Around the NBA: 2021-22 Season Thread

[MrDollarBills]

These KD narratives are honestly the dumbest thing in the world. Everyone complains about Stephen A and First Take and that type of media. That's basically what dominates 95% of NBA discussion. Very weird stuff.

Look at how LBJ and Curry performed when their supporting casts weren't healthy. Basketball is a team game. The whole organization top to bottom matters.

KD is the one that

1) doesn't want to be coached by someone who knows what they're doing, he thinks that coaches should just be "personality managers". That personality manager got him embarrassed by the Celtics in one of the worst meltdowns I've ever seen from a superstar player.

2) doesn't want to play in a team oriented system

3) runs cover for Kyrie when it is obvious that Kyrie isn't all in.

KD is getting dragged right now and a lot of it is his own doing. Instead of embracing the Nets team oriented culture built before he came here, buying in to an analytical driven system and accepting coaching, he and Kyrie tore everything apart to get what they wanted and the best that has come out of it is a 2nd round exit and a 1st round sweep.

He's not the cause of all of our problems. I blame Marks for doing a poor job of building a balanced roster, hiring Nash, and Kyrie for the absolute dysfunction that has occurred, but KD doesn't get a pass.

[MrDollarBills]

Getting swept by Boston has me so triggered. I'm not gonna lie to yall. I'm probably going to be full of vitriol until free agency/draft time resets my attitude.

But...at least they didn't win the championship

[MGrand15]

Getting swept by Boston has me so triggered. I'm not gonna lie to yall. I'm probably going to be full of vitriol until free agency/draft time resets my attitude.

But...at least they didn't win the championship

You got all summer to let the hate out - after that we need you back

[MrDollarBills]

Getting swept by Boston has me so triggered. I'm not gonna lie to yall. I'm probably going to be full of vitriol until free agency/draft time resets my attitude.

But...at least they didn't win the championship

You got all summer to let the hate out - after that we need you back

I should be okay by late August.

[Papi_swav]

Steph Curry is GOATed

[gigantes]

Personally, I favor the Jays battling Giannis & crew for the East across the next few seasons.

Specifically-- the Celts stars in particular are ~25yo, not even in their primes, and like we just saw, if their ball-handling abilities become even *average*, then that probably would have been their title right there, Dubs or not.

At the same time, the ability for Kerr / GS to beautifully integrate Wiggins, Poole, Looney, etc is pretty-much off the charts IMO. I fear this really could be GSW v2, going forward...

[GTR11]

Read on Twitter

?s=20&t=5xvZ_gOSmyleEPWjuVhS6A

[GTR11]

RJ is 100% correct here. Players around the league definitely will be talking ish to KD. Let's see what he made of now. Ball on his side of the court now, sup KD what you going to do.

Read on Twitter

?s=20&t=AYKYiyhG3XfE1l8gfQofzg

[Gooner]

Yep. KD is mentally weak, Kyrie could care less.

Warriors winning another title is a reality check for KD. He won the championship with the Warriors, but he is not a part of their championship core. He has no business walking around talking about championship habits until he wins one as a fundamental part of the team.

The fact that he always defends himself on twitter shows that he doesn't really get it. He believes that Curry gets too much credit at his expense, and I don't think he was too far away from saying something disrespectful about him on twitter few days ago. What he doesn't understand is that nobody is questioning his skillset. It's his championship pedigree that's being questioned. Whether KD likes it or not, he is still unproven in that regard. That's what puts Steph ahead of him, but he thinks he is superior because he is a better iso player. That's his mentality.

You have my curiosity here. What did he say?

He basically said that it's not just about how good you are as a player, you also have to sell yourself to the media to get credit for your performances. He also talked about leadership qualities being something that's made up by the media for players they like. To me, those were thinly veiled shots at Curry, implying that he sells his personality to the media and that he isn't really a leader. It wouldn't be the first time that he disrespected him and the Warriors.

[Gooner]

These KD narratives are honestly the dumbest thing in the world. Everyone complains about Stephen A and First Take and that type of media. That's basically what dominates 95% of NBA discussion. Very weird stuff.

Look at how LBJ and Curry performed when their supporting casts weren't healthy. Basketball is a team game. The whole organization top to bottom matters.

