NBA Off-season 2016 thread

[mcaj22]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

Just last season OKC missed the playoffs when Durant was out and now they have no Ibaka either.

And Westbrook was in MVP conversation, they still won 45 games and missed the playoffs by 1 game

three teams that made the playoffs that year are now complete blown up garbage (Mavs, Pelicans, Rockets). Blazers won 51 and Grizz won 55 and I still think OKCs current roster can hang with both of them as long as the Thunder get a wing player worth a damn

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by RobBlake

westbrook averaged around a triple double with Durant out

Originally Posted by mcaj22

And Westbrook was in MVP conversation, they still won 45 games and missed the playoffs by 1 game

three teams that made the playoffs that year are now complete blown up garbage (Mavs, Pelicans, Rockets). Blazers won 51 and Grizz won 55 and I still think OKCs current roster can hang with both of them as long as the Thunder get a wing player worth a damn

They were only decent because Durant played part of the season. If Westbrook is still around prior to the start of the season we will find out but these stats are telling IMO.

Because of a knee injury, Russell Westbrook missed 36 games during the 2013-14 season. With a healthy Durant on the floor, OKC was 25-11 in those games. The Thunder finished with a record of 59-23.

• Westbrook was great this season, but in 55 games without Durant, the Thunder was 27-28. Oklahoma City was 45-37 overall and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2009.

[mcaj22]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

They were only decent because Durant played part of the season. If Westbrook is still around prior to the start of the season we will find out but these stats are telling IMO.

Adams also missed like 30 games and hes an ascending player.

Their roster today is much better than when they went 27-28 with Westbrook

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by mcaj22

Adams also missed like 30 games and hes an ascending player.

Their roster today is much better than when they went 27-28 with Westbrook

We will have to wait to see who they attempt to fill Durant's spot but right now they have Westbrook and Waiters (lol) as the only scorers. At least this season I think we will see the same thing happen to OKC that happened to Miami when Lebron left.

[mcaj22]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

We will have to wait to see who they attempt to fill Durant's spot but right now they have Westbrook and Waiters (lol) as the only scorers. At least this season I think we will see the same thing happen to OKC that happened to Miami when Lebron left.

Kanter and Oladipo are more than capable young offensive players/scorers

They also have an offensive stretch 4 in Illyasova and an ascending defensive big in Adams.

They have a nice front court. They need wings badly, Presti should swing a trade for a good wing and they would be right back in it

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by mcaj22

Kanter and Oladipo are more than capable young offensive players/scorers

They also have an offensive stretch 4 in Illyasova and an ascending defensive big in Adams.

They have a nice front court. They need wings badly, Presti should swing a trade for a good wing and they would be right back in it

I totally forgot about their new players they just got my bad. I agree with Hamas and I think they will be similar to Portland and Minnesota. If Gasol comes back healthy Memphis is probably a Top 4 team in the West again.

[okcchief]

Originally Posted by mcaj22

And Westbrook was in MVP conversation, they still won 45 games and missed the playoffs by 1 game

three teams that made the playoffs that year are now complete blown up garbage (Mavs, Pelicans, Rockets). Blazers won 51 and Grizz won 55 and I still think OKCs current roster can hang with both of them as long as the Thunder get a wing player worth a damn

Westbrook and Ibaka both missed double digit games that year as well. In fact, they started off like 2-13. The Thunder are probaly still at least a 5 seed in the West of Westbrook stays. The hope is he enjoys being the alpha dog (he really always has been) and stays. They have cap room to add another player if they can do so. If the Lakers weren't run by idiots then he might go there, but I'm not sure that happens unless their young players show a lot. Boston really seems like the destination.

I really never bought the Durant/Golden State rumors as it pretty much went against everything he has said the last 9 years. My only real problem is the reports of him hanging out with Draymond during the playoffs. Whatever, he made a decision and I can't say it's a bad one. I think he was influenced by other factors and people around him which is why he hasn't win a title to this point. As great as KD is he's not a leader. That tells me OKC was never winning a title with him and he indeed made the best choice. I'm not hating as I got out of OKC when I had an opportunity myself. KD is a good guy, did a lot for the City, and was always what you would want an athlete to be when I've been around him. I just hope he made this choice for himself, and not others because this decision seemed way out of character. It was a pleasure watching this team over the years and I'll hope they can salvage it in some way. They pretty much did all you can do but win it all and it was a blast to be at those games. I only wish the Chiefs could have a run like this in my lifetime

That being said....**** Golden.State in their millenial bitch asses.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

[PAChiefsGuy]

Originally Posted by okcchief

Westbrook and Ibaka both missed double digit games that year as well. In fact, they started off like 2-13. The Thunder are probaly still at least a 5 seed in the West of Westbrook stays. The hope is he enjoys being the alpha dog (he really always has been) and stays. They have cap room to add another player if they can do so. If the Lakers weren't run by idiots then he might go there, but I'm not sure that happens unless their young players show a lot. Boston really seems like the destination.

