I think these reports are to be taken with a grain of salt, but still:

http://uproxx.com/dimemag/russell-westbrook-didnt-like-durants-relationship-draymond-green/

Russell Westbrook Was Supposedly Put Off By Kevin Durant’s Relationship With Draymond Green

Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical not only knows everything; he knows it long before anyone else does. With most NBA reporters, you have to take things like this with a grain of salt. But when Woj speaks, you listen. So when he said on The Vertical podcast Wednesday that Russell Westbrook may have had some qualms about Kevin Durant’s buddy-buddy relationship with a certain high-profile competitor, there’s probably something to that. Here’s a transcript of that part of his discussion with guest Jeff Van Gundy:


“And there’s no question, I know Russell [Westbrook] was bothered by — and some other teammates were too — of, like, there was some knowledge there that Draymond [Green] was in contact with Kevin [Durant] all season long and they’re in a playoff series and I know there was some conversation around the Thunder team of ‘hey man, this guy kicked Steven Adams in the nuts twice in this series and what are you doing hanging out with this guy? What’s the relationship? We’re trying to beat these guys.’”

Since Durant’s bombshell announcement, the NBA world has been trying to piece together just how this transpired, and rumors of a widening rift between the Thunder’s star duo have unsurprisingly come to the forefront. While Durant’s time in Oklahoma City has ended, the ripple effects are just beginning, which now appears will include Westbrook’s own departure from OKC, whether that happens via trade prior to the February deadline or in free agency next summer.

12751

This boy is outta control, somebody better reel him in...... Any else curious if he's still carrying a bible around in his backpack...lol

12751

This boy is outta control, somebody better reel him in...... Any else curious if he's still carrying a bible around in his backpack...lol

KD has not tweeted anything since the announcement.

Lol, probably the first time in history that someone has called him that

He just screwed our franchise. Nothing good to say about the man.

KD has not tweeted anything since the announcement.
He is notorious for tweeting and removing.... When TMZ has the screen shot , it's pretty much 100% accurate

I think these reports are to be taken with a grain of salt, but still:

http://uproxx.com/dimemag/russell-westbrook-didnt-like-durants-relationship-draymond-green/

Russell Westbrook Was Supposedly Put Off By Kevin Durant’s Relationship With Draymond Green

Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical not only knows everything; he knows it long before anyone else does. With most NBA reporters, you have to take things like this with a grain of salt. But when Woj speaks, you listen. So when he said on The Vertical podcast Wednesday that Russell Westbrook may have had some qualms about Kevin Durant’s buddy-buddy relationship with a certain high-profile competitor, there’s probably something to that. Here’s a transcript of that part of his discussion with guest Jeff Van Gundy:


“And there’s no question, I know Russell [Westbrook] was bothered by — and some other teammates were too — of, like, there was some knowledge there that Draymond [Green] was in contact with Kevin [Durant] all season long and they’re in a playoff series and I know there was some conversation around the Thunder team of ‘hey man, this guy kicked Steven Adams in the nuts twice in this series and what are you doing hanging out with this guy? What’s the relationship? We’re trying to beat these guys.’”

Since Durant’s bombshell announcement, the NBA world has been trying to piece together just how this transpired, and rumors of a widening rift between the Thunder’s star duo have unsurprisingly come to the forefront. While Durant’s time in Oklahoma City has ended, the ripple effects are just beginning, which now appears will include Westbrook’s own departure from OKC, whether that happens via trade prior to the February deadline or in free agency next summer.

Generally I would agree that reports like this are to be taken with a grain of salt, however, if Adrian Wojnarowski puts something out there, it usually has more than a grain of truth to it. That guy is probably the best informed and well connected NBA reporter in the business. If he said it, there is no doubt that he has a very good source backing it up.

Lol, probably the first time in history that someone has called him that

RIght. A coward? Weak? Looks like it. Thug? Nah.

I hope he doesn't get the ring, at least not with GS, and I will certainly never cheer for him unless he's playing for the USA team. I root for the laundry, and now he's one of the bad guys.

