Quote Originally Posted by Teo9969 View Post
Nobody cares about great players who didn't win. How many ads have you seen featuring Ewing, Malone, Iverson, or Billions lately? MJ, Magic, Shaq?

If he doesn't win a few championships before he retires, nobody will consider him an all-time great who is worthy of representing something a company is trying to sell, nor will people buy KD specific productos.

That's just business.

Again, I'm not saying he should or would take a major pay-cut. He probable won't.

But if he doesn't win a few championships and push toward being a Top 15/20 player all-time, his brand takes a serious hit and his future earning potential through his brand is greatly diminished.

I absolutely believe he'll take the max with a player option next year (and possibly the following as well).

I just hope for his sake that he signs a contract that enables his team to deliver what *he* needs to win a championship.

What I do know is that he's not on the level of LeBron where he can work with very little and almost single-handedly bring home a championship.
Yeah, I disagree. But, even more than that, what's your point? KD is competing for championships every year and will likely continue to do so barring injury. He certainly could win one in OKC next year... or he could leave for supposedly greener pastures next year and not win one. Championships are tough to win and there's nothing that guarantees one. KD could sacrifice for the team and not win a title or not sacrifice and win one.

KD is incredibly marketable and will continue to be just that. I think you're drastically overstating the connection between a title now (much less three titles) and his marketability in retirement. Because he's already 9 years in and is one of the most marketable players on planet earth. Besides that, there's just no evidence you're correct. Charles Barkley is incredibly marketable and you think winning one title 25 years ago would make a gigantic marketing difference? Barkley, like KD, is marketable because of his personality. KD will continue to be very marketable. Of course, titles help and are great, but this all-or-nothing black/white three title analysis doesn't hold up.

And the last part about LeBron "single handedly bringing home a title" is silly. Did you watch Kyrie Irving in the last five games of that series? It's no coincidence that LeBron's three titles all were accompanied by great play by his teammates. No player wins a title alone. KD is a top three player in the league already. LeBron is arguably the second best player of all time. Downgrading KD at LeBron's expense means you might as well downgrade all NBA players because he's the best of his generation.