Kevin Durant:

http://img.bleacherreport.net/img/images/photos/003/577/655/8adc2f86b6eb87b2e2322872c8e3fbfb_crop_north.jpg?w= 630&h=420&q=75


The Next Chapter
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Thanks, Laramie. That's terrific.

KD going to Golden State is pretty much an admission his part that he knew the only way he could win a championship is to do it with a team that doesn't need him to accomplish that goal.

He will probably win a title or two with Golden State but then again, so could I.


I'm really surprised with this choice. He may get his ring but he'll never, ever get credit nor should he.

Thought he was a different kind of person.

Tough day for OKC. This makes it very unlikely Westbrook stays too... If that's the case I wouldn't be surprised to see the Thunder trade Westbrook to get value.


We may have seen the best era of OKC basketball just pass us by... Getting superstars in the NBA is incredibly hard.

Oh, so true . . . . . . and the truth hurts.

Durant, you're not the best player in the NBA. You will sit 'cock' between Curry & Thompson in the back seat while Draymond Green drives Miss Daisy.

This leads me to believe that his performance against the Golden State Warriors in the playoffs (last 3 games were the worst performances in his career) may have been why we lost.

What do we get in turn for Durant, or did we wait to late to get any value for him?

Might as well close KDs now until it gets rebranded. I predict a sharp downturn in traffic starting tonight.

Emotions are of course high right now, but here's what's going through my mind:

-Surprised he made this decision. I'm not particularly mad at him, but severely disappointed. He's a ring chaser and is going to where he thinks he can ride to one. OKC was one game away from the Finals... It seems to me he doesn't want to be the face of the franchise.

-I don't see him coming back like LBJ did to Cleveland. KD will stay in GS or he'll float around.

-OKC's window is practically gone in the short term. It'll take a LOT to happen for a Westbrook led Thunder to make a similar push like this season.

-Don't care what anyone says, a lot of people in Seattle are spiteful trash who make it personal against OKC and the people of Oklahoma. They can't even keep it civil or purely sports related. What am I talking about? Just peruse the comment boards of these stories...

-Really bummed out.

Edit:

-I'll be rooting for practically every other team in the West and the NBA (besides the Thunder) against GSW, naturally. LBJ's decision to go to Miami doesn't look near as bad as this...

How much money and how many years?

He's a ring chaser and is going to where he thinks he can ride to one. OKC was one game away from the Finals... It seems to me he doesn't want to be the face of the franchise.

The irony is that he played one of the worst games of his career in that Game 6 when we could have and should have closed out that series with the Warriors and made history after eliminating two of the top 5 NBA teams in terms of reg season records -- back to back!

But no, he played horrible the whole game then really lost at towards the end and now he's basically admitting to the world that he's not good enough to win a championship and that he can only win one by riding coattails, not leading.

That will be his legacy now, and not just with OKC fans.

The most depressing thing is that this won't go away... This Warriors team could be the greatest team in sports history. Seriously. I could see them winning the championship every year barring injury... And they could win a title even with an injury to their big 4.

I predict OKC tears it down and trades Westbrook unless he commits to a long term extension... which I doubt he will. Really sucks.

How much money and how many years?

Two years, $54 million. One year option.

KD signed a 2 year contract. He becomes an UFA after that. He didn't align himself with WB contract, so that ship has sailed.

Looks like we are going to be a Memphis style team from 5 years ago. Stache bros it is.

How quickly can you get me a "Russell's Place" sign? I'll only need it for a year.

What does Presti do?

OKC has a lot of cap space now, but anyone who wants to win a title will go to the East.

Keep WB? Get some young players to contend in 2 years? WB most likely won't resign. I doubt WB would do what KD just did though.

The irony is that he played one of the worst games of his career in that Game 6 when we could have and should have closed out that series with the Warriors and made history after eliminating two of the top 5 NBA teams in terms of reg season records -- back to back!

But no, he played horrible the whole game then really lost at towards the end and now he's basically admitting to the world that he's not good enough to win a championship and that he can only win one by riding coattails, not leading.

That will be his legacy now, and not just with OKC fans.

I know, and it makes it that much harder to accept. Makes you wonder...
Anyway, I wonder if his sponsorships had any say with this decision. I read an article a while back that said companies like Nike would obviously prefer for KD to leave to a larger market.


