The feud contines ...

[Killakobe81]

Stephen A says "Weakest move by a superstar"

Troof bomb our sour grapes cuz Durant shuts out his sources?!

[RsxPiimp]

He's 100% right tho

[whitemamba]

He's 100% right tho

Why though? :loltodays NBA is different. Thank Lebron.

[Dunc n Dave]

Stephen A says "Weakest move by a superstar"

Troof bomb our sour grapes cuz Durant shuts out his sources?!


Can't believe I'm saying this... but I agree with Screamin A Smith. It's obvious that Durant wants all the success with none of the pressure as the go-to guy. I knew he wasn't coming to the Spurs, but thought his best move was going to Boston or staying in OKC. Both of those situations he is still "the guy" and he is a guaranteed contender each year. Boston is in a great situation with a lot of youth and defense. OKC proved they could take out the Warriors going up 3-1 on them last year and the moves they made brought in extra defense that could've put them over the top against Curry & Co.

Beta move, IMO.

[DMC]

What's the difference between KD's decision and Curry/Thompson/Green wanting him? They join forces either way.

Lebron has his work cut out now. Needs to get another big hitter in Cleveland.

[Killakobe81]

Can't believe I'm saying this... but I agree with Screamin A Smith. It's obvious that Durant wants all the success with none of the pressure as the go-to guy. I knew he wasn't coming to the Spurs, but thought his best move was going to Boston or staying in OKC. Both of those situations he is still "the guy" and he is a guaranteed contender each year. Boston is in a great situation with a lot of youth and defense. OKC proved they could take out the Warriors going up 3-1 on them last year and the moves they made brought in extra defense that could've put them over the top against Curry & Co.

Beta move, IMO.

Boston wouldnt be bad but why would he leave one young college coach to play with horfotd and a bunch of unprovens? Might as well stay. If he left, State made the most sense ...

[daslicer]

It was a pretty weak move and not comparable to Lebron. Kevin left a team that was loaded with talent while Lebron walked away from a team filled with a bunch of scrubs.

[HarlemHeat37]

I don't understand why people are surprised, though:lol

Dominos just spent his entire career in a small-market where Westbrook received virtually all the blame for their failures..he would never opt to join a team where he's the only or even primary star, he's one of the most sensitive athletes we have ever seen..

[Tully365]

Steven A. Smith is the polar opposite of Jerry West. Smith is emotional, petty, and macho-- West is calm, intelligent, and serious. Jerry West most likely sold KD on joining the Warriors with a very carefully focused sales pitch: best team, best teamwork, best contract situation, great staff, & great continuity... when Durant is 50 and looking back on his career, he'll be counting championship trophies-- that's what he wants more than anything at this point. He just did the same thing LeBron did when he left Cleveland: made a smart basketball decision.

[DAF86]

I'm going to quote what I said in another thread:


Lebron at least created a superteam from scratch. This bitch joined an already stacked champion.

I wonder if GS losing the final gave Durant the perfect excuse to sign with them. He was like: "Hey, they lost the final. I'm not a total pussy ass bitch".

Signing with an already champion team that you were so close of beating in the playoffs is beyond beta, imho.

[Bynumite]

As much as i hate on Lebeta. Him going to Miami is what made the Heat go from great team to championship contender.

Warriors already rang and are a contender with or without Durant. It's different.

[HarlemHeat37]

I'm going to quote what I said in another thread:



Signing with an already champion team that you were so close of beating in the playoffs is beyond beta, imho.

Signing with the team that just defeated you is pretty weak:lol

Imagine if Lebron had joined the Pierce/KG/Allen Celtics..

[ambchang]

How is this different from pedo and Payton joining the Lakers? Or Lebron and the Heatles? Or Dwight and Nash to the Lakers? Or even Aldridge to the Spurs.

They all want to win a ring, and they realized the super teams or good teams they join give them the best chances. They are right sometimes, wrong others. let's wait another 10 or 11 months to see what comes out of this.

[Tully365]

.he would never opt to join a team where he's the only or even primary star

Why would anyone want to be on a team as the only star? That's pretty much a guarantee that you don't win a championship. I just don't get how using free agency as an opportunity to surround yourself with the best possible teammates is a shortcoming. It just seems like intelligence to me.

