F%#^ Kevin Durant if GS wins it all

[WillG]

No, I don't think so. The '90s were the most watered-down, because expansion teams were added, which inflated the number of teams relative to the US population at the time. Since then, we haven't added extra teams, but the population has increased (larger pool to get talent from) and the international pipeline has increased dramatically (further increasing the pool).

I think the league appearing watered down today is an illusion because players today don't have the aura of greatness that players of the past, who have played out their entire careers, been elected to the Hall of Fame and faded into legend, have.

For example, I think the explosion of super-talented (quote-unquote unicorn) big men rivals the "golden age of big men" in the '90s. Anthony Davis, Karl Anthony-Towns, Kristaps Porzingas, Joel Embiid and DeMarcus Cousins is quite a collection of talent. You also have a golden age of point guards (to the point where Lillard might be near the back of the top-ten) going on at the same time.

I think there's a ton of talent and the league is playing an incredibly fun style (unlike the 2000s--probably the most boring period of the NBA, IMO). I loved 1980s basketball and the current era reminds me of that.

Fair enough. I see it differently.
I think todays bigs couldn't hold a candle to the 90's bigs. Yes the expansion teams diluted the talent pool per team - but the expansions happened because there was so much talent.

Back then I'd anticipate a great team matching up with another great team. Today it's really individual marquee player battles. Great individual Star players (like you mentioned Davis, KAT etc) but, I don't really see many good teams around the league like there used to be.

 

[Chris Craig]

We at least they are going to be screwed this summer trying to retain both Curry and Durant

 

[selloutking]

if your looking for someone to blame look no further than the Miami Heat and Erik Spoelstra.

KD went to them first and Spo basically told him that the OKC offence is too basic and doesn't get him good enough shots, and that if he came there he would get way more easy shots and it would make him and the team better.

Then he signed with the team that clearly would make it the easiest on him to do what he does

 

[Minstrel]

if your looking for someone to blame look no further than the Miami Heat and Erik Spoelstra.

KD went to them first and Spo basically told him that the OKC offence is too basic and doesn't get him good enough shots, and that if he came there he would get way more easy shots and it would make him and the team better.

I don't think he needed Spoelstra to tell him that. From all reports, he was frustrated in OKC for the last few years, by Westbrook's "your turn, my turn" mentality and the very basic offenses.

 

[selloutking]

I don't think he needed Spoelstra to tell him that. From all reports, he was frustrated in OKC for the last few years, by Westbrook's "your turn, my turn" mentality and the very basic offenses.

I feel like it would have been one of those things where he thought that stuff, but wasn't sure because he didn't know any better. But as soon as an outside source assured him in his thoughts it was all over.

 

[KingSpeed]

So 1 MVP... when GS has 2.

Right. Sorry, I didn't know our chances were THAT good.

Past MVPs. Not this year. Lakers had two MVPs in Kobe and Nash a few years ago and they didn't get out of the first round.

 

[andalusian]

Past MVPs. Not this year. Lakers had two MVPs in Kobe and Nash a few years ago and they didn't get out of the first round.

To be fair, Lillard colliding with Nash pretty much ended his career