The most depressing thing is that this won't go away... This Warriors team could be the greatest team in sports history. Seriously. I could see them winning the championship every year barring injury... And they could win a title even with an injury to their big 4.

I predict OKC tears it down and trades Westbrook unless he commits to a long term extension... which I doubt he will. Really sucks.

Presti needs to start from scratch ASAP in that case. Westbrook won't stay. He won't. There's no reason for him to and we all know he's been a West Coast kid his whole life. Time to double down on everything quick and not let it drag out. Rebuilding takes a few seasons.

Welcome to professional sports, guys.

If we hurry, maybe we can trade WB and a washing machine for Ed Monix. :Smiley122

This pretty much says it all and I think as the dust settles, most educated basketball fans will see things similarly:

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=16762272

http://img.bleacherreport.net/img/images/photos/003/577/655/8adc2f86b6eb87b2e2322872c8e3fbfb_crop_north.jpg?w= 630&h=420&q=75

It's Durant's turn:

I can't cover up my feelings
In the name of love
Or play it safe
For a while that was easy

And if living for myself
Is what I'm guilty of
Go on and sentence me
I'll still be free

It's my turn
To see what I can see
I hope you'll understand
This time's just for me

Because it's my turn
With no apologies
I've given up the truth
To those I've tried to please

But now it's my turn
If I don't have all the answers
At least I know
I'll take my share of chances

Ain't no use of holding on
When nothing stays the same
So I'll let it rain
'Cause the rain ain't gonna hurt me
And I'll let you go
'Though I know it won't be easy

It's my turn
With no more room for lies
For years I've seen my life
Through someone else's eyes

And now it's my turn
To try and find my way

Kevin Durant:

http://img.bleacherreport.net/img/images/photos/003/577/655/8adc2f86b6eb87b2e2322872c8e3fbfb_crop_north.jpg?w= 630&h=420&q=75


The Next Chapter
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This picture would be more accurate with KD sitting on the bench watching Curry winning him a ring.

Good riddance. Once a whorn always a whorn.

Well, the NBA is like oil and gas: booms and busts. We rode the boom for a long time, now OKC has to weather the bust.

KD just went from a leader to a follower, weak move KD!

In his words, via the site where Durant made the announcement.
http://www.theplayerstribune.com/kevin-durant-nba-free-agency-announcement/

Good riddance. Once a whorn always a whorn.

What's a whorn?

He is clearly a jumping on a bang wagon, joining one of the best teams in NBA history & a team that just put you out of the Final when up 3-1, wow!

"Don't worry Sam, I got 'dis." - Cam Payne #22

Well this is starting a bad trend. Wonder if Westbrook gets traded now if he won't commit. Seattle might get their team back.

Wonder which NBA GM is going to fall on the knife for Kevin and Golden State by taking Bogut. They should ask for a minimum of 2 1st rounders to make it worth their time.

If all 29 GMs agreed together to not trade for Bogut, KD would have to take about $10M less.

KD signed a 2 year contract. He becomes an UFA after that. He didn't align himself with WB contract, so that ship has sailed.

Looks like we are going to be a Memphis style team from 5 years ago. Stache bros it is.

He'll have a player option for next year and he'll opt-out.

Oklahoma City Thunder will clear $30 million of CAP space come July 8, 2016.

We need to ask ourselves, what kind of leader is Kevin Durant and what's your association with Jay-Z?

You put your condominiums up for sale in May following the playoffs.
You joined Draymond Green; a player who kicked your teammate (Steven Adams) in the groin twice.
You let your teammate Westbrook take the blame for the loss in the WC finals when we were up 3 - 1.
You abandoned the Thunder, a team you and Russell Westbrook built together.
You Kevin Durant; let us down in the WC finals . . .

It's my turn (Kevin Durant's)
With no more room for lies
For years I've seen my life
Through someone else's eyes

.

Good riddance. Once a whorn always a whorn.
There is actually something to be said for this position here. UT's (mostly football-related) curse for many years is that they get an outrageous number of guys who are 4-star, blue-chip, all-world, with crazy talent, but who fold when they get hit in the mouth. My biggest gripe with KD all along is that he has lacked toughness and heart. For too many years I have watched him camp out and pout when the ball doesn't come his way or when things don't fall the right way. He shares the worst trait of many who show up in Austin; entitlement.


