Kevin Durant and the Thunder Inspire Dynasty Talk
A 4-0 devastation of defending champion Dallas.
An impressive 4-1 triumph over Kobe’s Lakers.
A 4-2 vanquishing of a Spurs team that put the Thunder in an 0-2 hole and had won 20 straight games.
A roster where all five starters are 28 or younger, and the best player, Kevin Durant – who is also the league’s leading scorer – is 23. The jump-out-of-the-gym point guard is 23, too. The league’s best 6th man? He’s 22. So is the league’s leading shot blocker.
Sam Presti, the bookish GM who built this team, has a juggernaut on his hands. Sure, he’ll have a big decision to make about extending James Harden and Serge Ibaka, but for the next two weeks, all you’ll hear about is the potential dynasty in Oklahoma City. Enjoy the ride, Thunder fans, and worry about the luxury tax issues and potential suitors for Harden and Ibaka later.
While the focus is on LeBron tonight, just remember what Kevin Durant did to the Spurs when his team needed him to take over: 16 straight points in the 4th quarter of game four, propelling the Thunder to victory. And with his team trailing the Spurs by 15 at halftime in game six, Durant erupted in the 3rd quarter – in the video above, his damage begins around the :57 mark – and the Thunder took control of the game. Hope LeBron was taking notes.
The Spurs? I don’t think they’re done. As noted in this post last night, the foundation remains, and if their last two No. 1 draft picks can step in to replace Danny Green and Gary Neal, San Antonio will be in contention for a top four seed in the West again.
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June 7th, 2012 at 10:48 AM
Little early for the dynasty talk though they’ll definitely be in the mix for the next decade barring disaster.
I just think the Western Conference is too strong top to bottom and with teams like Utah, LAC, Minnesota possibly making a leap, it’s going to be as competitive as ever.
Contrast this with Miami’s situation in the East (aging Celtics, Rose’s injuries) and they should be in the Finals rather easily the next few years.
June 7th, 2012 at 10:48 AM
THUNDER – THUNDER – THUNDER
/Liono’d
June 7th, 2012 at 10:50 AM
maybe they should win a championship before you talk about dynasty.
June 7th, 2012 at 10:50 AM
Hope LeBron was taking notes.
nope, he was too busy making his teammates better.
we probably need to all jus admit lebron is not that guy. he is a freak talent and a helluva a player, but how many examples does one need to come to the realization that he is not wired that way?
June 7th, 2012 at 10:50 AM
The Thunder would be so much easier to root for if their owners didn’t screw Seattle.
June 7th, 2012 at 10:50 AM
Sonics fans must be pissed
June 7th, 2012 at 10:51 AM
maybe they should win a championship before you talk about dynasty. Kaiser
Stop ruining the narrative!
June 7th, 2012 at 10:52 AM
I see JMac is continuing the skip bayless/espn narrative of making it lebrons fault for failure instead of blaming guys who havent actually showed up the past 3 games…
June 7th, 2012 at 10:54 AM
so when they don’t win multiple championships are you going to bury them for not “living up to expectations?”
June 7th, 2012 at 10:54 AM
Bit early for dynasty talk since they haven’t even won one (and if they do win this year it will still be too early). They’re certainly in good shape for the future though.
June 7th, 2012 at 10:55 AM
Perkins’ block of Timmy D with less than a minute to play isn’t getting enough credit. Duncan makes that, and it is a 2 point game.
June 7th, 2012 at 10:56 AM
They have to beat Lob City in the finals first. Oh.
June 7th, 2012 at 10:56 AM
Harden is probably gone after next year. So, there window is already limited.
June 7th, 2012 at 10:57 AM
Good. No way that team stays together in the long run.
June 7th, 2012 at 10:57 AM
Bit early for dynasty talk since they haven’t even won one
exactly.
if its douchey and stupid for a team to talk about not 1, not 2…titles before they won anything, so is this.
June 7th, 2012 at 10:57 AM
He also blew a layup and took a 15 footer like a high school female in those last 90 seconds.
I didn’t think he was going to make that clinching dunk while all alone until it actually went through the net.
June 7th, 2012 at 10:58 AM
so when they don’t win multiple championships are you going to bury them for not “living up to expectations?”
Frauds and chokers.
June 7th, 2012 at 10:58 AM
I don’t think it will be much of a decision. Some team is going to give him the max and that will be the end of it. Don’t see OKC doing that.