[Tully365]

Jason Kidd refusing to join the Spurs as a free agent is the dumbest thing he did in his career...

He'd easily have 3 or 4 rings instead of one.

[LkrFan]

Stephen A says "Weakest move by a superstar"

Troof bomb our sour grapes cuz Durant shuts out his sources?!

This. KD clowned him too now he butthurt.

[LkrFan]

Jason Kidd refusing to join the Spurs as a free agent is the smartest thing he did in his career....
FIFY :)

[daslicer]

Jason Kidd refusing to join the Spurs as a free agent is the dumbest thing he did in his career...

He'd easily have 3 or 4 rings instead of one.

:lol By your logic Duncan should have joined up with the Lakers in the summer of '00. Could you imagine Kobe-Duncan-Shaq they could have won 9-10 titles.

[Killakobe81]

It was a pretty weak move and not comparable to Lebron. Kevin left a team that was loaded with talent while Lebron walked away from a team filled with a bunch of scrubs.

Wade and Bosh disagree ...

[HarlemHeat37]

Why would anyone want to be on a team as the only star? That's pretty much a guarantee that you don't win a championship. I just don't get how using free agency as an opportunity to surround yourself with the best possible teammates is a shortcoming. It just seems like intelligence to me.

I think it's 100% the correct move on Durant's part, just like I argued when Lebron joined the Heat..if you want to win as much as possible, you ignore all the "legacy" talk and go to the best destination..

I'm speaking from the media and old heads' POV of "Jordan or Magic would have never joined X team", though..it looks pretty bad in the eyes of the majority of the media and fans' eyes that a player is joining a championship/73-win team that just defeated him..

[LkrFan]

Westbrook told him he was outta there. KD just beat him to the door.

[Clipper Nation]

Wade and Bosh disagree ...
Pretty sure he's talking about when LeBron left scrubs like M:lol Williams and Varejao. But really, Washed-Up Wade and RuPaul were exposed as nothing special by the time LeBron left Miami.

Neither move is comparable to what Durbeta just did.

[LkrFan]

Pretty sure he's talking about when LeBron left scrubs like M:lol Williams and Varejao. But really, Washed-Up Wade and RuPaul were exposed as nothing special by the time LeBron left Miami.

Neither move is comparable to what Durbeta just did.

Kobe, Air Jaundice, and Jim never left their teams. LeHype is not cut from the same cloth.

[Tully365]

I think it's 100% the correct move on Durant's part, just like I argued when Lebron joined the Heat..if you want to win as much as possible, you ignore all the "legacy" talk and go to the best destination..

I'm speaking from the media and old heads' POV of "Jordan or Magic would have never joined X team", though..it looks pretty bad in the eyes of the majority of the media and fans' eyes that a player is joining a championship/73-win team that just defeated him..

I think it's the 100% best move too. I think people have got to stick to an opinion when it comes to mainstream fans & media-- if we're saying all the time that the majority of fans are simply uninformed homers, it's kind of silly to then say , "oh no, most people are critical of this move!"
That's why I admire the move by Durant so much. He made the best decision with regard to basketball, knowing there'd be a throng of Steven A. Smith types & casual fans responding by calling him names... as is happening right now all over Spurstalk. Every Celtics, Heat, Spurs, and Warrior fan wanted Durant to choose their team in free agency, but then the vast majority of those same people call him a pussy for not staying in OKC. Looks like pure homerism to me. I picture KD having a really serious discussion with Jerry West & Steve Kerr and making a smart decision based on those discussions... seems like the intelligent, grown up thing to do, as opposed to the internet name calling that prevails around here.

[Clipper Nation]

Kobe, Air Jaundice, and Jim never left their teams. LeHype is not cut from the same cloth.
DK never had to leave MVPippen's team. It was already stacked.

Kobe threatened to leave until the Lakers traded Shaq, then he demanded a trade himself until the Lakers got MVPau to carry him.

Duncan had one foot out the door to Orlando, and D-Rob had to beg him back at the last minute.

If Cleveland's front office built a real team instead of just taking LeBron for granted his first time around, he wouldn't have left either.

