[NBA] Comments that don't warrant a thread (JUL)
- Thread starter SLAB
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I find it a little melodramatic. There is no question that his brief tenure with the Warriors delivered them back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018. But they had also won a title without him in 2015, and made it to the Finals without him in 2016. He joined a championship-caliber team, and as great as he was in a Warriors uni, the team was never truly molded in his image. Curry's and Thompson's jerseys will no doubt be hanging from the rafters upon their retirement (and Draymond Green's, as well, I'd guess), and it feels odd to me, maybe even a bit disrespectful towards Curry/Thompson/Green, to start talking about the sanctity of Durant's jersey number as he's kicking dust into your face upon exit.
Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled that Durant has left for the Eastern Conference, and that the Warriors will continue to be vulnerable through at least next season. But it's pretty clear to me that Durant never saw his time in Golden State as a long-term dynastic commitment. He used them to get the title monkey off his back, and they used him to guarantee the hoisting of the Larry O'Brien trophy a couple more times. That relationship doesn't strike me as worthy of the gesture of a jersey retirement. But that's just me. Perhaps Warriors fans feel differently.
Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled that Durant has left for the Eastern Conference, and that the Warriors will continue to be vulnerable through at least next season. But it's pretty clear to me that Durant never saw his time in Golden State as a long-term dynastic commitment. He used them to get the title monkey off his back, and they used him to guarantee the hoisting of the Larry O'Brien trophy a couple more times. That relationship doesn't strike me as worthy of the gesture of a jersey retirement. But that's just me. Perhaps Warriors fans feel differently.
Hard to say the Lakers 100% gave up on Lonzo. More like two guys that the team 100% gave up on, one who was a centerpiece of a failed bid for AD, and one who was a major piece of a successful bid for AD.
I don't think that being a major piece of a trade attempt for one of the best players in the league is really a knock on a guy. Tatum is a very good player, and Lonzo needs to fix his shot (not quite sure how his FT% has dropped almost 300 points from college, as it's the same line) but may well look better out of the shadow of LeBron as his game depends on having the ball in his hands.
I don't think that being a major piece of a trade attempt for one of the best players in the league is really a knock on a guy. Tatum is a very good player, and Lonzo needs to fix his shot (not quite sure how his FT% has dropped almost 300 points from college, as it's the same line) but may well look better out of the shadow of LeBron as his game depends on having the ball in his hands.
I'm not knocking Tatum. But noteworthy despite his success he's not looked at as the cornerstone for his franchise.
I think there is some chance Ball can rebound in NO, but I certainly think the Lakers did 100% write him off, certainly the part under LeBron's influence. And my guess is that the Lakers insisted on shipping him and his guaranteed money more than NO insisted he be included.
I think there is some chance Ball can rebound in NO, but I certainly think the Lakers did 100% write him off, certainly the part under LeBron's influence. And my guess is that the Lakers insisted on shipping him and his guaranteed money more than NO insisted he be included.
