"There are people in Golden State who think they're getting him," Broussard said. "There are people in management and I think some players too. Kevin Durant likes the way they play. He likes their style, he likes the fact they play unselfishly. He sees himself fitting into that group." This report first gained steam when Adrian Wojnarowski of the Vertical said that the Warriors were "significant frontrunners" to sign him in free agency, so it shouldn't be completely dismissed. The Thunder's success in the postseason could be a pivotal factor in KD's decision.
Would you trade Durant for iguodola, Barnes, ezeli and bogut
That's my thoughts on it. They have so much depth that an injury to a non green/curry player may not affect their title chances too drastically (even klay). Now if you sacrifice your depth for KD and then injuries happen they could be screwed. There also a risk of chemistry issues, I don't see why you change a team that might end up with the best record ever. Don't think the marginal benefit outweighs the marginal costs here.
That could be just hopeful thinking but I've seen to many disasters with big shakeups for me to be confident if I'm GS's brass. The Lakers with Howard and Nash, STAT and Melo, etc. Obviously Durant is levels better than those guys but it's certainly a risk.
That's my thinking as well. But I don't think Barnes will be around next year -- I see him signing elsewhere for more than the Warriors are willing to pay. And Ezeli's injury history may work against him being resigned as well. If those two players simply aren't resigned the Warriors would likely just need to part ways with Iguodala and a few guys of the Barbosa/Livingston/Ian Clark ilk.
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Why would they even mess with it? They'll probably have to get rid of multiple key rotation players to be able to fit Durant. Why break the team up?
That's my thinking as well. But I don't think Barnes will be around next year -- I see him signing elsewhere for more than the Warriors are willing to pay. And Ezeli's injury history may work against him being resigned as well. If those two players simply aren't resigned the Warriors would likely just need to part ways with Iguodala and a few guys of the Barbosa/Livingston/Ian Clark ilk.
I actually think barnes probably returns. It would take a lot of players getting traded to have room for Durant whereas they have restricted rights on Barnes/Ezeli. At this point I dont think they care if they have to dip into the tax for another year or 2 (barring a humungous offer for Ezeli). Speights is fairly expendable for them but I think Barbosa would sign a minimum deal to stay in GS as he's already at the end.
If they had to sign Durant they'd have to probably deal Thompson, Livingston, and probably one of Bogut or Iggy and let Ezeli/Barnes walk, at that point it doesn't seem worth it if its that thin.
Worse than LeBron going to Miami.
Just makes no sense to me, and I'd never apply that to an avenue of my life.
Durant going to Golden State is COMPLETELY different than a player that has been there the entire time during this run. If you think otherwise, it just more proof that you're incredibly biased. Durant can do whatever he wants, but I just don't see how he could possibly take as much satisfaction in winning a championship with the Warriors as he would leading a team that actually needs his help. Golden State will likely have back to back championships without him. It's been proven that they can win without him. So, he goes to Golden State and wins a title. Yay? Hooray for him? The downside is that they don't win a title, then he and the team have to answer to that.
This Golden State team may end up with the best record of all time, and win another championship. How exactly would Durant improve them, again? And professional players are very proud. I'd have to think KD would have to feel a bit awkward jumping on the coat tails of an all time great team. No matter what you think, it would change the public perception of him forever. He's already prickly in front of the media, I can't imagine how this situation would make it any easier for him. Or the team.
I defended LeBron last year when he went to Cleveland. I wasn't too involved in LeBron/Miami discussions because I was knee deep in a vacation in Europe and gave even less a shit about it then than I would now.
I'm a pretty pro-player guy. If a player is drafted by a team that doesn't quite get its shit together enough to provide what he wants... well, IMO, he has the right to pursue a team that is more likely to provide it.
But as a Warriors fan, I'm not sure I even like the discussion to be honest. A good portion of their success is due to their chemistry, which is a funny, unquantifiable thing. As their color commentator Jim Barnett said about this whole matter, "When you have chemistry you don't really know how you got it, and when it's gone you don't really know how you lost it." If the Warriors are so superior now, why risk a contributing component just to get that much better?
Jesus Christ, are you kidding me?
b) I can totally understand why a player who likes playing basketball for a living would prefer signing with the Warriors to, say, the 76'ers.
I can't say the same about LeBron. The Heat sucked for the 4 years prior to LeBron. They sucked the year after he left also. It wasn't like he was going to join a legit title contender. LeBron made them a legit title contender.
b) I can totally understand why a player who likes playing basketball for a living would prefer signing with the Warriors to, say, the 76'ers.
So it's the Warriors or the Sixers? That's it? Nothing in between?
No matter what you say or think, Durant signing with the Warriors would severely damage the reputation and public sentiment of both. The Warriors have it made right now. They are incredibly like able and fun to watch. Everyone loves them. If they sign Durant after winning back to back championships, they will become an instant target. As will Durant. Now, I'm sure that's not all that important to either of them at the moment, but when they are dealing with the blowback in real time, it will be very difficult to ignore. Sure they can overcome it, but why even bother?
Don't mess with what isn't broken.
Only Warriors fans feel this wouldn't be lame.
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a) I can't quite relate to or support a Warriors quest to get him when it's pretty superfluous, unless they're planning for the loss of Barnes and the deterioration of Iguodala, and
b) I can totally understand why a player who likes playing basketball for a living would prefer signing with the Warriors to, say, the 76'ers.
So it's the Warriors or the Sixers? That's it? Nothing in between?
By the "He's a chickenshit if he signs with an elite team!" logic, it shouldn't matter what teams are between elite and the basement. If signing with the Warriors is more cowardly than signing with the Clippers, which is more cowardly than signing with the Wizards, which is more cowardly than signing with the Knicks... if you play that game long enough, any team he signs with that's better than the league's worst team is more cowardly than signing with the worst team.
Please. If you were a fan of any other NBA team I'd take your opinion a little more seriously. You're only okay with this because it's your team.
There's a big difference from KD signing with the Clippers rather one of NBAs historic teams during an unreal run. It's chickenshit. And very convenient for you not to have an opinion when LeBron went to Miami.
That's all true, but that's merely because sports fan are, by and large, a spiteful, envious, and entitled lot.
I agree with the "why would they do it?" mindset. Typically these sort of superstar gatherings fail, and the Warriors' chemistry isn't something to be taken for granted. I honestly doubt management makes a big push for this unless they feel they need to compensate for some losses that might occur.
But I just don't relate to those who'd hold it against the player. It's like attacking a talented programmer for choosing to work with Google over Ask.com.