Durant to Warriors

[chuckb]

One thing I don't understand is why career decisions by NBA players get judged so harshly. Durant gets called "weak" in multiple corners for chasing money/a championship/whatever, but that happens all the time in baseball and football (and, I'm guessing, hockey -- not that I would know) and no one calls the players weak.

Not for nothing, but MLB players get the same sort of idiotic criticism all the time. They get booed by fans and people rant on talk radio and the Internet for doing exactly the same things that all of us do in our lives all the time.

I am impressed at how, with only a couple of exceptions, rationally this board has handled Durant leaving. Bloviating morons like Stephen A Smith should take tips from the members of ouhoops.com.

 

[campbest]

I still don't understand why this judgmental attitude about a free agent joining a good team is so pervasive among NBA fans and the media. I've not seen the same attitude associated with MLB or the NFL.

Also, very good players seem to have "permission" to go where they wish, but great players are somehow expected to be loyal, even to the detriment of their own careers. It's one thing to say to a player, "Stay where you are and beat the best team!" But the player has only so much say in whether that happens; the actions (or inaction) of the front office greatly impacts his ability to beat the best.

Meanwhile, the honeymoon's over for Thunder fans -- they've experienced the harsh realities of professional sports at least twice now, with Harden and KD. Some Thunder fans (not on this board, but elsewhere) have come off like 10-year-olds, so convinced were they that their hardcourt heroes loved the fans and the city just as much as they were loved. The naivete was quite striking. The scales are now falling from their eyes, and it'll be interesting to see how they react.

Happens more in basketball because it happens less frequently and there are fewer players. Take MLB, it happens multiple times every summer, there isn't going to be a national outrage (not saying KD leaving is) based on frequency. Would also add, compared to NFL & MLB, basketball is a sport where one player can move the needle much more than the other sports.

 

[campbest]

Also, highly doubt California's state budget weighed into Durant's decision. Very silly that to assume he made up his mind on how much each state is spending on public schools.

 

[BCSooners]

I still don't understand why this judgmental attitude about a free agent joining a good team is so pervasive among NBA fans and the media. I've not seen the same attitude associated with MLB or the NFL.

Also, very good players seem to have "permission" to go where they wish, but great players are somehow expected to be loyal, even to the detriment of their own careers. It's one thing to say to a player, "Stay where you are and beat the best team!" But the player has only so much say in whether that happens; the actions (or inaction) of the front office greatly impacts his ability to beat the best.

Meanwhile, the honeymoon's over for Thunder fans -- they've experienced the harsh realities of professional sports at least twice now, with Harden and KD. Some Thunder fans (not on this board, but elsewhere) have come off like 10-year-olds, so convinced were they that their hardcourt heroes loved the fans and the city just as much as they were loved. The naivete was quite striking. The scales are now falling from their eyes, and it'll be interesting to see how they react.

Baseball gets that treatment. NFL doesn't really bc they chase after the most money bc they can get career ending injuries at any point so they need to make as much as possible.

As far as the front office goes it looks to me that they have done everything possible to keep Durant & Westbrook.

 

[SoonerSpock]

Again, you're all thinking about him, now, as a basketball player. Whereas Kevin (you know - the guy who actually made the decision) said:

"But I am also at a point in my life where it is of equal importance to find an opportunity that encourages my evolution as a man: moving out of my comfort zone to a new city and community which offers the greatest potential for my contribution and personal growth."

Sure it's easy for him to have fame and fortune as a player despite residing in a socially conservative and economically depressed area. Now. But he also desires a future. a family. a community that he feels more comfortable residing within. in an area where he would have the same opportunities (or more) after his days as a player. Personal evolution. or as he called it "evolution as a man".

While you guys sit around and continue to call me daft why don't you ask a few minorities how THEY feel about their lives in central Oklahoma. Especially those who frequently travel elsewhere. Then get back to me. Because that uncomfortable feeling is rather prevalent. Like I said pay a little more attention to what momma and her friends have to say.

But I won't say anything else on the matter. Sometimes I am forced to remind myself why I dislike this area so and I am thankful that I have guys like you as shining examples of why I long for bar reciprocity away from the land of rednecks and other social tightasses.

I have noticed no one denying the existing other factors but you choose to usurp them to the top of his list when his initial statement identified his primary mandate. Where that not his intent he would rephrased his comments identifying the other factors as his primary reason for making the move and there would have been no need to make any comment about his growth as a player.

I am certain there were a multitude of individual factors that he considered when making his decision and he so indicated. But first he stated that growth as a player was his primary mandate. Quite simple really.

You are getting better at your Sybanese characteristic now wanting to discuss minority which based on the information provided by KD is totally off base and merely a reflection of your own biases toward the area.
OKC is no Oakland, thank God!!! But there are those that prefer what Oakland had to offer. One of them was KD. But it is for certain the primary thing they had to offer was KD's perception of his grow as a player.

