Durant Fractures Foot - Path To Finals Clear Again?

[hitmantb]

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/11688088/kevin-durant-oklahoma-city-thunder-fractured-foot

Reminds me of Duncan's peak 2003 year, one of the few lone star titles, one of the most incredible individual performances ever, but was played 40 minutes a game and never recovered from there. Developed nagging injuries and really struggled vs Shaq/Malone in 04, Wallace brothers in 05.

Was last season's MVP performance as good as it gets for Durant? He simply ran out of gas by the playoffs. With an injury like this, most likely he won't be 100% in post season.

Westbrook carrying the team solo will also put more stress onto his body, and will most likely trigger injuries as well.

Spurs own health is of course the biggest concern, but a lead in record over OKC will help tremendously, Pop will be able to strategically forfeit games to keep everyone as fresh as it can be.

[InRareForm]

Better now than midseason/late season, they will be fine.

but HCA may be lost because of it.

[bigfan]

Sorry to hear. He seems to me like a good guy so I hope he recovers soon enough. Regardless, we can whip the Thunders ass with him at full strength.

[Budkin]

I refuse to root for injuries because it sucks when it happens to us.

[spursparker9]

Will probably missed 6-8 weeks?

He will still made the All-Stars team,all nba first team and be 100% ready in the playoffs.

[z0sa]

Better now than midseason/late season, they will be fine.

but HCA may be lost because of it.

Important to note. At the least, it gives the Spurs a little more cushion to rest guys.

[exstatic]

This is actually much worse than losing Westchuck last year. When he went down, they subtracted a seriously inefficient offensive player. Even at grossly inflated usage numbers, Durant had good numbers. Westchuck will be awful trying to carry them with Durant out.

[exstatic]

Oh shit. I just looked up "Jones" fracture. It's the dreaded 5th metatarsal fracture that derails careers.

I almost feel bad for OKC.

[cjw]

We lost Kawhi for five weeks last year and really struggled. 54-11 in games with him (excluding the OKC game where he went down), and 8-8 in games without him and obviously the loss in that OKC game.

Now take Durant out of the mix for OKC and all of the sudden defenses can key in on Westbrook while making sure Ibaka doesn't get too many open 15 footers and they're going to be in big trouble through early December (18 games over the next 50 calendar days). You don't wish ill on anyone, but this will be a golden opportunity for the Spurs to create some breathing room in the West.

After a New Orleans game on 12/2, OKC has an easy stretch with Philly / Detroit / Milwaukee before a Thursday TNT game with Cleveland on 12/11. I'd imagine this is the game he'll be back, if not for a few minutes in the prior few games to get his legs back under him.

[Chinook]

Oh shit. I just looked up "Jones" fracture. It's the dreaded 5th metatarsal fracture that derails careers.

I almost feel bad for OKC.

I feel bad for the Wizards.

[Chinook]

We lost Kawhi for five weeks last year and really struggled. 54-11 in games with him (excluding the OKC game where he went down), and 8-8 in games without him and obviously the loss in that OKC game.

:lol

[Brazil]

:lol Okc will be fine

6-8 weeks... Back in December, they have the roster to survive without him. Durant complained a lot regarding fatigue... It's gonna be a long break that will be beneficial in the long run. Fractures heal well, better that than a ligament

[Chinook]

Anyone else sort of surprised by how many players have been injured so far this year? It's like the NFL.

[baseline bum]

Oh shit. I just looked up "Jones" fracture. It's the dreaded 5th metatarsal fracture that derails careers.

I almost feel bad for OKC.

Which careers has it derailed? I'm not familiar at all with this injury. When I think of career killing injuries I think of bad meniscus tears like Webber and Roy, stress fractures in the feet like Walton, Ilgauskas, and Yao, and achilles tears like with Billups and Bryant.

[100%duncan]

:lol Okc will be fine

6-8 weeks... Back in December, they have the roster to survive without him. Durant complained a lot regarding fatigue... It's gonna be a long break that will be beneficial in the long run. Fractures heal well, better that than a ligament

They might drop down to atleast the 4th seed though with this. West is stacked and Durant will not be 100% back so there goes their HCA.

[Chinook]

Which careers has it derailed? I'm not familiar at all with this injury. When I think of career killing injuries I think of bad meniscus tears like Webber and Roy, stress fractures in the feet like Walton, Ilgauskas, and Yao, and achilles tears like with Billups and Bryant.

Yao and Walton had fifth-metatarsal injuries. So did Outlaw, Roddy B, Damion James. I just bumped timvp's post on the matter from a couple of years ago.

[exstatic]

Which careers has it derailed? I'm not familiar at all with this injury. When I think of career killing injuries I think of bad meniscus tears like Webber and Roy, stress fractures in the feet like Walton, Ilgauskas, and Yao, and achilles tears like with Billups and Bryant.

James Anderson, Roddy Beaubois. Neither ever really recovered, in spite of the fact that they played for a while after their "recovery period". Martell Webster took a couple of YEARS to really come back.

[SupremeGuy]

I refuse to root for injuries because it sucks when it happens to us.I agree. As much as I don't like the thunderefs, you're a pretty big dick if you root for injuries. That being said, I wouldn't mind it if he took the year off. :p:

[Chinook]

Martell Webster took a couple of YEARS to really come back.

And he's apparently planning on retiring at the end of his contract because of injuries. Who knows how this is going to affect KD's game of being a seven-foot beanpole jump-shooter? There's a lot of uncertainty here, but it's not nearly as routine as the media is making it out to be.

