Zach Lowe "Durant to Spurs buzz is ascendant around the league"

[Gervin44Silas13]

who knows....time will tell

I think Durants relationship with the OKC media as of late will force him to leave..
.....him leaving to another team would be his way of saying F U to them !!!

[Chinook]

I responded to everything you said as far as requirements. Your argument is changing now.

Dude, I listed like five different things, and you came back with "What has always defined a guard is the ability to pass, dribble and shoot at a high level." That's just not true. There are PGs who aren't particularly good at at least one of those skills, like Rondo and Mills. Then you try to act like making a pass out of a double team is running the offense.

Durant isn't a PG and can't play one. He running the PnR doesn't change that. , even Green runs it a few times a game, and he drops off passes when he gets pressure. That's how he picks up an assist or two a game. Durant has such a high usage that he'll get more that way than Green does. And he's a better passer. But he's never played PG.

[midnightpulp]

The fact we're playing the Thunder in the next round highly affects things.

1. If we beat the Thunder, KD will obviously be conscious of how him bolting to the "stacked" team that just beat him looks. Think of how Lebron was endlessly criticized for teaming up with Wade and Bosh. I doubt Durant wants that same media backlash.

2. If the Thunder beat us and perform well against GS, then he probably thinks the Thunder roster will eventually be good enough going forward to win a le sometime in the next 3 seasons (provided they upgrade a couple of spots, like their SG rotation).

If the Thunder lost in the 1st round, I could see it happening, but not now. He won't want to take the image hit to his brand by signing with the team that eliminated him. It looks chicken , and he and his "people" are conscious of that.

[kuato]

Spurs need Facundo Campazzo !

[NameLess Scrub]

Conley
Green
Leonard
Aldridge
M. Gasol

All injury team?

[Spurs9]

Get rid of everyone, just keep Claw, LMA, Boban and sign Durrant tbh

[NameLess Scrub]

1: Fournier
2: No one
3: No one
4: No one

I love Fournier, and he might be better off the bench, since he seems to do better playing SF, though not sure if it's the way the Magic play.


Idk if it's realistic though.

[I. Hustle]

Get rid of everyone, just keep Claw, LMA, Boban and sign Durrant tbh

What is the obsession with Boban? Yes, I think he is a great garbage time player and a fan favorite BUT that dude has a short shelf life. He is not going to last long in the league. Nothing to do with his talent. It's because of his size. Guys that tall don't last very long. It looks painful now watching him run up and down the court. I can't imagine 3 more years of that. 82 regular season games, preseason and playoffs too?

[wildbill2u]

not happening tbh. i dont think the financials add up unless we were allowed to amnesty tony

Of course it is not my money, so I can tell Holt, "Damn the luxury tax, make the play for Durant and collect a few more rings"

I do not think this will happen, sad to say.

[BatManu20]

Fun to think about but not happening tbh. Bring back the same squad minus Timmy & Manu and + Joakim Noah or Roy Hibbert imo.

[Mnky]

Dude, I listed like five different things, and you came back with "What has always defined a guard is the ability to pass, dribble and shoot at a high level." That's just not true. There are PGs who aren't particularly good at at least one of those skills, like Rondo and Mills. Then you try to act like making a pass out of a double team is running the offense.

Durant isn't a PG and can't play one. He running the PnR doesn't change that. , even Green runs it a few times a game, and he drops off passes when he gets pressure. That's how he picks up an assist or two a game. Durant has such a high usage that he'll get more that way than Green does. And he's a better passer. But he's never played PG.

Whether you like him there or not, he has played the 1 plenty in okc. Which is setting up the plays and being the lead. I said making plays for other players is something he does often because you said he doesn't do that, he just runs into a double and passes.. which is making a play either way.

You can look at any pg in the league on any team that isn't considered a sg, and he is the best ball handler and sets the plays up. The ability to pass dribble and lead a team is the traits you look in your pg, as he will be the main ball handler so you want these skills.

Mills. Everyone knows isn't a good pg for that very reason. He can't make good decisions often and doesn't dribble well. Rondo has been a of on a championship team for that reason. He was a good leader who made good decisions and great passing and could hold the ball for a high volume due to his dribbling.

Of course Durant isn't a pg. That isn't the argument, it was that he can play the one. That doesn't change his position, just like kawhi isn't a pf or a pg because he can guard those positions.

He's run the 1 plenty of times in okc. Whether it fits your opinion or not doesn't change that. Just like pop had Kawhi run the 1 a few times. It's the position relevant to the plays responsibilities, being that the 1 is the player which initiates and leads the play. Thus, the 1 position.

[will_spurs]

He's run the 1 plenty of times in okc. Whether it fits your opinion or not doesn't change that. Just like pop had Kawhi run the 1 a few times. It's the position relevant to the plays responsibilities, being that the 1 is the player which initiates and leads the play. Thus, the 1 position.

So when Parker finishes at the rim he's playing the 5? Kawhi and Durant have never, and will never play the 1.

[Mnky]

So when Parker finishes at the rim he's playing the 5? Kawhi and Durant have never, and will never play the 1.

That doesn't make any sense. Does small ball make Draymond green a center? No. He plays that 5 spot though.

[Mnky]

Traditionally, the 5 basketball positions normally employed by organized basketball teams were the guards, forwards, and the center. While these position names are still used, most modern teams use a point guard, two wings, and two post players, or use no specific positions at all. In order to make sense of the changes in the positional rules, five separate positions are now described: point guard (PG), shooting guard (SG), small forward (SF), power forward (PF), and center (C). The rules of basketball do not mandate them, and they are sometimes not used. Indeed, it could be said that the designation of positions is done more to satisfy broadcasters and fans than for coaches or players, and many top coaches, including Olympic coach Mike Krzyzewski choose to ignore positions altogether.