I really never bought the Durant/Golden State rumors as it pretty much went against everything he has said the last 9 years. My only real problem is the reports of him hanging out with Draymond during the playoffs. Whatever, he made a decision and I can't say it's a bad one. I think he was influenced by other factors and people around him which is why he hasn't win a title to this point. As great as KD is he's not a leader. That tells me OKC was never winning a title with him and he indeed made the best choice. I'm not hating as I got out of OKC when I had an opportunity myself. KD is a good guy, did a lot for the City, and was always what you would want an athlete to be when I've been around him. I just hope he made this choice for himself, and not others because this decision seemed way out of character. It was a pleasure watching this team over the years and I'll hope they can salvage it in some way. They pretty much did all you can do but win it all and it was a blast to be at those games. I only wish the Chiefs could have a run like this in my lifetime

That being said....**** Golden.State in their millenial bitch asses.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

I just can't get over the fact he joined a team that just beat him and his supposed friends/teammates. You leave them and go to a team that won 73 games in order to win a championship is ridiculous. Where is his sense of competitiveness?

One of the most pussy moves I've ever seen an NBA Superstar make. It'd almost be like Stockton or Malone or Gary Payton joining the Bulls. Just a bitch move to win a championship.

Im not even going to watch next season. Unless an injury happens we all know GS will win it all. Save me the Cavs can beat them crap. It's not happening. They took the Cavs to 7-games and just added a top 3 NBA Superstar. The Cavs will not be able to stop that offense consistently enough to beat them in a series, no one will.

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by PAChiefsGuy

I just can't get over the fact he joined a team that just beat him and his supposed friends/teammates. You leave them and go to a team that won 73 games in order to win a championship is ridiculous. Where is his sense of competitiveness?

One of the most pussy moves I've ever seen an NBA Superstar make. It'd almost be like Stockton or Malone or Gary Payton joining the Bulls. Just a bitch move to win a championship.

Im not even going to watch next season. Unless an injury happens we all know GS will win it all. Save me the Cavs can beat them crap. It's not happening. They took the Cavs to 7-games and just added a top 3 NBA Superstar. The Cavs will not be able to stop that offense consistently enough to beat them in a series, no one will.

You mean like Malone joining Payton on the Lakers?

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

You mean like Malone joining Payton on the Lakers?

Not really.

Malone and Payton were on the backside of their respective careers and knew they couldn't be the lead dog on a championship team anymore.

What's Durant's excuse?

It's pretty weak.

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Not really.

Malone and Payton were on the backside of their respective careers and knew they couldn't be the lead dog on a championship team anymore.

What's Durant's excuse?

It's pretty weak.

I certainly understood the difference; he had specifically mentioned two players, though, that joined a "dream team" specifically to win a championship.

I think Durant's excuse is that OKC is a shithole and Cali is not.

[PAChiefsGuy]

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

You mean like Malone joining Payton on the Lakers?

Malone was way past his prime as was Payton. And I'm not sure but I don't think either of them lost to the Lakers the previous year the way OKC lost to the Warriors. Totally different situation as a previous poster mentioned.

Originally Posted by KevB

I understand this point of view, but I also chuckle at the hypocrisy. And this isn't directed at you specifically as I certainly don't know all of your views on things, more just the overall response that is very much in this camp. We want our sports heroes to only care about winning, and not the money. But when they make decisions that are specifically to win, we still beat them up. I get that there's more to it than that (loyalty is also a key virtue we hope for with "our guys"), but still interesting.

Good post.

My whole problem it is more so with the lack of competitiveness. Durant should be wanting to beat the Warriors especially after how the last series went. And a lot of his comments during that series were complete BS and all a show. It is a pretty selfish move and I think even Durant would agree with that.

It won't happen but if the Warriors lost in the finals I wouldn't be surprised if he jumped ship again to play with the team that beat him/Warriors if they had the cap space to sign him. That's the type of impression I got from this move. It's not good for the league or fans (and without NBA fans no millions of dollars for these guys) only for Durant/Warriors.

Even the NBA Commissioner said he doesn't think Durant to the Warriors is good for the NBA and that in the future the NBA will look to make changes because of this FA signing..

[KevB]

Originally Posted by PAChiefsGuy

I just can't get over the fact he joined a team that just beat him and his supposed friends/teammates. You leave them and go to a team that won 73 games in order to win a championship is ridiculous. Where is his sense of competitiveness?

One of the most pussy moves I've ever seen an NBA Superstar make. It'd almost be like Stockton or Malone or Gary Payton joining the Bulls. Just a bitch move to win a championship.

Im not even going to watch next season. Unless an injury happens we all know GS will win it all. Save me the Cavs can beat them crap. It's not happening. They took the Cavs to 7-games and just added a top 3 NBA Superstar. The Cavs will not be able to stop that offense consistently enough to beat them in a series, no one will.

I understand this point of view, but I also chuckle at the hypocrisy. And this isn't directed at you specifically as I certainly don't know all of your views on things, more just the overall response that is very much in this camp. We want our sports heroes to only care about winning, and not the money. But when they make decisions that are specifically to win, we still beat them up. I get that there's more to it than that (loyalty is also a key virtue we hope for with "our guys"), but still interesting.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by KevB

I understand this point of view, but I also chuckle at the hypocrisy. And this isn't directed at you specifically as I certainly don't know all of your views on things, more just the overall response that is very much in this camp. We want our sports heroes to only care about winning, and not the money. But when they make decisions that are specifically to win, we still beat them up. I get that there's more to it than that (loyalty is also a key virtue we hope for with "our guys"), but still interesting.

Win championships, but only a certain way will count.