It will also be interesting to see how he handles being with an organization that doesn't shield him nearly as much as the Thunder did, and a media base that doesn't handle him with k't bid gloves, like ours did. Wouldn't surprise me if he had a rough year next season.
I have a feeling that he won't be as beloved by the fans there. Oh sure they are all cheering his arrival. But you think he hits a little slump, a reporter writes a headline line Mr Unreliable and the fans there will come unglued on the reporter and the paper. To the point of them having to apologize? No I don't think the fans there will do that. Could be a bit of a shock for him.

I have a feeling that he won't be as beloved by the fans there. Oh sure they are all cheering his arrival. But you think he hits a little slump, a reporter writes a headline line Mr Unreliable and the fans there will come unglued on the reporter and the paper. To the point of them having to apologize? No I don't think the fans there will do that. Could be a bit of a shock for him.

Ironically, his reliability (or lack thereof) is a major reason that we lost to GSW.

From a business perspective this seems to have been an excellent short-term decision for him.

But I'm not sure it's going to work in the long haul. I'm just not sure he's going to outshine Curry on that team, even if he plays objectively better.

Ironically, his reliability (or lack thereof) is a major reason that we lost to GSW.

Yes.

He is notorious for tweeting and removing.... When TMZ has the screen shot , it's pretty much 100% accurate

He also despises criticism, and he's gotten a fair amount this week. I believe it.

12751

This boy is outta control, somebody better reel him in...... Any else curious if he's still carrying a bible around in his backpack...lol

I don't think this is real....

He is notorious for tweeting and removing.... When TMZ has the screen shot , it's pretty much 100% accurate

Where exactly is this on the TMZ website?

I thought I posted this yesterday but I must have missed the post icon.
I'm as ticked off as anyone that KD left. OKC is finally getting on the map and the Thunder being good has a lot to do with that. He said he loved OKC and wanted to stay with the Thunder. But did he lie? We don't know.
I worked for Kerr-McGee for 14 years. My wife worked for Hertz for 24 years. We both loved our jobs and the companies and both intended to retire from them. We had a ton of t-shirts, bags, coozies, etc., etc. of both companies. Then things changed and the companies no longer met what we wanted in long term plans. Were we lying about loving being there at the time. No. But things change.
We both were born in OKC and have lived here all of our 57 and 54 years. We love OKC. It's home. But, if I was offered a job that afforded the same lifestyle somewhere within an easy day's drive of Key West we'd be gone. At least for awhile. Does that mean I'm lying when I say I love OKC. No.
Again, I hate it that KD left. He really screwed the Thunder's short term future. But I don't think his decision makes him a horrible person. A weakling from a player standpoint definitely. But a horrible person no.

http://img.pandawhale.com/77285-I-think-this-might-be-photosho-EaZN.jpeg

http://img.pandawhale.com/77285-I-think-this-might-be-photosho-EaZN.jpeg

You're right. If it was a REAL photo of a Shar-kraptor, the bazooka would have been green instead of brown, everyone knows that...

12751

This boy is outta control, somebody better reel him in...... Any else curious if he's still carrying a bible around in his backpack...lol

12752

(In all seriousness, look at how all the text is compressed versus the text of his supposed tweet. Doesn't match. It's fake.)

http://img.pandawhale.com/77285-I-think-this-might-be-photosho-EaZN.jpeg

That's not photoshopped. This is a real scene from an upcoming Scifi movie. Premiering right after Sharknado 4 or is it 5? I lost count. :)

On the subject of when Durant comes back to OKC in his new uniform, I really do hope the fans give him a clap and don't boo him. That would kind of be counterintuitive to the whole "Oklahoma is humble like you and we've always loved you and always will."

He gave us what was it, 8 good years? Be mad, sad, whatever, but show class. He always did.

I'll give him 1 solid clap for a finals appearance then it is Boo fest.

He plays for another team now. If he hits a game winner will you clap then?

We have no obligation to cheer for him when he comes to our house again. You can if you want but there's no reason for a Thunder fan to applaud a Warrior player in our arena.

He changed teams...

He just screwed our franchise. Nothing good to say about the man.

Doesn't make what you say right. I actually didn't like James Harden that much, and after he was traded, I hated him even more. But I wouldn't just call the man a thief. There's no actual evidence of him being a thief or any character traits that would lead me to make such a comment.

As a person, I understand that he's a solid individual. That's not something a fan really has a right to disparage unless something far more convincing than changing franchises sufraces.

