The Kevin Durant Thread (2016 - 17 Pt. 1)

[The Realist]

I was happy with how things turned out. They boo'd him a fair amount but it didn't feel over the top. Absolutely nothing compared to LeBron's first game in Cleveland after joining the Heat.

Seems strange considering Durant should've received far worse treatment than LeBron did under the respective circumstances.

[Bergmaniac]

D was good.

4-13 when you mostly defend Roberson and Sabonis is nothing to brag about.

[Pillendreher]

Just watches the game. Felt like I wasted space on my dvr though. Didn't think the game would be close just wanted to see the atmosphere in the arena. I don't know why I thought it would be comparable to LeBrons return lol. That deep 3 was nice not exactly team ball but I was hoping to see him go 1 on 1 a little more. KD is a special player he came out and played warriors basketball made 12 fgs but, it's almost like you don't even notice. At least for me personally.

This must have been your first Durant game then because that is the way he has played for his whole career. That is not 'Warriors basketball'. It's his style.

[DoubleO8]

Just watches the game. Felt like I wasted space on my dvr though. Didn't think the game would be close just wanted to see the atmosphere in the arena. I don't know why I thought it would be comparable to LeBrons return lol. That deep 3 was nice not exactly team ball but I was hoping to see him go 1 on 1 a little more. KD is a special player he came out and played warriors basketball made 12 fgs but, it's almost like you don't even notice. At least for me personally.

This must have been your first Durant game then because that is the way he has played for his whole career. That is not 'Warriors basketball'. It's his style.

I'm referring to his work off the ball setting screens not standing around anymore. Even when he has the ball its different no dribbling he's catching the ball in his spot and able attack. All of this without alot of the bs dribbling around on the perimeter. No it's not my first time watching Durant. Thanks for the input though love the assumption. Butt heart Thunder fan? Time heals all wounds fellow.

[Bergmaniac]

Speaking of screens, did he say in that Bill Simmons podcast that he began to learn how to set screens when he came to the Warriors and until then he hadn't bothered with that? Or did I mishear?

[rich316]

Interesting hearing his perspective on the Simmons pod. You get the sense that he doesn't really believe in fans, so to speak - that he doesn't believe that fans have a right to have opinions about him. Most telling quote of the interview to me was when Simmons said he didn't like how Lebron handled The Decision, and Durant said "But you don't matter." Seems like that attitude is becoming more and more common in the league as a whole, or at least less unstated than it used to be. I'm not sure how I feel about it. On a philosophical level he's right, but on a commercial/realistic level he is very wrong.

Kinda cringe-worthy when he starts telling Simmons that he's not allowed to sports-hate Roger Clemens.

[MisterHibachi]

Read on Twitter

Great interview, I don't know how many other stars have interviews this casual. KD really sounded like a fan at times.

Incredible though how Simmons doesn't realize how hypocritical he sounded while comparing the LeBron/KD moves.

[rich316]

Read on Twitter

Great interview, I don't know how many other stars have interviews this casual. KD really sounded like a fan at times.

Incredible though how Simmons doesn't realize how hypocritical he sounded while comparing the LeBron/KD moves.

Oh I'm sure he realizes it - he just needs Durant to like him so that he will keep coming on his show.

[DreDay]

I have no problem with the fans booing please by all means boo the guy...I was talking the disrespect from his former teammates i mean sheesh lol.

KD should continue to embrace it and try to always beat them.

cupcake and his camp have done all the talking, none of the thunder players have said a thing.

Yeah I wonder who started the cupcake thing...definitely wasn't Durant, and who wore a photography shirt pre game...definitely wasn't Durant either. He's actually said nothing about OKC. I don't mind OKC talking **** but it's laughable that some people just think Durant should shut up and take whatever OKC are saying.

[ppedro123]

I was happy with how things turned out. They boo'd him a fair amount but it didn't feel over the top. Absolutely nothing compared to LeBron's first game in Cleveland after joining the Heat.

Seems strange considering Durant should've received far worse treatment than LeBron did under the respective circumstances.

