2022-23 NBA Season Discussion

[MartinToVaught]

is a small miracle lakers didnt do the same to clippers (maybe because they were not as stablished of a powerhouse/money cow at the time as the knicks?)

Sterling and Buss were close friends and Sterling helped Buss buy the Lakers, so I guess Buss was just returning the favor by not complaining.

The league also ultimately couldn't do anything to stop the move because Sterling filed an antitrust lawsuit against them (much like Al Davis did when he moved the Raiders to LA) when they tried to fine him.

[MartinToVaught]

Those rumblings of Durant going back to the Warriors seem to be getting more real:

The Warriors superstars have been in conversations with Durant. In addition to catching up, the Hall of Fame-bound peers did entertain the idea of a reunion. It was mostly about the stunning nature of it even being possible. The idea of them playing together again had to seem impossible when Durant left in free agency in 2019. It isn’t lost on them how life has contrived an opportunity for them to come full circle. They see it, like everyone else, and talked about it, like everyone else.

This isn’t a case where the Warriors stars are pressing the front office to go acquire Durant. Sources made it clear they are fine defending their title with Wiggins, Poole and the young players they’ve been grooming to win with them. But if the universe somehow sets it up so legends reunite, they’d be open to it.

https://theathletic.com/3398430/2022/07/03/kevin-durant-warriors-free-agency/?source=user_shared_article

I've honestly run out of ways to describe how much of a coward Durant is if he seriously goes through with this, and the rest of that team should be ashamed of themselves for begging him to join their mega-stacked team again.

[Dr Positivity]

So which jerseys do you think will look weird decades later. I'm not talking about old guys hanging around, bouncing between teams, but rather players who spent prime years with teams that people will find bizarre in retrospect.

Some picks:



Lebron's Cav jerseys will never seem weird because of his Ohio roots. I suspect Lebron will be based out of LA and will show up at Lakers games in retirement. But Miami, I expect that jersey will look real weird to fans who don't remember it. Why did he pick Miami and not NY or LA? Why didn't he just stay with Cleveland? I suspect for people who don't remember it, it will be odd.



California kid beginning his career with a small market club will seem normal. California kid finishing career in California will always be normal. California kid spending 2 seasons in OKC and re-signing there. That is weird.

I don't think Kawhi-Toronto will be weird. Due to the Raptors enormous fanbase clips of him in Toronto will be aired constantly, probably more than his SA days.

I mean, this is up there



2 healthy years, maxed out at 2nd round. In the long run not really that memorable a stop.

[Dr Positivity]

Those rumblings of Durant going back to the Warriors seem to be getting more real:

The Warriors superstars have been in conversations with Durant. In addition to catching up, the Hall of Fame-bound peers did entertain the idea of a reunion. It was mostly about the stunning nature of it even being possible. The idea of them playing together again had to seem impossible when Durant left in free agency in 2019. It isn’t lost on them how life has contrived an opportunity for them to come full circle. They see it, like everyone else, and talked about it, like everyone else.

This isn’t a case where the Warriors stars are pressing the front office to go acquire Durant. Sources made it clear they are fine defending their title with Wiggins, Poole and the young players they’ve been grooming to win with them. But if the universe somehow sets it up so legends reunite, they’d be open to it.

https://theathletic.com/3398430/2022/07/03/kevin-durant-warriors-free-agency/?source=user_shared_article

I've honestly run out of ways to describe how much of a coward Durant is if he seriously goes through with this, and the rest of that team should be ashamed of themselves for begging him to join their mega-stacked team again.

The more I think of it the more I think it's worth it to GSW just to stop Durant from going to Phoenix, or even a would be East favorite like Miami.

[jalengreen]

Those rumblings of Durant going back to the Warriors seem to be getting more real:

The Warriors superstars have been in conversations with Durant. In addition to catching up, the Hall of Fame-bound peers did entertain the idea of a reunion. It was mostly about the stunning nature of it even being possible. The idea of them playing together again had to seem impossible when Durant left in free agency in 2019. It isn’t lost on them how life has contrived an opportunity for them to come full circle. They see it, like everyone else, and talked about it, like everyone else.

This isn’t a case where the Warriors stars are pressing the front office to go acquire Durant. Sources made it clear they are fine defending their title with Wiggins, Poole and the young players they’ve been grooming to win with them. But if the universe somehow sets it up so legends reunite, they’d be open to it.

https://theathletic.com/3398430/2022/07/03/kevin-durant-warriors-free-agency/?source=user_shared_article

I've honestly run out of ways to describe how much of a coward Durant is if he seriously goes through with this, and the rest of that team should be ashamed of themselves for begging him to join their mega-stacked team again.

