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Kevin Durant Signs With Golden State Warriors

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Ralemont said:
Horford is actually a better rebounder than Ibaka (who's secretly not that great a rebounder) and shot better from 3 than Ibaka this year, with career averages being pretty close to one another.
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Ibaka shot 45% on more attempts in the playoffs this year. I'm not sure Horford could duplicate that. Same goes for Ibaka's defensive versatility because of his athleticism.

offtopic said:
My point is that, if I were him, I wouldn't stay if I knew ynb was gone next next year and I had an ideal opportunity presented right now. Yes, he'd have options next year but he might not have this option. Why pass it up for an 8-1 chance (vegas odds) of winning a chip next year?
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It probably wouldn't have been there next year. At the least Golden State may have matched Barnes and had his giant contract on the books. Now they could make trades and whatnot, but this was the best time to do it if he plans on resigning with GS next year.
 
Fjordson said:
It probably wouldn't have been there next year. At the least Golden State may have matched Barnes and had his giant contract on the books. Now they could make trades and whatnot, but this was the best time to do it if he plans on resigning with GS next year.
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Yup...that is where I was eventually going with this. If ynb is out the Durant would be a fool to pass up what he sees as his ideal situation.
 
atr0cious said:
Sports are sports, but theres a reason everyone hates the yankees.
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As a lifelong A's fan I know all about hating the Yankees, but it's weird to hate the countless players that have left the A's to play for them.

By all means people can hate on GSW for building a super team, I just don't get hating on players who make smart career choices.
 
Gully State said:
Pretty much sums it up.. If Durant wins, all this shit will be forgotten, just like what happened with Lebron in Miami.. Eventually his on court performance does all the talking. Of course if Durant doesn't win, he'll be Karl Malone/Charles Barkley level Hall of famer.
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What do you mean? LeBron had a hard time until his most recent chip. Maybe if they won 3 in a row or not 5, not 6, not 7, etc. Maybe.
 
Nafai1123 said:
As a lifelong A's fan I know all about hating the Yankees, but it's weird to hate the countless players that have left the A's to play for them.

By all means people can hate on GSW for building a super team, I just don't get hating on players who make smart career choices.
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You don't get the hate of one of your players just leaving even though they're a key piece of your team's success? And then they go to the team that knocked yours out, when you were one game from a championship run? I know it's just the A's, but still.
 
How do people not see the difference between this & LeBron? For me it's not about going to the best team in the west. Teams with multiple superstars have a good chance at a championship. The issue really is him choosing the team that he blew a 3-1 lead against. If thunder had beaten the warriors and Durant still decided to bolt to the bay area I believe it wouldn't be a problem at all in the eyes of the public.
 
The Light said:
How do people not see the difference between this & LeBron? For me it's not about going to the best team in the west. Teams with multiple superstars have a good chance at a championship. The issue really is him choosing the team that he blew a 3-1 lead against. If thunder had beaten the warriors and Durant still decided to bolt to the bay area I believe it wouldn't be a problem at all in the eyes of the public.
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If the Thunder had won, then Durant wouldn't decide to leave. It's only because they lost that Durant decided that OKC has plateaued.
 
Kieli said:
If the Thunder had won, then Durant wouldn't decide to leave. It's only because they lost that Durant decided that OKC has plateaued.
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Oh it's even more ironic than that. Take the fact that if the Warriors hadn't lost a 3-1 lead in the Finals (iow they won the chip) Durant also probably doesn't join them. I think it would have been too hard for him to self-justify going to a repeat champion. The Warriors losing that series probably puts the over/under at 3 of the next 5. Unbelievable.
 
atr0cious said:
You don't get the hate of one of your players just leaving even though they're a key piece of your team's success? And then they go to the team that knocked yours out, when you were one game from a championship run? I know it's just the A's, but still.
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Nope, though to be fair I'm a jaded as fuck A's fan. If we have a great season I know most guys will be gone next year. If we have a shit season the same thing happens. If anything I blame the front office for doing fuck-all retaining talent.
 