KD just went from a leader to a follower, weak move KD!
See, I don't think he was a leader to begin with. He's crazy-talented, he works hard in the gym, and overall he appears to be a decent human being. But at the end of the day I've never thought he had the needed fire in his belly. You can see it in his game, but you can also see it in some of his quotes about being tired of being second. He wants things to fall into his lap.

There is actually something to be said for this position here. UT's (mostly football-related) curse for many years is that they get an outrageous number of guys who are 4-star, blue-chip, all-world, with crazy talent, but who fold when they get hit in the mouth. My biggest gripe with KD all along is that he has lacked toughness and heart. For too many years I have watched him camp out and pout when the ball doesn't come his way or when things don't fall the right way. He shares the worst trait of many who show up in Austin; entitlement.
You nailed it.

https://cdn.meme.am/instances/13701269.jpg

Has anyone heard from our majority owner & COE, Clay Bennett? Presti's going to give you a 12 oz., can of frozen cranberries response.

This pretty much says it all and I think as the dust settles, most educated basketball fans will see things similarly:

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=16762272

Most educated basketball fans I would hope think that SAS is a joke.

As for the comparison to the move by LeBron, this is how I look at it.

Did Durant hold a special on TV?
Did Durant say he was going to win 6+ titles?

Even if the thunder got past the warriors, I didn't think they'd get past the Cavs.

It's a sound basketball decision. While we could discuss the merits of WestBrook vs Curry, he basically got an upgrade at every spot with the exception of Center.

Good riddance. Once a whorn always a whorn.

He's done amazing, AMAZING things for this city. Do I think it was a weak move? Sure. But to just say "good riddance" is a little disrespectful to the guy who put OKC on the map.

He's done amazing, AMAZING things for this city. Do I think it was a weak move? Sure. But to just say "good riddance" is a little disrespectful to the guy who put OKC on the map.

What a insult to every "real Oklahoman" KD didn't put anything on the map..... He dribbles basketballs, generally off the top of his foot in important games!!!!!

This past year has been a puzzlement for me in regards for KD. A few years ago he was 'Kid Clutch'. The year before last he was hurt so can't say much about that year. But where was Kid Clutch this last year? Wrote it of to learning a coach, new system. His defense was half-hearted most of the season. Playoffs hit and wow, look, they CAN play defense. But when sitting in the cat seat, up 3-1 suddenly he stops doing what got him there. It was unbelievable. I can't say the Thunder would have won a title this year if we got past GSW, Lebron went into another gear in the playoffs. But we had the WC in our hands. And I have to say, it wasn't the team that blew it. It wasn't the coach the blew it. Durant didn't keep playing the team ball that got them there. Westbrook to some degree, but I think more Durant.

Not happy about his decision. I liked him and thought he was a good fit personality wise. But if he wants a ring bad enough to let Step Curry and Clay Thompson get him one, then so be it. I hope Westbrook takes the challenge that Durant walked away from and has his own MVP year.

Westbrook unfollowed him on Twitter. Damn.

Westbrook unfollowed him on Twitter. Damn.

Oh. Well.

Westbrook unfollowed him on Twitter. Damn.

Oops, false alarm. He's still following him.

The bitter KD posts are embarrassing for a person who committed to this community... including $1 million after the Moore to tornado.

I'm disappointed on a sport level, but not personal one.

The bitter KD posts are embarrassing for a person who committed to this community... including $1 million after the Moore to tornado.

I'm disappointed on a sport level, but not personal one.

Yup, agree 100%. It's pretty embarrassing how classless some of our fans are. Did not think it was going to happen, but seeing people burn his jersey and trash him like he's a POS, is making me ashamed for our city. He did a ton for this community and seemed to always be an outstanding citizen. This was a choice he had to make for what he felt is going to better his career/life. It's his life, not ours. These are probably the same fans that will disappear if we lose Russ. This is a part of professional sports, and every franchise has to go though something similar.

On a sports level, it's devastating though. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar left Milwaukee in 1975 after delivering a title and two conference titles. They've never returned and only won one division title since 1986. The NBA is a star league. OKC might have seen its best franchise moments pass by... It's a tough pill to swallow when OKC could have won a title next year.

