KD: "It's easy to be the best player when you don't have good players around you"

[Clipper Nation]

"I feel like it's easy to be the best player when you don't have good players around you. I feel like it's harder to stand out when you have great players around you," Durant told Yahoo Sports. "I pride myself on standing out wherever I am. I pride myself on working hard wherever I go. And I feel like these guys embraced me and I feel like I'm a Warrior."

https://sports.yahoo.com/kevin-durant-charges-ruined-nba-making-money-thats-164105770.html

:lmao What the fuck would Durbeta know about not having any good players around him? The only time in this clown's career that there wasn't at least one other star on his team was his rookie season.

Since it's so "easy," I'd love to see what Durbeta would do on an actual trash team like this year's Cavs. My guess is he would have lost to the Pacers.

[RD2191]

:lmao delusional fuck trying to convince himself that he isn't a soft ass bitch

[Ginobili2Duncan]

Like I said before we’re in an era of an NBA where the league’s generation of superstars don’t want to compete against each other. And now they expect to receive the same accolades as the game’s greatest predecessors without beating the best competition. Hopefully the next generation of stars don’t try this kind of crap or we’re going to continue to see significant imbalance in the NBA.

[Chris Fall]

Stupid quote but I actually understand what he’s saying. It’s easier to put up big numbers when your teammates aren’t any good because you get to put up a ton of shots. But if you got a bunch of all stars on your team, you have to sacrifice numbers because you share production, particularly scoring. It’s still stupid to say, but I get what he’s getting at. However, he does fail to mention that even if you can put up big numbers when you don’t have great teammates, it’s much easier to win when you do.

Part of it likely him feeling insecure about criticism on the way he’s won his titles. Also probably a little bit of a dig at Westbrook.

[Fabbs]

:rollin this phuckers phaggotry knows no bounds.

[Capt Bringdown]

Like I said before we’re in an era of an NBA where the league’s generation of superstars don’t want to compete against each other. And now they expect to receive the same accolades as the game’s greatest predecessors without beating the best competition. Hopefully the next generation of stars don’t try this kind of crap or we’re going to continue to see significant imbalance in the NBA.


Imagine Bird wanting to join the Lakers. I can't imagine it, the idea is laughable on its face.
No League For Old Fans

The Superteam concept isn't going away, and I doubt it is a generational issue. Superteams are a marketing strategy.
Potential basketball-as-entertainment consumers don't care about regional/traditional team rivalries. They want easily accessible and recognizable brands - that's what Superteams deliver.

I wager that GS jerseys are the number one sellers in China, and possibly worldwide.

[lefty]

Meh

The superteam concept has always been there.

It was done differently, but it's old as fuck

[djohn2oo8]

Meh

The superteam concept has always been there.

It was done differently, but it's old as fuck

Who has pulled the stunt like Durant has?

[Clipper Nation]

Meh

The superteam concept has always been there.

It was done differently, but it's old as fuck
What Durbeta did is far beyond "the superteam concept." Calling the Warriors a "superteam" is an understatement.

[Ginobili2Duncan]

I have no problem with dominance. Shaq and Kobe’s Lakers were dominant, Jordan’s Bulls were dominant, Duncan’s Spurs were dominant. What we are currently seeing from KD and Warriors is imbalance and now they might try to make another move for a star. I’m actually surprised more NBA fans aren’t annoyed by this tbh.

[Thebesteva]

Tbh...this team was the reason Lebron had to out bitch move everyone and join Miami. That caused the out bitch move by KD to Warriors eventually

https://worldinsport.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/The-Celtics-Big-5.jpg

[daslicer]

I have no problem with dominance. Shaq and Kobe’s Lakers were dominant, Jordan’s Bulls were dominant, Duncan’s Spurs were dominant. What we are currently seeing from KD and Warriors is imbalance and now they might try to make another move for a star. I’m actually surprised more NBA fans aren’t annoyed by this tbh.