KD is the one that

1) doesn't want to be coached by someone who knows what they're doing, he thinks that coaches should just be "personality managers". That personality manager got him embarrassed by the Celtics in one of the worst meltdowns I've ever seen from a superstar player.

2) doesn't want to play in a team oriented system

3) runs cover for Kyrie when it is obvious that Kyrie isn't all in.

KD is getting dragged right now and a lot of it is his own doing. Instead of embracing the Nets team oriented culture built before he came here, buying in to an analytical driven system and accepting coaching, he and Kyrie tore everything apart to get what they wanted and the best that has come out of it is a 2nd round exit and a 1st round sweep.

He's not the cause of all of our problems. I blame Marks for doing a poor job of building a balanced roster, hiring Nash, and Kyrie for the absolute dysfunction that has occurred, but KD doesn't get a pass.

Problem with KD is that his experience with Golden State made him think winning championships is easy, because he jumped on a team that was already built. That's why he started tearing down the Nets culture as soon as he came. First he demanded Atkinson to get fired before he even played a single minute for him, citing "lack of championship habits". Didn't even let him finish the season. What did he do next? Brought his buddy Steve Nash because he didn't want a real coach standing in his way.

Not to mention forcing DeAndre Jordan into the starting lineup over Jarett Allen, totally undeserved. Then he traded Allen and LeVert for James Harden, creating a new super team. That didn't work out either. It's not easy to build championship habits.

[GTR11]

I literally teared up from this vid. Yo Dray keep it 100

https://youtube.com/shorts/ZCgNGbcA1lE?feature=share

[Shark]

Warriors winning another title is a reality check for KD. He won the championship with the Warriors, but he is not a part of their championship core. He has no business walking around talking about championship habits until he wins one as a fundamental part of the team.

The fact that he always defends himself on twitter shows that he doesn't really get it. He believes that Curry gets too much credit at his expense, and I don't think he was too far away from saying something disrespectful about him on twitter few days ago. What he doesn't understand is that nobody is questioning his skillset. It's his championship pedigree that's being questioned. Whether KD likes it or not, he is still unproven in that regard. That's what puts Steph ahead of him, but he thinks he is superior because he is a better iso player. That's his mentality.

You have my curiosity here. What did he say?

He basically said that it's not just about how good you are as a player, you also have to sell yourself to the media to get credit for your performances. He also talked about leadership qualities being something that's made up by the media for players they like. To me, those were thinly veiled shots at Curry, implying that he sells his personality to the media and that he isn't really a leader. It wouldn't be the first time that he disrespected him and the Warriors.

KD gets in his feelings way too easily and the sad thing is he isn't using that to motivate himself and is instead blaming everything and everyone else for his failures this season.

Selling yourself to the media to get credit for your performances? I mean, sure, to an extent you do, but actually performing well goes a long way. I wonder if he would have said this last postseason when the media were singing his praises. He's had a prickly relationship with the media for a long time and yet he still got his credit for his performance against the Bucks last postseason.

[MrDollarBills]

KD has the nerve to talk about champion habits not being here under Atkinson. When have we displayed championship habits under Nash?

Kyrie doesn't show up for work routinely and KD is cool with it.

The team is underprepared every night and completely lost defensively.

The offense is an embarrassment and probably the worst I've seen at the NBA level. No secondary actions, no backdoor cuts, nothing to free up shooters. Most shots Mills and Curry took last season were contested. It's all stand around and watch KD and Kyrie take contested mid range Js. That's not championship basketball.

The worst part about all of this is that we're screwed because Marks gave up all of our picks for a guy who didn't want to be here.

[MGrand15]

These KD narratives are honestly the dumbest thing in the world. Everyone complains about Stephen A and First Take and that type of media. That's basically what dominates 95% of NBA discussion. Very weird stuff.

Look at how LBJ and Curry performed when their supporting casts weren't healthy. Basketball is a team game. The whole organization top to bottom matters.

KD is the one that

1) doesn't want to be coached by someone who knows what they're doing, he thinks that coaches should just be "personality managers". That personality manager got him embarrassed by the Celtics in one of the worst meltdowns I've ever seen from a superstar player.

