The Kevin Durant To Washington Thread (Part 1)

[bondom34]

FWIW, that game was on KD. He was the guy freezing out everyone late, turned the ball over multiple times, took nearly every shot, and missed a FT that made it still be a 3 point game instead of a 2 point game. And on the tax thing, OKC is in the tax. The idea a team can't handle 2 max guys isn't accurate.

That said, what's caused the turnaround of late in DC?

weak schedule and better health.The Wizards have won 7 of 9 to become solidly mediocre.

Not gonna lie, I love the self deprecating attitude of this board.

[fishercob]

FWIW, that game was on KD. He was the guy freezing out everyone late, turned the ball over multiple times, took nearly every shot, and missed a FT that made it still be a 3 point game instead of a 2 point game. And on the tax thing, OKC is in the tax. The idea a team can't handle 2 max guys isn't accurate.

That said, what's caused the turnaround of late in DC?

weak schedule and better health.The Wizards have won 7 of 9 to become solidly mediocre.

Not gonna lie, I love the self deprecating attitude of this board.

We're awesome. To know us is to love us.

There's a healthy dose of realism here; if the Wizards were good, we'd be the first to say so.

[Ruzious]

Westbrook was trying to draw a foul, but when you have Durant on your team and you're the PG - you have to know where he is in that situation - and I don't care how poorly Durant played the previous few minutes. Who do you want shooting the 3 - a 30% 3 point shooting PG who has 2 defenders on him or one of the best shooters in the NBA - who's wide open and waving for the ball? If that happens in the playoffs, the selling point for Washington is - Wall might not be better than Westbrook, but he'll get him the ball in those situations. Otoh, maybe Westbrook learns from his mistake.

[Illmatic12]

Durant/Westbrook hot takes aside.. is it just me, or is Ibaka's career going in the wrong direction? His production has steadily declined for four consecutive seasons:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/ibakase01.html

A few years ago Ibaka was seen as a guy who would perennially be in the DPOY discussions. But outside of his improved spot-up shooting, he isn't really the impact player people thought he would be. Not just on the offensive end, but even his defensive impact has declined (which doesn't help on a team that needs him to cover for a lot of mistakes)

OKC needs to do better for a third piece, the team is still really just Durant and Westbrook.

[gambitx777]

This could be really good for DC. Wall would be happy to pass the ball off to KD if he had 2 defenders in his face and KD was wide open. I think the wizards with KD is ultimately better than OKC with KD. Wall is a better fit for him, Otto/beal and morris also compliment him well. Gortat too. he fits in better here.

[bondom34]

Durant/Westbrook hot takes aside.. is it just me, or is Ibaka's career going in the wrong direction? His production has steadily declined for four consecutive seasons:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/ibakase01.html

A few years ago Ibaka was seen as a guy who would perennially be in the DPOY discussions. But outside of his improved spot-up shooting, he isn't really the impact player people thought he would be. Not just on the offensive end, but even his defensive impact has declined (which doesn't help on a team that needs him to cover for a lot of mistakes)

OKC needs to do better for a third piece, the team is still really just Durant and Westbrook.

Yeah, he doesn't seem to fit what Donovan wants nearly as much. Adams has been amazing though, he's probably been better overall than Serge.

[Illmatic12]

Durant/Westbrook hot takes aside.. is it just me, or is Ibaka's career going in the wrong direction? His production has steadily declined for four consecutive seasons:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/ibakase01.html

A few years ago Ibaka was seen as a guy who would perennially be in the DPOY discussions. But outside of his improved spot-up shooting, he isn't really the impact player people thought he would be. Not just on the offensive end, but even his defensive impact has declined (which doesn't help on a team that needs him to cover for a lot of mistakes)

OKC needs to do better for a third piece, the team is still really just Durant and Westbrook.

Yeah, he doesn't seem to fit what Donovan wants nearly as much. Adams has been amazing though, he's probably been better overall than Serge.

I agree Adams is real solid and brings great energy/toughness. He's more of a ~20-25mpg player though? If you're consistently relying on him or closing games with him, it's not going to move the needle much.

It seems OKC doesn't have enough versatility in their frontcourt. Adams, Kanter, and Ibaka are all specialty guys, good in certain situations but don't match up well in others. You could say the same about their wings tbh, minus KD/WB. Donovan has his work cut out for him, his rotations have been questionable imo.

[bondom34]

Durant/Westbrook hot takes aside.. is it just me, or is Ibaka's career going in the wrong direction? His production has steadily declined for four consecutive seasons:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/ibakase01.html

A few years ago Ibaka was seen as a guy who would perennially be in the DPOY discussions. But outside of his improved spot-up shooting, he isn't really the impact player people thought he would be. Not just on the offensive end, but even his defensive impact has declined (which doesn't help on a team that needs him to cover for a lot of mistakes)

OKC needs to do better for a third piece, the team is still really just Durant and Westbrook.

Yeah, he doesn't seem to fit what Donovan wants nearly as much. Adams has been amazing though, he's probably been better overall than Serge.

I agree Adams is real solid and brings great energy. He's more of a ~20-25mpg player though? If you're consistently relying on him or closing games with him, it's not going to move the needle much.

It seems OKC doesn't have enough versatility in their frontcourt. Adams, Kanter, and Ibaka are all specialty guys, good in certain situations but don't match up well in others. You could say the same about their wings tbh, minus KD/WB. Donovan has his work cut out for him, his rotations have been questionable imo.

Adams and Ibaka have the ability to be 2 way guys (I'd say Adams more so, just because he's improved by leaps and bounds every season, Ibaka's just misused by the coach). Kanter is tough to play late game, Roberson is honestly the best wing other than KD. The rotations have been flat bad, we're all hoping they just trade Kanter this offseason for either cap space or a wing. Heck I'd take back a backup big on a bad contract for him. Adams can handle more minutes, but doesn't get them (same w/ Roberson), it seems like the guys who really work their butts off sit on the bench for it.

[Illmatic12]

Yeah, Donovan just doesn't get it from what I've seen. He also buried Payne on the bench for no reason. Payne has got feel for the game and will make winning plays the more PT he gets, but Donovan pretty much squashed that out for this season.

Presti needs to shop Kanter to anyone who will take his contract. See if the Blazers still want him.

[stevemcqueen1]

They could probably sell high on Kanter because his numbers are good.

[Dark Faze]

felt a ray of hope after tonight tbh

[thricethefun]

KD ain't winning **** in OKC. Come home and play with a real pg