Phx-Suns.Net

INFORMER wrote:

Hermen wrote: Maybe. Or maybe they have to shed some more sallary with Curry and Durant getting 350 mil contracts next year. Or maybe their chemistry suffers. Or maybe Durant just leaves, you dont have Bogut and Barnes anymore and Curry is no longer on the best contract ever so you can't sign anyone.
Obviously a guessing game, but I'm pretty sure there's pressure.

I don't understand your point with all the "maybes." I'm not saying they're guaranteed to win anything. I just don't think the pressure is an issue. They've won a championship before. They want to win more. They didn't win it last year, so they're trying to get better. There's always pressure when you're trying to be great, so whether they added Durant or not, pressure was going to be there. This is still a young group that has all competed for a championship and most of them have actually won one. So don't see "pressure" as a significant narrative or factor for this team.

INFORMER wrote:

The Bobster wrote:OKC made the mistake of choosing Ibaka over Harden, and then compounded it by not getting equal value when they traded him.

I will always disagree with this. OKC wanted a balanced roster, so they went with Ibaka's rim protection and frontcourt presence whether add to the riches they had on the perimeter. And you rarely get equal value when you trade a big time talent; they got a very nice package for Harden: a vet that could play a 6th man role, a lotto pick, and a young prospect in Jeremy Lamb.

Keeping Harden or getting a better package for him doesn't change losing Westbrook to injury for one playoff run and then losing Durant for another playoff run.

Again, I think people are running to these convenient (inaccurate) narratives rather than just looking at the facts.

Hermen wrote:My point is that if they don't win, bad things can happen. That's always true of course, but the expectations on this team will be huge. Bigger than any team ever I suppose. That's what makes pressure.

INFORMER wrote:https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/750025887639343104 Philly is going to be interesting to watch this year.

Durant is seeking championships to validate his career and assume a spot in the discussion of the all-time greats. Seeing how quickly fans and media moved on during his brief injury hiatus was upsetting and served as a reminder of the lasting legacy of Larry O’Brien trophies over any other individual honors. He earned the right to have this moment because of the time spent in the gym, mastering that buttery smooth jump shot through meticulous repetition, because of hours of film study, correcting flaws and finding the most efficient means to thrive on the court. But that dedication wasn't just so Durant could own the first few days in July. Ultimately, that work ethic – and this weekend – was about finally taking annual ownership of a few weeks in June.

At one point in his career, the concept of a one-man, one-team legacy appealed to Durant. Durant watched Tim Duncan, Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki stay in the same place, win in the same place, and envisioned doing the same in Oklahoma City – until his quest for the rings they possessed and he lacked was always interrupted by something. The James Harden trade. Russell Westbrook’s knee. Serge Ibaka’s calf. His own foot. A three-games-to-one collapse against the team he has now joined to the dismay of the place he called home for eight years.

INFORMER wrote:

Hermen wrote:My point is that if they don't win, bad things can happen. That's always true of course, but the expectations on this team will be huge. Bigger than any team ever I suppose. That's what makes pressure.

I just don't think it matters. I certainly don't think the pressure outweighs the prudence in bringing him in.

And one thing that should be pointed out: Steph Curry has been very hit and miss in the NBA Finals two years in a row. Ultimately, this team could probably use a more sure-handed alpha to take the reins. Durant certainly hasn't been perfect in the playoffs, but I think one could argue that they could benefit from not having to rely on the Splash brothers hoisting 30-foot 3s to win it all.

INFORMER wrote:What this weekend was about for Kevin Durant
By Michael Lee of The Vertical

Durant is seeking championships to validate his career and assume a spot in the discussion of the all-time greats. Seeing how quickly fans and media moved on during his brief injury hiatus was upsetting and served as a reminder of the lasting legacy of Larry O’Brien trophies over any other individual honors. He earned the right to have this moment because of the time spent in the gym, mastering that buttery smooth jump shot through meticulous repetition, because of hours of film study, correcting flaws and finding the most efficient means to thrive on the court. But that dedication wasn't just so Durant could own the first few days in July. Ultimately, that work ethic – and this weekend – was about finally taking annual ownership of a few weeks in June.

At one point in his career, the concept of a one-man, one-team legacy appealed to Durant. Durant watched Tim Duncan, Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki stay in the same place, win in the same place, and envisioned doing the same in Oklahoma City – until his quest for the rings they possessed and he lacked was always interrupted by something. The James Harden trade. Russell Westbrook’s knee. Serge Ibaka’s calf. His own foot. A three-games-to-one collapse against the team he has now joined to the dismay of the place he called home for eight years.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/kevin-dura ... 37861.html

INFORMER wrote:

INFORMER wrote:https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/750025887639343104 Philly is going to be interesting to watch this year.

I would have liked to see Suns do something like this; move Bledsoe and Knight, and take a flyer on Rodriguez, round 2. Or bring in Jose Calderon. Sigh.

INFORMER wrote:https://twitter.com/WojVerticalNBA/status/750028267202179072

INFORMER wrote:Details aren't known yet, but Dallas has a vested interest in helping GS. If they help GS clear cap space, then Dallas doesn't have to worry about GS matching Harrison Barnes contract.

carey wrote:

INFORMER wrote:Details aren't known yet, but Dallas has a vested interest in helping GS. If they help GS clear cap space, then Dallas doesn't have to worry about GS matching Harrison Barnes contract.

I thought GS was renouncing Barnes either way to make him a UFA.

The Bobster wrote:Boris has 2 years & $13.5 million left on his contract, but I'd take him if they're willing to part with a first round pick.

(only the first year of $6.5 million is guaranteed)

carey wrote:

The Bobster wrote:Boris has 2 years & $13.5 million left on his contract, but I'd take him if they're willing to part with a first round pick.

(only the first year of $6.5 million is guaranteed)

I'd take him straight up for Tucker right now.