As a basetball player, he's still amazing.

As a competitor, he's a 2.5 on a scale of 1-10.

As a professional, what he did was pretty crooked, whether it was his idea or the idea of those who influenced him. Waiting until July 4th knowing that free agency moves quick and big names would be picked up is horrible. OKC could have adjusted and gotten *somebody* to fill our hole at SF, but there is nobody left that is going to make a difference, which means that Russ's contract year is going to be wasted.

In other news, the NBA is now projecting the cap for 2017/18 to be LESS than the original $107M projection, which REALLY hurts GSW following this season. Unless KD is going to take a cut of quite a few millions from his projected $35.7M max next season, Iggy is gone after next season or Iggy is taking a huge discount.

Capholds for Golden State next summer (Includes Green, Thompson, Curry, Looney, 2016 1st, and 2017 1st + Iggy or Livingston or neither) [Durant's max]:
$72,299,930 w/o Livingston (+$2,249,972 roster holds) [$27.45 max]
$66,589,533 w/o Iggy (+$2,249,972 roster holds) [$33.161M max]
$55,602,878 w/o Iggy + Livingston (+$2,812,465 roster holds) [full max, $7.9M additional cap-space]

The only way this Golden State ship stays afloat in the longrun is if enough quality NBA players are going to be willing to take huge discounts to come chase rings...and if that happens, the league is going to take some serious hits.

It's a dangerous business in trying to judge the character of public figures, especially the very rich and powerful.

It's hard to truly know the character of even close friends (people close to those who do horrible things are very often completely surprised) let alone those you only 'know' through TV and newspaper quotes.

I think we all made the mistake of wanting to believe he was this wonderful person but the truth is that we were in no position to really know and in fact may have been completely wrong in our assumptions. There is more and more evidence to that effect every day, it seems.

I can tell you from working for years in the entertainment industry, celebrities are generally reprehensible people. They become that way because they get drunk with power and money and really have no one calling them on it; in fact the complete opposite. Surrounded by fans, hangers-on and sycophants.

They are also usually completely unaware and uncaring about how their actions affect others.


We decided KD was of good character because it fed what we wanted to believe. Yes, he's done some nice things in the community but tons and tons of corrupt and black-hearted people give millions to charity. That in itself does not make them a good person.

This article has allowed me a. Roarer perspective:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2650148-frustration-with-westbrook-sent-durant-fleeing-opens-door-to-trouble-for-nba

^

When I read articles like that one -- where writers are speculating that Durant didn't like the OKC offense and/or felt frustrated he wasn't getting the ball enough -- I can just envision KD's inner circle filling his head with that kind of crap and fanning the flames to get him to move on.

Of course, Durant has never played anywhere else and will soon find out the grass isn't always greener and GSW have more scoring mouths to feed than OKC ever did.

"He still had to take a ton of contested shots every game; and that's when he had the ball at all."

The irony is that if Durant had shot the ball less in Game 6, they would have went to the Finals.

On the subject of when Durant comes back to OKC in his new uniform, I really do hope the fans give him a clap and don't boo him. That would kind of be counterintuitive to the whole "Oklahoma is humble like you and we've always loved you and always will."

He gave us what was it, 8 good years? Be mad, sad, whatever, but show class. He always did.

He didn't show class when he quit us for our bitter rival enemy.

^

When I read articles like that one -- where writers are speculating that Durant didn't like the OKC offense and/or felt frustrated he wasn't getting the ball enough -- I can just envision KD's inner circle filling his head with that kind of crap and fanning the flames to get him to move on.

Of course, Durant has never played anywhere else and will soon find out the grass isn't always greener and GSW have more scoring mouths to feed than OKC ever did.

I get that, but if there's truth to it, it makes Kevin's actions a little less inexplicable.

He didn't show class when he quit us for our bitter rival enemy.

Well, somebody is bitter, that's for sure.

A picture is started to be painted that Durant became a bit disenchanted with the style of play and the (perceived) selfishness of Westbrook, and then his entourage kept working him to move on.

By all accounts, KD is impressionable and often says things just to appease.

I bet Thunder management saw at least some of this bigger picture and were doing absolutely everything they could (like hiring Donovan) to stave off what they feared was going to happen.

He didn't show class when he quit us for our bitter rival enemy.

