NBA 2015/16 thread

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.

canefan

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="594347" data-time="1467763034">
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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.
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Good points there
 
1. The Warriors have to pick up a solid center on the cheap for rim protection and rebounds, maybe two
2. Durant is such a good passer, the team don't seem driven by stats and there is a solid pass and off ball movement system in place which I think KD will thrive in
3. There are few players in FA that can match or come close to Durant. I heard a theory on ESPN that if OKC may offer more money for Westbrook to sign an extension, and if he isn't willing they might look to trade him to the Lakers for Russell Ingram and whatever else LA give up
 
The next few weeks are going to be tortuous for OKC fans

Baron Silas Greenback

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="canefan" data-cid="594326" data-time="1467759809">
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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
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I simply do not buy that theory in regards to the Warriors. All those guys have ego's. It will be interesting to see how it pans out.

rotated

Yes the Warriors have no egos that's why Draymond is kicking people in the balls when they are losing, Klay sulks off the court without shaking hands and Curry's wife is crying we wuz robbed. No ego. 
Did you read the article from their owner during the season about ho they are light years ahead of every other team and will be for the next decade? Good reading.

Baron Silas Greenback

This article sums up my feelings pretty well.
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.si.com/nba/2016/07/05/kevin-durant-warriors-stephen-curry-free-agency-thunder'>http://www.si.com/nba/2016/07/05/kevin-durant-warriors-stephen-curry-free-agency-thunder</a>
 
I also think some of the comments coming from the Durant camp about Westbrook are bitch moves as well.

barbarian

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Baron Silas Greenback" data-cid="594358" data-time="1467763907">
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I simply do not buy that theory in regards to the Warriors. All those guys have ego's. It will be interesting to see how it pans out.
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I think it's about more than just ego and attitude. Different players want different things, and the Durant exercise has shown that perfectly. We all want players to chase immortality, to take risks and enhance their legacy. But in reality KD just wanted to have fun and win, and didn't seem to care too much about his place in basketball history.
 
But other players may want more than that. Klay Thompson wants to take 15-20 shots a game, and if he ends up standing in the corner holding his dick for the next year, who knows what he might do? Same with Curry, to a certain extent.
 
I think it's a long shot that it will fall apart (in the next year at least) but chemistry is so important and I don't think anyone really knows how the cards are going to fall on this one. They will still be very short odds to win, though.

Baron Silas Greenback

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="barbarian" data-cid="594404" data-time="1467770938">
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I think it's about more than just ego and attitude. Different players want different things, and the Durant exercise has shown that perfectly. We all want players to chase immortality, to take risks and enhance their legacy. But in reality KD just wanted to have fun and win, and didn't seem to care too much about his place in basketball history.
 
But other players may want more than that. Klay Thompson wants to take 15-20 shots a game, and if he ends up standing in the corner holding his dick for the next year, who knows what he might do? Same with Curry, to a certain extent.
 
I think it's a long shot that it will fall apart (in the next year at least) but chemistry is so important and I don't think anyone really knows how the cards are going to fall on this one. They will still be very short odds to win, though.
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All fair points. I was was just disputing that the Warriors play without ego.
 
I also think OKC might have a bright future. They have such a young roster. They could build a core that really takes off in 2-3 years, even if Westbrook leaves.

Hooroo

Off topic slightly.
 
It irks me that OKC aren't OCT.
 
GSW makes sense

barbarian

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Baron Silas Greenback" data-cid="594408" data-time="1467771757">
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All fair points. I was was just disputing that the Warriors play without ego.
 
I also think OKC might have a bright future. They have such a young roster. They could build a core that really takes off in 2-3 years, even if Westbrook leaves.
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Yeah I wasn't disagreeing with you. FWIW I don't buy the theory either.

canefan

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="594377" data-time="1467766485">
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Yes the Warriors have no egos that's why Draymond is kicking people in the balls when they are losing, Klay sulks off the court without shaking hands and Curry's wife is crying we wuz robbed. No ego. 
Did you read the article from their owner during the season about ho they are light years ahead of every other team and will be for the next decade? Good reading.
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The owner is a douche, he basically gave no credit to his players and coaches for winning. As for egos, I didn't think I had to spell out the fact that they don't seem to have massive egos/ jealousies amongst themselves to the point that they would risk destroying the team for individual goals, aka Kobe and the 2004 Lakers (the year the team got swept by Detroit)

canefan

This free agency period is getting really fun. Dan Le Batard with a Dwayne Wade/ LBJ conspiracy theory. Right now the players are taking the power
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://espn.go.com/nba/story//id/16811278/dwyane-wade-miami-heat-conundrum'>http://espn.go.com/nba/story//id/16811278/dwyane-wade-miami-heat-conundrum</a>

rotated

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="canefan" data-cid="594432" data-time="1467774391">
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The owner is a douche, he basically gave no credit to his players and coaches for winning. As for egos, I didn't think I had to spell out the fact that they don't seem to have massive egos/ jealousies amongst themselves to the point that they would risk destroying the team for individual goals, aka Kobe and the 2004 Lakers (the year the team got swept by Detroit)
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Agree, but it's still early days. 2004 was 6 years into the Kobe/Shaq tandem. It takes time for these things to happen and in Draymond they certainly have a combustible element and they definitely have a massive sook in Thompson. Everyone's opinion on Curry is going to be different though. You also have a coach in Kerr who has a very limited amount of coaching experience, so if things start going off the rails we don't know for sure he can put things back together. He deserves the benefit of the doubt though coming from the Pop/Jackson school - but it's not proven.
 
Very well may have no ego - but let's wait and see before putting them in the Spurs level of unselfishness etc.

canefan

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="594567" data-time="1467833992">
Agree, but it's still early days. 2004 was 6 years into the Kobe/Shaq tandem. It takes time for these things to happen and in Draymond they certainly have a combustible element and they definitely have a massive sook in Thompson. Everyone's opinion on Curry is going to be different though. You also have a coach in Kerr who has a very limited amount of coaching experience, so if things start going off the rails we don't know for sure he can put things back together. 
Very well may have no ego - but let's wait and see before putting them in the Spurs level of unselfishness etc.</blockquote>There is no guarantee of success, both Curry and Durant have a chequered injury history too. The other big hurdle will be contract talk time, to see how much money each of these guys demands. I listened to an interesting podcast with Jalen Rose last night on ESPN. Basically the elite few players earn so much money from endorsements (LBJ is rumoured to have a 1bn USD Nike contract!) that the contract money is insignificant in the wider scheme of things. So these guys can do a Miami or GSW and not suffer significant penalty. Bron is also a free agent and I would not be shocked if he took a small contract to get another gun like Wade Dirk or someone else in to respond to GSW

The Silver Fern

NBA 2015/16 thread