I mean, he did win in San Antonio. I know you're going to cite that his team was way better but results are results.
I think Dame's leadership is constantly overlooked and it is a very very real advantage. I wouldn't take anyone in the league for Dame except AD, Giannis if he were locked up or Luka but I agree that Luka isn't better right now. Durant is the biggest head scratcher. How do these people have any idea what Durant will be like? He's 32 and has always leaned a lot on his athleticism and is coming off an Achilles. It's not bold to put him that high, it's stupid. I think that the guys writing this or taking this poll or whatever the fuck, look at Kawhi as the second best two way player in the league to Giannis and neglect that he isn't really top tier at anything offensively.
I think there is no doubt that he is elite because he is so good on both ends but he's way behind a lot of guys on offense and his leadership is not a strength. He needs to be the most talented player on the team but has to have someone else lead. All of that said, I don't have as big of a problem with Kawhi being where he is as I do with KD being that high.
Leonard did win with the Spurs. He was Finals MVP. Then he won with Toronto. Another Finals MVP. He’s a great player. I didn’t see how anyone can claim otherwise. I don’t really count the Bubble and Bubble playoffs as the end to a legitimate season, so bashing him for last season isn’t on my radar.
The year he won with San Antonio he had Duncan/Parker/Manu. The year he won with Toronto he had Lowry, Gasol, Ibaka. The times he has won he has been on a team with an established leader. Someone who runs the team. Paul George isn't that guy and the Clips flopped. Sorry but Kawhi isn't someone I would build around. He's a tertiary piece. Put him next to Dame and we win a title. Put him next to another Robin and they don't win shit. Example - Kawhi/LMA. They didn't win shit.
Not to be snarkey - but who actually gives a diddle-doo? It's highly subjective and there are posters in this forum (not me!) who could create just as credible a list.
So you’re saying that it takes more than one All-Star to win a title? I already know this. We live with it here in Portland. I disagree with you on Leonard being “overrated.” No big deal, but there isn’t a wing in the league I’d take over him to pair with Dame on the Blazer roster.
It's arguable whether he's top 5 either. Dude wasn't shit until he got LeBron. Let me rephrase that. Dude didn't WIN shit until he got LeBron.
It doesn't seem like it because the average of his deal is 47.5 million a season and I think max deals have to start low and go up from there. Steph is making about 45.8 next season, so I have to believe PG13 will be making less than that. Dame's contract is even reportedly bigger than Paul Georges. It says that George signed for four years at $190M with a fifth year option. Dame's four year $196M extension starts next season too.
(1) Giannis (2) AD (3) Kawai (4) Lebron (5) Lillard/Harden If Durant comes back 100% he’s better than all of the above. If Curry comes back at 100% he’s #5
Being "ranked by ESPN" as 7th, should we consider his contract a bargan, since he will be the 19th highest paid player? (Note the 'Guaranteed' column.)
