Why Kevin Durant Was Wrong: 7 Power Forwards Better Than Zach Randolph

The Thunder-Grizzlies second round series has been an exciting one. The two best players in that series, Kevin Durant and Zach Randolph, have a great amount of respect for one another, clearly identified by Durant’s comment that Randolph is the best power forward in the NBA.

No disrespect to KD, but Randolph is not the best power forward in the NBA. In fact, here are seven who are better than he is.

Kevin Garnett

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MIAMI, FL - MAY 03: Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics looks on during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2011 NBA Playoffs against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on May 3, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expre

Garnett is older and has had more injuries than Randolph. He averages fewer points and rebounds as well. But he’s still better.

Garnett beats out Randolph is field goal, three point, and free throw percentage. He also average fewer turnovers and more assists. But his biggest advantage is his defense. Garnett is still one of the best interior defenders in the game, average nearly a block per game and more than one steal per game, even at his age. He also has that championship ring and large portfolio of playoff experience that Randolph does not.

Amare Stoudemire

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 24: Amar'e Stoudemire #1 of the New York Knicks looks on against the Boston Celtics in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2011 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The Ce

While neither of these guys has been without their problems throughout their careers, Stoudemire edges out Randolph for a variety of reasons. Neither is known much for defense, but Stoudemire is the better defender, averaging 1.9 and 0.9 in blocks and steals compared to Randolph’s 0.3 and 0.8.

He also averages more points, is more explosive, and is younger than Randolph by two years, which matters in the NBA. He’s also taller, longer, and weighs twenty pounds less, an important difference in today’s NBA which is ruled by speed over bulk.

Dirk Nowitzki

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DALLAS, TX - MAY 08: Forward Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks takes a shot against Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2011 at American Airlines Center

Nowitzki is older than Randolph, although it has little effect upon any comparison between the two. Dirk scores more points, is taller at an even 7 feet, weighs less and is a much more solid scoring threat from outside.

He has nearly a full 15 percent advantage on Randolph from the free throw line and edges him out in assists and blocks. Not to mention, Dirk has far more playoff experience and has led a team to the Finals.

Blake Griffin

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BOSTON, MA - MARCH 09: Blake Griffin #32 of the Los Angeles Clippers tries to keep the ball from Nenad Krstic #4 of the Boston Celtics on March 9, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that,

This might be the easiest case to make. Everyone knows that Griffin is younger, faster, and more explosive than Randolph. He is also taller, longer, and almost as heavy.

Randolph shot an amazing 50.3 percent from the field this year, whereas Griffin shot a whopping 50.6 percent. Griffin was better from three and had more assists and blocks per game. Not only is he better than Randolph is right now, he’s also nearly nine years younger.

LaMarcus Aldridge

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PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 21: LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the Portland Trail Blazers shoots against Tyson Chandler #6 of the Dallas Mavericks in Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2011 at the Rose Garden in P

Aldridge is younger than Randolph, averages more points, shoots better from the charity stripe, and averages more blocks and steals. He is also bigger and quicker than Randolph.

An important advantage here that doesn’t show up in the statistics is how the two play. Unlike Randolph, who gets a large majority of his points off of one-on-one isolation plays, Aldridge plays a much more organic part in his team’s offense. This allows other guys to get better shots and easier shots for Aldridge himself.

Kevin Love

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WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 05: Kevin Love #42 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts after missing a shot against the Washington Wizards at the Verizon Center on March 5, 2011 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by dow

This might be the toughest case to make. Love and Randolph are similar, in that both are known more for their tenacity and big-bodied ability to rebound than for their athleticism. In fact, Love is the only player on this list who weighs as much as Randolph.

That is where the similarities end. Love is an inside-outside player who grabs 15 rebounds a game and shoots 41 percent from the three point line (a number that a guard would be happy with). Love also records more assists than Randolph and shoots far better from the free throw line.

Pau Gasol

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 04: Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes up for a shot between Peja Stojakovic #16 and Tyson Chandler #6 of the Dallas Mavericks in Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on

Gasol is the same age as Randolph and scores less points per game. However, he beats Randolph out in field goal percentage, three point percentage, free throw line percentage, assists, blocks and turnovers committed. Plus, the difference in points per game is largely because Gasol plays on a team with the best shooting guard in the NBA, affording him fewer shots. In his last two full seasons with the Grizzlies, Gasol scored as much as Randolph does now.

Gasol is also taller, longer, faster, and a better passer than Randolph. Not to mention he has two championship rings.