2) doesn't want to play in a team oriented system

3) runs cover for Kyrie when it is obvious that Kyrie isn't all in.

KD is getting dragged right now and a lot of it is his own doing. Instead of embracing the Nets team oriented culture built before he came here, buying in to an analytical driven system and accepting coaching, he and Kyrie tore everything apart to get what they wanted and the best that has come out of it is a 2nd round exit and a 1st round sweep.

He's not the cause of all of our problems. I blame Marks for doing a poor job of building a balanced roster, hiring Nash, and Kyrie for the absolute dysfunction that has occurred, but KD doesn't get a pass.

Problem with KD is that his experience with Golden State made him think winning championships is easy, because he jumped on a team that was already built. That's why he started tearing down the Nets culture as soon as he came. First he demanded Atkinson to get fired before he even played a single minute for him, citing "lack of championship habits". Didn't even let him finish the season. What did he do next? Brought his buddy Steve Nash because he didn't want a real coach standing in his way.

Not to mention forcing DeAndre Jordan into the starting lineup over Jarett Allen, totally undeserved. Then he traded Allen and LeVert for James Harden, creating a new super team. That didn't work out either. It's not easy to build championship habits.

I'm sorry man but this is the type of silliness I'm talking about. KD went to the WCF 3 times and to the Finals once before he signed with Golden State. Then he won 2 chips and blew out his Achilles trying to win a 3rd in a row. You seriously think his opinion on a teams habits aren't valid? Even those Golden State teams got pushed - why would he think winning a chip is easy?

KD was literally rehabbing when Kenny got fired. Kyrie was MIA when it happened. Fair or unfair, Kenny lost the locker room. It's fun to think KD was the puppet master behind the scenes but the core players who were complaining and playing with no effort are way more to blame. KD had a big voice but Kenny had felt he lost the team and was struggling with Kyrie and the vets long before KD said anything.

Nash has a KD connection but by all accounts, that's a Marks hire. I don't understand where this other noise is coming from. Now KD is catching heat for not demanding they fire Nash.

The idea that KD traded LeVert/Allen for Harden is hilarious. The whole plan Marks executed banked on maintaining the flexibility to trade for a third star. What was KD supposed to do?

As a Net, all KD has done is play his heart out, take the young players under his wing, defend his teammates and coach, and play whatever brand of ball is required to win. Whether that's taking 40 shots or taking 12 while Harden dominated the ball. Or playing with zero spacing. Or playing center. Or guarding the best player on the other team. Or playing 46 minutes a game. Not one complaint from the guy.

I'm sure it seems like I'm a fan boy or something but ON THE COURT - this guy has been an MVP in everyway. Publicly, he's said all the right things including talking about dying on the court for the team. How much he loves the organization. I still remember when he took our G League and smacked Philly on their home court. Or that 49 point triple double against Milwaukee. A lot of these knocks are based on fiction or expecting KD to throw Marks/Kyrie/Nash under the bus. Not fair IMO.

[Eatgreenz]

KD is the one that

1) doesn't want to be coached by someone who knows what they're doing, he thinks that coaches should just be "personality managers". That personality manager got him embarrassed by the Celtics in one of the worst meltdowns I've ever seen from a superstar player.

2) doesn't want to play in a team oriented system

3) runs cover for Kyrie when it is obvious that Kyrie isn't all in.

KD is getting dragged right now and a lot of it is his own doing. Instead of embracing the Nets team oriented culture built before he came here, buying in to an analytical driven system and accepting coaching, he and Kyrie tore everything apart to get what they wanted and the best that has come out of it is a 2nd round exit and a 1st round sweep.

He's not the cause of all of our problems. I blame Marks for doing a poor job of building a balanced roster, hiring Nash, and Kyrie for the absolute dysfunction that has occurred, but KD doesn't get a pass.

Problem with KD is that his experience with Golden State made him think winning championships is easy, because he jumped on a team that was already built. That's why he started tearing down the Nets culture as soon as he came. First he demanded Atkinson to get fired before he even played a single minute for him, citing "lack of championship habits". Didn't even let him finish the season. What did he do next? Brought his buddy Steve Nash because he didn't want a real coach standing in his way.