On a sports level, I'm not sure any NBA superstar has taken a weaker career path than KD. This is the equivalent of MJ joining the Pistons or Dirk joining the Heat. No ill wishes, but just disappointment that he avoided the challenge for an easier road...

I'm wondering what the fan base will do if the Thunder become an also-ran. Will we see sell outs or more and more empty seats. Hopefully the former but I'm not sure. OU football has always been the most followed thing going and tickets were real easy to get in the 90s.

The Hornets and Thunder drew well when both teams were not very good.

And there is no reason to think the team will fall completely into obscurity. We won a lot of games when Durant was out/hurt.

Donovan can coach and we have a good front office. There will be a fall-off but maybe not as big as most are assuming and perhaps for not long.

Players come and go in pro sports . I'm as disappointed as anyone but in many ways we were lucky to have kept Durant for 8 seasons.

The bitterness and anger makes our shenanigans in the Rayo/Energy threads look pretty mild.

I respect your optimism, Pete. I think the fans will still show up -- we'll see how well. Time will tell.

But everything comes down to Russ and there's no reason to be optimistic. If KD didn't stay when OKC was a top 3 team, it's tough to see Russ staying for a second tier team. I hope he does, but OKC is no longer a title contender. My previous point is that OKC could go a long time before contending for a title again... There are no guarantees. OKC lost its window... it could be 10, 20, 40, 60 years before they have a similar team. It's hard to do.

We got new blood, we got cap space, we got a team that didn't play like a second tier team whenever KD was injured.

Let's see what the first couple of months of the new season brings before we write off the team.

I hate seeing people burn his jersey.

It's like people who only discuss the bad things about their ex-partners. You obviously saw something in them and they did bring some sort of happiness to your life for whatever duration.

Durant's decision is a huge shock and it's okay to be disappointed. Also, it's fair to criticize his decision because it was very weak. He went for the guaranteed ring, instead of a championship ring fought hard for. Thats his choice. Let's not forget all the good he did for our community, including personal donations in times of need--as well as the obvious: 8 years of one of the most talented ball players in the league. He brought awareness of our city to the global stage and gave us many great seasons of exciting sports.

Disappointed. Yes. Slightly angry..yes. Burning his jersey and cursing him out. No. We are better than that, or we should be.

It's ridiculous to expect fans of a pro sports team not to lash out at player that forsakes them.

It's happened to a greater or lesser extent in every single sport every single time something like this happens. And the circumstances here are unique in many respects.

Thunder fans will be better about this than most but there are still going to be some get extra angry; part of being a Big League City.

Lol. Without KD, OKC absolutely played like a second tier team. Check their record.

And that's the other problem - OKC couldn't attract free agents with KD. Free agents aren't coming here without him. Our best free agent in OKC history is Nenad Krstic. OKC won't be able to attract anyone now... It's the new reality.

I'm not trying to be overly negative, but I don't think a lot of people realize OKC may trade Russ and tank. We could be a bottom dweller for a few years...

KD did great things for OKC, not just on the court, but off.

I honestly thought KD was a different type of person/player yesterday than what I believe now. I thought KD had the fire and drive to be the leader, put the team on his shoulders, take all the criticism and shove it back in people's faces. He was above all of it.

I can't blame him for wanting to get a ring, but I didn't expect him to do it the easy way. He doesn't want to be the star. He doesn't want to put the team on his shoulders. He is ok playing second fiddle (or third). I didn't expect this from him because everything he has said in the years prior have indicated he wanted to build a legacy.

Many people would accept a new position where your job just became 5x easier and you didn't have to do as much work. You won't be respected though.

You don't build a legacy by taking the easiest route possible.


LBJ didn't join a Miami team that just set the record for the most wins in a regular season. He did boast a lot - some would call that swagger.

KD just went from the most beloved super stars in the NBA to one of the most hated. LBJ just received his white cape.

They probably end up dealing Russell to a west-coast team that thinks it has a decent shot at getting him to resign next year. Obviously the Lakers are one option. I wouldn't mind that trade if the Thunder could get Julius Randle, D'Angelo Russell and a few picks in the highly thought of 2017 draft.

Or maybe try to make something happen with Minnesota. Andrew Wiggins and Kris Dunn would work.

^

Think you're being over dramatic, Dan.

