Kevin Durant to Golden State

[ChrisCrossed]

http://www.theplayerstribune.com/kevin- ... ouncement/

By far the weakest thing I've ever seen an MVP do.

[Str8Shooter]

That's insane. How can anyone stop that team from scoring now. I hate the "super team" thing, as a fan of a team that isn't a high profile signing destination it just makes it even harder to be a fan of the league when it's almost impossible for your team to win a title.

[The Legend]

They are still only going to let them play with one basketball right? the principle remains the same: stop the guy with the ball.

[Ali]

The last time an MVP switched to join two established Superstars as a "Superteam", this happened...



So I can live with it.

[The Legend]

I loved the Mavaliers!

[Ali]

And because of this, the Mavs are getting Andrew Bogut and Harrison Barnes. Warriors got KD, but we made out like bandits here.

[DBSoT]

This is kind of disappointing. A big reason why I really liked the Warriors was because they built their team in house. Steph, Klay, Draymond and Barnes were all drafted by Golden State and for the most part were all underrated picks. I hated the Miami Heat superteam and I didn't like the Cavaliers selling the future for Kevin Love. Granted the Cavs have a lot of drafted talent, but they were also gifted multiple 1st overall picks. I understand that this style of team building works in the NBA, but it also waters down the rest of the league. Is there even a reason to watch next season? Does anyone actually believe that Golden State will not win a championship next season and beyond? It is a good thing the Cavs came back from 3-1, because I can't even imagine how many titles GSW would win in a row.

[Str8Shooter]

And because of this, the Mavs are getting Andrew Bogut and Harrison Barnes. Warriors got KD, but we made out like bandits here.

Wasn't Barnes the scapegoat for the Finals loss with a terrible performance? Isn't Bogut injured a lot?

[Ali]

And because of this, the Mavs are getting Andrew Bogut and Harrison Barnes. Warriors got KD, but we made out like bandits here.

Wasn't Barnes the scapegoat for the Finals loss with a terrible performance? Isn't Bogut injured a lot?

Barnes is only 24, and he's got a lot of upside. Was he good in the Finals? No, but he is a solid young player, something the Mavericks sorely need. If he buys in to the Rick Carlisle/Dirk Nowitzki culture and mindset, he could have a great improvement.

As for Bogut, he does have injury concerns, but the Mavs consistently have some of the best trainers and doctors in the NBA. Hell, the Mavs trainer is also the Team USA Olympic Trainer. The question will be can he stay healthy, but when he is, he's an excellent defender and a perfect fit for Carlisle's system. I argue that the Warriors Finals Loss had more to do with Bogut going down than Barnes' performance.

[Str8Shooter]

And because of this, the Mavs are getting Andrew Bogut and Harrison Barnes. Warriors got KD, but we made out like bandits here.

Wasn't Barnes the scapegoat for the Finals loss with a terrible performance? Isn't Bogut injured a lot?

Barnes is only 24, and he's got a lot of upside. Was he good in the Finals? No, but he is a solid young player, something the Mavericks sorely need. If he buys in to the Rick Carlisle/Dirk Nowitzki culture and mindset, he could have a great improvement.

As for Bogut, he does have injury concerns, but the Mavs consistently have some of the best trainers and doctors in the NBA. Hell, the Mavs trainer is also the Team USA Olympic Trainer. The question will be can he stay healthy, but when he is, he's an excellent defender and a perfect fit for Carlisle's system. I argue that the Warriors Finals Loss had more to do with Bogut going down than Barnes' performance.

I was just giving you crap, I actually don't mind those pickups

[Kreashko]

People are losing their mind with this pickup. I mean, yeah they're going to smoke the entire NBA the next few years but oh well. That's what money does with teams these days.

[Ali]

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!

Sorry, but the Kevin Durant deal has literally turned the Mavs into Warriors II: Electric Boogaloo.

[Everlong]

KD is a bitch. Can't wait to see LeGOAT shut down the Warriors super team next year.

[DBSoT]

I admit that I can't stand the super teams in the NBA, but why are people coming down on Durant so hard? If given the opportunity, you would have all done the same thing. He is giving himself a great chance to win multiple championships and getting paid highly to do it. Who wouldn't accept an offer to advance your career professionally and monetarily?

KD is a bitch. Can't wait to see LeGOAT shut down the Warriors super team next year.