[Fireball]

do not like him being injured, but it will be interesting how they do with Russ as the #1 (because thats what he wants if he is honest) ... it will give the Spurs a godd chance to get some space between them and OKC ... hope Durant will be fine in the long run

[RD2191]

Spurs need to rack up the wins early.

[baseline bum]

Yao and Walton had fifth-metatarsal injuries. So did Outlaw, Roddy B, Damion James. I just bumped timvp's post on the matter from a couple of years ago.


James Anderson, Roddy Beaubois. Neither ever really recovered, in spite of the fact that they played for a while after their "recovery period". Martell Webster took a couple of YEARS to really come back.

Thanks. Wow, that sucks for Washington.

[Dex]

Bad luck for Durant. If it's going to happen, this is the time of season you want it to happen, but unfortunate for OKC. Hope he is able to come back strong.

[hoopdreams11]

is this why he left USA basketball before the FIBA championships???

[exstatic]

is this why he left USA basketball before the FIBA championships???

I was thinking the same thing. Reading up on it, rest is the first protocol.

[100%duncan]

Thanks. Wow, that sucks for Washington.

:lol

[baseline bum]

Yao and Walton had fifth-metatarsal injuries. So did Outlaw, Roddy B, Damion James. I just bumped timvp's post on the matter from a couple of years ago.

Great bump. Wow, that's pretty scary. As much as I hate Durant for being on a rival, he'd be one of my 3 or 4 favorite non-Spurs players in the game if he was out East.

[spursparker9]

http://www.nba.com/live1/

Live press conference on it. Sam Presti is speaking

[look_at_g_shred]

Was it clear last year?

[spursparker9]

Matt SteinmetzVerified account
‏@SteinmetzNBA

I got Russell Westbrook leading the league in scoring through the New Year.

[tmtcsc]

Path To Finals Clear Again? That's some weak shit right there. It wasn't clear last year and we dominated after a sluggish start against crappy Dallas. The Thunder are the Spurs bitch with or without Durant. THEY HAVE NO BENCH.

[heyheymymy]

jones has a high instance of re-fracture, better sit him good and long

i already struggle with the legitimacy of the 14 WCF due to a less than 100% ibaka. Durant, I hope to be 100% and give the Spurs a fight.

[FromWayDowntown]

I hope he gets well soon. The league is better when its best players are at full strength and for all the criticisms that people level at him, there's no doubt that Kevin Durant is a ridiculously good basketball player.

[cjw]

I hope he gets well soon. The league is better when its best players are at full strength and for all the criticisms that people level at him, there's no doubt that Kevin Durant is a ridiculously good basketball player.

It's a lot more fun competing for titles in a league with bona fide superstars to go up against. Makes the wins all that much sweeter.

[Mark in Austin]

Man that sucks. I hope they don't try to rush him back. A talent like Durant is once in a generation. It would be a shame if a career like his is cut short.

[024]

Trading Harden keeps coming back and biting them in the ass.

[SpursFan86]

Is this the same injury that Yao had?

edit: nvm, just read the first page. That sucks

[Knoxxx]

My only regret is I did not place a bet on Spurs to repeat prior to this news.

[exstatic]

Trading Harden keeps coming back and biting them in the ass.

This.

[hsxvvd]

The path is clear unless Scott Brooks gets injured.

[Raven]

it really is irrelevant, spurs only depend from their own injuries and timmy-manu's form

[Brazil]

They might drop down to atleast the 4th seed though with this. West is stacked and Durant will not be 100% back so there goes their HCA.:lol

[Sean Cagney]

It's a lot more fun competing for titles in a league with bona fide superstars to go up against. Makes the wins all that much sweeter.

Agreed 100%.

[peacemaker885]

*

[Mikeanaro]

It's a lot more fun competing for titles in a league with bona fide superstars to go up against. Makes the wins all that much sweeter.
Lebum disagrees with you.

[MilesTeg]

They won't perform as well, for about one month. That's it. They'll still beat the bad teams, and might lose a few games they otherwise wouldn't have. Hardly a big deal.

Isn't Reggie Jackson also out? The real problem for OKC will be not to overplay and injure Westbrook.

[RD2191]

:lolwhy did 100 get banned?

[xmas1997]

Always hate to hear about injuries even though it is a factor of the game, the luck factor.

[exstatic]

They won't perform as well, for about one month. That's it. They'll still beat the bad teams, and might lose a few games they otherwise wouldn't have. Hardly a big deal.

Isn't Reggie Jackson also out? The real problem for OKC will be not to overplay and injure Westbrook.

Didn't read the other thread, did you. He may NEVER be 100% after this. It's the same thing that happened to former Spur James Anderson, former Mav Roddy Beaubois and others. The major effect is that it destroys your jump shot. He'll be back and playing in 6-8 weeks, he just may never be Kevin Durant again.

[RD2191]

Always hate to hear about injuries even though it is a factor of the game, the luck factor.
It really is. I don't mind though. No one gave a shit when Duncan got injured on the way to his first title defense and no one gave a shit when Juwan Howard injured Derek Anderson who was balling for the Spurs at the time. Just part of the game.

[RD2191]

http://content.usatoday.com/sports/nba/01playoffs/confsemis/2001-05-05-spurs-mavs-game-1.htm

[SupremeGuy]

http://content.usatoday.com/sports/nba/01playoffs/confsemis/2001-05-05-spurs-mavs-game-1.htmStill hurts :cry

[RD2191]

Still hurts :cry
:cry

[rogues]

*

[HI-FI]

Anyone else sort of surprised by how many players have been injured so far this year? It's like the NFL.
i'm no doc obviously but wonder if has anything to do with the PEDs. Durant looked much more swoll in a recent interview I saw, like Lebron gave him his stash after getting on the wagon. Perhaps the excessive weight or force is too much for some of these guys. Like that Kevin ware injury, never seen anything like that in my life.

feel bad for Durant. I do like him despite the ref coddled team he plays for. Hopefully he doesn't rush it and does alright.