KD was a great player and he'll be badly missed but his leaving is not the end of the franchise.

The Thunder front office is very well respected and it's not like we'll just have this huge, un-filled hole. It will be filled with different players in different ways over time.

The bottom line is if there was a window that was missed, it was because KD himself couldn't pass through it.

Lol. Without KD, OKC absolutely played like a second tier team. Check their record.

And that's the other problem - OKC couldn't attract free agents with KD. Free agents aren't coming here without him. Our best free agent in OKC history is Nenad Krstic. OKC won't be able to attract anyone now... It's the new reality.

I'm not trying to be overly negative, but I don't think a lot of people realize OKC may trade Russ and tank. We could be a bottom dweller for a few years...I don't want to be negative but Dan has some points. OKC didn't make the playoffs the one year without KD. Since half the teams make the playoffs that put them in the lower half.

OKC either doesn't go after free agents or can't get them interested in coming here, like Gasol.

And teams do fall off the map for years. Some of the teams that owned the 60s, 70s, and 80s have seldom or never been back in the race.

How many free agents have the Thinder signed since they came to OKC?

How many have the Thunder aggressively pursued? I mean that as an honest question because I can't remember many examples.

Seems like the team was much more concerned with drafting well, making smart trades, then spending their money on retaining the guys already on their roster.

How many have the Thunder aggressively pursued? I mean that as an honest question because I can't remember many examples.

Seems like the team was much more concerned with drafting well, making smart trades, then spending their money on retaining the guys already on their roster.

That's what I thought as well.

KD leaving is certainly bad news, but I don't think that it really changes anything about the way that the Thunder have done business. The Thunder have made the playoffs, WC Finals, and a Final by being a team that focuses on growing and retaining their own talent. Pretending that we cannot be a First Tier team without attracting superstar free agents ignores the fact that we became a First Tier team without attracting superstar free agents.

Does it make it harder than simply buying your way to a championship? I think we can all agree it does. But pretending that it cannot happen requires us ignoring how the Thunder got this far in the first place.

Lol. Without KD, OKC absolutely played like a second tier team. Check their record.

And that's the other problem - OKC couldn't attract free agents with KD. Free agents aren't coming here without him. Our best free agent in OKC history is Nenad Krstic. OKC won't be able to attract anyone now... It's the new reality.

I'm not trying to be overly negative, but I don't think a lot of people realize OKC may trade Russ and tank. We could be a bottom dweller for a few years...

I try not to be a pessimist, but often reality kinda kicks me in the head. We're going to go through all this again next year when Russ leaves if we don't trade him. This "golden age" of NBA success here in OKC is primed to take a very uncertain turn very quickly. Presti and the OKC braintrust had best put their thinking caps on.

I am bothered most of all by the fact that it seems KD timed this for maximum damage. Few if any strong FA options available to pursue. Even announced on a holiday weekend for some odd reason. Hard not to shake the sense this was a telegraphed message back to the Thunder that he wanted out. It makes much of his commentary about OKC over the last eight years ring awfully hollow. Oh well.

^

Think you're being over dramatic, Dan.

KD was a great player and he'll be badly missed but his leaving is not the end of the franchise.

The Thunder front office is very well respected and it's not like we'll just have this huge, un-filled hole. It will be filled with different players in different ways over time.

The bottom line is if there was a window that was missed, it was because KD himself couldn't pass through it.

Maybe I'm being dramatic, but I don't think so. I'm a die hard NBA fan in addition to a Thunder fan so I follow things pretty closely. OKC lost out on Mike Miller, Pau Gasol, and Al Horford over the last three offseasons. I suspect KD was frustrated that they couldn't even attract mid-level free agents (the former two) to a title contending team.

Golden State already picked up Zaza Pachulia for 2.8 million! Players are going to give up millions to play there... OKC just couldn't get those commitments much less those discounts.

If OKC can keep Russ then they can be a middle tier playoff team, but if they more than likely lose him then we could be out of the playoffs for a while. We've taken the playoffs for granted with KD, but OKC is one move from being on the outside looking in for the foreseeable future.

OKC's front office is very well respected... And that actually carries very little weight. The NBA is a player's league.

Life comes at you faster in the NBA than any other professional sport. Just look at what happened to Cleveland after LeBron left...