So wait, you're going to praise LeBron, who did the same thing as Durant? In fact LeBron's announcement included a much larger media circus. Your calling KD a bitch for making a super team in GS, but not LeBron for doing the same in Miami and Cleveland. Seems a bit hypocritical.

[Everlong]

So wait, you're going to praise LeBron, who did the same thing as Durant? In fact LeBron's announcement included a much larger media circus. Your calling KD a bitch for making a super team in GS, but not LeBron for doing the same in Miami and Cleveland. Seems a bit hypocritical.

Not even remotely close to the same thing at all, in fact a KD/LeBron comparison is extremely lazy.

LeBron left a team that wasn't capable of ever winning a title because the team refused to surround him with championship level talent. He went to a team that had won like 45 games and was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs the year before.

KD left a team that was basically minutes away from competing in the finals and potentially beating the Cavs to win it all this year. OKC as it existed was well equipped to beat Golden State and claim a title. Instead, Durant is leaving to join a team that just set an NBA record for wins and has been to two finals in a row, winning one.

In no world is this even remotely the same thing. I'm not calling KD a bitch for making a super team. I'm calling him a bitch for leaving a team that legit had a shot to win it all and opting for the easiest route in NBA history.

[DBSoT]

Both guys left a team that constantly underachieved in the playoffs, so they could go to a team that was clearly the best in the NBA. Look at the results below. The Cavs team that LeBron left was 61-21. Even though Durant has Westbrook, the Thunder still couldn't get over the hump. How is it that Durant is a bitch for taking the easier way to a championship, but LeBron isn't? You're also missing one important factor. GSW can afford to do this because their management is better than everyone. They drafted all their stars; and besides Draymond, they are all on relatively cheap contracts (considering their talent). Those cheaper contracts allow them to afford a talent like Durant. Calling a guy a bitch for going after a championship and getting paid well for doing it is justing hating at its worst.

Results of Cavs team prior to LeBron departure for Miami:

2009-10 Cavaliers 61-21 .744 1st, East Conference 6-5 .545 Lost East Conf Semis
2008-09 Cavaliers 66-16 .805 1st, East Conference 10-4 .714 Lost East Conf Finals
2007-08 Cavaliers 45-37 .549 4th, East Conference 7-6 .538 Lost East Conf Semis
2006-07 Cavaliers 50-32 .610 2nd, East Conference 12-8 .600 Lost NBA Finals
2005-06 Cavaliers 50-32 .610 4th, East Conference 7-6 .538 Lost East Conf Semis
2004-05 Cavaliers 42-40 .512 9th, East Conference - - DNQ
2003-04 Cavaliers 35-47 .427 9th, East Conference - - DNQ

Results of OKC team prior to Durant departure for GSW:

2015-16 Thunder 55-27 .671 3rd, West Conference 11-7 .611 Lost West Conf Finals
2014-15 Thunder 45-37 .549 9th, West Conference - - DNQ
2013-14 Thunder 59-23 .720 2nd, West Conference 10-9 .526 Lost West Conf Finals
2012-13 Thunder 60-22 .732 1st, West Conference 5-6 .455 Lost West Conf Semis
2011-12 * Thunder 47-19 .712 2nd, West Conference 13-7 .650 Lost NBA Finals
2010-11 Thunder 55-27 .671 4th, West Conference 9-8 .529 Lost West Conf Finals
2009-10 Thunder 50-32 .610 8th, West Conference 2-4 .333 Lost West Conf 1st Rd

[ChrisCrossed]

Both guys left a team that constantly underachieved in the playoffs, so they could go to a team that was clearly the best in the NBA. Look at the results below. The Cavs team that LeBron left was 61-21. Even though Durant has Westbrook, the Thunder still couldn't get over the hump. How is it that Durant is a bitch for taking the easier way to a championship, but LeBron isn't? You're also missing one important factor. GSW can afford to do this because their management is better than everyone. They drafted all their stars; and besides Draymond, they are all on relatively cheap contracts (considering their talent). Those cheaper contracts allow them to afford a talent like Durant. Calling a guy a bitch for going after a championship and getting paid well for doing it is justing hating at its worst.