Most people I talked to outside of this forum hate the Warriors and I live in Charlotte which is Steph's hometown. The Warriors to me are like Justin Bieber sure Bieber has a lot of fans but he has far more haters than fans. I view the Warriors the same way hence why they get good ratings is because the large number of haters are hoping to see them fail. I have gone to other forums and fans despise them over there. The only fans that are not annoyed by the Warriors tends to be Laker fans and Lebron haters.

[Budkin]

:lmao delusional fuck trying to convince himself that he isn't a soft ass bitch

[ElNono]

damn, not so subtle dig at Russ... can't believe he still holds a beef :lol

[RsxPiimp]

Meh

The superteam concept has always been there.

It was done differently, but it's old as fuck

never at this level tho. this broke boundaries. it would be like wilt joining the celtics or barkley joining the 93 bulls. this has to be one of the raunchiest faggotry in the history of homo’s.

[4lifecowboy]

His logic is flawed, you can't be the best until you beat the best. Is he saying the competition is against his teammates to see who can be the best on the team?

[K...]

The thing against Durant is that he bailed on a great team without showing great leadership. LeBron left a dumpster fire on Cleveland and came back to win one. Durant will likely spend his whole prime sleep waking to multiple championships rather than show he triumphed over adversity. Weak weak weak

[dbestpro]

SO, when has he ever not had a great supporting cast? How would he even know what it is like to have to carry a bad team?

[KimmyGib]

Tbh...this team was the reason Lebron had to out bitch move everyone and join Miami. That caused the out bitch move by KD to Warriors eventually


The comparison is laughable. Had Durant left OKC to lead a new group to beat GSW, it would've been an apt comparison. Instead, Durant joined the 72-win team he couldn't beat.

[daslicer]

never at this level tho. this broke boundaries. it would be like wilt joining the celtics or barkley joining the 93 bulls. this has to be one of the raunchiest faggotry in the history of homo’s.

I always use the example of how this would be equivalent to Duncan joining the Lakers during the summer of '02. Could you imagine how dull the league would be if you had Duncan-Shaq-Kobe all playing on the same team. That's a run of at least 5-6 titles in a row.

[RsxPiimp]

I always use the example of how this would be equivalent to Duncan joining the Lakers during the summer of '02. Could you imagine how dull the league would be if you had Duncan-Shaq-Kobe all playing on the same team. That's a run of at least 5-6 titles in a row.

exactly

[Koolaid_Man]

"I feel like it's easy to be the best player when you don't have good players around you. I feel like it's harder to stand out when you have great players around you," Durant told Yahoo Sports. "I pride myself on standing out wherever I am. I pride myself on working hard wherever I go. And I feel like these guys embraced me and I feel like I'm a Warrior."

https://sports.yahoo.com/kevin-durant-charges-ruined-nba-making-money-thats-164105770.html

:lmao What the fuck would Durbeta know about not having any good players around him? The only time in this clown's career that there wasn't at least one other star on his team was his rookie season.

Since it's so "easy," I'd love to see what Durbeta would do on an actual trash team like this year's Cavs. My guess is he would have lost to the Pacers.


I'm so happy you have a million dicks up your ass right now. You're the ultimate loser. You've been on a dick hopping bonanza for years and years. CP3's dick was too short so you ran to a gay dick in Tammy tits, his dick was too gay and then you ran to another midget steroid dick in Bron. You're such a fucking cock sucker / cum guzzler. I'm glad nothing is going your way. Ya fucking simp. LOL

[140]

:lol

[SpurOutofTownFan]

This is possible code for Lebron

[Pelicans78]

damn, not so subtle dig at Russ... can't believe he still holds a beef :lol

I read it as taking a shot at Lebron.

[daslicer]

Durant is basically taking a shot at Lebron. He's never going to be considered the best player in the league and it eats him up inside.

[FkLA]

He really "stood out" as a soft bitch in the only competitive series hes been in since he joined that 73-win team. I was singing his praises before then too but he really showed his ass there.

