Nalod wrote:The drama was him leaving OKC. Could GS have resigned him and stayed competitive? His issues with Dray? Not like Dray was innocent there. The BKN thing? Much of it was on Kyrie and Harden. He resigned with Nets. He asked out given the teams roster was out of balance and Simmons proved awful. What is Durant? An asshole? A bit on the spectrum? His issues with social media did not endear him to his detractors but nothing awful. Seems like a very intense human who is very intense about basketball.
Talent wise he is can still put up points but Id pass on this starphuch concept not because he told the truth, but the money won't work. Perhaps next year at a 15mil salary to chase a ring with us as a role player.
Fact was Knicks were not "cool". Mills was running the team and I think Hornachek was coach after seemingly changing them each year prior. We were very unstable as a franchise. We are cool now but that took time to establish.
So, he is just a victim of circumstance for 4 teams, consecutively? I love his commitment to the game, but where there is smoke there is fire. This team may need changes but it seems they lost something from last year as a whole. Durant can still play but I have to go with what is a pretty solid track record. If you don't want to say it was him fine. But it is undeniable shit always happens around him.
joec32033 wrote:Nalod wrote:The drama was him leaving OKC. Could GS have resigned him and stayed competitive? His issues with Dray? Not like Dray was innocent there. The BKN thing? Much of it was on Kyrie and Harden. He resigned with Nets. He asked out given the teams roster was out of balance and Simmons proved awful. What is Durant? An asshole? A bit on the spectrum? His issues with social media did not endear him to his detractors but nothing awful. Seems like a very intense human who is very intense about basketball.
Talent wise he is can still put up points but Id pass on this starphuch concept not because he told the truth, but the money won't work. Perhaps next year at a 15mil salary to chase a ring with us as a role player.
Fact was Knicks were not "cool". Mills was running the team and I think Hornachek was coach after seemingly changing them each year prior. We were very unstable as a franchise. We are cool now but that took time to establish.
So, he is just a victim of circumstance for 4 teams, consecutively? I love his commitment to the game, but where there is smoke there is fire. This team may need changes but it seems they lost something from last year as a whole. Durant can still play but I have to go with what is a pretty solid track record. If you don't want to say it was him fine. But it is undeniable shit always happens around him.
Not a victim at all. He was empowered by his free agency with his talent. He left OKC free and clear. They could not resign him and he said he would not sign anywhere he was traded. He was with Sonics/Thunder for 9 years. Thunder either waited too long to trade him or respected him and they played it out hoping he'd stay. Fans don't like player empowerment in this era. Lebron is also seen as a villain for leaving as he does or wanting changes. Yet we lambast teams for trades, the owners for their greed, and the commissioner for his oversight.
Going to GS after the lost in the finals after a record setting season was his right. That and to play in another city. He played 3 years, they won two chips. He did not get on with Dray who is not an easy personality and after 12 years in the league he left. Nets valued him to the degree they paid him a full year even with a torn Achilles at age 32. With Cap rules in place GSW was also in an awkward spot that makes it hard to pay 4 guys big at once. What happend in BKN was Covid, Kyrie and Harden. Durant was not the epicenter of those issues. Given the timeline of events that was a very untenable situation. For what its worth Durant did extend there but likely with a handshake that he could ask out. He did. He is surly and not great with fans. He really does not do much endorsements either and he might not care to anymore. He did in OKC, was a global brand even in the small market. Proved players can transcend even from small cities.
With Suns? Look at what Ibisha has done there? Pretty freaking stupid. Durant is older, more injured but one might look at his yearly stats and games played. Played 75 games last year, all NBA again, and at age 35!
Basically he has become an unlikable personality given his grumpy quiet persona. He has created many haters and understandable. His social media pushback did not win many over but not like fans don't cross the line themselves. Lebron also empowered by league smiles too much and defers to his teammates. He also has his detractors.
At 54mil I don't think its a good idea for knicks. As a free agent at a much lower price at age 38 I'd expect a very low salary if he to be on this team and I'd have lower starphuch expectations for what he can do. He'd still have value if healthy. Will he accept a lower role as he ages further? Im sure his haters would find that hard for him to accept but I won't pretend to be in his head.
