They were definitely a better ‘team’, and that teamwork is precisely why they were winning as much as they were. Bringing Durant in required them to commit on some level to Durant’s skills which have never been ‘team ball’. I firmly believe it’s why he left OKC, because he and Russ were so similar in play style, and…

You nailed it. Draymond’s comments about defense the last week are directed right at Durant. I bet there’s a huge divide in that locker room between those two and it’s not going away until one of them leaves. The Warriors management chose Durant after that dustup and they never really recovered.

I agree. Getting Durant was such an outrageous example of the rich getting richer that people don’t want to hear this, but I think they were better before they had him. Better ball movement, better defense, better chemistry, etc.

I still say bringing Durant in was absolute poison for them. Would they have won these last 2 championships without him? Maybe not. And when they’re all on and things are working, it’s simply incredible to watch. However their easy-to-root-for, did-it-the-right-way dynamic disappeared the second they brought in KD,…

The dumpster fire of an organization is absolutely at fault. The Lakers have picked 7th, 2, 2, 2, signed lebron and are below .500.

The tragedy of LeBron not getting to select his teammates via his own agent continues unabated.

I generally enjoy the basketball takes around here, but the consensus that the Pelicans messed up for not wanting to cosplay the 2017-18 Lakers is baffling.

Counterpoint:

“Petulantly stonewalling Davis’s destination of choice” by, uh, declining a lousy offer for a bunch of shitty players who can’t even get LeBron to the playoffs this year?

Not getting Lonzo Ball is infinitely better than any trade that gets you Lonzo Ball.

Honestly I'd take Tatum and whatever over the chance to cosplay as the 2018 Lakers.

I’d rather have Tatum than Irving

And lost in the shuffle.... the Warriors are mediocre when Durant holds the ball forever and plays iso ball.

KD came to the Dubs to hoop at the highest level. With a healthy Steph, KD is ridiculously efficient at scoring and passing. When Steph is out, KD reverts to his OKC persona; he insists on either initiating the offense at the top of the key or posting up (i.e., he stops moving when he doesn’t have the ball), and goes…

Listen to Myers at the presser. “Steve Kerr and I were involved” in the decision to suspend. He makes no strong case for what Green has to change. He does not defend the suspension. He talks only about moving forward, and “these things happen.” Is that someone who has issued a big financial and emotional punishment to…

Here’s the thing: Green is right about Durant being a bitch.

He’s a bitch who wanted to ride the Warriors’ coattails to championships while wanting credit for being a key component - or even THE key component - to said championships.

Phew, this is spicy stuff. Draymond is an idiot sometimes but I kind of agree with him here - Durant really doesn’t need to talk down to him like he is not capable. 98/100 times he passes it there, he just fucked up this time and fumbled it. Should he have passed? Yea. Did he 100%, inexcusably, unforgivably need to?…

It’s insane to me to not take Doncic. He was literally the best player in Europe last year...at 19. 

The most logical explanation: karmic retribution for John Starks.

I starred this because it is funny. But it isn’t funny because it is true. I think Blatt is actually a good coach, and it didn’t work in Cleveland because Lebron is an asshole.