Durant to Warriors

[Speedy17]

Have you ever lived there? Oakland isn't just Oakland. It is Oakland + San Francisco + Alameda + San Jose + walnut creek et al and the Cali economy is skyrocketing.

You guys can live in denial and believe what you want. He's gone and the state of Oklahoma is why. I also think he was a coward for not girding his loins and getting back to the finals in OKC but as he said there were other nonbasketball factors involved.

Oakland is in such great shape they can't build a stadium for either the Raiders or the A's. Just this year - they had to postpone a A's game because of raw sewage in the dugout of the opposing team. The Raiders are trying their best to get out because there is no hope of a stadium. All happening in the economy that you say is so great. If we are talking SF then I agree but the other side of the bay in Oakland - not a chance.

 

[Larry72]

California is a liberal, politically correct pit with high taxes, terrible roads and schools. Maybe he likes Water and Power rationing. CA companies are moving to Texas every week.

His decision was to win a NBA title period.

 

[Speedy17]

California is a liberal, politically correct pit with high taxes, terrible roads and schools. Maybe he likes Water and Power rationing. CA companies are moving to Texas every week.

His decision was to win a NBA title period.

I hope they get beat just for fun. You try to create a super team - the Warriors have a big problem in next year's free agency because both Curry and Durant may be free agents. A double max at 37M a year and there is only one basketball on the court. Durant's scoring will drop at least 5-7 points a game.

 

[NickZepp]

I hope they get beat just for fun. You try to create a super team - the Warriors have a big problem in next year's free agency because both Curry and Durant may be free agents. A double max at 37M a year and there is only one basketball on the court. Durant's scoring will drop at least 5-7 points a game.

Big 4 for GS may be getting near 100 mil alone.

 

[Big Old Booger]

I'm not a huge NBA fan so I don't follow it much but I do watch OKC when in the playoffs.

That said, to me KD has the exact same game as he had 9 years ago at UT. Can shoot the rock from outside, no back to the basket game, decent ballhandler but struggles vs smaller/shorter players who can cause his high dribble form problems, isn't a great rebounder. So, to me, he will never be "the guy" and he proved it in games 6 and 7 vs GS when he killed us down the stretch. I think the way this worked out OKC is left holding the bag because we weren't able to deal him when he knew he wasn't returning a long time ago.

Long term, I think OKC can be better off without him but attracting a star to OKC is going to be a problem because it doesn't offer that of big markets.

 

[NickZepp]

I think big markets are slightly overrated today. But OKC probably couldn't guarantee keeping both KD and Westbrook after next year. Just too much money going to those 2. Now OKC needs to build around Westbrook and getting a solid guard like Oladipo is a good step. And OKC already has a center that's on his way up. Durant leaving obviously leaves a big hole at the 3.

 

[Stikboy]

California is a liberal, politically correct pit with high taxes, terrible roads and schools. Maybe he likes Water and Power rationing. CA companies are moving to Texas every week.

His decision was to win a NBA title period.

....and then the rational and cogent post.

 

[Eielson]

Lakers are a complete mess right now. Just signed Lou Deng after drafting a 3 who probably needs to play as early and much as possible because he's extremely raw. Got Russell and Clarkson both playing point. sgs are trash and their center is now an average career backup.

My point really had nothing to do with the Lakers. I was simply pointing out that California isn't this perfect attraction for FA's that it was being trumped up to be. If it were just about money, I probably would have gone to the state that doesn't have an income tax (Texas) rather than the state with the highest income tax.

I'll bite, though. The Lakers are far from a mess. With GSW ruling the NBA for the foreseeable future (exception: Durant probably has the option to opt out next year), the place to be right now is with a lot of really young, developing talent. With Russell, Ingram, and Randle, the Lakers are sitting pretty good. The Timberwolves are clearly ahead of them, but unless Philly can unload their overcrowded frontcourt for some backcourt help, I'm not sure anybody else is in a better position.

Deng is a high character mentor that can be the captain of this young team. He'll probably start at the 3, as Randle is more NBA-ready than Ingram, but his best position is probably at 4. He'll play both I'd imagine, and there will be plenty of playing time for all three of them.

Russell and Clarkson have the potential to be a lethal 1-2 combo.

 

[Sooner04]

Deng is a high character mentor that can be the captain of this young team.

What happened to all that African in him?

 

[Big Old Booger]

I think big markets are slightly overrated today. But OKC probably couldn't guarantee keeping both KD and Westbrook after next year. Just too much money going to those 2. Now OKC needs to build around Westbrook and getting a solid guard like Oladipo is a good step. And OKC already has a center that's on his way up. Durant leaving obviously leaves a big hole at the 3.

No thanks. He's gone anyway but if he's not he's too horrible of a shooter and shoots way too much. He can't carry this team as we saw last season when KD was injured.

 

[WTSooner]

1. Okies DID have something to do with the state of this state
2. Economics most certainly had a major role in this as did the sorry state of this state
3. you'd have to be insane to think he didn't have more opportunities in California right now. Their economy is skyrocketing. Let's not be in denial here.
4. OKC better look at trades for Westbrook NOW because he's going to the Lakers as soon as he can. Trade him to Philly for Simmons +.

Why would Philly trade Simmons+ for one year of Westy?

