NBA 2015/16 thread

barbarian

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="canefan" data-cid="594068" data-time="1467677386">
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Funny that OKC and the Cavs worked GSW out in the playoffs, exposing a soft underbelly inside. They have KD now but they weakened around the rim by giving up Bogut, whose absence was felt significantly in the finals
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They have given up most of their side really. Let go of Rush, McAdoo, Bogut, Ezeli, Barnes. 
 
That said, they would win the title with a starting five of: Curry, Thompson, Durant, Green and a bloke they pulled out of the crowd before the game. I would like to see them do this actually.

ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="canefan" data-cid="594068" data-time="1467677386">Funny that OKC and the Cavs worked GSW out in the playoffs, exposing a soft underbelly inside. They have KD now but they weakened around the rim by giving up Bogut, whose absence was felt significantly in the finals</blockquote>
 
I wouldn't characterise it like that canefan. They were still in it in a game 7 of the NBA finals. A performance by LBJ that has "immortalised" him.

Baron Silas Greenback

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="594062" data-time="1467677056">
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Obvious but strange reaction. If he had have gone to the Spurs there would have been none of these bandwagon allegations - yet they are only 365 days more removed from a title than the Warriors (and have added Aldridge in the interim). 
He left the Thunder because they are a poor franchise who never spent above the luxury tax when they had a championship team and stuck with a poor coach even two seasons too long. Oh yeah and check out the character part owner/chairman, well former, who had a nasty car accident as the Feds were closing in. 
I can only hope Adams leaves in free agency too. 
And I'm not a Warriors fan in the slightest. 
Guy wants to win a title, he thinks that is his best chance - good on him. I wouldn't want to play with Westbrook either.
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They spent above the luxury tax last year.... and got a new very good coach. The old coach wasn't that bad, just got stale. he is now with the Wizards on a big deal.. and him and Durant were close.
And what is wrong with Westbrook exactly? 
 
OKC beat the Spurs so no, there would not have been this reaction. 
 
OKC had a bloody great record over the last few years.
 
And btw Adams cannot leave any time soon.

Baron Silas Greenback

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="barbarian" data-cid="594070" data-time="1467677505">
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They have given up most of their side really. Let go of Rush, McAdoo, Bogut, Ezeli, Barnes. 
 
That said, they would win the title with a starting five of: Curry, Thompson, Durant, Green and a bloke they pulled out of the crowd before the game. I would like to see them do this actually. 
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Apparently they have signed Zaza Pachulia for a bargain.... figures really.

Baron Silas Greenback

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="barbarian" data-cid="594069" data-time="1467677410">
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Yeah thinking them or Minnesota to be honest. Both good teams with a lot of upside, who will challenge for titles in 2-3 years time. Love Giannis and Towns, especially.
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Wolves more upside than Bucks for me. They will be fun.

canefan

It's MIA all over again, they'll pick up veteran role players who want to win

canefan

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="594072" data-time="1467677894">I wouldn't characterise it like that canefan. They were still in it in a game 7 of the NBA finals. A performance by LBJ that has "immortalised" him.</blockquote>Probably sounded harsh. But they wore the Warriors down, and in the last few games Thompson was unstoppable

Baron Silas Greenback

raznomore

So disappointed man. Things have changed forever. Its not about building a team and a legacy anymore. Its about buying your way to a title. You could argue that GSW built a team and are just adding the final piece but Durant his trading his legacy for a ring the easiest way possible. 
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Baron Silas Greenback

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Razbra" data-cid="594152" data-time="1467693279">
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So disappointed man. Things have changed forever. Its not about building a team and a legacy anymore. Its about buying your way to a title. You could argue that GSW built a team and are just adding the final piece but Durant his trading his legacy for a ring the easiest way possible. 
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I have zero issue with what GSW did. They are supposed to do that. KD on the other hand... he has tarnished his reputation as a competitor beyond repair. He is no competitor. Hell of a good player, very nice guy (apparently).. but he is weak.

canefan

<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://espn.go.com/nba/story//id/16764416/kevin-durant-taking-easy-road-not-fast'>http://espn.go.com/nba/story//id/16764416/kevin-durant-taking-easy-road-not-fast</a>

canefan

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Razbra" data-cid="594152" data-time="1467693279">
So disappointed man. Things have changed forever. Its not about building a team and a legacy anymore. Its about buying your way to a title. You could argue that GSW built a team and are just adding the final piece but Durant his trading his legacy for a ring the easiest way possible. 
Sent from my SM-G925I using Tapatalk</blockquote>I hoped he would stay but at the end of the day this is not new. Dwayne Wade was already a winner before Bosh and LBJ arrived and in victory they emerged with reputations enhanced not forever tarnished. They are all richer than they could have ever imagined, they have fulfilled boyhood dreams and Nike and the other companies sell more shoes than ever before

