Crunch 99 wrote:BostonCouchGM wrote:First reaction was wtf is Marks doing? Then I thought about it and it's making more sense. Whether you have Kyrie and KD or not, you have a bunch of shooters who can't play defense. Between Simmons, O'Neal and Edwards you have that somewhat covered. If Kyrie and KD stay and are healthy you have the talent to make the Finals and a pretty well-constructed roster. If they're replaced then you're plugging the new players into a system with shooters and defenders around whoever it is.
Yep, the additions of O'Neale and Simmons really shores up the defense and potentially brings the Nets to serious contenders if Durant and Irving stick around.
Zach Lowe wrote yesterday that the Nets are still hoping Durant changes his mind and stays. I think staying is a distinct possibility. Durant needs to appreciate the fact that there is a strong chance he ends up on a roster with less title potential than this roster he is already on if traded. Durant joining Tatum at Boston would have title potential, but I can't see Brooklyn making it easy for division rival Boston to both acquire Durant and keep nearly all of their dominant roster. Brooklyn will probably stick to asking for both Brown and Smart along with picks, which Stevens isn't willing to do.
Durant was never going anywhere neither was Kyrie. I thought last week with the Woj 3 AM drop that we might get Brown but it doesn’t seem so. KDs issues were all tied to the coaching staff he liked being released. Marks wanted coaches that develop their players and actually help in coaching a system; you can’t have a staff for the sake of friendship; so it’s KD who is letting friendship getting in the way of business. Kobe didn’t like Phil but they win two titles together after Shaq left. KD will need to man up and realize change is necessary to improve and win. I expect a much better Claxton this year from seeing him put in work; I feel this team will give them the best shot. As good as Brown was, he is not Royce O’Neal level.