KD refusing a trade to a specific team would actually be worse in my opinion. He doesn't have a no trade clause, he can't pick & choose his team unless he outright tried to say "I will refuse to play for you if you trade for me," which isn't a great look for a player to do IMO.

Anyway, all that report suggests is that the Warriors' stars are open to it. Which is cool, but the Warriors' front office does not have a history of bending to the will of their star players (and the report explicitly mentions that there is no pressure from the stars to make the move anyway). They've made it clear that they want to maintain strong young talent on the team along with the original championship core rather than trading the young talent away to go full "win-now." And trading for Durant would go entirely against that long-term vision.

Still see him ending up in Phoenix.

[sp6r=underrated]

So which jerseys do you think will look weird decades later. I'm not talking about old guys hanging around, bouncing between teams, but rather players who spent prime years with teams that people will find bizarre in retrospect.

Some picks:



Lebron's Cav jerseys will never seem weird because of his Ohio roots. I suspect Lebron will be based out of LA and will show up at Lakers games in retirement. But Miami, I expect that jersey will look real weird to fans who don't remember it. Why did he pick Miami and not NY or LA? Why didn't he just stay with Cleveland? I suspect for people who don't remember it, it will be odd.



California kid beginning his career with a small market club will seem normal. California kid finishing career in California will always be normal. California kid spending 2 seasons in OKC and re-signing there. That is weird.

I don't think Kawhi-Toronto will be weird. Due to the Raptors enormous fanbase clips of him in Toronto will be aired constantly, probably more than his SA days.

I mean, this is up there



2 healthy years, maxed out at 2nd round. In the long run not really that memorable a stop.

I think Durant is entering the Chris Paul professional vagabond zone, were he bounces around and around. I wouldn't be surprised if he finishes his career playing for 5+ teams. None of Paul's uniforms look weird because he played everywhere. The same will likely apply to Durant.

In fact I'd be more surprised if he finished his career playing for 4 teams than if the Brooklyn think gets patched up ala other failed trade demands.

[MartinToVaught]

KD refusing a trade to a specific team would actually be worse in my opinion. He doesn't have a no trade clause, he can't pick & choose his team unless he outright tried to say "I will refuse to play for you if you trade for me," which isn't a great look for a player to do IMO.

I think in the Warriors' case, it might actually help Durant's image to say no. For the first time ever, he'd be displaying something resembling competitive pride, even if only in service of his own ego.

Of course, he'd then promptly ruin it by doubling down on his "trade me to one of the #1 seeds from last season, but only if they don't have to give up anything of value" stance.

[sp6r=underrated]

KD refusing a trade to a specific team would actually be worse in my opinion. He doesn't have a no trade clause, he can't pick & choose his team unless he outright tried to say "I will refuse to play for you if you trade for me," which isn't a great look for a player to do IMO.

I think in the Warriors' case, it might actually help Durant's image to say no. For the first time ever, he'd be displaying something resembling competitive pride, even if only in service of his own ego.

Of course, he'd then promptly ruin it by doubling down on his "trade me to one of the #1 seeds from last season, but only if they don't have to give up anything of value" stance.

The #1 seed thing really only offends people who are pissed at the Golden State signing. Those people, and you're one of em, will always dislike Durant. The NBA CBA encourages superteams to be formed by chronically underpaying the top talent. Until that changes we will see more and more superteams.

[Dr Positivity]

I think Durant is entering the Chris Paul professional vagabond zone, were he bounces around and around. I wouldn't be surprised if he finishes his career playing for 5+ teams. None of Paul's uniforms look weird because he played everywhere. The same will likely apply to Durant.

I think Durant's OKC and GSW runs are probably both more historically memorable than any of Paul's, the former having a finals appearance and MVP, and the latter 2 Finals MVPs. Durant may end up similar to Moses having HOU, 4 years of PHI and then bouncing around.

[ardee]

The Warriors are too well run to give up their promising young talents for a 34 year old. If this was 2019, you do it in a heartbeat. But right now Poole looks like he's a fringe All Star at 22 and Kuminga has all the talent in the world. They just won the title and could possible rely on these guys to fill the gaps as Curry/Klay/Dray age.

If they trade for Durant and their entire team is those 4 guys + scrubs, one injury and they're ****.