Just lol at that beta bitch thinking that bc he's on a stacked team that doesn't face adversity he's on LeGOAT's level.

[FkLA]

Tbh...this team was the reason Lebron had to out bitch move everyone and join Miami. That caused the out bitch move by KD to Warriors eventually

https://worldinsport.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/The-Celtics-Big-5.jpg

Stop it with this stupid shit.

The Cs were nothing before those three came together. Same with the Heat. And theres always the chance that stars coming together like that just doesn't work out (Laker fans should now). Cs only went 1 for 2. Heatles 2 for 4. Durbeta joined a ready-made, fool proof team that wouldve been title favorites even without him...that Durbeta couldn't really fuck up unless he went full retard.

[Killakobe81]

I'm so happy you have a million dicks up your ass right now. You're the ultimate loser. You've been on a dick hopping bonanza for years and years. CP3's dick was too short so you ran to a gay dick in Tammy tits, his dick was too gay and then you ran to another midget steroid dick in Bron. You're such a fucking cock sucker / cum guzzler. I'm glad nothing is going your way. Ya fucking simp. LOL

Kool laying the pipe and smacketh down!!!

[lefty]

What Durbeta did is far beyond "the superteam concept." Calling the Warriors a "superteam" is an understatement.

Before Durant, Warriors already had great depth, but Curry was really the only star.
Dray and Klay are glorified system players tbh.

[lefty]

That being said, what KD did is ultimate faggotery tbh

[spurs10]

:lmao delusional fuck trying to convince himself that he isn't a soft ass bitch Well there is that!

[The Gemini Method]

It was a subtle dig at Russ and a more blatant dig at LeBron. Dude is a curious sort. I guess winning a 2nd title/FMVP doesn't quell this notion of his place. With all this AD talk, they're going for the complete disintegration of the league. Meh. Sports talk.

[ambchang]

I honestly think it’s a serious issue. KD has all the symptoms with a guy suffering from depression and would commit suicide once his fame fades and he cannot accept that he was never universally loved.

[daslicer]

I honestly think it’s a serious issue. KD has all the symptoms with a guy suffering from depression and would commit suicide once his fame fades and he cannot accept that he was never universally loved.

I actually thought the same thing the other day. I can see him killing himself once his basketball career is over. Definitely the most insecure superstar I have ever seen in my life.

[Chris Fall]

The reason I'd say it's more of a dig at Russ than LeBron is that KD appears to respect and even admire LeBron. I think he genuinely likes LeBron too. I don't think it's directed at a guy he actually likes. I think KD will continue to carry a certain level of animosity towards Russ for the rest of his life.

[Killakobe81]

The reason I'd say it's more of a dig at Russ than LeBron is that KD appears to respect and even admire LeBron. I think he genuinely likes LeBron too. I don't think it's directed at a guy he actually likes. I think KD will continue to carry a certain level of animosity towards Russ for the rest of his life.

I think it was a swipe at russ too ...
and russ seemed to think the same ...
Hence his cover of "no Vaseline" on IG over the weekend ...

[LkrFan]

"I feel like it's easy to be the best player when you don't have good players around you. I feel like it's harder to stand out when you have great players around you," Durant told Yahoo Sports. "I pride myself on standing out wherever I am. I pride myself on working hard wherever I go. And I feel like these guys embraced me and I feel like I'm a Warrior."

https://sports.yahoo.com/kevin-durant-charges-ruined-nba-making-money-thats-164105770.html

:lmao What the fuck would Durbeta know about not having any good players around him? The only time in this clown's career that there wasn't at least one other star on his team was his rookie season.

Since it's so "easy," I'd love to see what Durbeta would do on an actual trash team like this year's Cavs. My guess is he would have lost to the Pacers.

The obsession continues, eh Durbeta Nation? :lol

Don't worry, he might retire in 5 years. That way he won't keep kicking LBJ's balloon knot:

1006220025181556736

:downspin:

[Thebesteva]

Stop it with this stupid shit.

