You could change the "and" to an "or" and the result would have been the same. Durant didn't like playing with Westbrook. He was constantly requesting more ball movement, but he would have stayed if he thought he could have won a ring playing in OKC. BNM
I can totally agree with this line of thinking. But, just in case Durant is healthy and he plays, I think we're already in the clear. He couldn't win with his own team. He had to go ride the Warriors coat tails, and whether he wins or not is not really important. He couldn't win with OKC, and I'm not sure if he could have won with us. Fuck Aldridge though. I don't think he even qualifies as a superstar anymore. The dude is averaging 17 and 7. What a silly drop off. In these playoffs he's averaging 14 ppg and 6 rebounds. What happened to that guy?
The thing is, I completely understand why Durant left. OKC is a shit city, they traded away Harden and didn't get the right talent around those 2, and Westbrook is an inefficient, ball dominant, non-clutch chucker. However, he chose the fucking Warriors, which is why he's hated. He couldve contended in Portland, creating a Big 3 with Lillard and McCollum, and erasing the pain of Portland picking Oden over him. He could've contending with Boston, who had the perfect role players to compliment, and assets to create an even better team then todays Golden State Whorriers. Hell, his hometown Wizards would've probably been the best team in the league this year with him. Wall, Beal, Porter, Durant, and Gortat would've been a deadly ass lineup. He could've went to Miami and contended, pairing up with Dragic, Waiters, J.Johnson, and Whiteside (but that would've been following in Lebron's footsteps. He could've went to Hawks, and been the scorer they need to contend. He could've went to the Pacers and been a tall dominant SG/SF tandem with PG13 and him. Same with Chicago and Jimmy Butler. Durant could've went to 10 different teams and turned them into an instant contender, and he could've built something new and special for a franchise. Instead, he latched on to the Warrior train, a team where his ring will be unearned and underserved. He's not building anything. He's not creating anything special. He's a
Hopefully Durant decides to man up and try to earn a ring on his own after the Warriors walk their way into the championship. Fuck that bitch. NBA needs parity. They need to figure out a way to evenly disperse stars, and make it impossible for Big 3's and Big 4's to be created by signing free agents. The further a team goes in the playoffs, the less amount of cap space they should have to sign free agents. Make an NBA Finals? Well, they'll only be able to us 60% of their available cap space on free agents. That would've stopped the Durant signing.
Rember Lebron went to Miami to chase a ring. So Durant went to the best team to have chance to win one. I don't blame him leaving OKC.
Different situation. The Heat were essentially a blank slate. LeBron, Wade, and Bosh decided to team up to create a super team. The Heat weren't a super team before LeBron arrived. The Warriors broke the win record last season. He knew he was joining a team that already had 3 All-Stars. It's a very different situation.
But still he join up with 2 other super stars to win a ring. Something he couldn't do at the time in Cleveland. Durant join 3 other star hope to win a ring it is same basis. Either one of them could win a ring with there original teams. Except Lebron did last year with 2 other star playing beside him.
His only potential saving grace is that GSW lost in the finals to CLE last year. If they beat the Cavs this year, he can claim they needed him to get past LeBron. That's one reason I'm hoping CLE doesn't make the finals this year. GSW is definitely better, especially in the post season, with the addition of Durant, but CLE is also a lot worse this year. I don't want to see GSW mop the floor with LeBron and company in the finals as it somewhat validates Durant's decision (at least to the casual fans). I really would have liked to see Durant go to WAS and led them past CLE in the Eastern Conference finals. Then he would have been matched up with GSW in the finals with a real chance to cement his legacy. It would have also been a feel good story with Durant returning home and reuniting with his former coach. That shit I could get behind. Joining a 73-win team to get a ring just isn't impressive. I mean shit, I could have probably joined the Warriors and won a ring this year - with, or without, Kevin Durant. BNM
Good Bucks Raptors game right now. Raptors 25 point lead down to 8. Every time Toronto misses a shot, crowd goes crazy.
Terry for the lead! We need a Terry/Vince/JoeJ player. Mo Williams used to be that player for us and he made big shots.
Worst foul ever by Ibaka. What was he thinking, you're up by 7 under 30 seconds to go and you foul a 3 point shooter. Jesus.