The Golden State dynasty is dead. If we get really lucky Durant opts in to rehab and make $31,000,000 during his redshirt year, and they max out Klay and extend Draymond forever ending any chance of them being relevant. Iggy is toast. Livingston is toast. Looney is probably gone. They've got no path to get better with KD the world destroyer being gone (and never coming back- anywhere- which is a basketball tragedy for me as a huge KD fan) and those guys are going to get flat ground into dust next year during the regular season. That's a 6 seed in the making bro. We are better than everyone else in the West. It's possible the Clips get better than us if they get Leonard. I'm guessing Milwaukee breaks apart a little bit. Celtics are never was with that roster, the Raptors are done when Leonard moves on (and even if he stays I think we are better than them) and nobody else out there is winning the title in the east. If we stick together and add a shooting big like Lopez to replace Nene (got to think they can convince him to move on) for the Mid level and a little athleticism I think this Rockets team is in the top 3 likely to win the title. If you can get better, sure, do it, but what you really needed to do is stay cohesive and together and outlast the Golden State Dynasty, or hope that they had a key injury that we could take care of (alas, it happened about a game too late for us to really maximize that). So, the dynasty is outlasted, Lebron is playing on a trash team (even if they get Davis), Durant is a non-issue next year, I don't trust Leonard's continued health- next year is the year for Harden. If that doesn't work out next year then blow it all up and let Gordon walk, trade Capella, Paul, Harden, everyone with a pulse and bottom out- something we've never seen in the Morie era, but something I think broke ass Tinman would like (as would Murray who always wanted broke ass Les to give him that shot)
Even sans KD, the Warriors are no six seed in the West. They will remain legitimate contenders barring any further major injuries.
You don't get it. They WILL get hurt. They are on fumes. Without KD to spread the load, with Livingston and Cousins moving on, with Iggy completely washed (from a perspective of playing high level regular season ball), with Looney maybe gone and with no real powder to replace any of that Curry and Thompson will be flat worn out in the regular season. Someone is getting hurt or tired or cruising or or or. This years roster is way better than what next years roster will be for them. And they struggled to what- 55 wins? Watch and see, they've got a 47-52 win season incoming.
My current sentiments as well. "Run it back" might be the best bet and most likely outcome after the injury to Durant last night, with the possible exception that Capela is moved. But don't be so sure the Warriors won't resign Klay even if KD opts in for a $31Million rehab year in GS. They're moving into new arena in San Francisco and just might eat the massive luxury tax.
saw this on twitter "If Kevin Durant opts in to his 2020 option and Klay Thompson/Kevon Looney resign with Warriors their salary will be around $161 million guaranteed for 10 players. They would owe another $115 million in repeater luxury tax. That’s a staggering wage bill of $276 million."
Harden is the most durable and heavy work load star in the league. I won't bet against him carrying the team to at worst a top 4 seed. Unless there is active acrimony on the team. This presupposes the Rockets can get on the same page to run it back, emotionally. If so then yeah, it's right there for the taking.
1. Fertitta doesn't want to spend to run it back. 2. Haven't you heard that our supporting cast sucks?
I assume they will re-sign Klay. And I welcome it. He's not a $30 million dollar player headed forward so I love that idea. The longer the better. It just makes them that capped out and stuck long term through the late prime of his and Curry's career. Donkey won't age well. The idea of them having $110 million tied up in those 3 into perpetuity without Durant there to shoulder the load has me very excited as a Rocket fan.
Of course we're going to just run it back. That's all that we can do while being handicapped with CP3's salary. We'll change a few of the minimum contract guys, but otherwise we'll be largely the same. Maybe CP3 will magically get back his quickness next year?
Not a chance. Seriously, just watch what happens to them next year. It gets UGLY for them. I had Dubs in 6. I've been all over the relax people- don't get mad at this Houston team, they were second best to an all time team. That's not the case anymore. Golden State is D U N done.
Fam... and if Durant sits all year he’ll be healthy just in time to help them send us home another year. If we’re really lucky Durant leaves, they run it back, and the lakers don’t get a major piece
You don't get it. We've been hoping for injury to one of their main stars for the past 4-5 seasons. They've still made the Finals sans injuries to each of their major contributors throughout that run. It's not as easy as you're trying to make it out to be.
Completely different team now. There’s no strength in numbers. There is no Durant. They are thru winning at a high level. Mark it now and believe me or mock me in 8 months or so....
