pk500 wrote:The difference between the Spurs and OKC was shocking in Game 1. I expected the Spurs to win this series, but OKC better get its sh*t together soon, or this series is over in four or five.
Something tells me the Thunder will rally. But Aldridge -- holy f*ck.
Doc Rivers recently made a good point and it was that every team who wants to compete for a Championship has a certain window to get it done. At some point he said it's not going to work and you have to change up your core players. That's what he's dealing with in LA.
Durant is probably looking at the same thing with Russ. At some point he's gotta start thinking it's not going to happen in OKC and it's time to move on.
Rodster wrote:Durant is probably looking at the same thing with Russ. At some point he's gotta start thinking it's not going to happen in OKC and it's time to move on.
There are rumors that Golden State is willing to break up the core of its team to try and lure Durant. A "Big Four" of Green, Thompson, Curry and Durant is frightening.
You're right about OKC's window closing. But that has more to do with the choices by sh*tty GM Presti in OKC than the aging of players. OKC has a basement-dwelling roster beyond Durant, Westbrook and Kanter.
Big question: Other than Golden State, where would Durant realistically go where he has a chance to win more than with OKC? Back home to Washington, especially with Scott Brooks on the bench? Hell, no. The Lakers? Maybe, but it will take a few seasons of rebuilding for Luke Walton to weave any magic.
"You know why I love boxers? I love them because they face fear. And they face it alone." - Nick Charles
"First on the throttle, last on the brakes." - @MotoGP Twitter signature
pk500 wrote:There are rumors that Golden State is willing to break up the core of its team to try and lure Durant. A "Big Four" of Green, Thompson, Curry and Durant is frightening.
Big question: Other than Golden State, where would Durant realistically go where he has a chance to win more than with OKC? Back home to Washington, especially with Scott Brooks on the bench? Hell, no. The Lakers? Maybe, but it will take a few seasons of rebuilding for Luke Walton to weave any magic.
From what i've read Golden State was trying to keep it's core and adding Durant. Either way that would be an even scarier team with Durant in the lineup.
Don't rule out Miami either as Riles loves Durant and the Heat have put together by luck and their D-League affiliate a nice young core of players with Winslow, Richardson, Whiteside and Tyler Johnson. The key is getting Whiteside to sign for less than max. Then you have Wade, Joe Johnson and no State tax in Florida. Bosh is the question mark as no one really knows if he'll ever play again.
Not saying Miami has a great chance but Riles is the ultimate salesman and will make his pitch to KD.
True. Miami wouldn't be a bad spot. But Durant has made it pretty clear he likes the "small-town" feel of OKC, where he can just focus on basketball. Not sure he would get that in Miami.
The only reason LA breaks that mold is because KD loves SoCal and owns an offseason home there.
"You know why I love boxers? I love them because they face fear. And they face it alone." - Nick Charles
"First on the throttle, last on the brakes." - @MotoGP Twitter signature
Warriors would have to let Barnes, who's an RFA, go and probably Bogut and Igudala, who are both getting up in age and have 1 year left on their deals.
They might have to give up Livingston and maybe a couple other bench players.
I wonder if it will be worth decimating their depth, especially if they win again this year.
Durant is having a poor postseason, even before last night. He depends on having the ball. That is what makes him special a 7 footer who can handle and shoot out to 3-point range. How effective will he be if he's mostly catching and shooting? And would he be worth as big a cap number if his scoring will go down, as it would if he's sharing the ball more?
In fact, either he or Klay might have to come off the bench or at least play more with the second unit.
But most Warriors fans are bullish about signing him. They would be a great offensive team but their defense and depth will take hits.
You guys are crazy. Why on earth would the Warriors want to sign Durant and get rid of so many players to do so? They won the most games EVER and if fully healthy, they'll repeat as champs this year. There's no reason whatsoever they'd need Durant at the even slightest possibility it ruins the chemistry and the team they've got. I just don't see it.
Plus, I'm still of the opinion that he wants to be tied to Westbrook. Signs a one year deal to stay in OKC this year, assuming they give the Spurs a series (or beat them), and then they both go to LA or somewhere else that can handle two maxes once the salary cap jumps next summer.
I guess the idea is that some of the key rotation players are old and also nearing the end of their contracts.
Plus Barnes is an RFA and they may have to match a $20 million a year contract. So the reasoning is, why not sign Durant for $25 million a year instead.
Except that they can match Barnes and not blow up the roster but if they sign Durant, they'd have to let guys go.
