Lipoli390 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 26, 2026 7:26 pm
As we see what’s happening in the Lakers-Rockets series is there anyone who regrets not landing Kevin Durant last summer? The Lakers without Doncic are on the verge of sweeping the Rockets. The Rockets lost the first of three with Durant and lost the next two without Durant who, as always, is out with an injury. Meanwhile, the Suns are having far more success this season without Durant than last season with him. Durant wasn’t the answer for Houston and he certainly would not have been the answer for the Wolves. He was a championship caliber player once when he played with Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Donte Green in their prime the season after those three carried the Warriors to the best regular season record in NBA history. I might be a championship player playing with those three. .
What's interesting about Durant is that he is one of the greatest Team USA players ever and I don't recall him having the same issues within that context. I think it's a more transient situation, where the timeline is compressed and there are fewer games.
But yeah, put him on an NBA team over the slog of 82+ games and he ultimately becomes a malcontent. There was just never enough time for this to happen with Team USA.
Lipoli390 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 26, 2026 7:26 pm
As we see what’s happening in the Lakers-Rockets series is there anyone who regrets not landing Kevin Durant last summer? The Lakers without Doncic are on the verge of sweeping the Rockets. The Rockets lost the first of three with Durant and lost the next two without Durant who, as always, is out with an injury. Meanwhile, the Suns are having far more success this season without Durant than last season with him. Durant wasn’t the answer for Houston and he certainly would not have been the answer for the Wolves. He was a championship caliber player once when he played with Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Donte Green in their prime the season after those three carried the Warriors to the best regular season record in NBA history. I might be a championship player playing with those three. .
What's interesting about Durant is that he is one of the greatest Team USA players ever and I don't recall him having the same issues within that context. I think it's a more transient situation, where the timeline is compressed and there are fewer games.
But yeah, put him on an NBA team over the slog of 82+ games and he ultimately becomes a malcontent. There was just never enough time for this to happen with Team USA.
I think part of it is the same thing that happened to Ant this year. Hours before game one they decided Mike wasn't able to start anymore and Ant was going to handle most of the point guard duties. For Houston Fred got hurt, they tried Thompson at point guard which didn't work so they had to go with Durant handling the ball most of the time. Durant in the clutch was either score the bucket, turn it over, or force a contested shot while getting blitzed by 2-3 defenders sagging off of Thompson.
Lipoli390 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 26, 2026 7:26 pm
As we see what’s happening in the Lakers-Rockets series is there anyone who regrets not landing Kevin Durant last summer? The Lakers without Doncic are on the verge of sweeping the Rockets. The Rockets lost the first of three with Durant and lost the next two without Durant who, as always, is out with an injury. Meanwhile, the Suns are having far more success this season without Durant than last season with him. Durant wasn’t the answer for Houston and he certainly would not have been the answer for the Wolves. He was a championship caliber player once when he played with Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Donte Green in their prime the season after those three carried the Warriors to the best regular season record in NBA history. I might be a championship player playing with those three. .
What's interesting about Durant is that he is one of the greatest Team USA players ever and I don't recall him having the same issues within that context. I think it's a more transient situation, where the timeline is compressed and there are fewer games.
But yeah, put him on an NBA team over the slog of 82+ games and he ultimately becomes a malcontent. There was just never enough time for this to happen with Team USA.
I think that’s right, Q. Over the course of an NBA season Durant either becomes a malcontent or gets hurt and misses a ton of games. And bottom line is that the Durant of the past few years doesn’t seem to be a winning player. The difference in the Suns from last season with Durant to this season without him is telling. Durant’s a great talent and has been a great individual player - one of the best I’ve seen. But his sour attitude and tendency to bail on teams, along with his injury propensity, will be a big part of his legacy when he retires and the main reasons I never wanted to acquire him for the Wolves.
Lipoli390 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 26, 2026 7:26 pm
As we see what’s happening in the Lakers-Rockets series is there anyone who regrets not landing Kevin Durant last summer? The Lakers without Doncic are on the verge of sweeping the Rockets. The Rockets lost the first of three with Durant and lost the next two without Durant who, as always, is out with an injury. Meanwhile, the Suns are having far more success this season without Durant than last season with him. Durant wasn’t the answer for Houston and he certainly would not have been the answer for the Wolves. He was a championship caliber player once when he played with Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Donte Green in their prime the season after those three carried the Warriors to the best regular season record in NBA history. I might be a championship player playing with those three. .
What's interesting about Durant is that he is one of the greatest Team USA players ever and I don't recall him having the same issues within that context. I think it's a more transient situation, where the timeline is compressed and there are fewer games.
But yeah, put him on an NBA team over the slog of 82+ games and he ultimately becomes a malcontent. There was just never enough time for this to happen with Team USA.
I think part of it is the same thing that happened to Ant this year. Hours before game one they decided Mike wasn't able to start anymore and Ant was going to handle most of the point guard duties. For Houston Fred got hurt, they tried Thompson at point guard which didn't work so they had to go with Durant handling the ball most of the time. Durant in the clutch was either score the bucket, turn it over, or force a contested shot while getting blitzed by 2-3 defenders sagging off of Thompson.
Yes losing FVV was a pretty big deal for the Rockets. I have a hard time making any proclamations for that roster and Durant with that big of a losels at an important position.
Phenom wrote: ↑Mon Apr 27, 2026 9:41 pm
If I didn't know better, I'd say Orlando threw their last game of the season and first play in game to purposely face Detroit.
Orlando shot 32.6% from the floor and 73% from the line... its starting PG shot 1 - 13 fg... its star player shot 4 - 18 fg... they had 18 of their shots blocked...
Do I owe Bronny James an apology? He is playing meaningful playoff minutes and looks like he belongs in the NBA. I hate the Lakers as much as any good Minnesota fan but Reddick deserves a ton of credit, and Lebron really is incredible.
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