[Galileo]

Durant has ebola. The foot thing is a CIA cover story. Wake up sheeple, OKC is just up the road from Dallas.

[SupremeGuy]

:cry

[DJR210]

I refuse to root for injuries because it sucks when it happens to us.

This. Plus, after last years epic WCF, we need another go at it w/ them at full strength.

[look_at_g_shred]

:cry
:cry:

[look_at_g_shred]

:cry

[Mel_13]

I'd be surprised to see him back in 8 weeks. The smart thing will be to manage his return as conservatively as possible. The club has to protect their franchise player and Durant has to protect his future earnings. The only that could potentially keep him from a max contract in 2016 is a second surgery from coming back too soon.

And that Harden trade is truly the gift that keeps on giving.

[EVAY]

I am genuinely sorry for Durant. But as someone else mentioned, our franchise player was hurt in our first attempt to repeat. Things like this are part of the game.

[Galileo]

Kevin Durant has been diagnosed with a Jones fracture in his foot. He'll need surgery and miss 6-8 weeks.

Hmmm, must be named after Caldwell Jones and his brothers?

[boutons_deux]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jones_fracture

[TheGreatYacht]

I don't feel bad for this dude at all. Ref baiting, never has the balls to put Westbrook in his place, trying to undercut Kawhi's finals performance, always talks shit to NBA fans on twitter, one of the leaders in Technicals because refs don't fall for his flops 5% of the time. OKC should be fine they still have their true MVP, Ibaka

[look_at_g_shred]

I don't feel bad for this dude at all. Ref baiting, never has the balls to put Westbrook in his place, trying to undercut Kawhi's finals performance, always talks shit to NBA fans on twitter, one of the leaders in Technicals because refs don't fall for his flops 5% of the time. OKC should be fine they still have their true MVP, Ibaka
Agree with everything except ibaka only plays like an MVP against us.

[KaiRMD1]

Yeah, sounds like Ibaka's "injury"

[Hoops Czar]

I feel bad for the Wizards.

Don't because the Wizards never had a chance.

[exstatic]

Yeah, sounds like Ibaka's "injury"

Unless they are publicizing the wrong injury, this is serious as a heart attack. He may never be the same player.

[xmas1997]

It really is. I don't mind though. No one gave a shit when Duncan got injured on the way to his first title defense and no one gave a shit when Juwan Howard injured Derek Anderson who was balling for the Spurs at the time. Just part of the game.

I remember both, we had such high expectations both times only to be shattered.

[FvckMavs]

He will be back in 10 days, just like ibaka in WCF.

[KaiRMD1]

I remember both, we had such high expectations both times only to be shattered.

Sounds like how Thunderup must've been feeling

[Sean Cagney]

Unless they are publicizing the wrong injury, this is serious as a heart attack. He may never be the same player.

He will be alright man, doubt this ruins his career as a superstar in this league.
I remember both, we had such high expectations both times only to be shattered.

To be fair regardless if DA is there or not (I wish he was but lets be honest) we were not beating that LA Lakers team that year who steamrolled through the playoffs. The Duncan one though I agree on, they had a shot if he was healthy.

[baseline bum]

He will be alright man, doubt this ruins his career as a superstar in this league.


Sounds like this could hurt his FT form tbh.

[Sean Cagney]

Sounds like this could hurt his FT form tbh.He lives there so that would be huge huh?

[Juggity]

i already struggle with the legitimacy of the 14 WCF due to a less than 100% ibaka. Durant, I hope to be 100% and give the Spurs a fight.

lol wut. Ibaka came back and played at 100% (roughly at his regular season level) and wasn't ever really badly injured in the first place.

[Sean Cagney]

lol wut. Ibaka came back and played at 100% (roughly at his regular season level) and wasn't ever really badly injured in the first place.
Some fans will stick to that crap unfortunately and make an excuse or somehow try to justify us beating them lol. Let them, it means nothing because they won 2 with him in there and one on their home floor without TONY in the second half. Spurs just flat out took it, period.

[spurraider21]

jones has a high instance of re-fracture, better sit him good and long

i already struggle with the legitimacy of the 14 WCF due to a less than 100% ibaka. Durant, I hope to be 100% and give the Spurs a fight.
ibaka seemed just fine when he was goaltending shots in the closing minutes of game 6

[HI-FI]

the real question is how will the NBA divide up Durant's FTs to Westbrick, Jackson and Ibaka.

[mkurts]

Another trick from the Presti playbook of bullshit. Durant will be back earlier than expected.

[313]

the real question is how will the NBA divide up Durant's FTs to Westbrick, Jackson and Ibaka.
:lol

[313]

the real question is how will the NBA divide up Durant's FTs to Westbrick, Jackson and Ibaka.
:lol

[mkurts]

But of course any severe injuries to the Thunderefs are most welcome

[Ice009]

He will be alright man, doubt this ruins his career as a superstar in this league.

To be fair regardless if DA is there or not (I wish he was but lets be honest) we were not beating that LA Lakers team that year who steamrolled through the playoffs. The Duncan one though I agree on, they had a shot if he was healthy.

The first two games were very close, Spurs with a fully healthy Derek Anderson, that could have changed the series. I'm not sure if we would have won it, but those first two games could have been wins with a fully healthy DA.

[wildchild]

Tim Grover (Jordan, Kobe, Wade's trainer) said 8-10 weeks is an aggressive schedule for complete return.
521348583581564928

[Uriel]

It's amazing how many devastating injuries OKC has suffered the last 3 years. The Spurs continue to be the biggest beneficiaries of these injuries.

