Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App

Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Search
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024 preseason
    • 2024-2025 regular season
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Lakers Nation > Blog > Lakers News > It’s Official; Artest Owns Durant Outright
Lakers News

It’s Official; Artest Owns Durant Outright

Fern Rea
Published: 01/19/2011
8 Min Read
SHARE

PhotobucketExhibit A:

The only word to describe what Durant has done in terms of scoring output over the last 2 years is dominating. If we combine these last two seasons, Durant is averaging a healthy 29.6 points per game against the league and shooting at a very sound 47 percent clip. He has hit 192 three pointers over that same span and shooting those at a respectable 35 percent efficiency. Looking at those numbers against the league it is no wonder that Durant has quickly become a fan favorite and propelled himself as a preseason front runner for the NBA MVP award by the media.

In contrast, something very strange happens when he lines up against Ron Ron and the Lakers. In 10 games (including playoffs) versus Artest as a Laker, Durant is averaging 25.8 points per game, which isn’t too far a drop from his average. You really need to look at his efficiency in getting those 25 which will reveal the real story of how Artest has gotten into Durant. He is shooting an anemic 38.7 percent from the field and an even worse 22 percent from behind the arc; a significant drop off from his regular season averages. The only thing keeping Durant’s production near his normal output is his ability to get to the line and hit his freebies; this makes sense since this is the only time they get to peel Artest off Durant.

Exhibit B:

Sometimes looking at numbers that include the regular season it can water down the results because as we all know, the stars come up big in the playoffs. Surely, this is where Durant would show that Artest can’t stay with the Durantula. Well it doesn’t look good here either. In last years 6 game opening round playoff series, Durant was stifled by Artest and never really broke out. He ended up putting together decent numbers in game 2 with 32 points on so-so 12 for 26 shooting. This effort didn’t result in a win and he would never reach the 30 point mark, which was his average in the regular season, the rest of the series. His listless numbers for the series were 25 points per game while shooting 35 percent from the field and 29 percent from 3.

Next: How does the Kobe Stopper relate?

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
Previous Page1234Next Page
ByFern Rea
I am an avid NBA basketball fan and have been hooked since the days of Magic vs. Bird. The best sound in the world is a b-ball with a tight rotation snapping the bottom of the net. I want to invoke thought and discussion about anything related to the Lakers and the NBA. You can follow me on twitter @fullcourtfern.
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?