Nafai1123 said:
Nope, though to be fair I'm a jaded as fuck A's fan. If we have a great season I know most guys will be gone next year. If we have a shit season the same thing happens. If anything I blame the front office for doing fuck-all retaining talent.
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The difference here though is that baseball is not salary capped so that this strategy is the only viable strategy for a small market team (that is actively looking to move) to be competitive every few years. The players have to be traded before they leave for the big contracts when they are free to do so. In this case we have a salary-capped system where a player took less money to play with the power team. I think that hurts the fans more than what we are accustomed to with the A's (yes, I'm basically rooting for laundry).
 
offtopic said:
Oh it's even more ironic than that. Take the fact that if the Warriors hadn't lost a 3-1 lead in the Finals (iow they won the chip) Durant also probably doesn't join them. I think it would have been too hard for him to self-justify going to a repeat champion. The Warriors losing that series probably puts the over/under at 3 of the next 5. Unbelievable.
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I mean and if the Thunder didn't have a bunch of cheap ass owners who forced Presti to trade one of their big 4 for cap relief all of this could of been prevented.

Or at least allowed Presti a better oppurtunity to leverage a deal.

Frankly that's where thunder fans should point fingers. Stop burning Durant jerseys and start burning poor fitting suits.
 
It will just be a way for the Warriors to repeat as colossal letdowns/failures. Back to back, boyz.

Can't wait for Russ to drop 60 on them boyz. David West ain't winning no rings.
 
qcf x2 said:
It will just be a way for the Warriors to repeat as colossal letdowns/failures. Back to back, boyz.

Can't wait for Russ to drop 60 on them boyz. David West ain't winning no rings.
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Russ going to take 100 shots to get those 60 points and the Thunder lose by 40. Can't wait.
 
offtopic said:
Russ going to take 100 shots to get those 60 points and the Thunder lose by 40. Can't wait.
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None of this will happen. Westbrook is going to be traded. They cannot risk another top 5 player leaving and them getting nothing in return. Though I guess Westbrook could join whoever and drop 60
 
ameleco said:
None of this will happen. Westbrook is going to be traded. They cannot risk another top 5 player leaving and them getting nothing in return. Though I guess Westbrook could join whoever and drop 60
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Yeah he'll be gone by the trade deadline unless we move to some alternate universe where OKC is leading the western conference.
 
What the hell is a chip? Is that the new way to say championship? If so, good night "ring." Good night "championship." Good night moon.

On topic, I liked the OKC/Durant combo but this looks like a sensible move for him on multiple levels. It reminds me of Joe Montana and Marcus Allen joining forces in Kansas City, just reversed and with more basketball.
 
I do actually have a question. Why didn't Durant allow the Thunder to do a sign and trade if he supposedly loved the organization so much? Isn't that what Lebron did when he left for the Heat?
 
ameleco said:
I do actually have a question. Why didn't Durant allow the Thunder to do a sign and trade if he supposedly loved the organization so much? Isn't that what Lebron did when he left for the Heat?
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a sign and trade would potentially make GSW weaker, durant knew this
 
offtopic said:
Oh it's even more ironic than that. Take the fact that if the Warriors hadn't lost a 3-1 lead in the Finals (iow they won the chip) Durant also probably doesn't join them. I think it would have been too hard for him to self-justify going to a repeat champion. The Warriors losing that series probably puts the over/under at 3 of the next 5. Unbelievable.
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Why is this case? It's just a good media narrative that Warriors lost now there's a reason to get Durant to take on Lebron next year.

Even if they won, GSW would have gone after Durant. Why rest on your laurels?

The only case I could see where it wouldn't have happened would have been if they handily beaten Thunder and Cavs, but there's never no reason to add one of the best players on your team. Basketball is about stacking the best players more than any other sport that I can think of.
 
I just can't see what's satisfying for GSW to say "we beat you Lebron" next year, with Curry, Durant, and the rest. Curry got punked this year, to say you came with reinforcements, when you had the best supporting cast in the league last year.. Its just strange. Obviously in the moment and in pursuit of a title, it doesnt much matter to them.

