Dante Exum to the Rockets

[LoPo]

Wait... KD was on the cusp of being an all time great before going to GS but he also didn’t do anything special pre-GS. Your original post was loud wrong... if you can’t see that.

Westbrook won an mvp in a season where he aggregated a lot of stats and lost in the first round. KD did and went to the conference finals that year. The goal for OKC became all about Westbrook... KD won it by trying to win the most games.

OKC only became all about Westbrook because KD tucked his tail and ran. And yes, KD was on the verge of something special if he had stayed and completed something with OKC. That was a more than capable roster with a more than willing GM to build. He left that team high and dry to get a ring, not really earn a ring.

Did you really not see all the backlash he received in the 3 years at GS? His legacy didn't get elevated nearly as much as many would think. When people look back on his career in 20 years, I think they will bash him more for joining GS than applaud him for winning 2 Finals MVP's (over really inferior talent at Cleveland I might add).

But at this point, I think it comes down to what he does with Brooklyn. He wanted Brooklyn. He wanted to be with Kyrie. He must want to play with Harden again. If it doesn't end up with at least a Finals trip, it proves my point.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

OKC only became all about Westbrook because KD tucked his tail and ran. And yes, KD was on the verge of something special if he had stayed and completed something with OKC. That was a more than capable roster with a more than willing GM to build. He left that team high and dry to get a ring, not really earn a ring.

Did you really not see all the backlash he received in the 3 years at GS? His legacy didn't get elevated nearly as much as many would think. When people look back on his career in 20 years, I think they will bash him more for joining GS than applaud him for winning 2 Finals MVP's (over really inferior talent at Cleveland I might add).

But at this point, I think it comes down to what he does with Brooklyn. He wanted Brooklyn. He wanted to be with Kyrie. He must want to play with Harden again. If it doesn't end up with at least a Finals trip, it proves my point.

Homie... you said he scored points and won a "couple" playoff series... you also said he was on the cusp of being an all time great. That is really inconsistent.

I saw his legacy take a little hit... maybe... but he won two titles and that is what people will remember. Lebron has 4 titles but people don't lose their **** about the two in Miami anymore. If he wins one in Brooklyn he gets them all validated imo.

That Cleveland team had the best or second best player ever... and also beat GS the year before KD joined... ain't KD's fault they weren't at full strength by the time of the finals. There was also plenty of western conference competition. They dominated but that was primarily because of KD.

He may have spotted his legacy a bit but saying he "had scored some points and won a couple playoff series" is crazy wrong. He won 10 playoff series prior to joining the Warriors... We will be lucky as hell if DM wins 6-7 over his entire Jazz career.

 

[LoPo]

Homie... you said he scored points and won a "couple" playoff series... you also said he was on the cusp of being an all time great. That is really inconsistent.

I saw his legacy take a little hit... maybe... but he won two titles and that is what people will remember. Lebron has 4 titles but people don't lose their **** about the two in Miami anymore. If he wins one in Brooklyn he gets them all validated imo.

That Cleveland team had the best or second best player ever... and also beat GS the year before KD joined... ain't KD's fault they weren't at full strength by the time of the finals. There was also plenty of western conference competition. They dominated but that was primarily because of KD.

He may have spotted his legacy a bit but saying he "had scored some points and won a couple playoff series" is crazy wrong. He won 10 playoff series prior to joining the Warriors... We will be lucky as hell if DM wins 6-7 over his entire Jazz career.

Cleveland squeaked by 73 win GS by the skin of their teeth. Barely, just barely beating them.

Now add KD. Forget that Cleveland had all sorts of injury issues in the 2 finals that GS had KD. Just imagine if KD had joined Cleveland instead of GS. Imagine that backlash.

I said he was about to be validated because both he and Russ were going into their prime and they were an upset of GS from being a finals team. Without KD, GS could have lost to OKC that next year. We'll never know because KD didn't have the stones to carry a team in his prime. He chose to use his prime to go to 73 win two time champion GS.

But you said it all with, "If he wins one in Brooklyn he gets them all validated imo." I agree.

 

[infection]

I've been saying we need Larry Nance Jr. for years.

I'd be willing to give up a first round pick for him. He has the same agent as Gordon Hayward and Joe Ingles.

But, I can see Nance fitting in very well with his skill set.

I would too. As our window is now, and the difference in our future assets going from "kinda really bad" to "really bad" isn't really that much different, I'd say you're getting a lot more return for the cost. If you can get someone like Nance, it affords you being a legitimate contender and at least having a defensive option on guys that will stand in your way.

 

[kabenac]

It's going to be weird seeing Harden and Durant together again. And I was surprised to see that the team has some depth - more than I expected a team with three all-stars would have. If they're smart they'll leave a roster spot or two open so they can pick up some waivers near the deadline.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I would too. As our window is now, and the difference in our future assets going from "kinda really bad" to "really bad" isn't really that much different, I'd say you're getting a lot more return for the cost. If you can get someone like Nance, it affords you being a legitimate contender and at least having a defensive option on guys that will stand in your way.

I like Nance but I'm not sure of what deal gets you there. Ideally it'd be Favors plus a pick. They probably want Royce and a pick (if they are willing to talk at all... I think they think they are good enough to go to the playoffs). If you told me Bojan's shot definitely comes around then it makes it all easier.

IDK... can't they just give him to us for free? I think he's a great fit but to maximize him I'd want him as the PF with the starters and a center with the second unit.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

It's going to be weird seeing Harden and Durant together again. And I was surprised to see that the team has some depth - more than I expected a team with three all-stars would have. If they're smart they'll leave a roster spot or two open so they can pick up some waivers near the deadline.

The thing about Harden is he does show up and ball... he's had some playoff failures but they can run through KD in the big moments. Kyrie is the one I worry about. If he gets testy or decides he's quitting basketball then what.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

With Nance I think they keep him... I think the future and current lineup of Sexland in the backcourt and a frountcourt of Okoro, Nance, Allen is a solid enough foundation. Still need to add some talent obvi. I think the trade makes Drummond and Love more available but I ain't interested in those guys.

 

[LoPo]

The thing about Harden is he does show up and ball... he's had some playoff failures but they can run through KD in the big moments. Kyrie is the one I worry about. If he gets testy or decides he's quitting basketball then what.

I think they will be a better team if Kyrie were to walk. If Harden is the worst defender on the court in the 4th quarter, but you have both KD and Harden to guard on the other end, that's really tough to match up with.

 

[LoPo]

Harden
Luwawu-Cabarrot/Dinwiddie
Harris
KD
Jordan

If you have Kyrie and Jordan on the court, I think Brooklyn gets exposed defensively. And how do they share the ball?

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I think they will be a better team if Kyrie were to walk. If Harden is the worst defender on the court in the 4th quarter, but you have both KD and Harden to guard on the other end, that's really tough to match up with.

Really? You are on one today... they will be better without an all-star guard who was ripping it up this season prior to needing a break? Wouldn't be like they could all of a sudden use his cap space to improve. They got rid of some depth and need bodies but they'd be better without a top-30 guy?

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Harden
Luwawu-Cabarrot/Dinwiddie
Harris
KD
Jordan

If you have Kyrie and Jordan on the court, I think Brooklyn gets exposed defensively. And how do they share the ball?

You know Dinwiddie is done for the year right?