June 7th, 2012 at 10:59 AM
I like Harden’s game, but I am still not convinced some team maxes him out. Pitch me a few teams that can/would.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:00 AM
If ownership can make a team payroll amount of $120-140 million work in the OKC market, then yes, dynasty is on the table. That’s the only way you keep Durant, Westbrook, Harden, Ibaka and Perkins together. I don’t see that core being sustained past 2013 season.
The payroll tax goes apeshit in 2013 (not next year, the year thereafter). Teams that go into the tax in consecutive seasons pay this “repeat offender” tax rate that’s in the $3 tax for $1 paid range.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:00 AM
Watching the 4th quarter of last night’s game was like watching the 12th round of a championship fight. Both teams looked completely spent.
So with this “Dynasty” talk does this mean we’re finally acknowledging that Durant and Westbrook can co-exist?
June 7th, 2012 at 11:02 AM
Phoenix. Hometown boy.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:03 AM
Yes, but what does that have to do with a play on defense? I wasn’t saying he should be MVP, but that was a great play!
June 7th, 2012 at 11:04 AM
The Spurs could easily get in on Harden as well. Manus deal is up after next year.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:04 AM
He’s from LA.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:04 AM
Harden is still under contract for 12-13, but I don’t see why OKC would not match whatever is offered to him
June 7th, 2012 at 11:05 AM
Brooklyn
June 7th, 2012 at 11:05 AM
Well, if they’re bringing back Dallas, it only stands to reason that Dynasty will be next.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:05 AM
This would be my guess. I would also guess they’ll keep Harden and deal Ibaka.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:06 AM
Absolutely nothing…I just hate his game so thoroughly and I wanted to slip it in to the comments.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:07 AM
Lives in Phoenix. Went to school here. What I meant.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:07 AM
KD is a better scorer than Lebron. Lebron is a better all-around player. KD is a much better outside shooter, and is basically indefensible when he’s on because of that. Lebron is an inconsistent shooter, who needs to get to the hole. Teams can clog the hole, thus making him attempt ill-advised drives or hope-these-go-in contested jumpshots. Comparisons aren’t needed, appreciate both for what they are instead of criticizing them for what they are not.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:08 AM
Pretty sure he’s from California right?
June 7th, 2012 at 11:08 AM
June 7th, 2012 at 11:09 AM
Disagree. Easier to find a 3rd scorer than a big guy with Ibaka’s skills.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:11 AM
After Kobe and Wade, rank the remaining the 2-guards in the league right now.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:11 AM
is this Ballin’?
June 7th, 2012 at 11:11 AM
I don’t know. Seems easier to replace a scorer off the bench than a starting big man that plays pretty good D.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:12 AM
Solid defender though. Scotty wanted to keep Ibaka in, but he was getting abused by Duncan. How a pro athlete can’t acquire the skill to make an open 15 footer is beyond me.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:12 AM
June 7th, 2012 at 11:13 AM
After Kobe and Wade, rank the remaining the 2-guards in the league right now.
JJ Redick top 5
June 7th, 2012 at 11:13 AM
Would you trade draft picks 2-5 for Harden?
June 7th, 2012 at 11:13 AM
Perkins’ block of Timmy D with less than a minute to play isn’t getting enough credit.
ok, i’ll give perkins credit for his offensive fumbling keeping the spurs close enough for that block to mean something
June 7th, 2012 at 11:15 AM
If you could throw a couple of first rounders to Houston, who says no?
Also assumes that Dragic re-signs in Houston.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:15 AM
Harden is a better player than Ibaka. But, players like Ibaka are harder to find on the open market.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:15 AM
Can I count shoot-first point guards?
June 7th, 2012 at 11:15 AM
They are something else, impressive come back from that much down.
What happened to Tony Parker, dominant in the first half, then disappeared. They were doubling off the pick and roll and Duncan took (and missed) a lot of shots in the 2nd half.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:17 AM
I assume you just mean one of those picks in that range. If thats the case than absolutely. Harden was the 3rd pick in the draft and is a known commodity. A team picking in the 2-5 range has a better chance of fucking up that pick than picking someone as good as Harden.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:19 AM
Agreed. Andy Bynum is not one of the top 10 players in the game but he’s probably top 5 in terms of trade value.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:20 AM
lets not act like Serge Ibaka is the next coming of Dwight Howard here, 9 points a game, maybe 8 boards a game is replaceable
June 7th, 2012 at 11:20 AM
I don’t see that though…Game 5 the Spurs were closing when Duncan scored 9 out of 12 of the Spurs points. Duncan had 25/14 last night.
