2016-2017 Around The NBA

[Biw]

Damn, props to Westbrook. Durant really looks like a bitch now. Can't even use the excuse he was unsure of what Russell was going to do in FA.

Happy for OKC fans too. They've always been one of the better crowds in the league. They deserve to watch a competent team.

 

[Snarly]

Definitely.

Somebody get this dude a running mate, I wanna see Russ headline a contender.

I find it funny Durant gave those games away while Westbrook was fighting like a dog. It almost feels like Durant knew where he was headed and didn't care. Really fuck Durant I never liked him but now I hate him and gained respect for Westbrook. I hope Durant ends up like Harden... No worse for Durant. At least Harden tried to be the man and do it himself.

 

[Snarly]

Damn, props to Westbrook. Durant really looks like a bitch now. Can't even use the excuse he was unsure of what Russell was going to do in FA.

Happy for OKC fans too. They've always been one of the better crowds in the league. They deserve to watch a competent team.

We say or said the same thing about Bron but being real and I knew he was gone inside. Because of the team he had and no way could Ferry make that team a champion at the time. However, Durant took his team to a three one lead almost won they made a great trade and he tells the team he will stay before the series.

With Durants talents he should be as good or better than LeBron at his height. I wonder how good Durant really is. Bron needed only a small Wade and Bosh with no bench to get it done. Durant needs three all stars and MVP and a very good bench? What a loser and coming from a guy who says ISO is his game.

 

[castor777]

That's awesome Westbrook is signing a longer deal there. Did not see that happening. Just great for OKC and I hope they can still work to build around him.

 

[aldamon]

What a gutsy move. I can't wait to see the season Westbrook puts together without having to acknowledge Durant's presence. I don't care what anyone says. A man with 18 triple doubles in one season is NOT selfish. He will pick up the rest of the team.

 

[Obawan12]

Westbrook just signed, sealed, and delivered his status as my favorite non-cav in the league (and probably only 2nd behind Kyrie). This dude's about to win an MVP. What a boss.

 

[Jordan]

Here is my 2016-17 preview for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Includes a lot of stuff about Russell Westbrook.

http://sportsbystats.com/2016/08/05/loyalty-and-what-is-next-for-the-oklahoma-city-thunder/

"With all of that said, Oklahoma City’s mix of defense, transition offense, and Russell Westbrook will make them contenders this season. Last season, the Thunder ranked eleventh in transition offense and sixteenth in transition defense, hardly elite numbers. Yet, much of this was due to Kevin Durant, whose average speed was second worst on the team and eighth worst in the entire NBA. Now, Oklahoma City replaced that coma-inducing pace with Victor Oladipo, whose average speed of 4.45 miles per hour ranked him in the top tenth of all NBA players, and as a result we should expect to see a more willing and lethal transition offense."

"Moreover, this transition offense will be greatly improved when one considers the defensive boost the already defensively-competent Thunder will receive from Victor Oladipo. The long, athletic guard ranks in the top-fifty percent of all wings who played at least twenty minutes per game in defensive box plus-minus (DBPM). This stat, combined with Russell Westbrook’s third-best and Andre Roberson’s eighth-best DBPM amongst guards respectively, means Oklahoma City will undoubtedly have one of, if not the best perimeter defense in the NBA."

"Furthermore, per Synergy Sports Tech, Russell Westbrook created, assisted or scored an NBA leading 46.4 points per game last season. That number jumped to 55.6 in eight games without Durant. Regardless if it is his defense, scoring, passing, or rebounding, Westbrook is a piece that will win the Thunder a significant amount of games by himself."

 

[Pioneer10]

I don't like the move by Westbrook: there are only a few times as a player that you can control your destiny and he just locked himself into a team in his prime that is unlikely to be a title contender. He's given his all during his time in OKC and he doesn't owe the Zombie Sonics anything (not his fault Durant is a pussy)

 

[JMoneyYourHoney]

I don't like the move by Westbrook: there are only a few times as a player that you can control your destiny and he just locked himself into a team in his prime that is unlikely to be a title contender. He's given his all during his time in OKC and he doesn't owe the Zombie Sonics anything (not his fault Durant is a pussy)

What else was he going to do? It's the smartest move for both sides.

People are acting like Westbrook just gave them 5 years when in reality he just extended his contract by a year (the third year is a player option and it's highly unlikely he'll take it.) For OKC, they remain relevant and they have a greater trade chip should they want to move WB. For WB, he's making a guaranteed more 8 mil per than he would have otherwise AND he's setting himself up for the 35% max vs. the 30% that he would have gotten had he signed long term following this season.

Loyalty may be a part of it, WB's decision is the most financially-feasible thing he could have done. He gets to be the white knight, give OKC more options, and maximizes his earnings on top of it.

