Pretty gutless move, IMO worse than LeBron's Decision, but it's easy to say that as a fan. If you're KD and you haven't won shit since you came into the league (and got smashed by LeBron's Heatles 4-1 in the 2012 Finals along the way), I guess that really wears you down. GSW has to be the runaway favorites to win it all in 2017 unless we see another superteam form this summer.

Also...

https://twitter.com/andre/status/749997267659128833

 

how could this possibly be worse than Lebron's decision?

he stayed 2 years longer with original team, no "decision" press conference.

i'm biased because i'm a Sonics fan, and I just want to see the thunder suffer, but man he gave them 9 years (lebron stayed 7 w/ Cleveland before miami).

As an NBA fan really i'm just excited to watch them play

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To join the team that beat you in the WCF when you were up 3-1? Come on, man. KD is definitely the villain of the NBA now. LeBron was an idiot with The Decision, but at least he didn't join a team that was already a championship contender and he donated all the proceeds from The Decision to charity.

 
Best Response
  1. Steph 2. Klay 3. KD 4. Draymond 5. Bogut 6. Iggy

I heard LeBron woke up with bedsweats and a puddle around his ass. When the news officially dropped, he went straight to his library and prayed for three hours. It's not only that the Cavs will struggle to beat an even tougher Warriors team, LeBron will now be frustrated that his Cavs team will no longer be viewed as the most dominant team even AFTER winning the title. LeBron now goes back to doubters and everyone questioning his and the Cav's ability. Unfortunately, the speculation that the Cavs are not the greatest team, is probably true.

The Warriors' two best players shot horribly in that last game. Their big man, Bogut was absent due to injury. You're not going to get another opportunity like that. Steph shot 400 three pointers and had one of the highest shooting percentages from the field and free throw in the regular season. But, he only shot 6/17 (4 of 14 from three point), 2 assts, 1 FT, and just 17 points in the final game. Yet, Cavs still only managed a 4 point advantage in what amounted to a very close game, right down to the wire.

GS was 73-9 with their small lineup and revolutionary offense. Every team should be scared because Durant is now a huge piece to that puzzle. How do you even defend guys shooting from 30 ft with the incredible threat of KD swooping down the lane? Then to have to do this for 48 minutes, I would be tired keeping up with this team after 30. We should be apologizing and admitting we're wrong about LeBron? No, he should be telling us how he will adjust and win a title for another year in a row.

EDIT: Bogut is going to the Mavs.

 

The Cavs outplayed them. Curry choked and he wasn't as good in the playoffs as in the regular season. It is so unfair to discount the Cavs victory because Bogut (who plays like 10 mins max) was for a few games when Krye and Love essentially missed the ENTIRE SERIES last year.

LeBron left Cleveland and it was a dump. The Thunder will still be a playoff team last year with Westbrook, Kanter, Adams, Oladipo, Waiters, etc. They are a good organization.

Furthermore, Durant choked versus GSW and should have been them. He choked, lost and joined a SEVENTY THREE WIN team. This is worse than if LeBron went to the Celtics. This is worse than if Shaq went to the bulls.

Kevin Durant is took the easy way out. His legacy is nonexistant. Even more, Curry's is as well. He choked in two consecutive finals. Neither deserve to EVER, EVER be in discussion for a top 10 player all time list.

 

LeBron is a known choke artist. He's only recently become better (not good) in the most crucial times. Don't forget it was Kyrie who saved the day. I will admit that LeBron has proven he's worth more than I previously thought (multiple 40+ pt games in the finals, having the foresight to pick a wining team, etc.). But, I can't believe we're forgetting what LeBron has gone through to get to this point. KD and Steph are both coming up right now and I think it's too early to kill their chances for a lasting legacy at this point.

 

I was honestly hoping to see KD go to the Knicks. I feel like that would give Knicks a pretty balanced line up (in comparison to this new GSW), and add another contender for the championship next year.

Call me crazy, but I don't think GSW will be as dominant as everybody thinks next year. I feel like this is one of those moves that looks amazing on paper, but for some reason, won't work out as well as everyone is picturing.

 
WSOreader375:

I agree 100%. Not enough balls on the court for that many scorers. It'll be a Shaq/Kobe situation.

So like in 2001 my Sixers will get carried to the Finals on the back of one player (formerly AI, now Ben Simmons), somehow steal the first game in the series, away, then get trounced in the next four games and remind Philly fans that all we know if heartache? Shaq/Kobe was pretty much a dynasty that Phil Jackson masterfully managed.

