The CBA has created an unstoppable monster in OKC

[GrandTheftRondo]

I can do nothing but laugh at the people who keep talking about how the new CBA, second apron rules etc are making the NBA better.

I’m not sure many seem to fathom how unstoppable it makes OKC because other ‘contenders’ are so limited in what they can do to add talent.

Barring injuries, i don’t see how this team isn’t a dominant Warriors like force. The sort of thing everyone cried about.

Don’t get me wrong they’d be amazing without the new CBA changes but I think other teams would be better placed to build deeper teams to compete.

This new CBA sucks. I just don’t see how we won’t continually run into this sort of scenario with one dominant team and a bunch of average so called contenders.

[Dacost]

I can do nothing but laugh at the people who keep talking about how the new CBA, second apron rules etc are making the NBA better.

I’m not sure many seem to fathom how unstoppable it makes OKC because other ‘contenders’ are so limited in what they can do to add talent.

Barring injuries, i don’t see how this team isn’t a dominant Warriors like force. The sort of thing everyone cried about.

Don’t get me wrong they’d be amazing without the new CBA changes but I think other teams would be better placed to build deeper teams to compete.

This new CBA sucks. I just don’t see how we won’t continually run into this sort of scenario with one dominant team and a bunch of average so called contenders.

I think you are way off on this OKC still a small market and this is the last year before all the supermaxes kick in.

They won't be able keep everyone however they are still under the apron this year.

They still have picks and that has nothing to do with the CBA .Drafting and developing has nothing to do with it either.

[tmorgan]

I don’t see how you reached that conclusion from that evidence.

OKC is the best run team in the league, and the reason they’re on top is because, despite facing the same financial obstacles as everyone else, they put this juggernaut together.

Indeed, it’s only the CBA that’s going to stop them, at least to some extent. Next year, when their top 3 guys are using 85% of the salary cap, things start to get difficult. Drafting well and making young guys great while still on rookie deals shouldn’t be penalized by allowing bigger markets or richer owners to just buy great teams.

[JRoy]

The new CBA is an adjustment for everyone.

[LarsV8]

Its not the CBA that created OKC

[Calvin Klein]

Maybe wait until they win a second ring before posting nonsense

[MrBigShot]

What does this roster have to do with the new CBA? This thunder team is the result of masterful GM work from Presti.

[Patches Perry]

This CBA will eventually squeeze out OKC too, you just have to be patient.

They had really fortunate timing with the Paul George situation/trade landing them so many draft picks, and Presti tends to be very good at turn his picks into very good players. The running joke in the NBA around 2020-2022 was how Presti was collecting draft picks like a hobby. That is paying dividends now because the draft is the best way to add talent to your roster without having to pay much money. But starting next season and every season after, they're going to start losing guys. They will run out of quality draft picks and run out of cap flexibility.

Ironically, Presti mentioned a few months ago that they wouldn't have to pay repeater tax until 2029, when the CBA expires and a new one can be negotiated. It sounded like he was hoping they'd change it, as it may bail him out of some very tough decisions.

[GrandTheftRondo]

What does this roster have to do with the new CBA? This thunder team is the result of masterful GM work from Presti.

I didn’t say their roster had anything to do with it.

It just completely limits every other contending team being able to put any sort of roster good enough to compete with them

[MrGoat]

It was Kawhi Leonard who created OKC by demanding Paul George

[Chuck Everett]

Celtics fans still crying. The team chipped and the owner immediately cashed out. Blame Wyc and his pops.

[76ciology]

It’s not just about the CBA. It’s how the game is officiated, letting guards defend like wings and how easy it is to have a scoring bag, while the league went wing crazy and rolling with a tweener stretch 4 PF (while OKC rolled out a double big) put them ahead of the curve. They have the ideal team construction for today’s NBA.

[GrandTheftRondo]

Celtics fans still crying. The team chipped and the owner immediately cashed out. Blame Wyc and his pops.

Not surprised a Knicks fan wants to defend it considering you never would have got KAT without the new CBA

[Chuck Everett]

Celtics fans still crying. The team chipped and the owner immediately cashed out. Blame Wyc and his pops.

Not surprised a Knicks fan wants to defend it considering you never would have got KAT without the new CBA

Not a Knicks fan. Your team acquired huge contracts, won a title and then moved them all because they didn't want to pay the bill. Take it up with ownership.

[GrandTheftRondo]

Celtics fans still crying. The team chipped and the owner immediately cashed out. Blame Wyc and his pops.

Not surprised a Knicks fan wants to defend it considering you never would have got KAT without the new CBA

Not a Knicks fan. Your team acquired huge contracts, won a title and then moved them all because they didn't want to pay the bill. Take it up with ownership.

Dude. I don’t care about Boston’s situation.

We’re cooked by Tatum’s Achilles more than anything.

Stop trying to derail the thread making it about Boston

Also if you think the new CBA is just dissuading teams because of financial implications you are seriously mistaken. The basketball penalties for any team staying in the second apron long term are crippling

[Mephariel]

I can do nothing but laugh at the people who keep talking about how the new CBA, second apron rules etc are making the NBA better.

I’m not sure many seem to fathom how unstoppable it makes OKC because other ‘contenders’ are so limited in what they can do to add talent.

Barring injuries, i don’t see how this team isn’t a dominant Warriors like force. The sort of thing everyone cried about.

Don’t get me wrong they’d be amazing without the new CBA changes but I think other teams would be better placed to build deeper teams to compete.

This new CBA sucks. I just don’t see how we won’t continually run into this sort of scenario with one dominant team and a bunch of average so called contenders.

They are good because they are the best run team in the NBA. The apron didn't get them Ajay Mitchell.

[Dr Aki]

This isn't any different to when the Spurs were good.

It happens.

[GrandTheftRondo]

This isn't any different to when the Spurs were good.

It happens.

There was never a hard cap in place when the Spurs were good

[Raps in 4]

We have to start talking about Presti as the greatest NBA executive of all time. What he's managed to do in the NBA's smallest market is just crazy. The dude has managed to assemble 2 separate dynastic cores in under 20 years (the first core was prematurely broken up by cheap ownership). He has developed 4 different MVPs. He drafts All-Stars and impact players in his sleep. Imagine if he was the GM of a big market team.

I've never seen anyone understand the game as well as he does. Pop came the closest, but his entire run was based on having Duncan (his ability to extend the Spurs' title window over two decades was remarkable though).

[Raps in 4]

This isn't any different to when the Spurs were good.

It happens.

There was never a hard cap in place when the Spurs were good

Stevens is a good GM. Presti is better. Sometimes you just have to tip your hat.