Now there is absolutely no excuse for the Spurs not to finish as the #1 seed in the West. Coming into the year, I feared OKC was the one team that could beat us in a 7-game series, and that they would be increasingly more likely to do so with HCA. But with this injury, the Spurs should take advantage of this opportunity to finish above OKC in the standings, in the event of a playoff meeting.

[Malik Hairston]

^^Clippers are probably the favorites for the #1 seed, tbh, they are purely a regular season team that will thrive during the season and will be chosen by morons(Reggie Miller, etc) to win the West based on their effort level(compared to the Spurs, who will be coasting) prior to the playoffs..

OKC is going to finish 4th or 5th IMO, which is fine for the Spurs from a bracket perspective..

[Russo21]

Path to the finals in the West is never clear. He will be back in fine forms by the playoffs hopefully anyway. Apart from OKC you have the Blazers, Clippers, Rockets, Mavericks, Warriors, Grizzlies. The path to the finals is never clear in the west. (we've 'only' won the west 6 times so it's never a guarantee)

[SpurPadre]

Sorry to hear. He seems to me like a good guy so I hope he recovers soon enough. Regardless, we can whip the Thunders ass with him at full strength.Can't root for injuries and you want to beat them fair and square but let's put a stop to this "KD is a good guy" bullshit we've been fed all these years. He's a phony and let's not forget his bitter shit talk about Kawhi via twitter when we won number five.

[Galileo]

The Clippers are the Spurs only threat for the West. Although Chris Paul is overrated, Griffin will challenge for MVP this season with Carmelo, LeBron and Anthony Davis.

[Malik Hairston]

Clippers aren't an actual threat to win the West, they don't have the criteria for a title team:lol..

[UZER]

jones has a high instance of re-fracture, better sit him good and long

i already struggle with the legitimacy of the 14 WCF due to a less than 100% ibaka. Durant, I hope to be 100% and give the Spurs a fight.

:lol that thinking is for the one and doners...not a five time champion that has won a ring in three different decades.

When you've accomplished that, those "only because he was hurt" excuses go out the window.

[SpurPadre]

The Clippers are the Spurs only threat for the West. Although Chris Paul is overrated, Griffin will challenge for MVP this season with Carmelo, LeBron and Anthony Davis.

Yeah, I have to admit that albino is the real deal, tbh.

[Mikeanaro]

Guys dont forget Portland.

[cjw]

The Clippers are the Spurs only threat for the West. Although Chris Paul is overrated, Griffin will challenge for MVP this season with Carmelo, LeBron and Anthony Davis.

You lost me at Carmelo. Davis won't win either as is his team will struggle to make the playoffs.

Don't get me wrong on Melo - I think he had an outstanding and underrated season last year, but he won't be in the discussion unless his team gets to 48-50 wins. Otherwise, why didn't Love win during his years in Minnesota?

Melo was pretty efficient last year despite being the only real option on that team, and actually rebounded very well for the SF position (helped that they were playing small ball and that he's not a lockdown defender getting taken out of rebounding position ... Kawhi for one is right behind him). He could win an MVP on the right team, but the Knicks are total garbage.

[SpurPadre]

Guys dont forget Portland.

Or the Jim Carrey-coached Mavs team.

[exstatic]

^^Clippers are probably the favorites for the #1 seed, tbh, they are purely a regular season team that will thrive during the season and will be chosen by morons(Reggie Miller, etc) to win the West based on their effort level(compared to the Spurs, who will be coasting) prior to the playoffs..

OKC is going to finish 4th or 5th IMO, which is fine for the Spurs from a bracket perspective..

Chris Paul's knee causes him to miss time every year, and they suck without him.

[SpurPadre]

I'm more worried about the dubs than the paper clips, tbh.

[Mikeanaro]

Tim Grover (Jordan, Kobe, Wade's trainer) said 8-10 weeks is an aggressive schedule for complete return.
521348583581564928
Well yeah but is not that easy, look at Kobe and Yao they did the swimming the running, and Wade is like a 33 y/o grandma, he is not a doctor KD is a big skinny lamp I bet fragile as fuck so giving exact return dates is not very serious.
Dude look like a politician in that avatar.

[Mikeanaro]

Or the Jim Carrey-coached Mavs team.
Yeah, remember he dominated ¨The Claw¨ in Liar Liar.
http://shechive.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/jim-carrey-12.jpg?w=499&h=334

[Sean Cagney]

The first two games were very close, Spurs with a fully healthy Derek Anderson, that could have changed the series. I'm not sure if we would have won it, but those first two games could have been wins with a fully healthy DA.
Ehhhhh maybe, we will never know but maybe. I remember the lead we had in game 2 up 37-22 in the second, then boom that went down Q by Q to 0 and then they won it. I agree we probably win one at home there and surely do not get swept with him. Do I think we win the series? No, personally I think LA was too good that year but you never know how far it could have stretched out.

It is all academic now and here say and I am glad he was gone shortly after as he continued to get hurt and under perform and we got Ginobili (Jax too for 03) so it all worked out very well. I agree though both the first two games could have gone either way, after that we just flat out got smashed.

BTW I remembered and looked it up, we were never in game one man

http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200105190SAS.html

They came in and floored us in that one I remember, we were playing catch up the whole way. Game 2 we get though I give you that.

[Ice009]

Tim Grover (Jordan, Kobe, Wade's trainer) said 8-10 weeks is an aggressive schedule for complete return.
521348583581564928

Hmm interesting. I assume Grover knows what he's talking about? So is he saying 8-10 weeks would be the earliest he can return?

btw, did Kawhi ever end up working out with Tim Grover during the off-season?