The sense of "individual accoldades dont matter to me, its just about winning" is just a strange concept. I wish Lebron would just join for vet minimum, and we could call it a league. The leagues down to two teams. Cavs and GS. Old ass Spurs can't run with anybody anymore.

Theres a bunch of talents in the league who just need to super team up before it gets interesting again. I don't like seeing years go by where Paul George, AD, and others have no legitimate title hopes, and we're supposed to enjoy their micro achievements. All nba, winning a division. And KD in a situation where he has everything he needs, secures it just a 'little' bit more by slotting into the greatest reg season team ever. Its fucking boring
 
Golden State had been planning on getting Durant long before they lost in the finals.

Also, I don't the goal is to be able to say "we beat you Lebron" in a "satisfying" way. Lebron's merely one opponent of many. The goal is to win a title and enjoy the process of doing so, regardless of who they beat.
 
Nafai1123 said:
Nope, though to be fair I'm a jaded as fuck A's fan. If we have a great season I know most guys will be gone next year. If we have a shit season the same thing happens. If anything I blame the front office for doing fuck-all retaining talent.
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Not until we get a new park will things change.

Wolff n Fisher are just spending enough to feign competition for now
 
J2 Cool said:
I just can't see what's satisfying for GSW to say "we beat you Lebron" next year, with Curry, Durant, and the rest. Curry got punked this year, to say you came with reinforcements, when you had the best supporting cast in the league last year.. Its just strange. Obviously in the moment and in pursuit of a title, it doesnt much matter to them.

The sense of "individual accoldades dont matter to me, its just about winning" is just a strange concept. I wish Lebron would just join for vet minimum, and we could call it a league. The leagues down to two teams. Cavs and GS. Old ass Spurs can't run with anybody anymore.

Theres a bunch of talents in the league who just need to super team up before it gets interesting again. I don't like seeing years go by where Paul George, AD, and others have no legitimate title hopes, and we're supposed to enjoy their micro achievements. All nba, winning a division. And KD in a situation where he has everything he needs, secures it just a 'little' bit more by slotting into the greatest reg season team ever. Its fucking boring
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People ultimately are making the best choice for them. That's what's happened here. If you don't like it blame the system, but don't hate the guy who made the best choice possible, what else is he going to do.

It was an unprecedented situation where Draymond, Klay and Steph are a combined $45m next year, 3 max guys for the price of 2. Plus a jump in the cap space.

Watch out in 2017 when it jumps again, Lebron will add another max guy. Nothing is certain, nothing is guaranteed and that's why KD has to move this year.

Btw, what don't you understand about its just winning part? Everytime you step out on the court, you want to win, it's a horrible feeling to be the best guy and lose. Also Karl Malone, 3 championships and he'd be a top 10 player.
 
J2 Cool said:
I just can't see what's satisfying for GSW to say "we beat you Lebron" next year, with Curry, Durant, and the rest. Curry got punked this year, to say you came with reinforcements, when you had the best supporting cast in the league last year.. Its just strange. Obviously in the moment and in pursuit of a title, it doesnt much matter to them.
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You think they will care how they got there when they win a title? You think it will somehow be less satisfying? Leave the talk about "where does KD rank?" to the pundits and dudes arguing at the bar, I think he'll be alright with a ring. All the SAS's and Skips in the world can't take that away.
 
Ninja Scooter said:
You think they will care how they got there when they win a title? You think it will somehow be less satisfying? Leave the talk about "where does KD rank?" to the pundits and dudes arguing at the bar, I think he'll be alright with a ring. All the SAS's and Skips in the world can't take that away.
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It's this weird idea of "make your team good, just not too good!"
 
J2 Cool said:
I just can't see what's satisfying for GSW to say "we beat you Lebron" next year, with Curry, Durant, and the rest. Curry got punked this year, to say you came with reinforcements, when you had the best supporting cast in the league last year.. Its just strange. Obviously in the moment and in pursuit of a title, it doesnt much matter to them.

