Kevin Durant Achilles Injury Mega-Thread (Keep discussion here, please)

[BayArea408415]

I have a lot of respect for him. He didn't have to play and he absolutely shouldn't have. But if the Warriors win this in 7 (and I'm starting to have a feeling they will), it'll be partly because of him. I don't think Golden State wins tonight without the minutes he gave them. 11 points on 5 shots and GS was +6 in the time he played.

I'm pretty sure the team played for him after he went down. I know Curry went back to the locker room with him after he was helped to walk off the floor.

Regardless, I agree he was instrumental in getting the team into the flow of things early.

[durden_tyler]

Would have been more exciting offseason if it was a Team Option

The Warriors do not need Durant to be a legit title contender. This is sort of good news for Warriors fans who believe that.

[Free Rider]

Are you really comparing this to a blood clot that can kill a person? Seriously? KD was presented with facts by multiple doctors, not just team doctors, and made decision to play. **** happens.

Actually if you bothered to read the entire post I specifically point out that this injury isn’t on the same level particularly because I knew someone like you would fail to grasp the larger point: teams bear the responsibility for allowing players on the court or field. Chris Bosh’s example, while far more serious, is exactly why that’s the case.

With Bosh, a team literally didn't want him to die on their watch. Players have been playing with non life threatening injuries forever, it's ultimately their choice. Grant Hill played and ruined his career, Isiah played with a partially torn achilles as well. Team is responsible for disclosing the facts and making a recommendation. Players of KD's caliber make own decisions...see Kawhi.

That’s factually untrue. If a team makes a decision that a player is too injured to play and might risk further injuries by doing so, then that player cannot get onto to court no matter how confident he is in his abilities. They’re not just “responsible for disclosing facts and making a recommendation.” It’s literally their call whether a player get to play even if it’s a non life-threatening injury. The fact that some players foolishly choose to play even when there’s a risk doesn’t abdicate the organization from it's responsibility for making that call. Good, smart, thoughtful teams will actually take the player’s long term health into consideration. What we’ve seen from the Warriors and Spurs is that a lot of teams don’t really give a crap about their players and are willing to sacrifice their long term careers for short term gains.

[bee14ish]

No, not at all. I can be sad for his injury, while still thinking the decision to go to GSW was a bitch move, no matter how well he played in the following seasons. It doesn't have to be an either/or thing.

[sikma42]

He sounds like a guy crying to his teacher after a mistake. You messed up.

Fake tears.....

Huh? It's a serious injury that probably signifies the end of an era. It's natural for the guy to cry.

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[Sactowndog]

You think Durant would let them lie about his injury in public? Or are you implying doctors lied to Durant? Or did you not think this through very far?

There was a doctor on CBS who said this sort of lower calve strain can lead to popping an achilles. Nobody in their right mind would have been saying come back if GSW came out and said "this strain could lead to an achilles pop, we're not risking it." They downplayed it and for 4 freakin' weeks whipped up a media campaign around KD's comeback. It's soooooo shady.

It all depends on what the likelihood of a calf strain leading to an Achilles injury actually is. If there was a 0.1% chance of this happening I don't really think you can blame them. If there was a 20% chance of this happening, fine.

It’s a significant increase in risk says my daughter the PT. Durant should not have been playing.

[zhenyasj]

Actually if you bothered to read the entire post I specifically point out that this injury isn’t on the same level particularly because I knew someone like you would fail to grasp the larger point: teams bear the responsibility for allowing players on the court or field. Chris Bosh’s example, while far more serious, is exactly why that’s the case.

With Bosh, a team literally didn't want him to die on their watch. Players have been playing with non life threatening injuries forever, it's ultimately their choice. Grant Hill played and ruined his career, Isiah played with a partially torn achilles as well. Team is responsible for disclosing the facts and making a recommendation. Players of KD's caliber make own decisions...see Kawhi.

That’s factually untrue. If a team makes a decision that a player is too injured to play and might risk further injuries by doing so, then that player cannot get onto to court no matter how confident he is in his abilities. They’re not just “responsible for disclosing facts and making a recommendation.” It’s literally their call whether a player get to play even if it’s a non life-threatening injury. The fact that some players foolishly choose to play even when there’s a risk doesn’t abdicate the organization from it's responsibility for making that call. Good, smart, thoughtful teams will actually take the player’s long term health into consideration. What we’ve seen from the Warriors and Spurs is that a lot of teams don’t really give a crap about their players and are willing to sacrifice their long term careers for short term gains.

Superstars don't get pressured by teams, it's the other way around. You think KD and his agent will be pressured by a team which he is probably leaving?Also, what did we see with the Warriors prior to this incident? Based on their track record I will give them benefit of the doubt. And we're also talking about NBA Finals here.

[Cactus Jack]

Fake tears.....

The GB is gross tonight.

No kidding. Myers is one of the good guys. Nothing fake about it.

[SappySkunk]

Fake tears.....

Does seem a little forced

[spikeslovechild]

He's a fraud. I'm sure the true story will come out at some point it always does.

[CIN-C-STAR]

"Light tears ahead of the competition"

[NapoleonII]

The player's union needs to investigate GSW front office and medical staff from top to bottom.

[lonzo_pelota]

it was a weird legacy to begin with, the place he left hates him even after years of service there (OKC) & if he is so beloved in GS why did he allow the free agent rumors to dwell all season, why did he have burner twitter accounts, what was he so thin skinned on social media, why did his own teammate (draymondo) call him a bit*h on live television for the world to see, if you add all this up he had a sus GS legacy to begin with, sad he had to go out this way.

[LKN]

Supposedly the medical and training staff cleared him to play. That was a monumental F**k up of the worst degree. Between that and Looney they look really, really bad tonight. If you don't think players will be wary of GS after this you are kidding yourself. He never should have been cleared - negligence has likely ruined his career

[NapoleonII]

"Light tears ahead of the competition"

I mean, no one knew that you could lure, deceive, and then risk injury to a top 5 player for rings.

[The KnicksFix]

didnt know light years ahead meant playing ur players into the ground

[XTC]

As a Raptors fan... this win/loss won’t feel the same...

I’d rather have the Raptors be swept, than loose any player to an injury like this, especially an all time great like Durant. Here’s to a speedy recovery KD! Vancouver has your back!

[Chris435]

the Warriors wanted this win. They cleared him to play knowing all the facts. They knew this could happen

i guess they figure if they win the Finals, then it paid off. I guess in a way it does, but damn.

[Soca]

The player's union needs to investigate GSW front office and medical staff from top to bottom.

smh

[NapoleonII]

the Warriors wanted this win. They cleared him to play knowing all the facts. They knew this could happen

i guess they figure if they win the Finals, then it paid off. I guess in a way it does, but damn.

This will be the most tainted of their rings.