[Ice009]

BTW I remembered and looked it up, we were never in game one man

http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200105190SAS.html

They came in and floored us in that one I remember, we were playing catch up the whole way. Game 2 we get though I give you that.

I guess I am remembering game 2. I thought the first game was close too. I know what happened in game 3 and 4, I guess I forgot most of game 1. So yeah, not saying the Spurs would have won the series or anything like that, but at the very least I think that it could have been a lot more competitive with DA there.

[timtonymanu]

Guys dont forget Portland.

Portland is the same team as last year which is looking more like a fluke.

[Biernutz]

Durant's injury will probably result in a few loses for OKC. This could be the cushion that the Spurs need to win our Division.
It will be hard enough with Houston and Dallas fighting for the division. Our division has to be the toughest in the NBA.

[BatManu20]

Sucks for Durant tbh. I don't think this will effect him like Yao and other big men that had it. He's a lighter guy and he's still young. I think he bounces back just fine. Three things though:

1. Lebron has the '14 MVP wrapped up.

2. Westbrook is going to launch like 40 shots a game. It's going to be crazy to watch.

3. Spurs need to take advantage of this. They'll likely hit a slump or two later in the season. Winning a lot early to lock up HCA, or at least a better record than OKC would be ideal.

[Galileo]

1. Lebron has the '14 MVP wrapped up.



The best player in the NBA and the next Tim Duncan is Anthony Davis.

[TheGreatYacht]

No the Spurs don't have HCA locked up. Is everyone forgetting Patty Mills was huge in getting us HCA when the Big 3 rested. I guarantee you the Spurs won't win those games with Oseph standing in the corner and watching someone else play point. Expect the bench to lose some leads that the starters get. Brickenelli, Turnobili, Average Jo, and Errors are gonna be something to watch...

[Sean Cagney]

I guess I am remembering game 2. I thought the first game was close too. I know what happened in game 3 and 4, I guess I forgot most of game 1. So yeah, not saying the Spurs would have won the series or anything like that, but at the very least I think that it could have been a lot more competitive with DA there.

I think they might have man! I don't think they win this series but losing 4-2 or at WORST 4-1 if he was in there. He might have changed game one some? Who knows. I know it's in the past and it worked out later for us with him gone and Ginobiliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii taking over that 2 spot (Jax one year), so all is well and 4 titles later!

Lakers in 2001 though were just flat out TOUGH to beat, that team was one of the best teams post Jordan era easily! Our 2014 team is up there as well IMO and maybe a team (Probably not two) since the 90's, other than that not many teams hit that level of play. You could just tell it was their year in 2001 when the playoffs started.
No the Spurs don't have HCA locked up. Is everyone forgetting Patty Mills was huge in getting us HCA when the Big 3 rested. I guarantee you the Spurs won't win those games with Oseph standing in the corner and watching someone else play point. Expect the bench to lose some leads that the starters get. Brickenelli, Turnobili, Average Jo, and Errors are gonna be something to watch...

It would not surprise me for the Spurs with him out and coming off that dominant title run to have a hangover for a little while and start out slower this year! They came out on fire last year on a mission from the finals loss. I see the Spurs at around 10-7 or so early on in the year and some panicking! They will gear up and turn it on later IMO and make a run but I don't see them with the same hunger as last year after that run for some reason.

[Brunodf]

Sucks for Durant tbh. I don't think this will effect him like Yao and other big men that had it. He's a lighter guy and he's still young. I think he bounces back just fine. Three things though:

1. Lebron has the '14 MVP wrapped up.

2. Westbrook is going to launch like 40 shots a game. It's going to be crazy to watch.

3. Spurs need to take advantage of this. They'll likely hit a slump or two later in the season. Winning a lot early to lock up HCA, or at least a better record than OKC would be ideal.

I am not so sure...There are so many young players that could've a break out season tbh... Even Westbrick could win if he plays well without Durant...

[BatManu20]

I am not so sure...There are so many young players that could've a break out season tbh... Even Westbrick could win if he plays well without Durant...

I think the Cavs will win around 55 games or so this season. Even if they only won 50, seeing as how they only won 33 games last year, I think the massive improvement will make it almost impossible not to net Lebron his 5th MVP.

[Brunodf]

I think the Cavs will win around 55 games or so this season. Even if they only won 50, seeing as how they only won 33 games last year, I think the massive improvement will make it almost impossible not to net Lebron his 5th MVP.
There is no way Lebron would win the MVP if the Cavs win "only" 50 games... I could see players like Curry/Davis/Griffin winning if their teams make the top 5...

Also i think the NBA wants more Superstars for the future( other than Durant and Lebron).

[wildchild]

Well yeah but is not that easy, look at Kobe and Yao they did the swimming the running, and Wade is like a 33 y/o grandma, he is not a doctor KD is a big skinny lamp I bet fragile as fuck so giving exact return dates is not very serious.
Dude look like a politician in that avatar.
Agree, but it sounds like an approximate/estimated date than exact dates.



btw, did Kawhi ever end up working out with Tim Grover during the off-season?
Leonard didn't train with him this summer, it would have been good to see Grover working on Kawhi's killer instinct -he doesn't think killer instinct is an inborn trait and he assures it can be worked-, and competitive intensity.
He likes Kawhi, after 2013 finals he praised him saying he'll be a "cleaner", the word he uses to describe the unstoppable, the ultimate competitor who has an insatiable addiction to success, better than the "cooler" a follower who can make a huge play but he's ultimately not responsible for the outcome, and the "closer" who can handle a lot of pressure and will perform effectively if his task is clearly defined.
Maybe next offseason.
349953904559140864

[heyheymymy]

lol wut. Ibaka came back and played at 100% (roughly at his regular season level) and wasn't ever really badly injured in the first place.


ibaka seemed just fine when he was goaltending shots in the closing minutes of game 6


:lol that thinking is for the one and doners...not a five time champion that has won a ring in three different decades.