[spursistan]

Comparing Lebron situation with this bitch's :lmao..

LBJ went to a pretender that started Joel fuckin' Antony Carlos Arroyo and the corpse of Mike Bibby in 2011..:lol

[Thread]

Grapes.

[DAF86]

How is this different from pedo and Payton joining the Lakers? Or Lebron and the Heatles? Or Dwight and Nash to the Lakers? Or even Aldridge to the Spurs.

They all want to win a ring, and they realized the super teams or good teams they join give them the best chances. They are right sometimes, wrong others. let's wait another 10 or 11 months to see what comes out of this.

I posted the answer to this question just a couple of posts above, tbh.

[djohn2oo8]

How is this different from pedo and Payton joining the Lakers? Or Lebron and the Heatles? Or Dwight and Nash to the Lakers? Or even Aldridge to the Spurs.

They all want to win a ring, and they realized the super teams or good teams they join give them the best chances. They are right sometimes, wrong others. let's wait another 10 or 11 months to see what comes out of this.
Aldridge isn't a superstar. Neither were Payton, Nash and Dwight. Those guys didn't have the skill and talent of Durant. As far as LeBron, he joined a team and turned them into a title team. Durant, loses one fucking series to the Warriors and bails immediately even though he was the reason they blew that lead. This is MUCH worse. He leaves a contender to join a powerhouse. It's very weak.

[Pelicans78]

Aldridge isn't a superstar. Neither were Payton, Nash and Dwight. Those guys didn't have the skill and talent of Durant. As far as LeBron, he joined a team and turned them into a title team. Durant, loses one fucking series to the Warriors and bails immediately even though he was the reason they blew that lead. This is MUCH worse. He leaves a contender to join a powerhouse. It's very weak.

Something I've never seen before in this exact scenario.

[Thebesteva]

I don't understand why people are surprised, though:lol

Dominos just spent his entire career in a small-market where Westbrook received virtually all the blame for their failures..he would never opt to join a team where he's the only or even primary star, he's one of the most sensitive athletes we have ever seen..

In all fairness...isnt KD one of the nicest quietest guys ever? It's almost as if hes saying yes I'm beta and I dont mind...leave me be. Or did I miss something?

[Thread]

In all fairness...isnt KD one of the nicest quietest guys ever? It's almost as if hes saying yes I'm beta and I dont mind...leave me be.

And there is a place all set for him there with State, just like there was one there with the Spurs.

Like Gasol---Durant was made for the Spurs.

[Koolaid_Man]

Stephen A says "Weakest move by a superstar"

Troof bomb our sour grapes cuz Durant shuts out his sources?!


Sour grapes....he knows Lebron likely just got his last and final ring :lol

[Koolaid_Man]

Signing with the team that just defeated you is pretty weak:lol

Imagine if Lebron had joined the Pierce/KG/Allen Celtics..


No its not..that only applies if that team wins the title enroute to beating you :lol

[Will Hunting]

Kobe, Air Jaundice, and Jim never left their teams. LeHype is not cut from the same cloth.
:lol wrong, Kobe demanded a trade from the team that drafted him before he ever suited up for them

[LkrFan]

:lol wrong, Kobe demanded a trade from the team that drafted him before he ever suited up for them

Kobe stayed in LA 20 yearsPERIOD. Pierce didn't ;)

[Will Hunting]

Kobe stayed in LA 20 yearsPERIOD. Pierce didn't ;)

Pierce stayed with Boston a lot longer than Kobe stayed with the Hornets :lol

[ambchang]

I posted the answer to this question just a couple of posts above, tbh.

So pat Riley got better gm skills. You gotta be in edible naive to think that that the three guys didn't collude ahead of time, and they still managed to lose to the Mavs the first time around.

[ambchang]

Aldridge isn't a superstar. Neither were Payton, Nash and Dwight. Those guys didn't have the skill and talent of Durant. As far as LeBron, he joined a team and turned them into a title team. Durant, loses one fucking series to the Warriors and bails immediately even though he was the reason they blew that lead. This is MUCH worse. He leaves a contender to join a powerhouse. It's very weak.