Not to mention forcing DeAndre Jordan into the starting lineup over Jarett Allen, totally undeserved. Then he traded Allen and LeVert for James Harden, creating a new super team. That didn't work out either. It's not easy to build championship habits.

I'm sorry man but this is the type of silliness I'm talking about. KD went to the WCF 3 times and to the Finals once before he signed with Golden State. Then he won 2 chips and blew out his Achilles trying to win a 3rd in a row. You seriously think his opinion on a teams habits aren't valid? Even those Golden State teams got pushed - why would he think winning a chip is easy?

KD was literally rehabbing when Kenny got fired. Kyrie was MIA when it happened. Fair or unfair, Kenny lost the locker room. It's fun to think KD was the puppet master behind the scenes but the core players who were complaining and playing with no effort are way more to blame. KD had a big voice but Kenny had felt he lost the team and was struggling with Kyrie and the vets long before KD said anything.

Nash has a KD connection but by all accounts, that's a Marks hire. I don't understand where this other noise is coming from. Now KD is catching heat for not demanding they fire Nash.

The idea that KD traded LeVert/Allen for Harden is hilarious. The whole plan Marks executed banked on maintaining the flexibility to trade for a third star. What was KD supposed to do?

As a Net, all KD has done is play his heart out, take the young players under his wing, defend his teammates and coach, and play whatever brand of ball is required to win. Whether that's taking 40 shots or taking 12 while Harden dominated the ball. Or playing with zero spacing. Or playing center. Or guarding the best player on the other team. Or playing 46 minutes a game. Not one complaint from the guy.

I'm sure it seems like I'm a fan boy or something but ON THE COURT - this guy has been an MVP in everyway. Publicly, he's said all the right things including talking about dying on the court for the team. How much he loves the organization. I still remember when he took our G League and smacked Philly on their home court. Or that 49 point triple double against Milwaukee. A lot of these knocks are based on fiction or expecting KD to throw Marks/Kyrie/Nash under the bus. Not fair IMO.

Yea this KD slander is crazy the guy is hooper straight out and never complains or gives excuses or throws ppl under the bus. Warriors winning and them throwing shots his way will be extra motivation. Fellas get ready for a season to remember next year. Firing Nash would solidfy it but will see what we do in the offseason.

[gigantes]

Problem with KD is that his experience with Golden State made him think winning championships is easy, because he jumped on a team that was already built. That's why he started tearing down the Nets culture as soon as he came. First he demanded Atkinson to get fired before he even played a single minute for him, citing "lack of championship habits". Didn't even let him finish the season. What did he do next? Brought his buddy Steve Nash because he didn't want a real coach standing in his way.

Not to mention forcing DeAndre Jordan into the starting lineup over Jarett Allen, totally undeserved. Then he traded Allen and LeVert for James Harden, creating a new super team. That didn't work out either. It's not easy to build championship habits.

I'm sorry man but this is the type of silliness I'm talking about. KD went to the WCF 3 times and to the Finals once before he signed with Golden State. Then he won 2 chips and blew out his Achilles trying to win a 3rd in a row. You seriously think his opinion on a teams habits aren't valid? Even those Golden State teams got pushed - why would he think winning a chip is easy?

KD was literally rehabbing when Kenny got fired. Kyrie was MIA when it happened. Fair or unfair, Kenny lost the locker room. It's fun to think KD was the puppet master behind the scenes but the core players who were complaining and playing with no effort are way more to blame. KD had a big voice but Kenny had felt he lost the team and was struggling with Kyrie and the vets long before KD said anything.

Nash has a KD connection but by all accounts, that's a Marks hire. I don't understand where this other noise is coming from. Now KD is catching heat for not demanding they fire Nash.

The idea that KD traded LeVert/Allen for Harden is hilarious. The whole plan Marks executed banked on maintaining the flexibility to trade for a third star. What was KD supposed to do?

As a Net, all KD has done is play his heart out, take the young players under his wing, defend his teammates and coach, and play whatever brand of ball is required to win. Whether that's taking 40 shots or taking 12 while Harden dominated the ball. Or playing with zero spacing. Or playing center. Or guarding the best player on the other team. Or playing 46 minutes a game. Not one complaint from the guy.