When you've accomplished that, those "only because he was hurt" excuses go out the window.


preaching to the choir, friends. I know this, but already just in this thread alone you've got a troll throwing an * and I don't want to hear it for all the reasons listed above, that anyone who watched the games would know.

I guess trolls gonna troll, we blitzkrieg'd the playoffs last year and still get fools coming through. how stupid do you feel trying to find any mud at all to throw at the 14 spurs run? toughest title to troll. broke records from MJ to Magic, and clowns still try? pffft.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

James Anderson broke his foot sometime in early november and was back at the end of january, but was asssigned to the Toros to get back in shape. Didn't play meaningful NBA minutes until march or so. That's 4 months. Durant would be a fool to try coming back too early and risk tens of millions of dollars. If he's that dumb he surely must have advisors who'd tell him that.

[spurspokesman]

Too bad for KD. he's a cool dude

[spurspokesman]

ibaka seemed just fine when he was goaltending shots in the closing minutes of game 6

Laughing my a$$ off. So true

[exstatic]

Sucks for Durant tbh. I don't think this will effect him like Yao and other big men that had it. He's a lighter guy and he's still young. I think he bounces back just fine.

Neither James Anderson or Roddy Beaubois are heavyweights like Yao, and they both had this same fracture. It damages your ability to shoot the ball, robbing you of lift. Neither are still in the NBA, and they were first round picks who showed real NBA ability before their fractures. Read Chinook's quote in the timvp post that he bumped. It's chilling how awful this fracture is.

[spursparker9]

1. Lebron has the '14 MVP wrapped up.

2. Westbrook is going to launch like 40 shots a game. It's going to be crazy to watch.

.

I will have Blake Griffin and Anthony Davis as contenders for MVP as well. But ultimately I think the MVP will be LeBron if Cleveland had the overall best record in the league or best record in the East, which is most likely to happen as the only teams that can play in the East other than the Cavs are the Heat,Bulls and Wizards.

[Brazil]

:lolwhy did 100 get banned?

a thread in the nba forum with sexy gifs tbh

jeebus got the hammer too :lol

it is likely a temp ban tho, he will be back soon

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

This is the same injury that Yao got and plague him for the rest of his career. The Thunder should rest Durant til at least mid January IMO. Playing on it too early can risk the recurrence of this injury. Basically this injury pretty much assured that the Spurs will more than likely have HC advantage over the Thunder this year.

And no, the Path to the finals in never cleared, but this will help for the Spurs to secure HC advantage out West this year, which is a huge plus in itself.

Remember the years that Duncan, Parker, Manu were playing injured or missing the postseason from 08-11 seasons. That is why I don't care if other team's have injuries. Spurs had their fair share. It's just part of the game. If the Spurs win it again this year, I won't care the least bit that this injury played a factored in it. As long as the Spurs aren't going Head Hunting and purposely causing injuries, I don't care what opponents player gets injured. Shit happens.

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

No the Spurs don't have HCA locked up. Is everyone forgetting Patty Mills was huge in getting us HCA when the Big 3 rested. I guarantee you the Spurs won't win those games with Oseph standing in the corner and watching someone else play point. Expect the bench to lose some leads that the starters get. Brickenelli, Turnobili, Average Jo, and Errors are gonna be something to watch...

Patty was huge b/c Parker and Manu went down with injuries. Right now, both are healthy. If that remains so until Mills returns, I don't see it effecting the Spurs too much.

[Old School 44]

Hmmm, must be named after Caldwell Jones and his brothers?


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jones_fracture

He should be thankful he has a Jones fracture versus a fractured Johnson. :lol

[Spurs Brazil]

http://instreetclothes.com/2014/10/12/breaking-kevin-durants-jones-fracture/

http://instreetclothes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Screen-shot-2014-10-12-at-11.59.28-AM.png

[peacemaker885]

Very interesting graphic. Looks like Patty had this, and together with the current injury gives light to the current deal that he has with the Spurs.

[tmtcsc]

Zach Lowe from SI thinks OKC will be fine. :lol I think Durant is a talented but weak-minded fraud on the court and a generous citizen in his community. No doubt he was petty and jealous with his comments toward Leonard.

The truth is, OKC WILL NOT be ok. They will probably drop 2 spots in the seedings (if lucky) and fail to make the WCF. As I tweeted to Zach Lowe, Durant is the Glue to Westbrook's Krazy. Without KD, OKC and Westbrook are going to be a big hot mess of chaos and turnovers. No one will be there (especially not Brooks) to save Westbrook from himself. They already have a shallow bench, what happens when they are absent their MVP?

[benstanfield]

Even if he comes back in 6 weeks, losing an extra 5-6 games could be the difference between playing Dallas/Memphis/NO and playing GS/Portland/Houston in the first round. Not to mention losing HCA to SAS and LAC.

