Thunder: So much for the narrative that Durbeta left OKC because of Westbrook's isoball

**Clipper Nation** · 05-26-2018

If Lebron could shoot as well as KD he wouldn't have nearly as many assists.

LeBron's stepback jumper has been automatic all playoffs and he's still racking up assists despite playing with scrubs. There's no excuse for Durbeta to go entire games without assists when he's playing with Curry and Klay. It's not like he hasn't had plenty of opportunities to make easy passes and expose the flaws in Houston's defense. He's just too focused on his own scoring to notice.

**DMC** · 05-26-2018

Originally Posted by Clipper Nation

LeBron's stepback jumper has been automatic all playoffs and he's still racking up assists despite playing with scrubs. There's no excuse for Durbeta to go entire games without assists when he's playing with Curry and Klay.

A. Lebron isn't as good of a shooter as Durant. This is proven by stats.
B. Teammates have to hit shots to get assists.
C. Durant is averaging 4 assists per game in the playoffs this season. That's is 3rd all time highest APG in the playoffs.
D. Durant had 2 games of zero assists. Warriors lost both games. If you think the Warriors lose because Durant doesn't pass, explain how they are in the WCF and why it's a choke if they lose.

I do think KD has the feeling of "we got this" which is why he's comfortable heaving up 30' shots like Steph used to do quite often. It's a big reason why they lost the games they've lost, because KD doesn't think he'll miss and doesn't look for a better shooter, but Kerr's rotations are . You have KD on the floor with 4 bench players or 3 and Looney. That makes no sense. Looney is almost useless, the others bench players are the ones who miss wide open looks during the momentum swings where GS normally goes on a tear.

**Clipper Nation** · 05-26-2018

Originally Posted by DMC

Teammates have to hit shots to get assists.

Maybe if Durbeta didn't hog the ball all game and prevent his teammates from getting in rhythm, that would be happening more.

Durant had 2 games of zero assists.

And that's two more than he should ever have on a team with Curry and Klay. Playing with two historic shooters, you'd think he could even just fluke into some assists by accident every game. I know you like to be a contrarian and all, but KD really has no excuses for this.

**DMC** · 05-26-2018

Originally Posted by Clipper Nation

Maybe if Durbeta didn't hog the ball all game and prevent his teammates from getting in rhythm, that would be happening more.

And that's two more than he should ever have on a team with Curry and Klay. Playing with two historic shooters, you'd think he could even just fluke into some assists by accident.

Klay had 1 assist as did AI.

They both play on a team with Curry.

30% from 3 when you take 30 shots a game from there isn't conducive to generating assists.

**AlexJones** · 05-26-2018

Let's be real

Durant isn't better than Dirk at his peak

**Bynumite** · 05-26-2018

Pretty disgusting that Durant is probably gonna win another FMVP after being carried through the toughest part of the playoffs.

The guy was legit a spectator while Klay and Curry were making shots staging the comeback and building the lead.

**dbestpro** · 05-28-2018

OKC has felt pretty bad losing Harden, and even worse losing Durant, but now the watch as Green help leads Cleveland to the finals. How good could this team have been had they held it together and had the right coach?

**endrity** · 05-28-2018

Originally Posted by AlexJones

Let's be real

Durant isn't better than Dirk at his peak

He's only now trying to develop the high-post/elbow-extend post game which Dirk started to develop after Nash left in 04, but didn't really perfect until after 07, and which truly established him as a legendary player. And Durant is far far behind him. At 30 years old, which would be the 2009 playoffs was absolutely unreal against the Spurs and Nuggets, his moves had become automatic. He could play it blindly and still score.

Durant lost too much time playing "my turn" with Westbrook in chucking perimeter shots. He is and was absolutely great at it, but as you see eventually great teams will arise that will force you to go one-on-one, and will expose your weakness.

**endrity** · 05-28-2018

Originally Posted by dbestpro

OKC has felt pretty bad losing Harden, and even worse losing Durant, but now the watch as Green help leads Cleveland to the finals. How good could this team have been had they held it together and had the right coach?

This is hindsight 20/20 of course but I think Harden should have been the centerpiece. He's best creator off the dribble they had. If Westbrook and/or Durant didn't agree with that, they could have moved one later on, but they should have kept Harden. I remember in 2011 against the Mavs that only Harden was executing pick-and-rolls properly among them. Once he left, their offense would usually crumble. I never expected him to become the scorer and shooter he has become, but his vision, patience, and passing ability were always elite for me.

**Clipper Nation** · 06-03-2018

Media is finally starting to notice Durbeta's selfishness:

https://www.actionnetwork.com/nba/ar...urant-warriors

**Seventyniner** · 06-03-2018

Originally Posted by endrity

This is hindsight 20/20 of course but I think Harden should have been the centerpiece. He's best creator off the dribble they had. If Westbrook and/or Durant didn't agree with that, they could have moved one later on, but they should have kept Harden. I remember in 2011 against the Mavs that only Harden was executing pick-and-rolls properly among them. Once he left, their offense would usually crumble. I never expected him to become the scorer and shooter he has become, but his vision, patience, and passing ability were always elite for me.

Imagine if they had jettisoned Westbrook and kept Harden.