So you are saying Durant haven't done this before? Of course the other guys do not have his skills because the only person in history of mankind to be exactly like Durant doing exactly what Durant did was Durant doing what he just did. Malone left the Jazz to join the lakers. Dwight led his magic to the finals only a few years before he joined the lakers.

Durant wants to coattail ride, but he is t the first one to do it

[djohn2oo8]

So you are saying Durant haven't done this before? Of course the other guys do not have his skills because the only person in history of mankind to be exactly like Durant doing exactly what Durant did was Durant doing what he just did. Malone left the Jazz to join the lakers. Dwight led his magic to the finals only a few years before he joined the lakers.

Durant wants to coattail ride, but he is t the first one to do it
Has a top 3 player ever left a stacked team to go join a team that had beat him and almost repeated? I mean has that ever happened through free agency? Btw, Dwight didn't want to play for the Lakers, he went by trade.

[Thread]

Has a top 3 player ever left a stacked team to go join a team that had beat him and almost repeated? I mean has that ever happened through free agency? Btw, Dwight didn't want to play for the Lakers, he went by trade.


It's a specious statement/argument prompted by the tired old ass Media, dj. Christ, and you picked it up off the fuckin' side of the road---then dragged it in here.

What the fuck is wrong with you?

[djohn2oo8]

It's a specious statement/argument prompted by the tired old ass Media, dj. Christ, and you picked it up off the fuckin' side of the road---then dragged it in here.

What the fuck is wrong with you?
Has it ever happened? You leave a team you can ring with if you have the will to do it, to join a for sure thing. That is chickenshit.

[Thread]

Has it ever happened? You leave a team you can ring with if you have the will to do it, to join a for sure thing. That is chickenshit.

BS. It wasn't chickenshit when James did it. It's never been chickenshit.

You're trying to win a championship. You do whatever it takes.

[djohn2oo8]

BS. It wasn't chickenshit when James did it. It's never been chickenshit.

You're trying to win a championship. You do whatever it takes.
Yet you go around saying certain players don't have "It". So apparently, there is something wrong with it. Oh, and LeBron didn't leave a title contender. Durant did. He's a coward.

[Thread]

Yet you go around saying certain players don't have "It". So apparently, there is something wrong with it. Oh, and LeBron didn't leave a title contender. Durant did. He's a coward.

And this player/Durant went where "It" won't be dependent upon him.

He's a perfect follower.

[djohn2oo8]

And this player/Durant went where "It" won't be dependent upon him.

He's a perfect follower.
He quit. Pure and simple.

[Thread]

He quit. Pure and simple.

Nonsense.

[ambchang]

Has a top 3 player ever left a stacked team to go join a team that had beat him and almost repeated? I mean has that ever happened through free agency? Btw, Dwight didn't want to play for the Lakers, he went by trade.

How many time have a top 3 player entered free agency?

Lebron, the top player, left through FA.
Chamberlain demanded a trade during his peak.
Jabbar demanded a trade during his peak.

You are basically saying this is a unique situation by putting in qualifiers after qualifiers until it is a unique situation.

But the crux of the issue is that a top player has joined a contender to ring, and it has happened multiple times in the past.

[ambchang]

Has it ever happened? You leave a team you can ring with if you have the will to do it, to join a for sure thing. That is chickenshit.

Everybody and their cousins know that OKC will not ring.

[Killakobe81]

Yet you go around saying certain players don't have "It". So apparently, there is something wrong with it. Oh, and LeBron didn't leave a title contender. Durant did. He's a coward.

L3bron left miami after losing in the finals to the Spurs
..

[Killakobe81]

How many time have a top 3 player entered free agency?

Lebron, the top player, left through FA.
Chamberlain demanded a trade during his peak.
Jabbar demanded a trade during his peak.

You are basically saying this is a unique situation by putting in qualifiers after qualifiers until it is a unique situation.

But the crux of the issue is that a top player has joined a contender to ring, and it has happened multiple times in the past.