Good grief dude. Go outside and enjoy the 4th. You are just embarrassing yourself in this thread.

 

[Eielson]

What happened to all that African in him?

He only had a little...but not in a bad way.

 

[WTSooner]

I think big markets are slightly overrated today. But OKC probably couldn't guarantee keeping both KD and Westbrook after next year. Just too much money going to those 2. Now OKC needs to build around Westbrook and getting a solid guard like Oladipo is a good step. And OKC already has a center that's on his way up. Durant leaving obviously leaves a big hole at the 3.

lol, couldn't afford them both? Any team can afford two max players. That isn't the problem. The problem is that Westbrook wasn't staying, and Durant knew that. If Westbrook was signed for another 3-4 years, Durant "might" have stayed. But OKC can't build around a guy that is almost certainly gone after next season. That is just silly. Durant leaving does more than just leave a big hole at the 3, it took away one of the two "stars" that the team had. Now they have one. GS has 3-4. CLE has at least 2. I'm guessing 4th place finish at best for OKC this year, and probably 5th or 6th.

And in 2-3 years? Thunder fans will be nearly non-existent.

 

[Big Old Booger]

lol, couldn't afford them both? Any team can afford two max players. That isn't the problem. The problem is that Westbrook wasn't staying, and Durant knew that. If Westbrook was signed for another 3-4 years, Durant "might" have stayed. But OKC can't build around a guy that is almost certainly gone after next season. That is just silly. Durant leaving does more than just leave a big hole at the 3, it took away one of the two "stars" that the team had. Now they have one. GS has 3-4. CLE has at least 2. I'm guessing 4th place finish at best for OKC this year, and probably 5th or 6th.

And in 2-3 years? Thunder fans will be nearly non-existent.

This is my fear. One reason why I was saying they needed to trade RW for a high pick to get Buddy because at least he would keep the local fans coming and I think he will develop into a star in a few years. I acknowledge he has to be a better ball handler and has to be able to create his own shot but he's young and a hard worker.

 

[Eielson]

OKC is the only pro team in Oklahoma, so Thunder fans aren't going anywhere. Presti is one of the best GM's in the league (the Harden trade was still crap, but everybody makes mistakes), so the Thunder will stay as a perennial playoff team. Losing a guy like KD is tough for any franchise to face, so I'm not going to pretend OKC will be back in contention anytime soon, but they'll compete every night. As one of the guys on ESPN said, OKC is still in a more desirable position than about 20 other NBA franchises.

 

[Big Old Booger]

OKC is the only pro team in Oklahoma, so Thunder fans aren't going anywhere. Presti is one of the best GM's in the league (the Harden trade was still crap, but everybody makes mistakes), so the Thunder will stay as a perennial playoff team. Losing a guy like KD is tough for any franchise to face, so I'm not going to pretend OKC will be back in contention anytime soon, but they'll compete every night. As one of the guys on ESPN said, OKC is still in a more desirable position than about 20 other NBA franchises.

I'm not a big Presti fan. A lot of hype and he's not really produced anything in OKC. San Antonio has still had great success without him, more than OKC.

 

[StatGeek]

Coolm--You got issues bro, seriously.

Durant is a big loss but I think Westbrook would/will be a bigger loss. Personally, I care a million times more about OU basketball and hope this will remind some people where their loyalties, energy, time and money should be directed. Boomer Sooner!

 

[WTSooner]

OKC is the only pro team in Oklahoma, so Thunder fans aren't going anywhere. Presti is one of the best GM's in the league (the Harden trade was still crap, but everybody makes mistakes), so the Thunder will stay as a perennial playoff team. Losing a guy like KD is tough for any franchise to face, so I'm not going to pretend OKC will be back in contention anytime soon, but they'll compete every night. As one of the guys on ESPN said, OKC is still in a more desirable position than about 20 other NBA franchises.

We'll see. Losing two star players in back to back seasons, and getting nothing in return will set them back. But not to the point of being able to draft another star player (ie, high draft pick).

With the West being as tough as it is, we'll see about OKC remaining a playoff team. They might. But will grabbing the 6-8th playoff spot, getting beat in round 1, and not having any star players keep the fans happy and as engaged as they have been? That is the million dollar question.

 

[Big Old Booger]

We'll see. Losing two star players in back to back seasons, and getting nothing in return will set them back. But not to the point of being able to draft another star player (ie, high draft pick).

With the West being as tough as it is, we'll see about OKC remaining a playoff team. They might. But will grabbing the 6-8th playoff spot, getting beat in round 1, and not having any star players keep the fans happy and as engaged as they have been? That is the million dollar question.

This.

Though, I would trade RW because we all know he's not returning. He's headed out west too.

 

[Eielson]

I'm not a big Presti fan. A lot of hype and he's not really produced anything in OKC. San Antonio has still had great success without him, more than OKC.

I'm not sure where you're coming from. OKC has been very successful under Presti, and he's probably drafted better than anybody in the league during his tenure. It helps having top 5 picks, but few GMs can get a better trio than Durant, Westbrook, and Harden even with the top pick every year. Even when picking later in the first round, Presti has been able to find guys like Ibaka, Jackson, and technically Bledsoe (although he was immediately traded).