The Cs were nothing before those three came together. Same with the Heat. And theres always the chance that stars coming together like that just doesn't work out (Laker fans should now). Cs only went 1 for 2. Heatles 2 for 4. Durbeta joined a ready-made, fool proof team that wouldve been title favorites even without him...that Durbeta couldn't really fuck up unless he went full retard.

Your posts are absolute shit dude. You just elaborated on exactly what I said but put a KD low blow at the end. What I said is accurate. KD realized he couldn't beat Lebron with OKC due to Westbrook's issues and joined Warriors. Get over the fact he just robbed your dude of 2 finals MVPS and 2 rings. :lol

[FkLA]

Your posts are absolute shit dude. You just elaborated on exactly what I said but put a KD low blow at the end. What I said is accurate. KD realized he couldn't beat Lebron with OKC due to Westbrook's issues and joined Warriors. Get over the fact he just robbed your dude of 2 finals MVPS and 2 rings. :lol

How it that a low blow? Warriors had already arrived without the beta. If Durbeta didn't think he could do it with Westbrook that's fine...he had what like 30 other options other than the one that was coming off a 73-win season, two Finals, and 1 title without him. That's like Duncan joining Shaq's Lakers after getting his ass kicked in '01.

[Chris Fall]

That's like Duncan joining Shaq's Lakers after getting his ass kicked in '01.

I’ve seen this comparison and the Bird joining the Lakers comparison now a few times, and they’re not applicable. They’re not the same. You can’t use either Duncan or Bird to compare with what KD did because both Duncan and Bird won championships early on in their careers. They didn’t go titleless their first 7-8 years in the league. Because they won titles, it’s hard to imagine them leaving their teams afterwards, even if some of their later teams had problems. Those two especially since they won multiple titles with their teams.

The apt comparisons would be saying it would be like KG joining the Lakers after 2004 or Patrick Ewing joining the Bulls after 1993. It would be more like Chris Paul joining Miami in 2011 in terms of the level of pussy a move it was. But when you think of those comparisons, those scenarios don’t seem so far-fetched from reality. You can legitimately imagine those players trying to make those moves. Ringless stars with a competitive edge and desire to chase a championship by trying to stack the deck.

Star players who have failed to win championships have tried to stack the deck forever. And yes, including LeBron. We’ve just been more used to it from stars past their prime making a last ditched effort to ring, like Malone and GP. KD did it in his prime, joining a championship core who were also all in their primes. That’s why it seems so pussy. But it’s not that much different from what we’ve seen before. And it really isn’t much different from what LeBron did in 2010, in terms of trying to stack the deck even though the Heat weren’t an already made championship team. But it’s the same idea, just more egregiously pussified. Still the same thing. You can point out differences. But the similarities are there as well.

[FkLA]

I’ve seen this comparison and the Bird joining the Lakers comparison now a few times, and they’re not applicable. They’re not the same. You can’t use either Duncan or Bird to compare with what KD did because both Duncan and Bird won championships early on in their careers. They didn’t go titleless their first 7-8 years in the league. Because they won titles, it’s hard to imagine them leaving their teams afterwards, even if some of their later teams had problems. Those two especially since they won multiple titles with their teams.

The apt comparisons would be saying it would be like KG joining the Lakers after 2004 or Patrick Ewing joining the Bulls after 1993. It would be more like Chris Paul joining Miami in 2011 in terms of the level of pussy a move it was. But when you think of those comparisons, those scenarios don’t seem so far-fetched from reality. You can legitimately imagine those players trying to make those moves. Ringless stars with a competitive edge and desire to chase a championship by trying to stack the deck.

Star players who have failed to win championships have tried to stack the deck forever. And yes, including LeBron. We’ve just been more used to it from stars past their prime making a last ditched effort to ring, like Malone and GP. KD did it in his prime, joining a championship core who were also all in their primes. That’s why it seems so pussy. But it’s not that much different from what we’ve seen before. And it really isn’t much different from what LeBron did in 2010, in terms of trying to stack the deck even though the Heat weren’t an already made championship team. But it’s the same idea, just more egregiously pussified. Still the same thing. You can point out differences. But the similarities are there as well.