The front office likes to flirt with big names. They tried to sign Howard a few years ago (and fortunately he signed with Houston) and they considered trading for Love. They were split but Jerry West and Kerr won the argument and they didn't do the trade.
So it could be more fans wishing it than what the front office will actually do.
If Durant didn't win this year and was desperate to win a ring, I could see doing it if he takes much less than the max so that the Warriors would keep at least two of their main reserves, Igudala and Livingston. But that's unlikely to happen.
dbdynsty25 wrote:You guys are crazy. Why on earth would the Warriors want to sign Durant and get rid of so many players to do so? They won the most games EVER and if fully healthy, they'll repeat as champs this year. There's no reason whatsoever they'd need Durant at the even slightest possibility it ruins the chemistry and the team they've got. I just don't see it.
I've read there is a belief within the Warriors' organization that adding Durant would "Curry-proof" the team, especially if Curry's injury ends up costing the Warriors a chance at the title this season. There was a belief among GS management that a long-term injury to Curry could be devastating. But so far, that looks like a myth.
dbdynsty25 wrote:Plus, I'm still of the opinion that he wants to be tied to Westbrook. Signs a one year deal to stay in OKC this year, assuming they give the Spurs a series (or beat them), and then they both go to LA or somewhere else that can handle two maxes once the salary cap jumps next summer.
A much more likely scenario.
"You know why I love boxers? I love them because they face fear. And they face it alone." - Nick Charles
"First on the throttle, last on the brakes." - @MotoGP Twitter signature
Firing Vogel was daffy on the surface, when looking at his numbers and five consecutive playoff appearances. But I contacted a buddy in Indy today who attends around 20 Pacers' home games per season, and he said Vogel's coaching and the team's performance during the end of close games was predictable and unsuccessful.
Bird probably noticed that, too, and combined that with other factors into the decision to chop Vogel.
Still, Vogel won't be unemployed for long. He did a fine job with a team that had just one superstar -- PG-13. Phil should hire Vogel for the Knicks!
"You know why I love boxers? I love them because they face fear. And they face it alone." - Nick Charles
"First on the throttle, last on the brakes." - @MotoGP Twitter signature
So, is that it for the Big Three in San Antonio? I can't see Duncan returning next year. He was a bit player in the playoffs -- not very effective. I think he's smart enough to know it's over.
OKC-GS will be a hell of a series. Eager to see it!
"You know why I love boxers? I love them because they face fear. And they face it alone." - Nick Charles
"First on the throttle, last on the brakes." - @MotoGP Twitter signature
I was a bit surprised OKC throttled San Antonio especially after the two mega games Aldridge had. I can't see Timmy coming back for another year. But what it does say is that both KD and Russ might be looking to stay put if they knock off the Warriors.
OKC showed massive stones to rally to win last night in Golden State. Hard to believe the Dubs already are in a must-win situation in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.
"You know why I love boxers? I love them because they face fear. And they face it alone." - Nick Charles
"First on the throttle, last on the brakes." - @MotoGP Twitter signature
pk500 wrote:OKC showed massive stones to rally to win last night in Golden State. Hard to believe the Dubs already are in a must-win situation in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.
They won 73 games. I don't think game 2 is must win at all. They can easily run off 4 out of 5 even if they lose.
I want OKC to win, and the size and athleticism advantage seemed more prominent than I thought it would be. Unsung hero was Waiters really bumping and hitting Curry damn near everywhere he went. Didn't see that mentioned much in the analysis afterwards.
dbdynsty25 wrote:They won 73 games. I don't think game 2 is must win at all. They can easily run off 4 out of 5 even if they lose.
They only lost two all season at home. You don't think losing two in a row at home, with the prospect of going to OKC down 2-0, won't be a psychological blow?
Waiters is following the Chris Paul blueprint of defense against Curry. Hit him every chance you get. OKC is doing the same thing on screens. Adams and the other bigs are really roughing up Curry, and St. Steph has a temper and an aversion for contact that often isn't seen.
"You know why I love boxers? I love them because they face fear. And they face it alone." - Nick Charles
"First on the throttle, last on the brakes." - @MotoGP Twitter signature
I don't believe the Warriors have lost 2 in a row all year.
They went uncharacteristally cold in the 2nd half last night. I'm sure they will right the ship and win Game 2. OKC is peaking at the right time though. Didn't think they would get by the Spurs. So maybe they are destined to go this year.
Curious to see the Raptors/Cavs tonight. Cavs were unconscious against the Hawks, but a 9 day layoff can be more detrimental to a team. But you have to wonder how much that series with the Heat took out of the Raptors.