I'm sure it seems like I'm a fan boy or something but ON THE COURT - this guy has been an MVP in everyway. Publicly, he's said all the right things including talking about dying on the court for the team. How much he loves the organization. I still remember when he took our G League and smacked Philly on their home court. Or that 49 point triple double against Milwaukee. A lot of these knocks are based on fiction or expecting KD to throw Marks/Kyrie/Nash under the bus. Not fair IMO.

Yea this KD slander is crazy the guy is hooper straight out and never complains or gives excuses or throws ppl under the bus. Warriors winning and them throwing shots his way will be extra motivation. Fellas get ready for a season to remember next year. Firing Nash would solidfy it but will see what we do in the offseason.

The problem with so much of this narrative & speculation is that it's basically just people slamming their belief systems against each other, getting heated at nothing.

KD firing Kenny, Joe firing Kenny, Kenny lost the locker room, KD supervising trades, KD&KI marking a line in the sand about 'championship habits'

It's all just smoke, hot air & fan speculation to me without the facts & reality to back it up, and for the vast majority of that shizzle, all we really had was writer speculation in the first place.

That said, IMO there've been many recent, solid arguments made in our sub about how KD is demonstrably letting the Nets down in various ways, even amidst his physical renaissance. Undoubtedly #1 to my mind is in KD giving his best friend a pass to functionally bail on the Nets multiple times across the past two seasons.

Also, the argument that KD necessarily knows 'championships habits' from his OKC days, and even his GS days, his highly-flawed to me. Indeed, his GS days are notorious for the team-concept Dubs having to adapt their system to his gun-for-hire style, and not the reverse. Even though KD *specifically* stated he was jumping ship because of his admiration for GS's unselfish, versatile team system. Yeap.

Much lesser of concern to me is Durant's vapid, self-absorbed inability to ever understand why NBA fans gave him so many raspberries for the OKC->GS move, as is much of his Twitter activity, which frequently teeters on the edge of wounded ego, punctuated by some good zingers here and there. Point is-- I often still ask myself "what particular BUBBLE is this guy living in, anyway...?"

[Stone]

KD has the nerve to talk about champion habits not being here under Atkinson. When have we displayed championship habits under Nash?

Kyrie doesn't show up for work routinely and KD is cool with it.

The team is underprepared every night and completely lost defensively.

The offense is an embarrassment and probably the worst I've seen at the NBA level. No secondary actions, no backdoor cuts, nothing to free up shooters. Most shots Mills and Curry took last season were contested. It's all stand around and watch KD and Kyrie take contested mid range Js. That's not championship basketball.

The worst part about all of this is that we're screwed because Marks gave up all of our picks for a guy who didn't want to be here.

I agree......Unchecked Ego's and championship habits don't mix well. You could have big ego players like the Splash brothers and make it work if they are willing to put the team first.

If we are going to turn the ship around it has to start at the top with Marks. He has to set the tone and hold people accountable.

[gigantes]

Looks like Kenny just changed his mind about his verbal agreement with Michael Jordan to coach the Hornets next season. I don't imagine Michael is extra-fun to be around right now.

If I understand correctly, with the departure of Mike Brown, Kenny's now the lead asst with the Dubs. Not to mention, Kerr's ongoing health & stress-levels means that maybe there's going to be a better opportunity, sooner rather than later.

Now did Marks ever call Kenny a 'championship coach'...?
Because obviously, he was right.

[GTR11]

I know i hurt some fans feelings here and brought facts along to back it up. But to still run around and saying false narrative is beyond laughable. It's getting into Syndrome level, not to start anything I'll call it Kyrie or Trump Syndrome.

Who fired Kenny again? Who he spoke to and used their advice? Who leaders in thot locker?

You can call Marks soft or malable, that will be justified. But to run around and spread misinformation ... i mean c'mon now.

[Hello Brooklyn]

Noise about KD has never been louder. This GSW Championship has his standing in NBA history lower than it has ever been.

Question is does KD care?

Will KD look at this as like a Kobe-Shaq situation? Or does he just fold and ease into retirement. No idea.

I have to think KD has that competitive fire to win again. Somewhere Kyrie has it too.

Give them and Simmons a full season together. Nobody is better than us talent wise. Its about all the other things.