They can be as "imaginable" as you want but they never happened. Durbeta actually did it. :lol

Coming together with stars isn't the issue. Almost every championship team has had multiple stars. If he had recruited another all-star to join him and Russ, or joined Kawhi+LMA, or CP3+Blake, or AD+someone else, or any other core that hadn't won it all in hopes of taking down GS or Bron it'd be comparable to what we've actually seen in other instances. This move stands alone. It is bar none, by far the pussiest move in the history of sports.

[Chris Fall]

Have no problem with calling what KD did a pussy move. No problem calling it the pussiest move in sports ever.

I pointed out the problem with comparing it to the notion Duncan going to the Lakers or Bird going to the Lakers. You presented that hypothetical Duncan comparison. It’s not comparable.

[FkLA]

Have no problem with calling what KD did a pussy move. No problem calling it the pussiest move in sports ever.

I pointed out the problem with comparing it to the notion Duncan going to the Lakers or Bird going to the Lakers. You presented that hypothetical Duncan comparison. It’s not comparable.

Fair point on the rings, but I don't think your hypothetical is a perfect comparison either. None of the guys you mentioned would've joined those teams and immediately become the indisputable best player on the team the way Durbeta has. A closer comparison (still not as bad since that core was older) would be if a ringless LeGOAT joined the Big Three Celtics after '09, imo. That would've been really faggy too.

[Chris Fall]

Fair point on the rings, but I don't think your hypothetical is a perfect comparison either. None of the guys you mentioned would've joined those teams and immediately become the indisputable best player on the team the way Durbeta has. A closer comparison (still not as bad since that core was older) would be if a ringless LeGOAT joined the Big Three Celtics after '09, imo. That would've been really faggy too.

Also fair.

Perhaps one of the best comparisons is Moses Malone to Philadelphia. 27 year old Moses already a two time league MVP and in the wake of leading the Rockets to a Finals appearance and loss in 1982, became a free agent and signed with Philly, ultimately working out a sign-and-trade to join another league MVP and multiple ABA MVP Dr. J and all stars or soon to be all stars Mo Cheeks and Andrew Toney and Bobby Jones, a team that also had its own success and multiple Finals appearances in its own right before Moses. Despite Moses having some playoff success against both the Celtics and the Lakers, as Houston transitioned from the Eastern Conference to the Western Conference, and on the cusp of three straight years of championship runs by the Lakers and the Celtics, Moses decided to stack the deck for himself by loading up with Dr. J and company.

We don’t have the social media posts from back in 1982 to see how NBA fans felt about it. I’m not old enough to remember the media narrative. But assuming we put his move in a 2018 scope, I’d guess there would be plenty of NBA fans calling Moses a pussy too, bashing him for being scared of the big, bad Lakers and Celtics, and needing a stacked team to compete with them. How much of a pussy was Moses Malone viewed by fans and peers, I wonder.

Not quite the same same because he didn’t join either LA or Boston, but similar in many ways. I wonder how Calvin Murphy felt about the move.

[DeRozan m8]

The league is so fucking shit right now, worst era of any ever.

Weak beta ass, delusional scrubs everywhere I look, with no competitive fire, trying to justify the fact they're the weakest bitches professional sport has ever seen.

[DMC]

The league is so fucking shit right now, worst era of any ever.

Weak beta ass, delusional scrubs everywhere I look, with no competitive fire, trying to justify the fact they're the weakest bitches professional sport has ever seen.

The talent gap between superstars and role players is so large now that superstars don't need to be competitive to win (stacking) or to make big money.

[Chris Fall]

The talent gap between superstars and role players is so large now that superstars don't need to be competitive to win (stacking) or to make big money.