Godder

Teams drop players all the time with little or no loyalty. I don't blame him in the slightest.

gt12

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="barbarian" data-cid="594055" data-time="1467676129">BTW these changes (inc. Bogut to the Mavs) have left my NBA fandom in a weird spot. 
Do I stick with the Warriors and be accused of being a bandwagon jumper, someone who just cheers for the winning side? 
Do I continue to follow Bogut, who is well past his prime and now with a team that will at best finish 7th in the West? 
Do I hitch my wagon to another Aussie - Delly in Milwaulkee or Simmons in Philly? 
Or do I pick another team completely and go for a plucky, skillful underdog, like Portland or Minnesota or Boston? 
All advice welcome here.</blockquote>
 
Be a man! Stay strong. Support the Mavs - feel the pain!! 
23 years since I committed. 
1 sweet, sweet Championship - but that still doesn't make up for the 1990s when I got mercilessly bullied by my teammates (all fucking fair weather bulls fans). 
I was thinking of jumping to the Thunder - but I'm going to wait to see if Adams stays. Whenever he is are my 2nd team. 
So do it! Cowboy hats and basketball - perfect accompaniments.

canefan

<span>â€˜Strength In Numbersâ€™ convinced Kevin Durant to join Warriors</span>

Full-court press by Curry, Thompson, Green, Iguodala, Kerr and Jerry West sealed the deal
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<img height="576" src="https://espntheundefeated.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/nba_4833381.jpg?w=1024" width="1024" alt="nba_4833381.jpg?w=1024">Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports<div>
<div>By <a class="" href="http://theundefeated.com/contributors/marc-spears/" title="">Marc J. Spears</a> <a class="" href="https://twitter.com/MarcJSpearsESPN">@MarcJSpearsESPN</a> </div>

July 4, 2016</div>

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Kevin Durant didnâ€™t say a lot during his meeting with the Golden State Warriors last Friday. The NBAâ€™s most coveted free agent, however, did have one particular question that he posed to the Warriorsâ€™ core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala while at a mansion in The Hamptons:
Could he mess up the Warriorsâ€™ team camaraderie and chemistry?
The very well-prepared Warriors collectively answered a question with a question and their team motto in mind.
â€œWe asked him how many championships do you think we can win with the way the team is now? How many championships can you win without us? How many do you think we can win together?â€ Green told The Undefeated.
The Warriorsâ€™ motto through their 2015 NBA championship run and their devastating loss in the 2016 NBA Finals to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers was â€œStrength In Numbers.â€ And itâ€™s that mentality that certainly played a role in <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/16759826/kevin-durant-announces-sign-golden-state-warriors'>Durant offering early fireworks to the NBA world on the Fourth of July with news that he would be departing the Oklahoma City Thunder to join the already supremely talented Warriors.</a>
The Warriors not only brought their core four players, but coach Steve Kerr, general manager Bob Myers, owner Joe Lacob and assistant general manager Kirk Lacob, too, to talk to Durant. Having been USA Basketball teammates with him, Curry and Iguodala were most confident and comfortable speaking to Durant from a playersâ€™ standpoint about what life as a Warrior would be like on the court for him. Green also said they sold Durant on â€œculture, dynasty and style of playâ€ with a team that won an NBA-record 73 games last season without him.
It must not be forgotten that Durant strongly had previously said winning was most important to him in his free-agency decision and a friend said he had previously inquired about Bay Area life. The Warriors also told the <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='