 

[Big Old Booger]

The most interesting piece of this is where OKC goes now. Cities that have had NBA franchises for a long time have suffered through lulls. Pacers, Magic, Raptors, Bucks, Nuggets, Suns, etc.. All of them really. They've had teams that won 20 games. They've had teams that had no chance at the playoffs or anything meaningful.

OKC has great attendance, but don't forget that OKC fell ass backwards into Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka, James Harden, etc. OKC has ONLY known winning teams, elite world-class players, winning, contention, etc.

They have to trade Westbrook because he won't resign now. Harden, Westbrook, and KD are going to be gone.

If OKC blows up and has to go into rebuilding mode, like many other franchises have done, what does that mean for the fans? Will they still pack the house? We don't know how Oklahoma fans will react to this. We've never had pro sports here.

Will be interesting to see.

Good post and you are spot on. It will be interesting to see how the fans support the team if the franchise is "blown up" to start over which means many losing seasons -- probably back to how the franchise was when they moved from Seattle, or worse (and that's really bad).

Prior to this happening, or prior to McClendon's removal from CHK, all the tickets not sold to season ticket holders were spoken for by CHK who gave them to employees. Darren Rovell wrote about it in 2012 here:

http://www.cnbc.com/id/47417557

This, as Rovell states, inflated the market making tickets expensive due to supply/demand. My question is how will this dynamic be effected because I can't see CHK or Devon or whoever else, buying large plots of tickets to eat with oil prices depressed. This could be the perfect storm for a young franchise and it will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

 

[Big Old Booger]

Again, you're all thinking about him, now, as a basketball player. Whereas Kevin (you know - the guy who actually made the decision) said:

"But I am also at a point in my life where it is of equal importance to find an opportunity that encourages my evolution as a man: moving out of my comfort zone to a new city and community which offers the greatest potential for my contribution and personal growth."

Sure it's easy for him to have fame and fortune as a player despite residing in a socially conservative and economically depressed area. Now. But he also desires a future. a family. a community that he feels more comfortable residing within. in an area where he would have the same opportunities (or more) after his days as a player. Personal evolution. or as he called it "evolution as a man".

While you guys sit around and continue to call me daft why don't you ask a few minorities how THEY feel about their lives in central Oklahoma. Especially those who frequently travel elsewhere. Then get back to me. Because that uncomfortable feeling is rather prevalent. Like I said pay a little more attention to what momma and her friends have to say.

But I won't say anything else on the matter. Sometimes I am forced to remind myself why I dislike this area so and I am thankful that I have guys like you as shining examples of why I long for bar reciprocity away from the land of rednecks and other social tightasses.

I tend to think you are on the right track to some extent. I think Nike forced his hand because his shoes in the OKC market were a huge flop. I would expect the shoe sales to prosper better in a much bigger market on the left coast. This isn't to say Nike forced him to make the decision but I think they leaned heavily on him to leave OKC. If you look at the markets he entertained, they were all big market except San Antonio which is right in the middle of a huge population center.

I don't think the politics or poor education was necessarily a factor but maybe KD is gay and was having a hard time fitting into OKC, which is not an easy place to live for a gay person. Most pro athletes have women hanging on each arm, but not him as its just he and his mother. I have no problem with him being gay if he is gay, so please don't take this wrong. I'm just pointing out something I've wondered about for a few years now.

 

[Mac]

He is gaining so much by moving to one of the biggest crap cities in America. Oakland is about as low as you can go these days - more crime, gangs, and a dump of an arena.

Couldn't even read the whole tread... Had to stop you and let you know you have no idea what you're talking about... My city has come a very long way... There's no way people would be paying 1,600 a month for a 1bed room if it was as bad as you say...

 

[Sooner04]

My biggest concern for the Thunder franchise is what will happen after a few 40-45 win seasons coupled with the inevitable clamor by ownership for a brand new arena.

THAT will be the true awakening for Oklahomans as to the seedy underbelly of professional sports.

 

[soonerczech]

I'm going with this insane theory i found...KD is gay and needed out of OKC. :eddie187_jpg_xs:

 

[BCSooners]

NBA players: be a womanizer and distance yourself from your mom. Because if you don't then you can't live in the south (chew spit).

 

[garyeb2]

I have noticed no one denying the existing other factors but you choose to usurp them to the top of his list when his initial statement identified his primary mandate. Where that not his intent he would rephrased his comments identifying the other factors as his primary reason for making the move and there would have been no need to make any comment about his growth as a player.

I am certain there were a multitude of individual factors that he considered when making his decision and he so indicated. But first he stated that growth as a player was his primary mandate. Quite simple really.

You are getting better at your Sybanese characteristic now wanting to discuss minority which based on the information provided by KD is totally off base and merely a reflection of your own biases toward the area.
OKC is no Oakland, thank God!!! But there are those that prefer what Oakland had to offer. One of them was KD. But it is for certain the primary thing they had to offer was KD's perception of his grow as a player.