This is about our actions as fans, not his as a player.

Kevin is no longer on our team. How about we move on and start discussing what's next for our team?

The Warriors just had a press conference introducing KD.

MAN did he look and sound uncomfortable.

I'm sure he's never been in a position to be criticized at all, let alone the avalanche of negative reaction that he's received over this decision. He seems like a guy that doesn't want to upset anyone ever and now he has to deal with the fallout from all this.

I'm sure he'll do very well there and all this other crap will fade, but for a while a bet he really continues to squirm.

The Warriors just had a press conference introducing KD.

MAN did he look and sound uncomfortable.

I'm sure he's never been in a position to be criticized at all, let alone the avalanche of negative reaction that he's received over this decision. He seems like a guy that doesn't want to upset anyone ever and now he has to deal with the fallout from all this.

I'm sure he'll do very well there and all this other crap will fade, but for a while a bet he really continues to squirm.

Some Quotes:

Durant says this is "the hardest road," not the easiest to a championship.

Durant: "I plan on being here. I don't want to go through that again."

Rofl

The Warriors just had a press conference introducing KD.

MAN did he look and sound uncomfortable.

I'm sure he's never been in a position to be criticized at all, let alone the avalanche of negative reaction that he's received over this decision. He seems like a guy that doesn't want to upset anyone ever and now he has to deal with the fallout from all this.

I'm sure he'll do very well there and all this other crap will fade, but for a while a bet he really continues to squirm.

What I've thought was pretty ironic was in one article (Royce's I think), it talked about how in tune he was in to the media's comments and how it all got under his skin. He specifically mentioned his comments about Kawhi and how something that small had really bothered him.

He now has not only media, but current NBA players along with some of the all-time greats almost all coming out and strongly criticizing his decision. I can imagine he's had a few sleepless nights since Monday.

The Warriors just had a press conference introducing KD.

MAN did he look and sound uncomfortable.

I'm sure he's never been in a position to be criticized at all, let alone the avalanche of negative reaction that he's received over this decision. He seems like a guy that doesn't want to upset anyone ever and now he has to deal with the fallout from all this.

I'm sure he'll do very well there and all this other crap will fade, but for a while a bet he really continues to squirm.

Hopefully he'll be uncomfortable on the basketball floor with all of those expectations that people have of him, and he won't play well, and we can beat him! LOL!.

And what if it's not all milk & honey at Golden State?

Even when he underperformed or flat-out stunk it up here, people loved him anyway.

The one bit of negative media (Mr. Unreliable) was met with such a hellstorm the paper apologized.

Good luck in California where there is zero loyalty to anyone or any thing and they actually have big-league press and very high expectations.

I think he will be under immensely more pressure there. Now they want a championship. That's why they got him and that's the only reason he went there. The pressure of that, plus him wanting to play even better to prove himself-- he may collapse under that pressure. And as Pete noted, any high profile mistakes will be met with much more criticism than here. He was our hero here-- he's just another player there.

This illustrates how sensitive Durant is, from the ESPN beat writer for the Thunder (read from the bottom up):

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/royce.jpg

On the subject of when Durant comes back to OKC in his new uniform, I really do hope the fans give him a clap and don't boo him. That would kind of be counterintuitive to the whole "Oklahoma is humble like you and we've always loved you and always will."

He gave us what was it, 8 good years? Be mad, sad, whatever, but show class. He always did.

That's one of the problems. Oklahoma is always trying to be loved. Oklahoma should now know that the NBA is truly a business nothing personal. KD showed us that and we, if we want, should not respond like he did us a favor for being here. The NBA has proven to be a cutthroat business and Oklahoma needs to stop being thin skinned and soft.

kevin is no longer on our team. How about we move on and start discussing what's next for our team?

yes

If KD wants to leave a lasting impression with Oklahomans he ought to donate his $2.1 million town home in The Hill at Bricktown to a local charity instead of selling it.

Well one thing is for certain...OKC can't...or has never lured a big time free agent...but that doesn't mean KD won't be the first--to come home... Only time will tell. Until then, I just have to keep TTFU'ing!

He already got asked some difficult questions about his departure in a major, introductory press conference...something that would not have been nearly as likely if he were in OKC. The Warriors are not going to come out of the gate firing for a lot of reasons and so the whole organization, but him especially are going to be met with some criticism at the beginning of the season.