The sense of "individual accoldades dont matter to me, its just about winning" is just a strange concept. I wish Lebron would just join for vet minimum, and we could call it a league. The leagues down to two teams. Cavs and GS. Old ass Spurs can't run with anybody anymore.

Theres a bunch of talents in the league who just need to super team up before it gets interesting again. I don't like seeing years go by where Paul George, AD, and others have no legitimate title hopes, and we're supposed to enjoy their micro achievements. All nba, winning a division. And KD in a situation where he has everything he needs, secures it just a 'little' bit more by slotting into the greatest reg season team ever. Its fucking boring
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Winning a championship is satisfying. Period. You think a championship team cares if people on Twitter try to minimize their accomplishment?
 
Cooter said:
Winning a championship is satisfying. Period. You think a championship team cares if people on Twitter try to minimize their accomplishment?
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Yeah, lol, winning the championship is the entire point. Anything that contributes to your team getting there is "job well done!".
 
"Who cares that you won the championship. You were the best team."

So... uh, what's your point?


J2 Cool said:
I just can't see what's satisfying for GSW to say "we beat you Lebron" next year, with Curry, Durant, and the rest. Curry got punked this year, to say you came with reinforcements, when you had the best supporting cast in the league last year.. Its just strange. Obviously in the moment and in pursuit of a title, it doesnt much matter to them.

The sense of "individual accoldades dont matter to me, its just about winning" is just a strange concept. I wish Lebron would just join for vet minimum, and we could call it a league. The leagues down to two teams. Cavs and GS. Old ass Spurs can't run with anybody anymore.

Theres a bunch of talents in the league who just need to super team up before it gets interesting again. I don't like seeing years go by where Paul George, AD, and others have no legitimate title hopes, and we're supposed to enjoy their micro achievements. All nba, winning a division. And KD in a situation where he has everything he needs, secures it just a 'little' bit more by slotting into the greatest reg season team ever. Its fucking boring
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Who cares? Curry beat LeBron two years ago. Can you see what's satisfying for Cleveland to say it despite "bringing reinforcements" this year?
 
I respect KD's move because he just wants to win a chip and he went to where he (arguably) has the best chance to. Nothing wrong with that...I mean, if you're a top-tier professional athlete that's the entire point. Why waste your best years anywhere else?
 
arbok26 said:
Watch out in 2017 when it jumps again, Lebron will add another max guy. Nothing is certain, nothing is guaranteed and that's why KD has to move this year.
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Cavs have no cap space at all in fact they are so far above the luxury tax its enough to afford two max contacts.

arbok26 said:
Btw, what don't you understand about its just winning part? Everytime you step out on the court, you want to win, it's a horrible feeling to be the best guy and lose. Also Karl Malone, 3 championships and he'd be a top 10 player.
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Nope Karl Malone still would not crack the top 10, look at Tim Duncan the guy has five rings and a lot of people do not even consider him top 10 even though he is the greatest power forward in nba history.
 
Couldn't it be very hard for the warriors to keep this team together next year? Curry, Klay and draymond are gonna want salary increases next offseason . Someone's gotta go.
 
Chezzymann said:
Couldn't it be very hard for the warriors to keep this team together next year? Curry, Klay and draymond are gonna want salary increases next offseason . Someone's gotta go.
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Nope. Dray and Klay are signed long term (and happy with their deals). Curry will re-up at the max after next season but with the bump in the salary cap there is no problem keeping all 4 (and Iggy).

edit: one other random piece of the puzzle that fell the warriors way is that Curry signed a contract based on a chronically bad ankle and not assuming anything close to his current MVP form. That low salary hit aligns perfectly with the timing needed to sign Durant while Curry can max after next year without costing the team any of their critical players.
 
Jmanunknown said:
Cavs have no cap space at all in fact they are so far above the luxury tax its enough to afford two max contacts.