 

There is only one ball. At best, this helps insulate the GSW from an injury. At worst, they regress because KD messes up their team chemistry. As good as the splash bros. were, GSW's bench is what got them so many wins, as they played great as a second unit. Adding a volume shooter to the starting lineup in place of Barnes/Iggy won't move the needle much.

 

Durant is not a volume shooter. Volume shooter indicates he scores a lot of points on a lot of shots, but inefficiently. KD is one of the few players who can score as efficiently as Steph. He's better than Barnes at EVERYTHING. That fact alone should make them a lot better, on paper atleast.

 

a lot of people calling him gutless (likely the same people that called Messi gutless after he temporarily quit to diffuse the situation), well 99.99% of the population will never be close to being in the situation he is/was in.

one thing to consider is the pressure he was feeling - he's 30, no rings, hasn't lived up to the hype (best athlete in the US w/out a championship?), the realization that his best years will soon be behind him...... i can understand why he would want to make this move. maybe he just has this huge fear that he wont ever get a ring and by going to GS he increases his chances exponentially of obtaining one.

then once he does, he can leave after two years and try to win more with a team that isn't loaded with stars, and he carries a team on his back and goes on to win one (or more) on his own.

one the other hand, one could argue he basically just entered the cheat code to override the game / win a championship (though these ultra-stacked teams are a trend that isn't going away), AND he went to the team that just beat him in the playoffs....

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AndyLouis:
one thing to consider is the pressure he was feeling - he's 30, no rings, hasn't lived up to the hype (best athlete in the US w/out a championship?), the realization that his best years will soon be behind him......
I certainly would NOT say he hasn't lived up to the hype. He's insanely good. Someone like a Jamarcus Russell or Ryan Leaf is someone who didn't live up to the hype.
AndyLouis:

a lot of people calling him gutless (likely the same people that called Messi gutless after he temporarily quit to diffuse the situation)

I kind of doubt they are the same people. I have only vaguely even heard of Messi, probably like the overwhelming majority of Americans (especially over 30-40).
AndyLouis:

i can understand why he would want to make this move. maybe he just has this huge fear that he wont ever get a ring and by going to GS he increases his chances exponentially of obtaining one.

then once he does, he can leave after two years and try to win more with a team that isn't loaded with stars, and he carries a team on his back and goes on to win one (or more) on his own.

one the other hand, one could argue he basically just entered the cheat code to override the game / win a championship (though these ultra-stacked teams are a trend that isn't going away), AND he went to the team that just beat him in the playoffs....

I kind of understand it as well, I just don't like it. Imagine if Larry Bird joined the Lakers or Magic Johnson joined the Celtics, it just feels a little wrong. I really hope KD ends his career in OKC.
 

I don't know what to make of the decision. As a Warriors fan I am excited to see how he meshes but at the same time I think that this decision is bad for the level of competition in the NBA.

At least KD didn't broadcast his decision on live TV...

 

On winning championship with Warriors:

Kevin Durant is competitive and he wants to win championship. He chose a situation where he will get his shots and can focus on scoring (since Warriors don't play a lot of D anyways). Unfortunately, Warriors just lack a big man, so the problem remains and Warriors are not guaranteed to win any championship going forward. Too much will rely on The Splash Trio (just made it up) heating up every game.

On good or bad for the NBA:

NBA has changed. Nowadays players are not choosing new team for fit, but choosing for chances of being part of a super team so that he can win it all.

I don't find it as enjoyable as back in the 2000s. Case in point: Kyrie Irving, Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, or James Harden dribbling for 20 seconds out of the 24 is not team basketball and three of these four play point guards. Ball movement is definitely less of an emphasis nowadays, which makes most games look like four guys watching one guy play.

I miss the old days where guys played as a team: Sacramento Kings with Bibby, Christine, Peja, Webber, and Divac; Phoenix Suns with Nash, Joe Johnson, Q. Richardson, Marion, and Amare; Detroit Pistons with Billups, Hamilton, Prince, and the 2 Wallaces.

 

Lol Durant a "volume shooter"? Warriors don't play D? alot of ppl on this thread need to just not comment. It's clear they don't watch b-ball. Durant was 50% from the field last yr and is 48% for his career, he is one of the most efficient high-scorong wing players in NBA history. The warriors are great B/C when they don't hit their normal amt of threes they have one of the best defenses in the league, they ranked 4th in defensive efficiency last yr according to John Hollinger. With that said, this is much worse than LBJ. Simply for the fact that a.) LBJ was the guaranteed MVP/ best player on the Heat, we don't know that with KD/ GSW and b.) GSW is an alrdy established 73 win two time finalist team, they were the favorites w/o Durant, the Heat were first Rd knockouts before LeBron. Even with only Bosh they'd not have been Eastern conference favorites

p.s. GS was #1 in def efficiency 2014-2015 season and #3 the yr before that

Array
 

Really the only comment in this thread I fully agree with. The only possible Lebron comparison to this would have been if he went to the Celtics after 2008 with Pierce, KG and Ray Allen - the Miami team he went to was relatively mediocre. Also, from a superteam perspective - yes its been done before with big 3s, but this is the first time a big 4 has been assembled (through acquisition anyways) and the first time its been done with the 2 reigning MVPs (let alone supplemented by another 2 all-stars)