'>Magic Johnsonâ€™s â€œShowtime Lakersâ€</a> or <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nba.com/history/bulls_dynasty.html'>Michael Jordan with the Chicago Bulls.</a>
â€œWe told him he didnâ€™t have to change who he is. He doesnâ€™t have to change how he plays. We will get him shots. If he shot 40 percent from 3-point line contested, how would he shoot wide open?â€ Green said.
The Warriorsâ€™ meeting with Durant lasted about two hours with the â€œmain pitchâ€ being winning championships together, Green said. Green added that he felt very good about that meeting since the vibe in the room was perfect with the right mix of voices. Even so, Curry apparently felt it necessary to send Durant a message hours after the meeting Friday night to reassure him about his commitment to â€œStrength In Numbersâ€ and unselfishness.
According to a person who saw the text messages, Curry told Durant in a text message that he could care less about who is the face of the franchise, who gets the most recognition or who sells the most shoes (Curry is with Under Armor, Durant with Nike). The two-time NBA MVP also told Durant that if Durant won the MVP award again he would be in the front row of the press conference clapping for him. In closing, Curryâ€™s message to Durant was that all he truly cared about was winning championships and heâ€™d like to do that as his teammate.
To push the Warriorsâ€™ sales pitch even further, Durant got a phone call from Hall of Famer and Warriors consultant Jerry West on Saturday. West had previously convinced the now retired NBA superstar <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.lakersnation.com/jerry-west-remembers-his-pursuit-for-shaquille-oneal/2012/07/20/'>Shaquille Oâ€™Neal to join the Los Angeles Lakers</a> in 1996. According to ESPNâ€™s Chris Broussard, West told Durant that he would be the perfect fit for the Warriors at small forward and that Westâ€™s own 1-7 record in the NBA Finals with the Lakers still haunts him. Durant lost his lone NBA Finals appearance in 2012.
When asked what was the key to landing Durant, one high-ranking Warriors executive said: â€œJerry West â€¦ Everyone telling [Durant] heâ€™d be on equal footing. No stars.â€
Green woke up on the Fourth of July liking the Warriorsâ€™ chances, but also would not have been surprised if Durant returned to Oklahoma City. Green, however, got the stunning word about Durantâ€™s decision just â€œ20 seconds before it went publicâ€ via a text message from his new teammateâ€™s childhood friend and business manager, Charlie Bell. Less than a minute later, Greenâ€™s phone was wildly abuzz with congratulatory text messages.
The â€œStrength In Numbersâ€ sales pitch worked as the Warriorsâ€™ immediately became next seasonâ€™s championship favorite with Durant saying yes to their â€œbrotherhood.â€
â€œIâ€™m excited about the opportunity to add one of the best players in the world to our team and welcome him to our brotherhood,â€ Green said. â€œThis will be some of the best times of our lives and Iâ€™m looking forward to it.â€
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Marc J. Spears is the senior NBA writer for The Undefeated. He used to be able to dunk on you, but he hasnâ€™t been able to in years and his knees still hurt.
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GSW left no stone unturned. Their unselfishness appears to have been a factor, and I thought the reported conversation with Jerry West was telling. Losing sucks and the taste never totally goes away. At the end of the day you play to win and Durant is looking after himself no matter what anyone else thinks and fair play to him

canefan

It's official, Pau Gasol to the Spurs

canefan

David West going to the GSW for chump change in the hope he can win a ring. Holy cow, this team is starting to looks stacked like glory years LAL or BOS stacked!! (without an All Star center of course ;))

barbarian

The question I have with this Warriors team is this: whose team is it? Is it KDs team? Is it Stephs? Draymonds?
 
With Steph coming off contract next year it will be very interesting to see what he does. A real possibility he may look elsewhere if he feels like he's been maligned to second or third banana with the Warriors... rings or not.

canefan

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="barbarian" data-cid="594324" data-time="1467759456">
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The question I have with this Warriors team is this: whose team is it? Is it KDs team? Is it Stephs? Draymonds?
 
With Steph coming off contract next year it will be very interesting to see what he does. A real possibility he may look elsewhere if he feels like he's been maligned to second or third banana with the Warriors... rings or not.
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Read the article I put up a few posts above. The team plays without ego, Curry says he doesn't care who's top dog and I believe him. He won the MVP two seasons ago only for Iguodala to win the finals MVP and he couldn't have been happier, I'm sure Kobe or Shaq would not have been so happy. These guys make so much money off endorsements now the contract money is dwarfed by it and therefore is less of a pull for the elite player

Bovidae

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="barbarian" data-cid="594070" data-time="1467677505">
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They have given up most of their side really. Let go of Rush, McAdoo, Bogut, Ezeli, Barnes. 
 
That said, they would win the title with a starting five of: Curry, Thompson, Durant, Green and a bloke they pulled out of the crowd before the game. I would like to see them do this actually. 
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I'm disappointed that KD took the soft option but as ACTC said, NBA history is littered with marquee players chasing rings. It's still no guarantee of success. I loved the rant from a young OKC fan I saw on the TV news last night.
 
Players are impatient nowadays. Jordan was 28 before he won his first championship.
 
I see Pau Gasol is going to the Spurs so I think they will be in the mix again next season. The Warriors have a soft underbelly and I would pound the ball inside against them. How they share the ball will be interesting to watch.
 
OKC really need to make a good signing to replace Durant but there aren't that many comparable free agents out there. Westbrook is still likely to head back to LA when his contract expires so the Thunder might look to trade him to get something in return.

The Silver Fern

NBA 2015/16 thread