KD to GS - Pt III

[NBAfan3024]

All the people screaming about Durant are the EXACT SAME people who screamed about LeBron leaving Cle for Miami, and who have been all on his jock since the most recent finals win. Which vindicates Durant's decision - fans are totally fickle and all that matters is winning.

If Durant had stayed in OKC and not won a ring then the same fairweather fans would have taunted him mercilessly. End of day he did what he had to do to put himself in a position to win.

this is the thing it's not just to win but in the offense he wants to play in. He simply got sick and tired of OKC's offense and how it was run.

[Cactus Jack]

he still has 2 days to renege

[bondom34]

I've avoided these threads for a few days now, but glad to see nothing's changed, Westbrook still takes the blame. After a few days I finally needed to vent a little off the team board and just figured I'd rant some random incoherent thoughts.

I never really got deeply into the NBA until I joined this site, but before that started to really love the Thunder. I've been a fan of a few teams in my life, but my first favorite player was Reggie Miller, a guy who played his whole career for one team in a small market. I always appreciated that, and as a guy who grew up in the middle of nowhere I personally enjoy the small market feel, and always hoped I'd have a team with a great player who was the same. That seemed to be Kevin Durant.

All these years, the reason I started following OKC as a fan half way across the country was a tweet on the night of the Decision, from Durant, announcing his extension quietly. He was humble and quaint and loyal, he said the right things, did the right things. He always talked, even this season, about loyalty and that in the end he'd win in OKC, for OKC and his teammates. Well 2 days ago I found out that guy wasn't real, it was all a lie. Not only a lie, but a lie that destroyed my interest in most of the NBA.

He seemed to always want to be the man who got credit when he won, but rarely took blame for losses, blaming Russ on the way out was no different. He was always the guy taking the back seat on court and in the locker room, always the follower, rarely the leader. He couldn't even handle making the decision for himself, apparently letting his handlers do most of that. In the end I guess what this rant is about is that as a grown man I'm a bit hurt. Not because he left. If he went to Boston I'd be pissed, but I'd say OK he wanted to build something. If it was the Spurs it was a class organization. But he took the chicken way out, he needed to be possibly the 3rd best player on his own team to try to win. Well, after these years of following him I just feel like everything he ever said and tried to portray was a lie. And to me, that's what hurts. Not that he left, but that he lied. To me, to OKC, to all their fans and all his fans. He's not a guy I'd ever respect, he's the worst of the worst. Not a competitor, not humble, not a real person at all.

Bye Kevin,hope you're miserable.

[GreenBloodedC]

Sigh.

Kobe was demanding a trade before the team brought him another star in Gasol. And then they surrounded him with talent in Odom and Bynum. They got him stars.

Duncan played with an all time great in Robinson for his first ring then his team surrounded him with stars in ginobili and Parker to go along with a wiz coach.

My point is those guys you pointed out were either going to leave (Kobe) or their team surrounded them with talent to win and didn't make move after move avoiding salary increases (First Harden then Reggie Jackson then Ibaka). Blame the thunder for bad choices and their ownership. They are good at picking players but they didn't continue the upward trend they kept resetting.

Durant saw a team committed and a better situation. Can't blame him.

You clearly missed my hypothetical scenaario "If Kobe/Dirk/Duncan, during their primes, were on a contender and got eliminated from the Playoffs, and got an offer from the team that eliminated them, do you think they would have gone there? "

No one's arguing that Durant didn't do what's probably best if he wants a chance at winning. But it tarnishes the competitive spirit of the Sport. And him being at least a top 3 player in the league, it was a weak and soft move.

Like Iverson joining the Lakers after losing in the finals
LeBron joining the Celtics during our big 3 era
Malone joining Jordan
Jordan joining the badboy pistions
Dirk joining the Spurs
and the list goes on..

And I think this thread has been derailed enough. My apologies.

So It's only okay to join other star level talent if they haven't won a ring? Like KG, a legit super star, and Ray Allen another star joining a star in PP is okay right? Or can we call PP a soft bitch for demanding he gets star level teammates or he'll leave?

Lmfao. Who makes up these arbitrary guidelines for what circumstances it's okay to join other good players. This is so asinine. KD can join other great players but only if those players haven't won a ring. My hell I can't keep up with the excuses people use to be able to continue hating on a guy for doing what only makes sense.

