The Warriors will never lose again ;)

[schoy]

Originally Posted by Antetokounmpo

While true, LBJ was on a bad Cavs team. KD was on a championship contending thunder team that was up 3-1 in the WCF then choked the next 3 games away.

I usually don't agree with Stephen A Smith but he's totally right here.

Let's see ... KD gets more $$$ to play for a better team, in a better location, with people he likes, where he isn't pressured to be "The Man" (which fits his psychological profile). So, he's now in a situation where he's much happier financially and emotionally. And he's the bad guy here?

LBJ jumped from a bad Cav's team to join his superfriends in Miami, wins a couple of championships, then (like KD) bails on a championship contending team (remember, the Heat were actually in the Finals that season, but lost to the Spurs), leaving his superfriends Wade and Bosh high and dry. And LBJ's the good guy here?

And to pile on, LBJ pressured Cav management to buy all the pieces necessary to win a championship. Cavs' payroll is $26 million more than GSW, and a full $11 million more than the Clippers (who have the 2nd highest payroll). With the amount of money the Cavs are spending for a championship, GSW could buy another Durant.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by Antetokounmpo

I'm not even a Cavs fan but I just sure hope LBJ can pull this off. I just cannot stand how KD went to the Warriors.

A couple of really smart posters beat me to responding but I'll add my 2 cents.

Look, teams trade players all the time for their own benefit. Why can't a player switch teams for his own gain. I didn't hate James for leaving the Cavs. Its the Cavs job to keep him wanting to be there. They apparently didn't do that. Durant didn't owe Oklahoma his entire career. He gave the 8 years. They didn't sign a contract with him for life. Why the hate for him wanting a better situation for himself? If Oklahoma didn't want him, they'd have dropped him like a hot rock. Why is he evil exactly?

Did you ever leave a job for a better one?

[kprocivic]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

A couple of really smart posters beat me to responding but I'll add my 2 cents.

Look, teams trade players all the time for their own benefit. Why can't a player switch teams for his own gain. I didn't hate James for leaving the Cavs. Its the Cavs job to keep him wanting to be there. They apparently didn't do that. Durant didn't owe Oklahoma his entire career. He gave the 8 years. They didn't sign a contract with him for life. Why the hate for him wanting a better situation for himself? If Oklahoma didn't want him, they'd have dropped him like a hot rock. Why is he evil exactly?

Did you ever leave a job for a better one?

someone get this man a beer.

[mookie45]

Finally, I can watch basketball now.

[Antetokounmpo]

Originally Posted by schoy

Let's see ... KD gets more $$$ to play for a better team, in a better location, with people he likes, where he isn't pressured to be "The Man" (which fits his psychological profile). So, he's now in a situation where he's much happier financially and emotionally. And he's the bad guy here?

LBJ jumped from a bad Cav's team to join his superfriends in Miami, wins a couple of championships, then (like KD) bails on a championship contending team (remember, the Heat were actually in the Finals that season, but lost to the Spurs), leaving his superfriends Wade and Bosh high and dry. And LBJ's the good guy here?

And to pile on, LBJ pressured Cav management to buy all the pieces necessary to win a championship. Cavs' payroll is $26 million more than GSW, and a full $11 million more than the Clippers (who have the 2nd highest payroll). With the amount of money the Cavs are spending for a championship, GSW could buy another Durant.

Originally Posted by sygazelle

A couple of really smart posters beat me to responding but I'll add my 2 cents.

Look, teams trade players all the time for their own benefit. Why can't a player switch teams for his own gain. I didn't hate James for leaving the Cavs. Its the Cavs job to keep him wanting to be there. They apparently didn't do that. Durant didn't owe Oklahoma his entire career. He gave the 8 years. They didn't sign a contract with him for life. Why the hate for him wanting a better situation for himself? If Oklahoma didn't want him, they'd have dropped him like a hot rock. Why is he evil exactly?

Did you ever leave a job for a better one?

Guys, I clearly stated I just am not a fan of the 2nd or 3rd best player in the world going to the already best team in the league WHO JUST BEAT HIM IN THE WCF. It's a weak move IMO and that's it. I think KD and Russ could've taken down GS if they stayed together and got another player like serge. I think it sucks for the fans because it takes a lot of the fun away from watchmaking by having one juggernaut super duper team.