Perkins has no athleticism…I just can’t take it.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:20 AM
Thats a pretty interesting deal. Lowry on Utah would make them potentially very scary.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:22 AM
That means a lot coming from you. I’m honored.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:24 AM
Exactly. He’s young, I get that, but I don’t see him becoming an All-Star anytime soon. I also don’t it works well with Ibaka and Perk on the floor together and they’re already committed long term to Perk.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:25 AM
You should know more than anyone, that there is more to one’s game than offensive statistics.
Additionally, he is still improving. Could easily settle into 15/10 for 5+ years (with previously inferred great defense).
June 7th, 2012 at 11:25 AM
Ha. I like Lowry and think people are discounting him pretty handily because of Dragic coming in and playing so well.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:25 AM
A team picking in the 2-5 range has a better chance of fucking up that pick than picking someone as good as Harden.
this makes me wonder….like the NFL has lots of great stories of late round guys who became superstars, who fits this from the NBA? With only two rounds it’s a different pool. Like undrafted FAs.
Not good but great players from small schools or just bloomed late. No European players.
Pippen comes to mind, Rodman, tho I haven’t looked to see where they were drafted or what was thought of them coming out of college
June 7th, 2012 at 11:26 AM
There’s absolutely no doubt the Rockets would do that deal. In a heartbeat.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:27 AM
Presti or YYSA will find a way to unload Perk.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:27 AM
You should know more than anyone, that there is more to one’s game than offensive statistics.
Additionally, he is still improving. Could easily settle into 15/10 for 5+ years (with previously inferred great defense)
true, I’m just saying Harden is the player you keep, Ibaka can be dealt
June 7th, 2012 at 11:28 AM
True, but we’ve learned this postseason that blocking shots doesn’t necessarily mean great defense.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:29 AM
Only problem with trading a top 4 pick or so for Harden are the accelerated salary burden with a vet who’s about to sign a max or near max deal as opposed to someone on a rookie deal. In fact, the teams that are drafting top 4 or so all are too far away for Harden to pay immediate dividends. Never mind the fact that there’s no guarantee he signs a new deal with you.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:31 AM
My first call as always when trying to unload a bad contract would be to call Michael Jordan. ‘Michael this guy is Horace Grant reincarnate’
June 7th, 2012 at 11:31 AM
Also, got blocked by Whitlock last night and didn’t even call him a racist, or criticize the Wire/Jeff George. That’s hard to do.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:32 AM
It seems like every major sport has a dynasty these days. LA Kings, Texas Rangers, I’d group the 49ers in there. Yeah we’re clearly in the dynasty age.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:32 AM
The owner of the Seattle Supersonicas celebrates Hannukah.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:32 AM
Good point…his defense is not transcendent.
What kind of contract do you think he will command? Will he actually be priced out of the Thunder’s reach?
June 7th, 2012 at 11:33 AM
There is always the very likely scenario that Harden just wants to go out on his own and be ‘the guy’ on a team. The Joe Johnson career model.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:34 AM
People tend to overpay for size so, yeah, I think he’s likely to get a big deal.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:35 AM
Ginobili mostly of late, Gilbert Arenas and Michael Redd were 2nd rounders who turned into All-Stars before that…and Pippen was a top-5 or 10 pick by the SuperSonics who decided they did not require his services
June 7th, 2012 at 11:35 AM
Agreed. But let’s not forget he’s a restricted FA. The Thunder can always match.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:36 AM
Also easier if one of their owners wasn’t into killing polar bears and baby seals.
/cause hydraulic fracturing is unethical, you see
June 7th, 2012 at 11:38 AM
True but if a guy wants to leave and pretty much says so you are not going to match. Maybe you get something back in a sign and trade at that point but you won’t be keeping the guy around.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:42 AM
When you have a chance to get Olden Polynice…you do it.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:42 AM
I suppose for younger guys you could say Dragic, Boozer, Monta, Gortat, Millsap? I believe.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:43 AM
What would stink is if the “Harden is a unrestricted free agent” at the end of next year just becoming a fiasco for next season. It’s possible. It’s why I think the Thunder need to get it done this year.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:48 AM
Spurs blew an 18-point lead. Still can’t believe it. That’s an impressive win by the Thunder.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:49 AM
YYSA how good is Gortat? I tried to tell everyone the Polish Hammer was good, happens when you practiced vs a beast for years
June 7th, 2012 at 11:54 AM
34 points in the first quarter, 36 in the entire 2nd half. When are the Celtics going to start looking old too?