Results of Cavs team prior to LeBron departure for Miami:

2009-10 Cavaliers 61-21 .744 1st, East Conference 6-5 .545 Lost East Conf Semis
2008-09 Cavaliers 66-16 .805 1st, East Conference 10-4 .714 Lost East Conf Finals
2007-08 Cavaliers 45-37 .549 4th, East Conference 7-6 .538 Lost East Conf Semis
2006-07 Cavaliers 50-32 .610 2nd, East Conference 12-8 .600 Lost NBA Finals
2005-06 Cavaliers 50-32 .610 4th, East Conference 7-6 .538 Lost East Conf Semis
2004-05 Cavaliers 42-40 .512 9th, East Conference - - DNQ
2003-04 Cavaliers 35-47 .427 9th, East Conference - - DNQ

Results of OKC team prior to Durant departure for GSW:

2015-16 Thunder 55-27 .671 3rd, West Conference 11-7 .611 Lost West Conf Finals
2014-15 Thunder 45-37 .549 9th, West Conference - - DNQ
2013-14 Thunder 59-23 .720 2nd, West Conference 10-9 .526 Lost West Conf Finals
2012-13 Thunder 60-22 .732 1st, West Conference 5-6 .455 Lost West Conf Semis
2011-12 * Thunder 47-19 .712 2nd, West Conference 13-7 .650 Lost NBA Finals
2010-11 Thunder 55-27 .671 4th, West Conference 9-8 .529 Lost West Conf Finals
2009-10 Thunder 50-32 .610 8th, West Conference 2-4 .333 Lost West Conf 1st Rd

You're looking at the records without taking into context the rosters. Westbrook is a top 5 player in the league and 2nd best PG, Ibaka led the league in blocks twice and was a perennial All NBA defensive team member and Kanter was in the running for 6MOTY. You're going to compare that to a roster with Mo Williams that Lebron dragged to the playoffs?

Also Lebron didn't lose to Miami, he didn't go to a team that was just in game 7 of the Finals that he lost to. It's like if he went to Boston instead of Miami.

[Philip Rivers]

So wait, you're going to praise LeBron, who did the same thing as Durant? In fact LeBron's announcement included a much larger media circus. Your calling KD a bitch for making a super team in GS, but not LeBron for doing the same in Miami and Cleveland. Seems a bit hypocritical.

I know it seems like a double standard, it's a similar concept HOWEVER, it's not nearly the same. I think everyone knew Kevin Durant was going to leave OKC, I feel that he's done more than enough in that community and putting them on the map in terms of being a respectable franchise, I'm okay with all of it.

I'm NOT okay with the desperation for him to win a ring. This is basically an ALL-STAR SQUAD, it disgust me that Stern could veto the CP3 trade to LA and the league is allowing this to happen. We're not going to be able to reflect back upon this decision in terms of it being a success or failure obviously for a few years.

Ultimately, the biggest issue I have is that he was 48 minutes away, 3 times in a row from taking OKC to the Finals again, and they were going to be able to compete with any team. I'm not sure what the blood is like between Westbrook and Durant but he had an AMAZING chance at representing the West again.

Golden State JUST BEAT YOU, it's literally the terms of, "If you can't beat em, join em." Other differentials pertaining to the matter is that LeBron went to Miami and instantly Mr. Miami said it was his team, LeBron was the golden goose and the back to back MVP of those championship runs, Miami WAS NOT WINNING again without The King.

Kevin Durant is willing to play second fiddle to Steph Curry, it bothers me he doesn't want to be the man. It bothers me that he's running to a team that just had back to back Finals appearances, broke the greatest regular season record EVER and hoisted your first unanimous MVP. DPOY runner up, coach of the year, an already solidified contender. If there was an equivalent to this situation, imagine LeBron running away to Boston back in the day because he couldn't beat them. At this point it's hard to cheer for KD and support his causes, I really don't want to see them have any success even though it's inevitable. It SURELY will be the BIGGEST FLOP in history if they don't win the title.

[Messiah]

The lockout for the NBA is going to be long next year. These contracts are getting ridiculous. There is no reason why a team should be allowed to have Curry, Thompson, Durant, Green, and Iggy.

I'm looking forward to seeing them play because of how dominant they will probably be but they need to fix how they do the cap.

And this isn't similar to LBJ. James left Cleveland, who he didn't feel had enough talent to give him a good chance to win a championship, to go and form a super-team. Durant is leaving OKC to join a super-team, one that he lost to (and played a big reason in why if you watched Game 6). That is the big one for me. Durant choked and it is why they couldn't beat GSW. I get Durant wanting to win a ring, but that is a pretty cowardly move. I am really hoping Westbrook/OKC by some way knock them out of the playoffs, as unlikely as that may be.

[War Daddy]

Meanwhile, Wade to the Bulls!