That being said, I'm a bucks fan just waiting another 2 years for the bucks to be the best team in the east.

[Flying Ace]

Originally Posted by mookie45

Finally, I can watch basketball now.

Marginally more watchable than FSU spring game

[mookie45]

Originally Posted by Flying Ace

Marginally more watchable than FSU spring game

HA! I appreciate you putting our spring game up there with the Finals.

[itrsteve]

Originally Posted by Antetokounmpo

Guys, I clearly stated I just am not a fan of the 2nd or 3rd best player in the world going to the already best team in the league WHO JUST BEAT HIM IN THE WCF. It's a weak move IMO and that's it.

This and this. It was a weak move, he could have went to ANYBODY else (well, besides Cleveland) and nobody would have gave a shit. Maybe I'm still bitter because he was sold on Boston and then took the last meeting with GSW, that would have made things interesting. Oh well.

I highly doubt they'll lose this series, but man it would be entertaining if they did.

[mookie45]

Cavs in 7.

[avantegardestyle]

Cavs in 6 games.......

Kyrie irving will outplay Curry.
Lebron at the moment is playing better than KD.
Cavs will be more physical and Tristan Thompson will have a field day inside

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by Antetokounmpo

Guys, I clearly stated I just am not a fan of the 2nd or 3rd best player in the world going to the already best team in the league WHO JUST BEAT HIM IN THE WCF. It's a weak move IMO and that's it. I think KD and Russ could've taken down GS if they stayed together and got another player like serge. I think it sucks for the fans because it takes a lot of the fun away from watchmaking by having one juggernaut super duper team.

That being said, I'm a bucks fan just waiting another 2 years for the bucks to be the best team in the east.

I get that it sucks for everybody but Warrior fans. But, to call out KD directly? My view is that he is 3 things (at least): 1) an athlete 2) an employee making a living, and 3) a human being.

Athletes want to win. Its in their DNA. I think most athletes given the opportunity would switch to a team that has a better chance of winning.

Also, most employees would switch jobs for a better compensation.

And finally, he's human. He's not piece of machinery put here on this earth to please the fans. He gave Oklahoma 8 years. As I said, they didn't do whatever it took to keep him. At some point, loyalty is trumped (sorry) by what his athlete self and employee self are telling him. Why in the world would he want to go to a team other than the Warriors or another contending team if he had a choice? Its not his job to create balance of talent in the NBA. If there's something wrong with the system, then the NBA should establish rules to create better balance between the teams. To put that burden on an individual player is not reasonable to me.

I felt the same way when LBJ went to Miami. It's not the players' job to take a lesser deal for the benefit of the league a whole. The NBA and its owners have to sort this out so the season actually means something. Durant or any other player for that matter can't and shouldn't be expected to be anything other than an athlete wanting to win and an employee wanting to get the best compensation they can.

[Flying Ace]

Not enough trash talking in here for all the supposed Warriors fans on here from last year. Bandwagon fell apart already?

[Germanauto]

Klay gotta get his head in the game. Whole team is shooting 25% from 3.

KD's impressive rn.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by Flying Ace

Not enough trash talking in here for all the supposed Warriors fans on here from last year. Bandwagon fell apart already?

I thought you're a Ws fan?

[Flying Ace]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

I thought you're a Ws fan?

No way.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by Flying Ace

Not enough trash talking in here for all the supposed Warriors fans on here from last year. Bandwagon fell apart already?

Warriors in 4.

[Flying Ace]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

Warriors in 4.

Comment locked in.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by Flying Ace

Comment locked in.

I'm just messing with you. I have no idea who will win or how many games it will take.

Both great teams. I hope the Warriors win but the Cavs are going to make them earn it.

Regarding the bandwagon comment, I still don't get it.

[ny325]

Just think if Thompson made half of his shots. Cavaliers will be down by 30 plus.

[ny325]

This is what happens when the Cavaliers play a good team. Not those subpar .500 teams in the east.

[Flying Ace]

Originally Posted by ny325

This is what happens when the Cavaliers play a good team. Not those subpar .500 teams in the east.

Celtics were .500?

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by ny325

Just think if Thompson made half of his shots.

He's been a no-show for most, if not all, of the playoff games.