I think I should bring the discussion here. You totally missed the point. And if you think the Celtics's big 3 and KD's situation is remotely similar, there is really no point in discussing with you.

Why not just place all the best players in one team, and others in another. Then have them compete every single year while the remaining teams would be content enough making the playoffs.

[GreenBloodedC]

Anyone trying to justify that this is not about chasing rings is absolutely kidding themselves.

Of course it's about winning. Durant has the right to do whatever he wants to do. If he feels that joining the Warriors is the easiest path to win a ring, so be it. The style of play "may" have been a factor, but it definitely is not the main factor. He chose the easiest way to win.

[ItsThatEasy]

I appreciate LeBron's tenacity and mental toughness so much more after these last few days. The dude has been criticized and meme'd more than anyone in the league and he just takes it in stride and keeps a smile on his face.

He routinely takes the blame when his teams lose and relishes in the praise when they win as he should (LeGM, LeCoach).

KD has none of that in him and looking back on his actions through his career the writing has been on the wall this whole time.

LeBron may be a cocky douche but he owns it because deep down inside he knows he's the best player in the world and maybe of all time. KD has none of that dog in him.

[baller16]

[Rhinou]

I've avoided these threads for a few days now, but glad to see nothing's changed, Westbrook still takes the blame. After a few days I finally needed to vent a little off the team board and just figured I'd rant some random incoherent thoughts.

I never really got deeply into the NBA until I joined this site, but before that started to really love the Thunder. I've been a fan of a few teams in my life, but my first favorite player was Reggie Miller, a guy who played his whole career for one team in a small market. I always appreciated that, and as a guy who grew up in the middle of nowhere I personally enjoy the small market feel, and always hoped I'd have a team with a great player who was the same. That seemed to be Kevin Durant.

All these years, the reason I started following OKC as a fan half way across the country was a tweet on the night of the Decision, from Durant, announcing his extension quietly. He was humble and quaint and loyal, he said the right things, did the right things. He always talked, even this season, about loyalty and that in the end he'd win in OKC, for OKC and his teammates. Well 2 days ago I found out that guy wasn't real, it was all a lie. Not only a lie, but a lie that destroyed my interest in most of the NBA.

He seemed to always want to be the man who got credit when he won, but rarely took blame for losses, blaming Russ on the way out was no different. He was always the guy taking the back seat on court and in the locker room, always the follower, rarely the leader. He couldn't even handle making the decision for himself, apparently letting his handlers do most of that. In the end I guess what this rant is about is that as a grown man I'm a bit hurt. Not because he left. If he went to Boston I'd be pissed, but I'd say OK he wanted to build something. If it was the Spurs it was a class organization. But he took the chicken way out, he needed to be possibly the 3rd best player on his own team to try to win. Well, after these years of following him I just feel like everything he ever said and tried to portray was a lie. And to me, that's what hurts. Not that he left, but that he lied. To me, to OKC, to all their fans and all his fans. He's not a guy I'd ever respect, he's the worst of the worst. Not a competitor, not humble, not a real person at all.

Bye Kevin,hope you're miserable.

At one time, I believe Kevin was truly a genuine and loyal guy. He said all the right things, yes. I believe he loved playing for OKC. But money got to him and it all changed. Once KD went to Roc Nation, I figured he would leave once there was a chance and he did. It's not about basketball anymore. It's more about where he can go to promote his brand the most. The best way to promote your brand is with rings, no matter how you get them. Roc Nation sees dollar signs and that's what most of this decision is all about.

I'm disappointed, but I understand and can't hate the guy for it. It's a business.

[bondom34]

I've avoided these threads for a few days now, but glad to see nothing's changed, Westbrook still takes the blame. After a few days I finally needed to vent a little off the team board and just figured I'd rant some random incoherent thoughts.

I never really got deeply into the NBA until I joined this site, but before that started to really love the Thunder. I've been a fan of a few teams in my life, but my first favorite player was Reggie Miller, a guy who played his whole career for one team in a small market. I always appreciated that, and as a guy who grew up in the middle of nowhere I personally enjoy the small market feel, and always hoped I'd have a team with a great player who was the same. That seemed to be Kevin Durant.