To the guy who was saying Lebron is a choke artist - by now, this is a purely apocryphal statement and has been empirically shown time and time again that his clutch performances are comparable if not better than MJ / Kobe (though I never understood Kobe as the bellweather as he is the most overrated player in NBA history).

Although I find the argument that number of championships is the number one indicator for determining who is the GOAT, I look forward to hearing the Lebron haters' explanation for, ipso facto, why Steph Curry is better than Lebron. Basketball is such a high volume sport that luck is by and large removed over a 7 game series - the fact Curry was off for so many reps can't be luck related; he choked plain and simple.

 
Punchey:

Really the only comment in this thread I fully agree with. The only possible Lebron comparison to this would have been if he went to the Celtics after 2008 with Pierce, KG and Ray Allen - the Miami team he went to was relatively mediocre. Also, from a superteam perspective - yes its been done before with big 3s, but this is the first time a big 4 has been assembled (through acquisition anyways) and the first time its been done with the 2 reigning MVPs (let alone supplemented by another 2 all-stars)

To the guy who was saying Lebron is a choke artist - by now, this is a purely apocryphal statement and has been empirically shown time and time again that his clutch performances are comparable if not better than MJ / Kobe (though I never understood Kobe as the bellweather as he is the most overrated player in NBA history).

Although I find the argument that number of championships is the number one indicator for determining who is the GOAT, I look forward to hearing the Lebron haters' explanation for, ipso facto, why Steph Curry is better than Lebron. Basketball is such a high volume sport that luck is by and large removed over a 7 game series - the fact Curry was off for so many reps can't be luck related; he choked plain and simple.

You realize Curry was hurt right? MCL sprains take minimum 6 weeks to heal. He came back after 12 days or something to make sure they kill off the Portland series. He also had his shoulder wrapped after every playoff game down the stretch. His lateral agility (what MCL's structurally allow the body to perform) was totally shot. If youre body's fucked up you aren't going to play well. Kudos to him for even being out there. By the end of the year his body was roasted.

One positive thing about the KD shooting is that they can give a lot more rest to their players during the season. Not sure if they pursue 73 wins again - dpends on how they start the season off - but if not they could realistically give each of their starters 10-15 games off entirely and still be the number 1 seed. Or limit player minutes to 28 a game. Pop is great at doing this in San Antonio. I think Golden St played their starters in a lot of garbage time minutes last season when they were killing teams which is stupid. They'd be up by 20+ with 4 minutes to go with Curry et al on the floor, which is totally pointless with the bench they had. All they have to do is make sure they stay ahead of San Antonio in the standings next year. 63 wins is probably the #1 seed next year.

 

I'm pretty torn on the whole thing. On one hand, it's blatant ring chasing. For all the shit LeBron got for joining his competition instead of beating them in Miami, Durant's move is infinitely worse. He just ran off to one of the best two teams in the league after he blew a 3-1 lead to them in the semis. Durant and his 3-1 lead blowing should fit in well with Golden State at least.

On the other, we as fans give athletes so much shit for being all about the money and not really caring about titles, so it's refreshing to see a star make a move that was 100% about titles. (Or 90%. SF from OKC is a huge upgrade).

The problem basketball has is that we can probably predict the playoff semifinals now and we can almost certainly just pencil in GS/CLE round 3 for the finals. What is the point of the season then? What's the point of the beginning of the playoffs?

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CRE:

I'm pretty torn on the whole thing. On one hand, it's blatant ring chasing. For all the shit LeBron got for joining his competition instead of beating them in Miami, Durant's move is infinitely worse. He just ran off to one of the best two teams in the league after he blew a 3-1 lead to them in the semis. Durant and his 3-1 lead blowing should fit in well with Golden State at least.

On the other, we as fans give athletes so much shit for being all about the money and not really caring about titles, so it's refreshing to see a star make a move that was 100% about titles. (Or 90%. SF from OKC is a huge upgrade).

The problem basketball has is that we can probably predict the playoff semifinals now and we can almost certainly just pencil in GS/CLE round 3 for the finals. What is the point of the season then? What's the point of the beginning of the playoffs?

