBarrett]

5 straight 😶

[@mattkangg]

excellent vid fam

[@wiz_dropbomb2134]

These are the videos that make me cry. Thank you

[@tajmirb.8979]

5 seconds in and you know this video isn't anyone but the great J. Kyle Mann .. gotta love em !

[@SauceWanderer]

These videos are so insanely well made

[@goodfellabeats]

This was a masterpiece of basketball videos. Deep diving into and lengthy. You earned yourself a subscriber.

[@nexuslux]

Great little video. Got a lot of respect for KD. The comment about acknowledging the greatness and not worry about the drama or moves is something we should all remind ourselves.

[@jaybattery1638]

Thank you Mr Mann for blessing us again with quality content Aye bill give this man a production team

[@jacobwalker8730]

damn I was vibin so hard to the beat, highlights, and sounds of J Kyle Mann's velvety voice that I had to spark one up to finish the rest of the video. no one on the ringer comes close to doing it better.

[@yaquvyhardson3768]

7 foot shooting guard. Kd is just ridiculous. So glad I’ve been able to watch his whole career. We really won’t see many more if any like him

[@nickdamas2164]

100%..... I've been watching g basketball since Dr J's last couple of years....I've watched alot of basketball.... KD is INCEEDIBLE....I've never seen anything like him

[@onedone2011]

Evan Mobely or Chet, hopefully! We need more GOLD MEDAL GETTERS.

[@yaquvyhardson3768]

@@onedone2011 I could see Chet getting there. Evan Mobley is more similar to Anthony Davis than KD.

[@trvspvrk]

Emoni Bates will be the closest thing we’ll see to KD

[@TheWacoKid44]

Awesome videos as always

[@kgosiitsilemodisaesi7580]

Man this is prime content, I feel smarter and wiser having watched this

[@calanside15]

you are a journalist, scientist and a teacher. i enjoyed watching this because i love Kevin Durant, so thank you for amazing content

[@mauryakumpatla5497]

this is actually in my opinion the greatest basketball video quality of all time

[@JTheill]

Can never get enough of Kyle's videos. Best NBA content on KZbin hands down

[@davidem759]

8:07 always wholesome to see a father supporting his 19 year old son💕

[@BleeKMedia]

Beautifully done. If you truly love basketball and don’t watch the NBA as a reality show, you appreciate content like this.

[@steven-jl1ct]

great video

[@flyteyy3383]

Thank you Mr Brown for cultivating your vision for KD and setting the foundation for his development. Truly amazing. :D

[@blueberryst20]

Luckily I clicked this. I didnt know it was a J kyle man video. Hes the goooat

[@disipleiam84]

J. Kyle “The Man” Mann. This video is top tier.

[@2ez4frondy]

Damn, that introduction was poetic af. It even inspired me to make a poem about the universe, lol.

[@Mauisnake]

another mega banger from j kyle mann

[@ronthealmightyratking8206]

I just watched adventure time distant lands and J Kyle Mann also just uploaded. I'm having the time of my life fr -Ron, The Almighty Rat King

[@rawson4432]

This is one of the best basketball videos I've seen. Tells the story for what it truly is. We take greatness for granted nowadays, but looking back will wish we appreciated it. Players like Harden and Durant are so hated on just due to all the hype surrounding them, but strip that down and we are witnessing 2 of the greatest players and scorers in basketball history.

[@rawson4432]

@James Black Ye maybe not they hype as such but the criticism of his playstyle takes so much away from what he's doing. Drawing fouls is crafty, and even if you take that away from the game he is still one of the best offensive players of the last 20 years, yet he's not appreciated for it.

[@jasonmoukala8909]

@@rawson4432 even with free throws he’s not one of the best offensive players

[@caracasaltavista]

Excellent video!!

[@LeftyRed]

Damn. This was really good! Excellent work.

[@JanembaFreak]

Damn, what a video. Amazing work

[@dreamcatcha]

Please keep these long form videos coming! This was so enjoyable!

[@misho9626]

Best basketball content on KZbin by the legend himself

[@avancons1]

You are a gift to the world J Kyle Mann. Thank you

[@fuuuursure]

I'm so glad you included talk of actual black holes in this video and I don't know why

[@Semencic]

The content....the music....instant subscription! Thanks for your effort!

[@BloodSasuke101]

I thoroughly enjoyed this!! This intro was funny as hell lmfaoo

[@Draw_Four]

Kyle’s long form stuff like this is my favorite NBA content anywhere.

[@Idotooomuchh]

finally some good content in my sub box

[@jammies701]

Amazing editing and composition, just amazing. This guy rocks. These editors rock. All the writers are amazing

[@nothingistrutv3927]

Great stuff, as a Seattlelite born and raised this brought a tear to my eyes. Can’t believe we had this guy. Smh

[@onedone2011]

Pain. I loved The Sonics, too. Starbucks boy keyed my arena.

[@unique_newyork]

you guys had Payton, Kemp, and Schrempf all on the same team in the 90s. That was a bad ass Sonics team.

[@samurai_sam]

This is dope man.

[@Odysseus1999]

This is such a good short documentary. Good job.

[@kgosimajatladi2031]

This video is amazing!!!

[@YaBoySheeny]

Adding the doc was an excellent touch

[@jackabeast9230]

Masterpiece bro