I find it difficult to see KD sitting out the rest of the season, even if they are doing poorly. He has already lost so much time due to injury over the past few seasons, that he has to realize that he probably has only a few more seasons of healthy elite NBA level play left in him. He also doesn't seem the type to be "so in love with the game" that he would hang on to it as a second/third tier star as he ages and can no longer carry a team. Additionally, Kyrie and the Nets have to decide that contract extension this summer. The Nets have already dumped so much into this team for a title chance, and they basically have had only 1 postseason run. I find it hard that the FO would swallow another throw away season/post-season. Sure, they have appeased everything KD has asked for so far, but KD already signed an extension for a number of years so he has little leverage. Even if it just for half the Kyrie games in the playoffs, a rusty Simmons, and partly healthy Durant; they have to see what they have to plan for the next few seasons.
Yep with all the turmoil and change it could be a punt year. All you need to hear is that Durant may not be 100% and maybe they shut him down instead of worrying he reinjures himself.
I agree. But a scenario I can see playing out, especially given everything going on, is him rushing back from injury and having setbacks along the way and subsequently getting shut down for the season to allow for proper rehab. I don't hope for it, of course, but he has pressure on him to return and a player with his competitive fire will have a tough time sitting back while the team flounders.
I think KD and Kyrie are both content at this stage of their careers since they've won a championship already. There really isn't much for either one of them to prove and they can just ride off into the distance as their careers come to an end. We have a 7 year vested interest in this franchise as Rockets fans, so it is entertaining following them.
This is such a conundrum. I've been riding for him in this forum for over 2 years but now I really need him to fail miserably.
That seems like the prudent course of action. Shutdown KD, incorporate Simmons into Nash's system and wait out mask band. However, KD is a competitor and has faith in himself. I bet he'll pus to get back and try to push the team into the play-offs. I hope not, but missing an opportunity in your early 30s is tough and he may want to prove Harden wasn't a big loss (if he can). In either case, gives us something else to pay attention to as the season winds down. Hopefully they implode and we get 2 lottery picks!
lol. If that pick ends up being a top-3 pick, I'm going to say Adam Silver is on our side. I'd be ecstatic if it just ends up in the lottery considering when this season started, I would've thought anything higher than a #25 or so pick would've probably been a fantasy. I'm not getting my hopes up about any of it. That way I won't be disappointed when it's said and done.
Not really. Cheer for him to do well and have the rest of the team suck. I have to admit, I'm kind of intrigued to see how that huge a lineup with that skill works out. It's like 2 freakishly talented 7-footers with All-Star level talent in the same starting lineup. But I'm not intrigued enough to have them do well.
@D-rock @Nook on the off chance we do get two picks in the top 10(rockets pick hopefully either #1 or #2). And the nets pick with hopefully a lot of luck #10 who would you guys pick?
Chet, Jabari or Griffin. Any 2 of those 3 is my preference. And I'd be happy with Ivey as well. Just prefer to get longer first. Nets pick in top 10 would mean BKL fall out of playoffs completely.
Really depends on where we are in the top 10. I would draft best player regardless of position and I would likely only draft players that can defend because Green and Sengun cannot defend well. I think Chet Holmgren at 1-2 and then if we pick 6-10 I would likely want Kendall Brown or maybe Ty Ty Washington.
I am fine with him if the Rockets draft Holmgren #1 and Paolo falls. I can't see taking Banchero in the top 4 if it is our top pick. He doesn't have great tools to defend and we already have long term poor defenders with Green and Sengun.