All these years, the reason I started following OKC as a fan half way across the country was a tweet on the night of the Decision, from Durant, announcing his extension quietly. He was humble and quaint and loyal, he said the right things, did the right things. He always talked, even this season, about loyalty and that in the end he'd win in OKC, for OKC and his teammates. Well 2 days ago I found out that guy wasn't real, it was all a lie. Not only a lie, but a lie that destroyed my interest in most of the NBA.

He seemed to always want to be the man who got credit when he won, but rarely took blame for losses, blaming Russ on the way out was no different. He was always the guy taking the back seat on court and in the locker room, always the follower, rarely the leader. He couldn't even handle making the decision for himself, apparently letting his handlers do most of that. In the end I guess what this rant is about is that as a grown man I'm a bit hurt. Not because he left. If he went to Boston I'd be pissed, but I'd say OK he wanted to build something. If it was the Spurs it was a class organization. But he took the chicken way out, he needed to be possibly the 3rd best player on his own team to try to win. Well, after these years of following him I just feel like everything he ever said and tried to portray was a lie. And to me, that's what hurts. Not that he left, but that he lied. To me, to OKC, to all their fans and all his fans. He's not a guy I'd ever respect, he's the worst of the worst. Not a competitor, not humble, not a real person at all.

Bye Kevin,hope you're miserable.

At one time, I believe Kevin was truly a genuine and loyal guy. He said all the right things, yes. I believe he loved playing for OKC. But money got to him and it all changed. Once KD went to Roc Nation, I figured he would leave once there was a chance and he did. It's not about basketball anymore. It's more about where he can go to promote his brand the most. The best way to promote your brand is with rings, no matter how you get them. Roc Nation sees dollar signs and that's what most of this decision is all about.

I'm disappointed, but I understand and can't hate the guy for it. It's a business.

Maybe, but he's not now. The person I once thought was great is dead to me.

[Rhinou]

Maybe, but he's not now. The person I once thought was great is dead to me.

Being from Oklahoma and watching him for the last 8 years, I understand your feelings. He meant so much to this community and this franchise. I thank him for all he has done, because it was genuine.

But in this day in age, with endorsements, basketball can be so lucrative for the mega superstars. The agent controls where and what they do.

From a basketball competitor standpoint it is a weak move, no doubt. From a business standpoint, he can cash in even more. That is what this is all about.

I wish he would've stayed he whole career like he said he would. But when dollar bills are flashing in your face, I think it would be difficult for anybody to not take the bait.

[Benedict_Boozer]

Will be real interesting to see who takes the role as the top scorer and lead dog. KD and Curry are both legit 30ppg scorers. That is pretty damn rare, outside of Kobe and Shaq I can't think of many other instances where there were two scorers that good on the same team.

[Kabookalu]

Will be real interesting to see who takes the role as the top scorer and lead dog. KD and Curry are both legit 30ppg scorers. That is pretty damn rare, outside of Kobe and Shaq I can't think of many other instances where there were two scorers that good on the same team.

[IggyStardust]

I've avoided these threads for a few days now, but glad to see nothing's changed, Westbrook still takes the blame. After a few days I finally needed to vent a little off the team board and just figured I'd rant some random incoherent thoughts.

I never really got deeply into the NBA until I joined this site, but before that started to really love the Thunder. I've been a fan of a few teams in my life, but my first favorite player was Reggie Miller, a guy who played his whole career for one team in a small market. I always appreciated that, and as a guy who grew up in the middle of nowhere I personally enjoy the small market feel, and always hoped I'd have a team with a great player who was the same. That seemed to be Kevin Durant.

All these years, the reason I started following OKC as a fan half way across the country was a tweet on the night of the Decision, from Durant, announcing his extension quietly. He was humble and quaint and loyal, he said the right things, did the right things. He always talked, even this season, about loyalty and that in the end he'd win in OKC, for OKC and his teammates. Well 2 days ago I found out that guy wasn't real, it was all a lie. Not only a lie, but a lie that destroyed my interest in most of the NBA.

