It won't matter. They're gonna be so quick defensively, they'll rotate, close off the lane, be able to close, and Durant adds some length and versatility as well.
Well color me (kinda) surprised here. I read all 4 pages of this thread and figured I chime in on a couple things. 1. I don't knock KD for chasing the ring its his right as a free agent. I do knock it for going to a team that already won and just came off a 73 win season. He is a SUPER-star and has basically decided he would take the lesser role to be an also-ran with a great team. That being said... 1b. It is just like Lebron forming his little band of superboys in Miami with one minor exception. When Lebron did it he was being proclaimed the greatest player ever, the guy who made everyone better, every smart play and was so dominant that he could beat a team all by himself. His team was built around him as he wanted, he was in the weaker division and he failed. He ran from Clev to a team where he got a lot of "im the man" credit but didn't have to do that work since Wade and Bosh did most of the late game heavy lifting. 2. I probably think the same if KD went to the Spurs or Cavs (don't think it was a possibility) because those plus the warriors are his bonified peers and threats/competition. If he went to a team that was on the fringe that just needed a real superstar I would be more impressed with his desire to lead a team. A team like his own in OKC or Boston or even the Paperclips who, in my opinion, don't have that real Superstar (no, Chris Paul is not a superstar to me. Bad man a lot of the times but lost a lot of credibility since moving to LAC). 3. The NBA deserves this nonsense because the new generation of superstars have no desire to beat the hell out of each other. There is very little "hate" among the players and it shows by the product being put out there. In the end, KD wasn't the main guy like we wanted him to be. Westbrook was the Alpha in OKC. In GS, he (KD) won't have to worry about having to be the man instead just getting down and shooting open shots. This is lethal for GS.
He spent nine years in OKC. After the 2012 FInals appearance * They let James Harden go when they could have easily just amnestied Perkins. * They fire Scotty Brooks. Yet nothing really changes under Donovan. Same old ISO-centric offense. * They traded Serge Ibaka this summer. * There's no guarantee that Westbrook will stay after next season. He'll be 28 years old when next season starts. He wants to make his prime years count. He only signed a two year deal with GSW, so he'll still be 30 years old if it doesn't work out.
...valid point. Teams with physical, active front lines will go at them. They have speed and closing ability but being knocked around is another matter. It does take its toll.
Zaza at that price was pure larceny. I expect a couple more gravy trainers to fill out that roster too.
I saw a NBA analyst on Twitter reference a close source saying Kevin Durant felt bad and is second guessing his decision to join Golden State. I was going to copy and paste it but before I got to go do it, I didn't see the comment from that person anymore, I think they deleted it. If it was deleted then it must have been true. I can believe that because he seems to care more about what people think than he lets on the believe, and there's no doubt in my mind he's reading the backlash and taking it to heart. His best option is to do what LeBron did, win two with GS and then bolt back to OKC and win one on his own there. He'll still be in his prime, it may be anti-climatic considering LeBron will be older and everyone was waiting them to meet again in the finals but he'll have a chance to win one on his own against other already title contending teams. But the thing is, OKC's core has been dismantled since James Harden left. They trade Ibaka, now Durant is gone and Russell is possibly gone (hopefully to the Lakers) so is going back when he's 30-31 to try and prove he can win on his own an option either? I'm sorry to say but I think we're in the era of the super teams. The Avengers vs. Justice League. Many players fear being apart of the "ringless" club.
Yes...its as much a joke as Mozgov for 16 mio... I would argue Zaza is better than Mozgov by far and makes 1/8th of the cash...its disgusting.
completely and utterly different situations and I don't think Pachulia is any better than Mozgov at all.
last year's zaza was better than last year's mozgov, but zaza completely fell apart as the season wore on. dallas could barely play him towards the end. gs will have to manage his minutes carefully. moz is a better fit for the lakers because he can finish above the rim and block shots.