The money part is what has allowed this to happen. Second and third tier stars getting $50-75 million or more type contracts are making generational money, let alone the franchise stars. Heck, some of the second tier guys get paid like franchise players. Franchise stars are making money that could last a dozen generations or over. Heck most guys earning a second contract past their rookie years for more than the MLE are pretty much set for life, unless you’re Antoine Walker stupid with your money. Money not being an issue for these guys, whether you’re LeBron James or James Jones, you don’t need to be a LeBron stats performer to make your money. Stacking the deck doesn’t require you to sacrifice big money.

And in a stroke of luck, at a time when the salary cap ballooned a couple times in consecutive years, it allowed Golden State to take advantage while its current stars were making reasonable money under the new cap.

If there were an issue with money where only superstars got nice contracts and teams could only afford to pay one or at the most two guys big money while role players were getting paid like mailmen, you’d see a different type of competitiveness from some of these guys.

[DMC]

The money part is what has allowed this to happen. Second and third tier stars getting $50-75 million or more type contracts are making generational money, let alone the franchise stars. Heck, some of the second tier guys get paid like franchise players. Franchise stars are making money that could last a dozen generations or over. Heck most guys earning a second contract past their rookie years for more than the MLE are pretty much set for life, unless you’re Antoine Walker stupid with your money. Money not being an issue for these guys, whether you’re LeBron James or James Jones, you don’t need to be a LeBron stats performer to make your money. Stacking the deck doesn’t require you to sacrifice big money.

And in a stroke of luck, at a time when the salary cap ballooned a couple times in consecutive years, it allowed Golden State to take advantage while its current stars were making reasonable money under the new cap.

If there were an issue with money where only superstars got nice contracts and teams could only afford to pay one or at the most two guys big money while role players were getting paid like mailmen, you’d see a different type of competitiveness from some of these guys.

The bifurcation now is James Harden/Russell Westbrook

You see James look like winning isn't his number one goal, when the chips are down. You see Russell look like he's hyper concerned about winning. Both players are in it for nothing more than individual accolades and money. Competitive people are often willing to sacrifice something for the win, but these days that doesn't seem to happen. At least you can say that KD took less to make the team work. Steph didn't, but he didn't need to. The template Kobe cut in LA by taking half the salary cap, guaranteeing years of non competitive basketball, is being used by other players across the league.

I'm all for making your money. I saw nothing wrong with what Kobe did from Kobe's perspective. From a franchise perspective it's a business decision, but from a fan perspective it's basically a scam.

[Fabbs]

At least you can say that KD took less to make the team work.
Or did he?

How much extra is he making off of KD signature used dildos, shoes, rich Gay Area fags giving him money, etc etc.

[DMC]

Or did he?

How much extra is he making off of KD signature used dildos, shoes, rich Gay Area fags giving him money, etc etc.

He took less to make the team work. Whatever he makes in endorsements wouldn't have suffered any from a larger salary.

Piss poor attempt at being Philo.

[Fabbs]

He took less to make the team work. Whatever he makes in endorsements wouldn't have suffered any from a larger salary.

Piss poor attempt at being Philo.
Pretty sure he's making more off endorsements with the Golden Twinkies then he did in OKC.
So *less* salary doesn't mean shit.

[DMC]

Pretty sure he's making more off endorsements with the Golden Twinkies then he did in OKC.
So *less* salary doesn't mean shit.

Jesus fucking Christ you autistic fuck, Durant took a lower salary. All the rest of the "ya but" shit you're spewing doesn't even address it, but you think you've got a counter argument. You cherry pick a statement out of context and try to debunk it, only to fall flat on your face. What's your point, exactly?

[Fabbs]

wow Short Bus,
endorsements are part of total income.
His annual income including his anal income is undoubtedly far higher in Golden State then OKC.

So Durant took *less salary*. WGAF?

If that is not simple enough for you....

[DJR210]

Did he have his burner accounts swoop in and agree with him?

[resistanze]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EQYU7-ekgM

Jebus, even Warriors' front office don't respect Durant's move :lol