Yep

[LkrFan]

Pierce stayed with Boston a lot longer than Kobe stayed with the Hornets :lol

:lol

[djohn2oo8]

L3bron left miami after losing in the finals to the Spurs
..
To go to another contender? Cleveland was NOT a contender. Until he went there. Durant joined a team close to repeating without him, the same one who just beat him. WEAK

[Clipper Nation]

L3bron left miami after losing in the finals to the Spurs
..
He left a declining team to go to what was then the most dysfunctional franchise in sports. It's still not comparable to the bitch move Durant just pulled. In fact, the only thing that is comparable is what Kobe pulled on Draft Day 1996.

[DAF86]

So pat Riley got better gm skills. You gotta be in edible naive to think that that the three guys didn't collude ahead of time, and they still managed to lose to the Mavs the first time around.

What son? I don't think you got my point, tbh.

[DJR210]

I don't understand why people are surprised, though:lol

Dominos just spent his entire career in a small-market where Westbrook received virtually all the blame for their failures..he would never opt to join a team where he's the only or even primary star, he's one of the most sensitive athletes we have ever seen..

:lmao

[TDfan2007]

Aldridge isn't a superstar. Neither were Payton, Nash and Dwight. Those guys didn't have the skill and talent of Durant. As far as LeBron, he joined a team and turned them into a title team. Durant, loses one fucking series to the Warriors and bails immediately even though he was the reason they blew that lead. This is MUCH worse. He leaves a contender to join a powerhouse. It's very weak.

Pretty much summed up my thoughts exactly. I've lost so much respect for Durant...

[TDfan2007]

How many time have a top 3 player entered free agency?

Lebron, the top player, left through FA.
Chamberlain demanded a trade during his peak.
Jabbar demanded a trade during his peak.

You are basically saying this is a unique situation by putting in qualifiers after qualifiers until it is a unique situation.

But the crux of the issue is that a top player has joined a contender to ring, and it has happened multiple times in the past.

It may not be unique, but it's still a weak move. The guy signed with a team that beat him, and it's not like he "didn't have help" or anything like that. Kevin Durant was a few made shots away from a Finals berth, but he choked it away. He, more than anyone else on that Thunder team besides maybe Westbrook, was responsible for that collapse in the WCF. To then turn around and sign with a team that already won a title without you and has made b2b Finals appearances without you is just beyond pathetic.

Btw, Malone and Payton left their teams during the twilight of their careers, so the comparison isn't appropriate.

[Thread]

Pretty much summed up my thoughts exactly. I've lost so much respect for Durant...

...I'll just bet you have.

[Thread]

It may not be unique, but it's still a weak move. The guy signed with a team that beat him

& after Media spent the last fort night warning him & "us" not to do it,,,he did it anyway.

Just shows ta go ya.

[ambchang]

What son? I don't think you got my point, tbh.

Not really. Because the three of them colluding would have made a clear cut championship favourite. Which is the equivalent of joining a ready made favourite.

[ambchang]

It may not be unique, but it's still a weak move. The guy signed with a team that beat him, and it's not like he "didn't have help" or anything like that. Kevin Durant was a few made shots away from a Finals berth, but he choked it away. He, more than anyone else on that Thunder team besides maybe Westbrook, was responsible for that collapse in the WCF. To then turn around and sign with a team that already won a title without you and has made b2b Finals appearances without you is just beyond pathetic.

Btw, Malone and Payton left their teams during the twilight of their careers, so the comparison isn't appropriate.

Malone and Payton twilights came because they joined the lakers. Both of them were 20/8/4 or so players the year before. It's just revisionist history that they were done when they joined, they weren't. Sure it wasn't the peak of their prime bit they were still all star players the year before they joined the lakers. Sort of like when shaq joined the heat.

And Durant joining a contender is the same as Lebron joining a contender through collusion. In fact, the collusion itself is against the rules which arguably made it worse.

[DAF86]

Not really. Because the three of them colluding would have made a clear cut championship favourite. Which is the equivalent of joining a ready made favourite.

Not really. Making a new team from scratch by teaming up with other stars isn't the same as joining an already established championship team which you were a few baskets made away from beating just a month ago. Every logical person that isn't influenced by some kind of agenda can see these differences.

[ambchang]

Not really. Making a new team from scratch by teaming up with other stars isn't the same as joining an already established championship team which you were a few baskets made away from beating just a month ago. Every logical person that isn't influenced by some kind of agenda can see these differences.