[Mazter]

Those rumblings of Durant going back to the Warriors seem to be getting more real:

The Warriors superstars have been in conversations with Durant. In addition to catching up, the Hall of Fame-bound peers did entertain the idea of a reunion. It was mostly about the stunning nature of it even being possible. The idea of them playing together again had to seem impossible when Durant left in free agency in 2019. It isn’t lost on them how life has contrived an opportunity for them to come full circle. They see it, like everyone else, and talked about it, like everyone else.

This isn’t a case where the Warriors stars are pressing the front office to go acquire Durant. Sources made it clear they are fine defending their title with Wiggins, Poole and the young players they’ve been grooming to win with them. But if the universe somehow sets it up so legends reunite, they’d be open to it.

https://theathletic.com/3398430/2022/07/03/kevin-durant-warriors-free-agency/?source=user_shared_article

I've honestly run out of ways to describe how much of a coward Durant is if he seriously goes through with this, and the rest of that team should be ashamed of themselves for begging him to join their mega-stacked team again.

They will be back to 8 players and up to their ears in luxury tax.
Every other million spend will be multiplied by at least 6 (inlcuding tax).
Seems more like some guys reminiscing than a real plan of a so far well run FO.

[MyUniBroDavis]

KD is the only person who will spend years justifying himself for going to a 73 win team that sent him home and were one win away from the finals and then proceed to want to go to that team after they win without him

GO TO TORONTO COWARD

[Peregrine01]

I doubt the Warriors are going to give up their young stars for KD. I suspect they're making some noise to try to up the ante for all the other teams looking to make a bid.

[MartinToVaught]

KD is the only person who will spend years justifying himself for going to a 73 win team that sent him home and were one win away from the finals and then proceed to want to go to that team after they win without him

GO TO TORONTO COWARD

Curry, Klay and Draymond shouldn't get a pass here either. They're recruiting KD again because they're scared of another Western team getting him and making the West tougher for them.

None of these guys have a competitive bone in their body. They're so soft, Charmin might as well be sandpaper compared to them.

[Gooner]

Warriors don't need KD, but nothing would surprise me in this soft NBA. Everybody wants the easiest path possible, no competitiveness. NBA has declined a lot since Kobe's generation left. LBJ and KD have pussified this league.

[Peregrine01]

Pivoting away from all the KD/Kyrie discussion, I feel like the Nuggets are really being overlooked this upcoming season. If MPJ and Murray are healthy plus all the defensive guards they've added, I think they're legit contenders this upcoming season.

[ceiling raiser]

Would be a terrible look for KD to go back to the Warriors, given they showed they could win without him. Would prefer Golden State doesn't recruit him, but a humbled KD who knows they have won and will continue to win with or without him isn't the worse thing.

[sp6r=underrated]

KD is the only person who will spend years justifying himself for going to a 73 win team that sent him home and were one win away from the finals and then proceed to want to go to that team after they win without him

GO TO TORONTO COWARD

Curry, Klay and Draymond shouldn't get a pass here either. They're recruiting KD again because they're scared of another Western team getting him and making the West tougher for them.

None of these guys have a competitive bone in their body. They're so soft, Charmin might as well be sandpaper compared to them.

Cowards. What are you talking about? The point is to win not to win with the greatest degree of difficult possible.

[MartinToVaught]

KD is the only person who will spend years justifying himself for going to a 73 win team that sent him home and were one win away from the finals and then proceed to want to go to that team after they win without him

GO TO TORONTO COWARD

Curry, Klay and Draymond shouldn't get a pass here either. They're recruiting KD again because they're scared of another Western team getting him and making the West tougher for them.

None of these guys have a competitive bone in their body. They're so soft, Charmin might as well be sandpaper compared to them.

Cowards. What are you talking about? The point is to win not to win with the greatest degree of difficult possible.

The point is to compete and entertain the fans, i.e. the people who make it possible for them to get paid millions to play a kids' game for a living. Winning means nothing if it wasn't earned.

[MyUniBroDavis]

Curry, Klay and Draymond shouldn't get a pass here either. They're recruiting KD again because they're scared of another Western team getting him and making the West tougher for them.

None of these guys have a competitive bone in their body. They're so soft, Charmin might as well be sandpaper compared to them.

Cowards. What are you talking about? The point is to win not to win with the greatest degree of difficult possible.

The point is to compete and entertain the fans, i.e. the people who make it possible for them to get paid millions to play a kids' game for a living. Winning means nothing if it wasn't earned.

Honestly I think recruiting whoever is fine, it’s be like calling a GM a coward for trying to build a super team

The thing with KD is going to the team that beat him, and honestly going to a team that win the chip if he does the at which he probably won’t, are just suuuuch weak moves, the people that don’t get that are like Nate Duncan when he was criticizing the ANT dunk lol