And I wouldn't totally discount the Thunder; as constructed they're a formidable group. If Presti can work his magic and obtain a quality-starting SF, they'll make some noise in the West.

 

[Pioneer10]

What else is going to do at this point? It's the smartest move for both sides.

People are acting like Westbrook just gave them 5 years when in reality he just extended his contract by a year (the third year is a player option and it's highly unlikely he'll take it.) For OKC, they remain relevant and they have a greater trade chip should they want to move WB. For WB, he's making a guaranteed more 8 mil per than he would have otherwise AND he's setting himself up for the 35% max vs. the 30% that he would have gotten had he signed long term following this season.

Loyalty may be a part of it, WB's decision is the most financially-feasible thing he could have done. He gets to be the white knight, give OKC more options, and maximizes his earnings on top of it.

And I wouldn't totally discount the Thunder; as constructed they're a formidable group. If Presti can work his magic and obtain a quality-starting SF, they'll make some noise in the West.

I could care less about OKC to be honest: that ownership team screwed over Seattle and trading Harden was a pure cheap skate move and they are getting the just desserts for it (Owners like Gilbert or Cuban would have never have let that happen as a case in point).

IMO, The shelf life of an elite NBA PG can go away in a flash but teams will still give these guys ridiculous money (see Rose and Arenas). IMO the value of flexibility on where he plays outweighs the relatively minimal increase in salary he gets. I don't see them getting any elite SF that would push them over the top

 

[JMoneyYourHoney]

I could care less about OKC to be honest: that ownership team screwed over Seattle and trading Harden was a pure cheap skate move and they are getting the just desserts for it (Owners like Gilbert or Cuban would have never have let that happen as a case in point).

IMO, The shelf life of an elite NBA PG can go away in a flash but teams will still give these guys ridiculous money (see Rose and Arenas). IMO the value of flexibility on where he plays outweighs the relatively minimal increase in salary he gets. I don't see them getting any elite SF that would push them over the top

Er, okay, you just totally ignored all the benefits for Westbrook there.

And I'd hardly consider 8 million dollars a "minimal increase".

I ask again, what do you propose he do at this stage? Go ring chase? Demand a trade to Boston? This move increases his brand, maximizes his earnings, and gives OKC time to try to construct a respectable roster.

 

[godfather]

If anything this proves Westbrook wants to be the guy. That's where his mindset is, and OKC can phony up the most money.. His mindset must be to win MVPs; not championships.

I don't care if that's his preference.

If he wanted to win, this move makes no sense.

Loyalty is going to be the played theme. I really don't buy it.

Because if that is true, then why did he refuse to agree to an extension before Durant decided his destination?

Durant was recruiting Horford. He wouldn't give his word he'd stay. Obviously Durant didn't then either.

I think the relationship between Durant and Westbrook must not have been that good. Sounds like both wanted to leave the other. Durant is gone, Westbrook has the keys to the kingdom himself. If Durant stays, I don't think Westbrook does.

So Westbrook is loyal? Please, all these guys are motivated to do what's in their best interest (and they have a right to).

Westbrook's interest to stay just increased a lot once Durant left IMO.

 

[Pioneer10]

Er, okay, you just totally ignored all the benefits for Westbrook there.

And I'd hardly consider 8 million dollars a "minimal increase".

I ask again, what do you propose he do at this stage? Go ring chase? Demand a trade to Boston? This move increases his brand, maximizes his earnings, and gives OKC time to try to construct a respectable roster.

8 million over a contract that is going to be what in the 200 million range? big numbers for me but not all that much relative to what he is going to get.

What do I propose he do: simple play out his contract and see what options he has available next year. Time is never on a player's side: freedom to decide where he goes is extremely valuable from the player's end particularly in the upper echelon because the way contracts are structured that is what is scarce.

 

[The Wizard of Moz]

If anything this proves Westbrook wants to be the guy. That's where his mindset is, and OKC can phony up the most money.. His mindset must be to win MVPs; not championships.

I don't care if that's his preference.

If he wanted to win, this move makes no sense.

Loyalty is going to be the played theme. I really don't buy it.

Because if that is true, then why did he refuse to agree to an extension before Durant decided his destination?

Durant was recruiting Horford. He wouldn't give his word he'd stay. Obviously Durant didn't then either.

I think the relationship between Durant and Westbrook must not have been that good. Sounds like both wanted to leave the other. Durant is gone, Westbrook has the keys to the kingdom himself. If Durant stays, I don't think Westbrook does.

So Westbrook is loyal? Please, all these guys are motivated to do what's in their best interest (and they have a right to).

Westbrook's interest to stay just increased a lot once Durant left IMO.

I think a lot of that was spin put out by Durants team to make him look better

 

[Ohio]

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