Nope Karl Malone still would not crack the top 10, look at Tim Duncan the guy has five rings and a lot of people do not even consider him top 10 even though he is the greatest power forward in nba history.
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I consider duncan more of a center than a PF. ._.
 
Ninja Scooter said:
You think they will care how they got there when they win a title?
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No, I don't "Obviously in the moment and in pursuit of a title, it doesnt much matter to them". I just think its a strange precedent.

In the locker room, after their SA loss in March, the players said theres no way SA is going to win a 7-game series against them, when they only put up 87 with Bogut and others out. How many teams do you think they would honestly believe could beat them inside their locker room?

If youre playing in a league that you only believe one team is competitive with you, and you really should beat them quite easily, what's the point? Not trying to make MJ sanctimonious, but his first retirement about "once I lose the sense of motivation to prove something on the basketball court, its time I step away" has some relevance here.

What are they proving? What additional, that the pundits don't already agree? They have two top 3 players, they have 2 other great great players. Im not really offering a solution, KD can do what he wants. They should win the title. Im not excited about the short list of great teams in the league dwindling even more.
 
offtopic said:
The difference here though is that baseball is not salary capped so that this strategy is the only viable strategy for a small market team (that is actively looking to move) to be competitive every few years. The players have to be traded before they leave for the big contracts when they are free to do so. In this case we have a salary-capped system where a player took less money to play with the power team. I think that hurts the fans more than what we are accustomed to with the A's (yes, I'm basically rooting for laundry).
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That's a great point and I completely agree they are different experiences for the fans, I just don't understand why some sports pundits are openly criticizing Durant for making the smart basketball decision and actually forgoing the extra money. Isn't that what we want our athletes to do? Make decisions based on the game and their desire to be a champion?
 
J2 Cool said:
No, I don't "Obviously in the moment and in pursuit of a title, it doesnt much matter to them". I just think its a strange precedent.

In the locker room, after their SA loss in March, the players said theres no way SA is going to win a 7-game series against them, when they only put up 87 with Bogut and others out. How many teams do you think they would honestly believe could beat them inside their locker room?

If youre playing in a league that you only believe one team is competitive with you, and you really should beat them quite easily, what's the point? Not trying to make MJ sanctimonious, but his first retirement about "once I lose the sense of motivation to prove something on the basketball court, its time I step away" has some relevance here.

What are they proving? What additional, that the pundits don't already agree? They have two top 3 players, they have 2 other great great players. Im not really offering a solution, KD can do what he wants. They should win the title. Im not excited about the short list of great teams in the league dwindling even more.
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Even as a Warriors fan I agree to a certain extent. Get rid of the max salary and things would even out almost immediately. The max contract is basically the NBA saying they want mega-teams.
 
YNB to the spurs would also be scary

It would actually change the entire Western landscape.

I think he'd humble himself to be coached by POP, and playing there would be so different than anything he's ever been accustomed to.
 
arbok26 said:
Btw, what don't you understand about its just winning part? Everytime you step out on the court, you want to win, it's a horrible feeling to be the best guy and lose. Also Karl Malone, 3 championships and he'd be a top 10 player.
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I think its great winning. Obviously to them and fans it means a lot and its as real as it gets. Im sure my thinkings skewed by lingering disappointment. To the casual viewer, i think if I had to inspect intrigue, when players are challenging limitations (Lebron this year) or a couple differences decide a championship is when Im most interested.

I like all or nothing, I like the potential of glory or failure resting on a couple plays. Especially because the risk of losing is something that these guys can't forget, as the casual viewer thats excitement. If there isn't much of a real threat that glory can be stolen away from these guys, I lose interest. Best case scenario for drama this year, is some kind of Miami '11 one.

I don't want to bring down Warriors excitement though, I feel bad so Ill step out. It just feels disaplonting to me right now, losing another elite team in the Thunder in an already small mix of real contenders.
 
For the next few years the NBA is basically going to be the Harlem Globetrotters vs. Washington Generals except without the goofy skits that make such noncompetitive basketball entertaining.
 
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