He seemed to always want to be the man who got credit when he won, but rarely took blame for losses, blaming Russ on the way out was no different. He was always the guy taking the back seat on court and in the locker room, always the follower, rarely the leader. He couldn't even handle making the decision for himself, apparently letting his handlers do most of that. In the end I guess what this rant is about is that as a grown man I'm a bit hurt. Not because he left. If he went to Boston I'd be pissed, but I'd say OK he wanted to build something. If it was the Spurs it was a class organization. But he took the chicken way out, he needed to be possibly the 3rd best player on his own team to try to win. Well, after these years of following him I just feel like everything he ever said and tried to portray was a lie. And to me, that's what hurts. Not that he left, but that he lied. To me, to OKC, to all their fans and all his fans. He's not a guy I'd ever respect, he's the worst of the worst. Not a competitor, not humble, not a real person at all.

Bye Kevin,hope you're miserable.

i appreciate that your non-native fandom was for the principles kd/thunder seemed to embody. it strikes me that this is- if not a deeper feeling of attachment-- a more nuanced one than simple provincial or player support.
and i wish the world met what seems to me to be your modest expectation. there are few heroes.

[Cuban_Linx]

All the people screaming about Durant are the EXACT SAME people who screamed about LeBron leaving Cle for Miami, and who have been all on his jock since the most recent finals win. Which vindicates Durant's decision - fans are totally fickle and all that matters is winning.

If Durant had stayed in OKC and not won a ring then the same fairweather fans would have taunted him mercilessly. End of day he did what he had to do to put himself in a position to win.

this is the thing it's not just to win but in the offense he wants to play in. He simply got sick and tired of OKC's offense and how it was run.

Sure, but don't forget he was the one not pulling his weight when everyone stepped up and put GS in a 1-3 hole. He can blame OKC all he wants, but if he just does his job in game 6 he's off to the finals with a very good chance to finally win the title. That's what really makes this OKC blaming so jarring. The team did everything to set the stage for him to carry us home and he was the one that stopped trusting his teammates in game 6 and went on to play 1 on 5. He was the one that couldn't deliver.

Of course winning a ring in OKC wasn't gonna be as easy as winning in GS (no one has ever won a ring that easy since the '60 Celtics), but let's not act like he was a saint in this. We played team ball while we were beating GS and then he went back to ISO ball in game 6 and right after he defended his right to do that because that's just what super shotmakers did according to him.

[The_Brecht]

One thing's for sure: the amount bandwagon will be strong with this team.

[floppymoose]

Is there a source on the blaming of Westbrook on the way out? I hadn't heard that before.

never mind, i found it: http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/242700/Kevin-Durant-Thought-Thunder-Plateaued-Was-Frustrated-With-Westbrook-Within-Offense

The source is hearsay, though. It's not anything from Durant.

[floppymoose]

One thing's for sure: the amount bandwagon will be strong with this team.

I have to assume you will be correct. But the flip side is that GS was awful for over a decade and yet maintained a great fanbase at the Arena. So lots of longtime true fans as well.

[DNP - Old]

If anything, I think he is humble. He realizes he needs to be in a better team to be able to win it all. He admits it, and joins the team that just beat him out of the playoffs, even if he felt insulted by the team's second best player to begin with. He leaves the pride aside to be in a better position to reach the ultimate and only goal. I have zero problems with that, even if that means my team will be obliterated if they face each other in the postseason.

Good luck GSW, break records and get Curry his third straight MVP, but please lose to SA in the playoffs.

[tbdog]

I have to add that another reason, on top of the other obvious reasons I strongly believe why Durant chose Warriors over any other team, was that they are a very religious team; Curry, Green, and Iggy in particular. Durant also is very religious, and I have no doubt that the recruiting throughout the year also had a pinch of religion.

[Zack M]

If anything, I think he is humble. He realizes he needs to be in a better team to be able to win it all. He admits it, and joins the team that just beat him out of the playoffs, even if he felt insulted by the team's second best player to begin with. He leaves the pride aside to be in a better position to reach the ultimate and only goal. I have zero problems with that, even if that means my team will be obliterated if they face each other in the postseason.

Good luck GSW, break records and get Curry his third straight MVP, but please lose to SA in the playoffs.

So if your GF ditched you for your rival at the workplace, you'd be chill coz she'd be satisfied now?

Jeez, That is such Beta mentality.