It wasn't the same as in the same, because you just wrote out the differences, but in concept, it's just people front running.

I am not sure what type of agenda I can possibly be having, it's not like I am a Durant or State fan.

[Killakobe81]

Malone and Payton twilights came because they joined the lakers. Both of them were 20/8/4 or so players the year before. It's just revisionist history that they were done when they joined, they weren't. Sure it wasn't the peak of their prime bit they were still all star players the year before they joined the lakers. Sort of like when shaq joined the heat.

And Durant joining a contender is the same as Lebron joining a contender through collusion. In fact, the collusion itself is against the rules which arguably made it worse.

Seriously? :lmao
how many seasons did Malone play AFTER he joined the Lakers?
How many times did GP or Malone finish 2nd in MVP voting the year before or after they joined the lakers like shaq dad with the Heat?!
I agree with your premise but your arguments to support it especially with those Lakers is full of shit and just untrue.
Neither guy even made a all-star game at that point in their careers and the starters are voted on by fans.
Comparing them to Shaq is an exaggeration or you are being dishonest to try and prove your point.

[ambchang]

Seriously? :lmao
how many seasons did Malone play AFTER he joined the Lakers?

Zero, he contacted cancer.



How many times did GP or Malone finish 2nd in MVP voting the year before or after they joined the lakers like shaq dad with the Heat?!

Why 2nd? Payton was an all star player the year before. Malone was a all-star caliber player and would have made it if not for the ridiculous talent at the PF position (Duncan, Webber, Garnett, Dirk)

And no, I am not talking about the same exact scenario, I am talking about front-running stars ring chasing.



I agree with your premise but your arguments to support it especially with those Lakers is full of shit and just untrue.
Neither guy even made a all-star game at that point in their careers and the starters are voted on by fans.
Comparing them to Shaq is an exaggeration or you are being dishonest to try and prove your point.

Shaq finished 2nd in MVP voting the first year in miami because everybody sucked, it wasn't because he was good, but it's the same basic premise, that the Lakers started this front running trend.

[Killakobe81]

Zero, he contacted cancer.




Why 2nd? Payton was an all star player the year before. Malone was a all-star caliber player and would have made it if not for the ridiculous talent at the PF position (Duncan, Webber, Garnett, Dirk)

And no, I am not talking about the same exact scenario, I am talking about front-running stars ring chasing.




Shaq finished 2nd in MVP voting the first year in miami because everybody sucked, it wasn't because he was good, but it's the same basic premise, that the Lakers started this front running trend.

Why 2nd because that is where Shaq was otherwise why would i make the point?

again, I agree that it has been done before including by the Lakers but you were exaggerating and I called you out for it.
But earlier you tried to say it was Kobe that called for it when it was shaq.
In fact, GP followed O'neal to miami.

SO I am just keeping you honest.
Kobe couldnt recruit anyone after the "snitch" ... Artest just dgaf ...and I love him for that.

[Mikeanaro]

Thats not even the issue, the thing I fear the most its now GS is gonna have two big mommas, defending their loser boys everywhere.

[Killakobe81]

The SAS meltdown on FB/Periscope

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BigbhYkVVow

[ambchang]

Why 2nd because that is where Shaq was otherwise why would i make the point?

again, I agree that it has been done before including by the Lakers but you were exaggerating and I called you out for it.
But earlier you tried to say it was Kobe that called for it when it was shaq.
In fact, GP followed O'neal to miami.

SO I am just keeping you honest.
Kobe couldnt recruit anyone after the "snitch" ... Artest just dgaf ...and I love him for that.

Called me out for what? That karl Malone and Gary Payton to the Lakers wasn't exactly the same as Shaq to Miami? Oh dear God, there are other differences too! Neither of them were centers, neither of them are top 10 players of all time, but then again, you miss the entire point, which was Malone and Payton joined the Lakers as stars, just like Shaq to Miami was.

As for Kobe begging, he has a history, he begged the cops, he begged the media, he begged Nessa, he begged for Kidd (didn't get it), he begged for attention. Shaq was the front, he was the cheese.