Wikipedia with the goods.

[FromWayDowntown]

I don't think this whole thing has any realistic chance of happening, but ultimately, with a talent like Durant, you take the chance and figure out how to make the pieces fit. You don't say no to Durant because he isn't the prototypical this or that or because you think there's some positional conflict. You get him and then you make it work because your big 3 are perfectly suited to play any style - big or small, fast or slow.

[Chinook]

Wikipedia with the goods.

That doesn't support your point at all.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

I don't think this whole thing has any realistic chance of happening, but ultimately, with a talent like Durant, you take the chance and figure out how to make the pieces fit. You don't say no to Durant because he isn't the prototypical this or that or because you think there's some positional conflict. You get him and then you make it work because your big 3 are perfectly suited to play any style - big or small, fast or slow.

The position point is overblown imo - it's clear either Durant or Kawhi would have to play the 4 against the main rivals. They may insert a placeholder like a D West or a min type of big to start the games and spare some wear and tear on Durant during the regular season, but there'd be no doubt he'd be a 4 in crunch time and when it matters most.

[elemento]

If Durant is willing to sign, you do whatever it takes to do it and think about fit/system later. And it's not like that one of the best shooters in the NBA would have a hard time to fit.

The biggest problem is that Durant signing here means that he won't be fighting for scoring les anymore, he will fight for rings. But it also means a more team-oriented style (less ISOs) and less individual accolades. If he is ok with that, WELCOME. Otherwise, don't even bother.

[TheGreatYacht]

Just read a page and saw some posters called Durant a chucker

One of the most efficient players in the league... shoots a lot. Wow that's so bad

[Chinook]

Whether you like him there or not, he has played the 1 plenty in okc. Which is setting up the plays and being the lead. I said making plays for other players is something he does often because you said he doesn't do that, he just runs into a double and passes.. which is making a play either way.

... Is this really what you think PGs do?

You can look at any pg in the league on any team that isn't considered a sg, and he is the best ball handler and sets the plays up. The ability to pass dribble and lead a team is the traits you look in your pg, as he will be the main ball handler so you want these skills.

So you're completely leaving off shooting. That's progress. But this "that isn't considered a sg" talk is just you trying to get out of your narrow definition. Beverly isn't consider a two-guard, yet he's not the best ball-handler on his team. Same with George Hill. Or Kyrie. , Curry only just became a supreme ball-handler the last couple of years. Even now, Livingston and Iggy are better at running the offense.

Mills. Everyone knows isn't a good pg for that very reason. He can't make good decisions often and doesn't dribble well. Rondo has been a of on a championship team for that reason. He was a good leader who made good decisions and great passing and could hold the ball for a high volume due to his dribbling.

So now we're talking about who's a "good" PG. We're making more progress. Patty is a good PG so long as he's allowed to focus on shooting. He can run some plays in a pinch, but he relies on the Spurs' all being able to find their way through the offense without his guidance. No argument here. He's still a PG, and the only time he stops being one is when he's next to Parker.

Of course Durant isn't a pg. That isn't the argument, it was that he can play the one. That doesn't change his position, just like kawhi isn't a pf or a pg because he can guard those positions.

According to you, Kawhi can be either of those, as he can post up and pass. Durant has NEVER EVER played the one. Ever. Not for a second in the NBA. Can he run a play? Sure. Can he iso and pass out of doubles? Sure. You know who else can do that? A ton of other players including all 15 Spurs. You wouldn't say Danny Green can play PG, but 1) he's actually logged minutes at that position in the NBA before, 2) He's run his share of plays, drawn defenders and then kicked the ball to open men.

He's run the 1 plenty of times in okc. Whether it fits your opinion or not doesn't change that. Just like pop had Kawhi run the 1 a few times. It's the position relevant to the plays responsibilities, being that the 1 is the player which initiates and leads the play. Thus, the 1 position.

You're the one with the subjective evaluation. You won't find any source out that that says Durant played PG. Seriously, do you not understand the difference between running a play and playing PG? The Thunder or Spurs would never run a lineup with Durant as the best (and especially only decent) ball-handler and tell him to bring the ball up, get guys to their spots and set up his teammates. They wouldn't tell him to cross-match with PGs on the other side unless those were the weakest player for him to hide on. They would tell him to score if at all possible and to give the ball up if he can't. That's being a star perimeter player, not being a PG.

[Horse]

I hate that pussy but a defering like him would fit in nicely.

[Obstructed_View]

So do we anticipate that the Spurs will have cap room for another max contract? I need to know so I can start photoshopping my Lebron Spurs jersey.

[Chinook]

So do we anticipate that the Spurs will have cap room for another max contract? I need to know so I can start photoshopping my Lebron Spurs jersey.

They can, but they almost certainly won't. It will either cost Parker or Green and Diaw. And it will require everyone opting out and letting Boban go without a QO.

[Mnky]

That doesn't support your point at all.

It points out how fans use them to make sense of the game but they don't exactly exist as position. They're simply place holders for devising rules, plays, and schemes.

Being the "one" who starts the plays is the 1 in demonstrating to a team the function and responsibility of each other player. Like I said before, your opinion doesnt change the reality of the organization of basketball. Playing a position doesn't mean that's your defined role position on a team, it's simply scheme. Much like I said before on the defensive end. You can have players withe exceptional ability play/defend different positions but it doesn't make them a center or pg. The same for those who take turns playing positions on offense. Manu is a sg but has played pg for years for the spurs. Durant has played a very similar role.

[timtonymanurich]

1) Parker
2) Kawhi
3) KD
4) LAM
5) Gasol

SICKEST LINEUP IN THE LAST 20 YEARS OF THE NBA and for the next 3-5.

One can dream...