[Mel_13]

521751916595146752

521752023528902656


http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/psl_finder.cgi?request=1&match=combined&type=totals&per_minute_base=36&per_poss_base=100&lg_id=NBA&is_playoffs=N&year_min=2010&year_max=2014&franch_id=&season_start=1&season_end=-1&age_min=0&age_max=99&height_min=0&height_max=99&shoot_hand=&birth_country_is=Y&birth_country=&is_active=&is_hof=&is_as=&as_comp=gt&as_val=&pos_is_g=Y&pos_is_gf=Y&pos_is_f=Y&pos_is_fg=Y&pos_is_fc=Y&pos_is_c=Y&pos_is_cf=Y&qual=&c1stat=&c1comp=gt&c1val=&c2stat=&c2comp=gt&c2val=&c3stat=&c3comp=gt&c3val=&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&c5stat=&c5comp=gt&c6mult=1.0&c6stat=&order_by=mp

[Dex]

Kevin Durant still not sure of foot fracture treatment
(http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/thunder/2014/10/13/kevin-durant-foot-fracture-thunder/17207383/)

As Durant is surely being told by the medical experts, there are risks that would come from playing through the pain. As written by Dr. Mark Adickes in his ESPN.com article about the Durant injury, "A recent study found that Jones fractures treated without surgery had just a 76 percent chance of complete recovery, while those treated with surgery found a 95 percent return to full health.

[Dex]

521751916595146752

521752023528902656


http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/psl_finder.cgi?request=1&match=combined&type=totals&per_minute_base=36&per_poss_base=100&lg_id=NBA&is_playoffs=N&year_min=2010&year_max=2014&franch_id=&season_start=1&season_end=-1&age_min=0&age_max=99&height_min=0&height_max=99&shoot_hand=&birth_country_is=Y&birth_country=&is_active=&is_hof=&is_as=&as_comp=gt&as_val=&pos_is_g=Y&pos_is_gf=Y&pos_is_f=Y&pos_is_fg=Y&pos_is_fc=Y&pos_is_c=Y&pos_is_cf=Y&qual=&c1stat=&c1comp=gt&c1val=&c2stat=&c2comp=gt&c2val=&c3stat=&c3comp=gt&c3val=&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&c5stat=&c5comp=gt&c6mult=1.0&c6stat=&order_by=mp

:lmao Drew Carrey stickin' to his guns. We pay him money, so his body obviously can withstand playing 40 minutes a game.

[Chinook]

Kevin Durant still not sure of foot fracture treatment
(http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/thunder/2014/10/13/kevin-durant-foot-fracture-thunder/17207383/)

I wonder if that's a study of athletes or all people. I could see regular folks healing over time with proper rest, but I can't see how it's not dangerous for basketball players to go without surgery. I also wonder if Durant's reluctance to go ahead with the procedure is related to how the Thunder botched Westbrook's situation last season. He may not feel like the organization has his long-term interest at heart.

[Malik Hairston]

:lol it's always funny reading predictions here from posters that have been completely wrong about everything the past few years, including the Spurs, tbh..

[littlecoyotecoin]

a thread in the nba forum with sexy gifs tbh

jeebus got the hammer too :lol

it is likely a temp ban tho, he will be back soon

I didn't think god was watching. I thought he abandoned us a la "Lord of the Flies".

[littlecoyotecoin]

He should be thankful he has a Jones fracture versus a fractured Johnson. :lol

I admit I chuckled.

[TheGreatYacht]

It would not surprise me for the Spurs with him out and coming off that dominant title run to have a hangover for a little while and start out slower this year! They came out on fire last year on a mission from the finals loss. I see the Spurs at around 10-7 or so early on in the year and some panicking! They will gear up and turn it on later IMO and make a run but I don't see them with the same hunger as last year after that run for some reason.
I agree 100% with this, only three people look ready to start the season IMO. Also, the Spurs will spend Oct-Nov facing some tough ass teams and on the road! Hopefully with Timmy not starting awful this year, Parker looking in MVP form, and Kawhi looking to shut the critics up, is enough to get us some nice breathing room from Westbrook and Ibaka

[exstatic]

I wonder if that's a study of athletes or all people. I could see regular folks healing over time with proper rest, but I can't see how it's not dangerous for basketball players to go without surgery. I also wonder if Durant's reluctance to go ahead with the procedure is related to how the Thunder botched Westbrook's situation last season. He may not feel like the organization has his long-term interest at heart.

The outcome is MUCH more in doubt if you DON'T have the surgery. It's like 75% as opposed to north of 90% with surgery.

The thing is, that bone is in an area with little circulation to cause it to heal naturally.

As for KD, I wouldn't blame him for questioning the OKC organization's motives. They run the team on the cheap,and it sounds like Brooks is impatient for the day he can throw him back out there for 40+ a night.

[moisaenz]

The way the thunder treats durant and his injury this season, will determine if durant will be leaving at the first chance of free agency.

[Obstructed_View]

The way the thunder treats durant and his injury this season, will determine if durant will be leaving at the first chance of free agency.
Ugh. Brooks is so fucking stupid about minutes and is probably still feeling heat about keeping his job. This thing has Grant Hill written all over it.

[Chinook]

Ugh. Brooks is so fucking stupid about minutes and is probably still feeling heat about keeping his job. This thing has Grant Hill written all over it.

I imagine that's on Durant's mind as well. He seems reluctant to follow OKC's wishes blindly. They really screwed Westbrook's long-term prognosis by forcing him to have surgery last year.

[Obstructed_View]

I imagine that's on Durant's mind as well. He seems reluctant to follow OKC's wishes blindly. They really screwed Westbrook's long-term prognosis by forcing him to have surgery last year.
Certainly seems that way. The Thunder can blow sunshine up ESPN and OKC's ass all they want. I hope, for his own sake, that KD is reading about this injury and taking it seriously.

[cd021]

The outcome is MUCH more in doubt if you DON'T have the surgery. It's like 75% as opposed to north of 90% with surgery.

The thing is, that bone is in an area with little circulation to cause it to heal naturally.