Enough of this. No one on this board deserves to be insulted to the level of comparing them to Syb. That clown is in a league of his own.

 

[Mac]

I predict his scoring goes down 7 points a game and the Warriors won't win it because they don't have the depth.

Jackson, Giles, Smith, Fultz 4 plays you need to know, I predict the Thunder will be in the running for one of the players mentioned...

 

[sperry]

The most interesting piece of this is where OKC goes now. Cities that have had NBA franchises for a long time have suffered through lulls. Pacers, Magic, Raptors, Bucks, Nuggets, Suns, etc.. All of them really. They've had teams that won 20 games. They've had teams that had no chance at the playoffs or anything meaningful.

OKC has great attendance, but don't forget that OKC fell ass backwards into Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka, James Harden, etc. OKC has ONLY known winning teams, elite world-class players, winning, contention, etc.

They have to trade Westbrook because he won't resign now. Harden, Westbrook, and KD are going to be gone.

If OKC blows up and has to go into rebuilding mode, like many other franchises have done, what does that mean for the fans? Will they still pack the house? We don't know how Oklahoma fans will react to this. We've never had pro sports here.

Will be interesting to see.

You don't seem to know what falling ass-backwards into a player means. Maybe you can make that argument with Durant, since they got the #2 pick in a year with a clear top 2, the decision was made for them. Those other guys weren't consensus picks, and Presti killed it. Since he's come into the league, Presti has been the best drafter and it's not close. He's drafted three hall of famers, and multiple high end starters to boot.


If they need to rebuild, they will tear it down and will do so.

 

[HeismanWatch]

The city of Oakland is a paradise compared to OKC. :facepalm

Curry on a team that just happens to be in Oakland has nothing to do with KD moving to an armpit. :ez-roll:

 

[coolm]

you guys have no clue what "Oakland" means. It's the same as saying MWC or Del City. It's the same place as San Jose, San Francisco, Alameda, Oakland, San Leandro, Hayward, Castro Valley, Walnut Creek and others. They are all one big lump. Every one of you talking about Oakland being a dump obviously doesn't have a clue about living there. geeez.

 

[Sweetest OU Girl]

Couldn't even read the whole tread... Had to stop you and let you know you have no idea what you're talking about... My city has come a very long way... There's no way people would be paying 1,600 a month for a 1bed room if it was as bad as you say...

Don't let it bother you, Mac.

Many of our members have absolutely no idea what the rest of the country - or world - is like. The Bay area is a great place to live - and vacation. Or is Pebble Beach really a dump? Yes parts of Oakland are problematic - but so are parts of OKC unfortunately. Every large city has challenges. Not many are in deep, deep financial ruts though. The ones that are seem to have one thing in common: city & state leaders who are among the most conservative in the country.

And they have been drinking the Kool-Aid about the economy being bad everywhere. No informed and well read person thinks that way. In fact, the liberal cities are generally the ones with strong to booming economies and the radically conservative ones are the ones with huge financial issues - even closing in on bankruptcy like our neighbor to the north - with us not that far behind. Don't think for a second KD was not smart enough to see that.

 

[HeismanWatch]

you guys have no clue what "Oakland" means. It's the same as saying MWC or Del City. It's the same place as San Jose, San Francisco, Alameda, Oakland, San Leandro, Hayward, Castro Valley, Walnut Creek and others. They are all one big lump. Every one of you talking about Oakland being a dump obviously doesn't have a clue about living there. geeez.

The Oakland Raiders want to leave the city of Oakland for a reason.:ez-laugh:

 

[HeismanWatch]

Don't think for a second KD was not smart enough to see that.

KD saw Stephen Curry in Oakland, so he wants to play under the brand of a champ. Something he couldn't produce in OKC. He knew that and knew his legacy as a possible champ would be best earned under an actual proven champ.

Professional athletes' marketing earning powers don't have city or state borders. Don't be silly. If that were the case the city of San Antonio would have never won so many championships. :facepalm

KD made the right choice going to play for Stephen Curry. I'd do the same in his situation.

 

[Big Old Booger]

You don't seem to know what falling ass-backwards into a player means. Maybe you can make that argument with Durant, since they got the #2 pick in a year with a clear top 2, the decision was made for them. Those other guys weren't consensus picks, and Presti killed it. Since he's come into the league, Presti has been the best drafter and it's not close. He's drafted three hall of famers, and multiple high end starters to boot.


If they need to rebuild, they will tear it down and will do so.

All those great picks and still 0 championships and only 1 finals appearance. So, maybe he sucks at hiring a coach and developing said talent?

However, I would like to know who the 3 hall of famer's are he's drafted? I suspect you mean Westbrook and maybe Harden but who is the 3rd? If Westbrook played 25 years ago, he would never be in a hall of fame type discussion. His shooting is so poor, he is the worst shooter in the league for as many shots as he attempts.

Or, maybe you are talking about some guys he drafted with SA? Duncan and who else?