I really doubt the Cavs lose more than a game to the Raps. The Raptors and Heat were both terrible in that series, basically the only reason it went 7. Cavs will cruise to the finals and actually have a shot at the Warriors/Thunder winner just because of the rough road the winner will have had to endure to make it that far.
And no, I don't think the Warriors will worry at all about losing two in a row at home. If there is one team that is mentally tough enough, it's them. They've proven that over the 22 months.
I don't know, Curry was talking about a long series after the game. Almost as if they expect a long series so after they got the lead, they wanted to grind out the win rather than keep the foot on the pedal and try to pull away.
But if they lose the next game, their confidence will plummet.
The scary thing is that Durant and Westbrook didn't even shoot that well. Thunder did shoot well from 3-point arc though.
Curry made only one shot off the catch and shoot, working without the ball. But I don't recall him doing it much.
HIs activity level doesn't seem the same as that first game he played coming off the injury. The past couple of games, he's been content to pass, mainly to Thompson instead of working a lot, especially off the ball.
He's gone through periods of that, not being as aggressive as he can be, at various home games during the regular season.
Igudala said they didn't sustain the pace that they wanted. They didn't complain about the officiating but they noted that Westbrook got to the line a lot in the third quarter after his slow start in the first half. That not only allowed Thunder to close the gap but also caused the game to grind to a much slower pace than they wanted.
dbdynsty25 wrote:I really doubt the Cavs lose more than a game to the Raps. The Raptors and Heat were both terrible in that series, basically the only reason it went 7. Cavs will cruise to the finals and actually have a shot at the Warriors/Thunder winner just because of the rough road the winner will have had to endure to make it that far.
Bingo. Could not agree more. The Cavs could advance to The Finals after only playing 12 games.
Toronto looks like the JV against the Cavs' varsity. I said the same thing as DB to my son during Game 7 of the Heat-Raps' series: Both of these teams suck and will get throttled by Cleveland.
"You know why I love boxers? I love them because they face fear. And they face it alone." - Nick Charles
"First on the throttle, last on the brakes." - @MotoGP Twitter signature
dbdynsty25 wrote:I really doubt the Cavs lose more than a game to the Raps. The Raptors and Heat were both terrible in that series, basically the only reason it went 7. Cavs will cruise to the finals and actually have a shot at the Warriors/Thunder winner just because of the rough road the winner will have had to endure to make it that far.
Bingo. Could not agree more. The Cavs could advance to The Finals after only playing 12 games.
Toronto looks like the JV against the Cavs' varsity. I said the same thing as DB to my son during Game 7 of the Heat-Raps' series: Both of these teams suck and will get throttled by Cleveland.
The Heat overachieved this year especially with Bosh going down then Whiteside. The Heat were quite competitive against Cleveland this year and beat the Cavs twice this year badly with and without Lebron. With the history between Lebron and the Heat, the series would have been more competitive. No doubt the Cavs would have won because of no Bosh and Whiteside but the Heat could have won at least one game.
How the hell did GS contract such a case of schizophrenia in this round? I'm starting to think OKC might be able to finish the job, at least in the Western Conference.
Durant is showing a new intensity and ferocity. And Dion Waiters looks like an NBA player for the first time.
Will the NBA suspend Green for his nut job on Adams? If it was almost any other player, I would say the kick was accidental. But I wonder with Draymond. I really wonder, especially since Adams always plays on the edge and is a big-time irritant, too.
I was near Toronto working a race last weekend. Was at a sports bar having dinner and drinks Saturday night, and it was pretty cool and shocking to see nearly everyone in the joint watching the Raps instead of the four other hockey games on the TVs (Stanley Cup, Memorial Cup, Calder Cup, world championships). TO has Raptors' fever, big time.
"You know why I love boxers? I love them because they face fear. And they face it alone." - Nick Charles
"First on the throttle, last on the brakes." - @MotoGP Twitter signature
pk500 wrote:How the hell did GS contract such a case of schizophrenia in this round? I'm starting to think OKC might be able to finish the job, at least in the Western Conference.
Like I said after game 1...size. By far the biggest detriment to GS's offense/defense rotations. They knew from the first game they were in for a long long series. OKC is also the only team that GS isn't far superior to athletically. It's gonna be fun.
And Draymond def needs to be suspended. Dude is a punk.
No way would I have said the Raptors would be tied with the Cavs, not after the 7 game grind with the Heat. How sweet would it be for both favorites not to be in the finals.