As for KD, I wouldn't blame him for questioning the OKC organization's motives. They run the team on the cheap,and it sounds like Brooks is impatient for the day he can throw him back out there for 40+ a night.

Agreed. Pretty amazing that they don't have a legit backup for their best player.

They really are really thin at SF now PJ III, Roberson, Morrow or Lamb at the 3 isn't going to cut it until he returns.

[Russ]

I imagine that's on Durant's mind as well. He seems reluctant to follow OKC's wishes blindly. They really screwed Westbrook's long-term prognosis by forcing him to have surgery last year.

I thought that Westbrook (at least originally) eschewed the team's wishes and went with his own treatment and approach.

[exstatic]

I imagine that's on Durant's mind as well. He seems reluctant to follow OKC's wishes blindly. They really screwed Westbrook's long-term prognosis by forcing him to have surgery last year.

Westbrook HAD to have surgery. The meniscus wasn't going to rejoin by itself. I think they pressed him to have it removed, which would have been a shorter recovery, but a worse prognosis. He opted to repair it. I'm not sure if that worked or not. He had to have another surgery, I believe (actually two more). If OKC was to blame for anything, it was not enforcing the 4-6 week recovery after the second surgery. He was supposed to miss 4-6 weeks of the regular season, but only sat preseason and 2 games. Scotty Brooks is a weak tit.

[timtonymanu]

I enjoy Brooks coaching like a dumbass for the Spurs' sake but it's frustrating how incompetent he is from a coaching standpoint. :lol

[timtonymanu]

Tough break for OKC. I hate them and this is good news for the Spurs but Durant is a great talent. It would suck to not see him play at the same level he is use to if the Jones fracture affects him like other players.

[Ice009]

I imagine that's on Durant's mind as well. He seems reluctant to follow OKC's wishes blindly. They really screwed Westbrook's long-term prognosis by forcing him to have surgery last year.

What do you mean? Was it better if he didn't have surgery? I thought they had a choice of either removing the meniscus (like what was done with Metta World Peace) or repairing it and I thought I read that they opted to repair it, which is supposed to be better in the long run, isn't it?

[Obstructed_View]

Tough break for OKC. I hate them and this is good news for the Spurs but Durant is a great talent. It would suck to not see him play at the same level he is use to if the Jones fracture affects him like other players.

Yeah, I'm with you on that. I love the Spurs, but I'm an NBA fan first. Losing good players is never a good thing.

[lurker23]

8 weeks would keep him out until the 2nd week of December; 10 weeks would be mid-to-late December. I imagine there will be some unspoken pressure from the NBA to make sure he's on the court (and not super-rusty) for the Spurs/Thunder Christmas Day game.

[mkurts]

OKC is a shit team with a FO made up of retards, Durant should jump ship asap before they run him into the ground or disable him

[Sean Cagney]

a thread in the nba forum with sexy gifs tbh

jeebus got the hammer too :lol

it is likely a temp ban tho, he will be back soon
Sexy gifs? That doesn't sound ban worthy to me ;).

[exstatic]

OKC is a shit team with a FO made up of retards, Durant should jump ship asap before they run him into the ground or disable him

Their FO is actually smart. It's their owner who is a retard.

[Ice009]

Their FO is actually smart. It's their owner who is a retard.

Yeah, nothing wrong with their front office. They can't do anything if their owner won't sign off on it.

Isn't that what happened with Harden? The owner didn't want to pay him what he was asking? So they were forced to trade him. I'm sure their FO weren't the ones who wanted to let him go or didn't think he was worth what he was asking, were they?

[Dex]

Matt Moore sums up the task Westbook is facing nicely here, even if he isn't very good at counting:
(http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/24751218/russell-westbrook-says-his-game-wont-change-without-kevin-durant)


And this illustrates the impossible position that Westbrook is in. There are only three ways this goes down for Westbrook in the time Durant's gone.

1. The team thrives with Westbrook taking a bigger role, putting up huge numbers, and the debate over whether he's a proper or functional "Scottie Pippen"-type role player increases. He will be simultaneously lauded for stepping up in Durant's absence but there will be the inevitable "how will the Thunder adjust when Durant comes back/can Russell Westbrook go back to deferring to Kevin Durant?" narratives flying about.

2. The team thrives in the way that Brooks and Westbrook discuss, through a team effort without Westbrook really doing more, and perhaps even struggling, leading to the question of what exactly makes Westbrook so special if the team is fine without Durant and without Westbrook going ballistic.

3. The team struggles while Westbrook puts up numbers, furthering the idea that Westbrook is "selfish" and a gunner who only cares about putting up shots (despite his stellar assist figures). This is the worst-case scenario, in which Westbrook does what is asked of him, but takes criticism because that performance doesn't lead to a quality team performance.

4. The team struggles as Westbrook does, and he takes the bulk of the blame and a wide-net is cast around the idea that Westbrook isn't a true "best player on the team" guy. You would think this is the worst case scenario, but somehow being incapable of leading a team is superior to being capable of putting up the performance but not the corresponding wins (which he's not actually responsible for).

[xmas1997]

Their FO is actually smart. It's their owner who is a retard.

So says the moron who thinks he knows the owner of OKC.

[SupremeGuy]

Matt Moore sums up the task Westbook is facing nicely here, even if he isn't very good at counting:
(http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/24751218/russell-westbrook-says-his-game-wont-change-without-kevin-durant):lol

[anakha]

So says the moron who thinks he knows the owner of OKC.

:lmao bitches about derailing in another thread then derails this one.
:lmao still butthurt

[buttsR4rebounding]

He should be thankful he has a Jones fracture versus a fractured Johnson. :lol

:lmao