LeBron is a much "bigger" player Thats why

[StepBackCrack]

http://thebiglead.com/2017/02/13/kevin-durant-rubbed-salt-in-thunder-wounds-and-should-feel-great-about-it/
https://theundefeated.com/features/oklahoma-city-thunder-kevin-durant/

[GSP]

Incredible defensive performance specially in the 2nd half so far. No Zaza, West and Draymond ejected. Kings up 50-47 going into 2nd half Demarcus had it going and it looked like their b2b streak could end

Warriors had to change the defensive gameplay on the fly and Durant executed it perfectly. They could barely get the ball into the post in the 3rd, bunch of deflections, steals and turnovers, KD had blocks. Then the whole team was just locked in on defense and they went on a 28-2 run spurred by Kds defense and Klay in the zone on offense plus usual Warriors transition. Really thought they'd fall apart without Draymond VS Cousins

This McCaw guy could be really good for them at some point

http://www.fanragsports.com/nba/warriors/kevin-durant-continues-help-warriors-defense-excel/

Good article seems strange how few media coverage his defense has gotten. With the way they talk you'd think he wasn't by far the 2nd best defender on Warriors and prolly a top 10 defender this season

[DreDay]

Definitely one of his best defensive games of the season. Locking down the perimeter, the post, and was an extremely effective help defender. The Kings couldn't do anything offensively the second half largely because of his presence all over the court.

[Wall34]

KD with another great defensive showing...did a wonderful job on Blake Griffin.

Seems i been talking about that end of the floor more than anything else he has done this season.

[StepBackCrack]

Great game from him tonight.

[bmurph128]

Anyone think KD is concerned about his legacy? I don't think he is...at least not like LeBron..

But if he is, I can see him playing two or three years with the Warriors, winning a title or two, and then heading to New Orleans. Would that recoup his image with most (I know not OKC fans, but curious what others would think)?

And if he did do that and they re-signed Boogie too, they would instantly be the Western Conference favorites IMO. Could see him doing this if being hated and being the villain wears on him - which I can see.

Just thought about this the other day and wanted to post it without making it its own thread.

[Quotatious]

But if he is, I can see him playing two or three years with the Warriors, winning a title or two, and then heading to New Orleans. Would that recoup his image with most (I know not OKC fans, but curious what others would think)?

Crazy thought - what If KD came back to the Thunder after winning a title or two with the Warriors, and led OKC to a title like LeBron returned to Cleveland and won?

[bmurph128]

But if he is, I can see him playing two or three years with the Warriors, winning a title or two, and then heading to New Orleans. Would that recoup his image with most (I know not OKC fans, but curious what others would think)?

Crazy thought - what If KD came back to the Thunder after winning a title or two with the Warriors, and led OKC to a title like LeBron returned to Cleveland and won?

Yea, I thought about that too. And maybe after a few years OKC fans will change.

But I don't see a return for him...not sure why, but I just see the situation differently. Probably because he had no previous ties to the state. But it's more than that too...OKC can build a contender around Westbrook if they get aggressive and have some luck. Heck, this year more than ever sparks a debate as to whose better between RW and KD....that broken relationship probably won't be repaired enough to play together again. If the Cavs had a comparable player to LeBron that he left, I think it would've been harder to come back. Just so happened that almost every player LeBron left on the Cavs ended up out of the league (which shows how bad the talent around him was - but that's another discussion).

That's why the New Orleans situation struck me. But he hasn't played one full season with the Warriors yet, so I know it's premature.

[Wall34]

Anyone think KD is concerned about his legacy? I don't think he is...at least not like LeBron..

But if he is, I can see him playing two or three years with the Warriors, winning a title or two, and then heading to New Orleans. Would that recoup his image with most (I know not OKC fans, but curious what others would think)?

And if he did do that and they re-signed Boogie too, they would instantly be the Western Conference favorites IMO. Could see him doing this if being hated and being the villain wears on him - which I can see.

Just thought about this the other day and wanted to post it without making it its own thread.

He would look better staying with the Warriors or going back to OKC which i don't think he does...I don't see how playing for Nola improves his image at all and if anything it worsens.

[GSP]

Read on Twitter