KD-LeBron-Nash: The new Mind The Game episode is must watch

[HotelVitale]

KD is such a shame because he's such a basketball savant but he's a personality nightmare for teams.

Isn't it pretty much the opposite of this with KD? Seems like he's the kind of player every team wants. Smart, dedicated to his craft, no off court distractions, good teammate etc.

Seems like he started off that way and then got a little in his own head about what he wanted or how he wanted to do things. I think he’s just a really chill introverted dude who naturally focuses intensely on his body/athletics and who doesn’t handle outside attention or scrutiny well. But he’s been feeling attacked and misunderstood etc for so long that he’s crossed up by all that and maybe not been the steadiest leader in the locker room. Just my guess from the outside.

[TheGeneral99]

KD is such a shame because he's such a basketball savant but he's a personality nightmare for teams.

Isn't it pretty much the opposite of this with KD? Seems like he's the kind of player every team wants. Smart, dedicated to his craft, no off court distractions, good teammate etc.

I agree with you here, I don't think there is any dispute he's a consummate professional.

I think his weakness in terms of intangibles is leadership. He just doesn't seem a like a guy that holds his teammates accountable, motivates or inspires them, or has that attitude that everybody will follow him. Guys like Steph have it, Lebron has it, Luka has it, Shai has it, Jokic has it...Durant doesn't have it. Was a huge mistake for him to join forces with Kyrie who is even worse in that regard, is very malcontent, brings drama, acts out etc. This is why we saw Luka mesh so well with Kyrie whereas KD did not.

Instead he appears super introverted and insecure, which is why we see this guy at his age with his success and wealth still arguing with teenagers on Twitter.

[tsherkin]

KD is such a shame because he's such a basketball savant but he's a personality nightmare for teams.

Isn't it pretty much the opposite of this with KD? Seems like he's the kind of player every team wants. Smart, dedicated to his craft, no off court distractions, good teammate etc.

Seems like he started off that way and then got a little in his own head about what he wanted or how he wanted to do things. I think he’s just a really chill introverted dude who naturally focuses intensely on his body/athletics and who doesn’t handle outside attention or scrutiny well. But he’s been feeling attacked and misunderstood etc for so long that he’s crossed up by all that and maybe not been the steadiest leader in the locker room. Just my guess from the outside.

That's a good way to put it.

[BodieB]

Isn't it pretty much the opposite of this with KD? Seems like he's the kind of player every team wants. Smart, dedicated to his craft, no off court distractions, good teammate etc.

Seems like he started off that way and then got a little in his own head about what he wanted or how he wanted to do things. I think he’s just a really chill introverted dude who naturally focuses intensely on his body/athletics and who doesn’t handle outside attention or scrutiny well. But he’s been feeling attacked and misunderstood etc for so long that he’s crossed up by all that and maybe not been the steadiest leader in the locker room. Just my guess from the outside.

That's a good way to put it.

It is, but his flaws are not what I would consider to be anything close to a nightmarish personality for teams.

[tsherkin]

It is, but his flaws are not what I would consider to be anything close to a nightmarish personality for teams.

"Nightmarish" is probably hyperbole, but his over-emphasis on isolation play, coupled to his tepid defense and limp processing/playmaking definitely make him a small bit overrated by his raw volume and efficiency. He's still quite good on O, and obviously he was amazing in his hey-day, but he does have his flaws.

[JM00n69]

Sounds like three dudes jeking each other off

[HotelVitale]

Sounds like three dudes jeking each other off

I know, what kind of bunk ass losers sit around talking about basketball with other dudes.