June 7th, 2012 at 11:54 AM
The Seattle owners and local politicians were masturbating themselves long before Clay Bennett came along. The only thing Clay Bennett did was hand them a happy sock to finish into…
June 7th, 2012 at 11:55 AM
Repurposing my Twitter replies to you in a comment? I thought you were above that.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:57 AM
Though I was strongly pulling for the Spurs, it’s hard to hate the OKC team – they’re fun to watch, and it would be interesting to see them up against Boston or Miami. Sure it will be easy to turn on them though with media slobber jobs like this likely to be regurgitated ad nauseum the next few days.
When do the FInals start? June 18?
June 7th, 2012 at 11:59 AM
Also, I’m envisioning this headline about 15 years ago after a Magic-Pacers ECF Game 7:
Shaquille O’Neal and the Magic Inspire Dynasty Talk
June 7th, 2012 at 12:02 PM
Tuesday
June 7th, 2012 at 12:09 PM
Now i finally know who you are!
June 7th, 2012 at 12:09 PM
He is very good. One of the best centers in Suns history! But yea much like the NBA is lacking in 2 guards it also is lacking in real centers so Gortat is easily one of the better ones around the league.
June 7th, 2012 at 12:09 PM
I think Utah gets hosed in that deal
June 7th, 2012 at 12:11 PM
I can’t knock Durant. His accomplishments,improvements and leadership make him the second and rising best player in the NBA. But my boy is still top 5. What I love about OKC’s victory is that the fundamental “non American tainted and taught” Spurs were taken to the woodshed by a young team led by 3 young players who were absolutely raised and developed on the circuit. “Fundamental” ball was beaten by AAU ball.
June 7th, 2012 at 12:14 PM
I can’t knock Durant. His accomplishments,improvements and leadership make him the second and rising best player in the NBA. But my boy is still top 5. What I love about OKC’s victory is that the fundamental “non American tainted and taught” Spurs were taken to the woodshed by a young team led by 3 young players who were absolutely raised and developed on the circuit. “Fundamental” ball was beaten by AAU ball.
can’t really argue with this, but I think it is more of a function of age being beaten by youth…
June 7th, 2012 at 12:14 PM
All those guys were drafted though, I believe?
Best undrafted players in NBA right now are Haslem, Linsanity, and Wesley Matthews.
June 7th, 2012 at 12:17 PM
Big fan of Favors? I think that Utah can seemingly get hosed in any deal like that and still come out big winners. Their abundance of front court can allow them to trade one for some back court help.
June 7th, 2012 at 12:22 PM
Big fan of Favors? I think that Utah can seemingly get hosed in any deal like that and still come out big winners. Their abundance of front court can allow them to trade one for some back court help.
i’d do this
June 7th, 2012 at 12:26 PM
Ha. Houston is the team the Lakers should be eyein to drop Gasol on. Get Lowry and Scola
June 7th, 2012 at 12:28 PM
Purely from the Lakers side would you rather have the Utah trade I put up or theat Houston trade?
June 7th, 2012 at 12:31 PM
You’re high if you think AAU ball is beneficial to the NBA. Preaches nothing but selfishness/one-on-one skills.
June 7th, 2012 at 12:31 PM
They don’t need another big man. They need guards. Desperately. A backcourt of Lowry/Martin with their froncourt would be highly competitive, IMO.
June 7th, 2012 at 12:38 PM
They don’t need another big man. They need guards. Desperately. A backcourt of Lowry/Martin with their froncourt would be highly competitive, IMO.
I agree, I just like to throw Laker deals at YYSA (the czar of the Trade Machine)
June 7th, 2012 at 12:39 PM
If you are looking to get Kobe a 6th then Lowry/Scola. If you are beginning demolition than I would take Favors. I don’t care for Harris.
June 7th, 2012 at 12:39 PM
one on one skills? Oh, the horror! As incorrect as your statement was, it was also kind of funny in its ignorance.
June 7th, 2012 at 1:10 PM
I really like Lowry but I’m not sure he would work with Kobe. What PG has been able to coexist with him other than Fisher? That said he has a junkyard dawg style to him that the Lakers could certainly use.