Howver, what is most concerning for Golden State right now, is that Cleveland is looking to trade Kevin Love for DeMarcus Cousins: If they do that they will have traded the 1 player who does nothing for them against Golden State for the very worst matchup for Golden State in the entire league.

Boogie + Lebron + Kyrie, if healthy, should be favored over Golden State in a 7 game series...

Good luck in California where there is zero loyalty to anyone or any thing and they actually have big-league press and very high expectations.

Is it really all of CA, or just LA (or even just Lakers fans)? Haven't seen very much activity in the press about the Kings, 49ers, chargers, or even GS post loss. Can't comment on baseball as I don't follow. Maybe somebody else can represent Hockey for me?

He already got asked some difficult questions about his departure in a major, introductory press conference...something that would not have been nearly as likely if he were in OKC. The Warriors are not going to come out of the gate firing for a lot of reasons and so the whole organization, but him especially are going to be met with some criticism at the beginning of the season.

Howver, what is most concerning for Golden State right now, is that Cleveland is looking to trade Kevin Love for DeMarcus Cousins: If they do that they will have traded the 1 player who does nothing for them against Golden State for the very worst matchup for Golden State in the entire league.

Boogie + Lebron + Kyrie, if healthy, should be favored over Golden State in a 7 game series...

I don't understand the logic of bringing in Cousins. Lebron is at his best when the driving lanes and the paint are wide open. And there's a good chance that Boogie, even with his range on the sideline jumper, will result in more bodies and congestion close to the basket. I'm frankly surprised that Lebron would sign off on such a deal.

And what if it's not all milk & honey at Golden State?

Even when he underperformed or flat-out stunk it up here, people loved him anyway.

The one bit of negative media (Mr. Unreliable) was met with such a hellstorm the paper apologized.

Good luck in California where there is zero loyalty to anyone or any thing and they actually have big-league press and very high expectations.

This.

Posted this in the other Thunder related thread as well:

Here's something worth reading related to all this.
And much to Seattle's chagrin, we've out lasted the honeymoon period, which they said we wouldn't support the team passed. I don't know if there is an exact length of time for a sports related "honeymoon period" but my general knowledge and understanding being a sports fan my whole life says that a typical honeymoon period in sports is 3-5 seasons.

Anyway, will the Thunder still have support in Oklahoma after all this?

http://deadspin.com/now-we-find-out-whether-oklahoma-city-is-a-good-basketb-1783298227

I thought this was a pretty telling quote from KD about the price of his shoes.

You can just hear Nike and his entourage, 'KD man, you're no $88 player! We've gotta make a move to the coast!'



“As humbly as I can say it, I’m not a $88 player,” Durant said. “I’m an elite player in the league. I wanted everything to be affordable, but I knew we had to sacrifice some stuff. I just wanted the fans of the brand and of the shoe to just stay patient with me. And stay patient with who I am as a player, and the level I was trying to go to.

I thought this was a pretty telling quote from KD about the price of his shoes.

You can just hear Nike and his entourage, 'KD man, you're no $88 player! We've gotta make a move to the coast!'

I keep hearing more and more than his crew was really pushing him to make the change.

Apparently last night, Dean reported that Kevin was set to close on a $10MM house in Nichols Hills after he finished his hamptons deal. I don't know how accurate that is, but it would seem to suggest that it really was a last minute decision.

That should be easy enough to confirm if he was actually under contract.

That's what I was wondering. No way he could legally back out, right?

That's what I was wondering. No way he could legally back out, right?

Oh, I'm sure he had a contingency in that contract just in case.

But even so, worst case is he had to sacrifice some earnest money which would be chump change to him.

His shoes now come in Warriors colors, didn't take Nike long at all.

Speaking to the issue of KD's inner circle pushing him to make the change, I was wondering if he's still engaged/has already gotten married. If so, could the fiancee/wife have had a large impact as well?

Speaking to the issue of KD's inner circle pushing him to make the change, I was wondering if he's still engaged/has already gotten married. If so, could the fiancee/wife have had a large impact as well?

I thought I remember hearing that the engagement was broken off. Not sure when it was or if I'm mistaken, but that came to mind.