I'm a big fan of the NBA too. But I disagree here. If anything the league is more competitive than back in the days. The Lakers and Knicks were never both at the bottom before now. With players more willing to jump teams to follow success, you never know what's going to happen. And I respect that players are not as superficial with big chains and houses, chasing big cities like NY or LA. Besides, the league, or any sports league for that matter, has really been that much of a throw up for good teams. In the history of the 66 NBA Championships, LAL and Boston, just two teams out of a league of thirty-two, combine for a total of 50% of titles. And if you remember the last time the league was really hot, the Bulls and Pistons were trading blows constantly with teams like the Lakers. Notably, Bulls-Pistons was the ticket in the Eastern Conference Finals from 89-91.

 
iBankedUp:
I'm a big fan of the NBA too. But I disagree here. If anything the league is more competitive than back in the days. The Lakers and Knicks were never both at the bottom before now. With players more willing to jump teams to follow success, you never know what's going to happen.

Just because the dominant teams are different teams (i.e. not LA or Boston or NYC) doesn't mean it's more competitive. You still have less than a handful of teams that can win it, a few more that will be good, and everyone else.

iBankedUp:
And I respect that players are not as superficial with big chains and houses, chasing big cities like NY or LA.

I think that's far more about changing style and the evolving economy. Big chains and houses have been replaced by skinny pants and odd colored shirts and houses. Players are no less flamboyant in attire or other purchasables - the style has just changed (no one wears baggy pants and chains anymore)

iBankedUp:
Besides, the league, or any sports league for that matter, has really been that much of a throw up for good teams. In the history of the 66 NBA Championships, LAL and Boston, just two teams out of a league of thirty-two, combine for a total of 50% of titles. And if you remember the last time the league was really hot, the Bulls and Pistons were trading blows constantly with teams like the Lakers. Notably, Bulls-Pistons was the ticket in the Eastern Conference Finals from 89-91.

Again, just because the dominant teams have different logos than in the past doesn't mean it's more competitive. The NBA will never have that "any given Sunday" feel of the NFL. It will never have the "underdog that can make it all the way" like the NHL or MLB.

That's not to say the NBA is bad or anything - it's obviously increasing in popularity rapidly - but it makes the length of the season and the playoffs a bit odd. Would the NBA be worse off competitively if they cut the amount of teams in half? No...not really...

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coreytrevor:

Durant is weak for doing this, and the Warriors are just as bad for even feeling the need to recruit him. They've both disgraced themselves by responding to losing/adversity in this manner.

It wouldn't have mattered if they went 16-0 in the playoffs... If you can go 1992 US Olympic Team on the rest of the league how do you not take it? Any team wants to fill their roster with the best players. The obvious is obvious. Look at European soccer - ex. Real Madrid, Man City. Plus Golden St built a great organization that people want to come to.

Pursuing Durant is the most obvious move in the world. Doesn't mean they automatically win the title though. Injuries happen. Still have to play the games... Regardless, even if one of Curry/Thompson/Green/KD gets hurt they still have the best team and roster in the league so it's a good hedge against stuff you can't control. Think of last year, if Curry isn't injured or Bogut doesn't go down they're easy back-to-back.

 

Plus good for KD. It's America, pursue your best career opportunity regardless of what Joe Blow and all the armchair blokes who've never dribbled a ball think. He gets out of Oklahoma into a great city, Silicon Valley, great weather, people he might like better, out of a team that had maybe 15% max of winning the title anyway. Plus he's intensely likable and supremely humble. Basically the anti-lebron.

 
Cardinal:

This is the reason the NBA has the worst bandwagon fans in all of pro sports. No point rooting for 90% of the teams since they have no shot of winning so people rush to buy the current hot team's jerseys.

American sports follow a very socialist type of competitive structure but it's hard to keep that intact with basketball due to how one player can individually impact the game. Regardless, if you follow the French soccer league you'll know how big of a waste it is when literally one team is competitive. In Spain only 2 sometimes 3 have a shot. Real Madrid is busy trying to stuff each of the starting 11 spots with elite expensive players.

In America, the closest thing was people bitching about the Yankees for all those years with Steinbrenner Sr. in charge. But hey, big market, world-class city, a lot of money, elite teammates, perennial contender, it's just the way it works. Same with Golden St and what they have to offer.

 

Lol the 1st finals just sums up how much the Big Aristotle would've won with any top guard. They won in 5 games with Kobe averaging 16 ppg on 36% fg while Shaq 38 pts and 17 rebs on 61% fg.

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