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Durant chooses Warriors over OKC, Boston

John - Red's Army (@RedsArmy_John) July 4, 2016 Around the NBA, Celtics News, Free Agency 77 Comments

The primary mandate I had for myself in making this decision was to have it based on the potential for my growth as a player — as that has always steered me in the right direction. But I am also at a point in my life where it is of equal importance to find an opportunity that encourages my evolution as a man: moving out of my comfort zone to a new city and community which offers the greatest potential for my contribution and personal growth. With this in mind, I have decided that I am going to join the Golden State Warriors.

As for the contract…

Kevin Durant will sign a two-year deal with the Warriors at $54.3 million, league sources say, with a Player Option for Year 2

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 4, 2016

The Celtics tried… and depending on how it goes for him in Golden State, there’s an opportunity to do this again next season. But I think the 1+1 deal is just to get more money. It’s hard not to feel disappointed by this after all the tantalizing rumors.

Now the only question is how public sentiment will turn against the Dubs. They have been fun to watch and a great majority of people had an easy time rooting for them over the past couple of years. Then Draymond Green went on a dick punch/kick spree and Durant chose them as the league’s newest “super team.” This where everything went south (pun intended) for LeBron James. Granted, a player’s tribune piece isn’t quite the same as “The Decision”… but people will see it that way.

The bigger issue at hand now is… how do teams approach this season knowing Durant is in Golden State. A loaded team that just fell short of back-to-back titles just added one of the best players ever. How do they NOT whip off a bunch of titles now? As Danny Ainge puts his plan together, he has to fell the gut-punch of knowing he’s got a hell of a dragon to slay even if he gets out of the East.

Again, great effort by the Celtics, and it’s very meaningful that they’ve gotten one huge free agent prize and just missed on another. We’ll see what other tricks Danny Ainge has up his sleeve.

Amir Buxbaum

Don’t know how, but I wish we could build a team that would kick their asses. :/
- Mike C
  
  We’ll start by signing Russell Westbrook after next season.
TheVilleintheA

The C’s Should’ve tanked last year to get Towns, the now rookie of the year…
Astarot

He went the easy way, the easiest possible. I think that’s how those XXI century players do. Guys like Bird, Russell and others would never join forces with their biggest enemies. They would want to beat them and create their own legacy in their own team. Just to show those “Others”: ‘I’M better, I’m the best. My team is better”. It was all about competing it was far more personal. One more think I guess KD is aware of. He was in the mix for the best player on the planet first with Lebron, and last two years with Curry. And right now he’s no longer “that guy” he’s no longer on “his team” it is and will be Curry’s team and Durant will only be playing next to him. He isn’t in that conversation anymore. Curry is, old LBJ is , Davis is and maybe someone else.
- Dave
  
  KD talked about before how he models his game after Larry Bird. He has no right to say that, Larry would never do anything so tasteless.
  - art
    
    Today’s athletes don’t seem to think like yesterday’s athletes and I don’t like it one bit. Paul Pierce has said on multiple occasions that he would never even consider playing for the Fakers. And he’s from LA.
- art
  
  Agreed. Except the “new” LBJ is in the conversation. The King is the best and by far better than anyone who will play for the Warriors. We’ll see how it turns out for KD. Hopefully not so good.
Dmitry

what did dubs give up to sign him? now lets get LBJ and make it silly league
- Mike C
  
  Absolutely Not! I would “Never” want to see him wearing Celtics green!
forever_green

All I can say is..what a team that is. Wow
KGino

what a gigantic pu**y, just like Bron.

I would never trade my dignity for a ring.

Also, can we just condense the league to like 24 teams now? What’s the point of the Orlando Magic even existing at this point?
- Dmitry
  
  I have just remembered how he practiced with lbj during summer break after okc loss in the finals, soft tissue…
  - KGino
    
    soft is the word. I hate that I love the Celtics so much, I really wish I could say i’m done with the NBA.
- forever_green
  
  Players just don’t have morals anymore.
forever_green

To be honest, I’m grateful for Horford. He shocked me by choosing us. Showing some dignity and not just teaming up with someone.
- Mike C
  
  Well said. Horford is a class act and exactly the type player I’m proud to have as a member of the Celtics. Cavaliers are going down next year!
TMC

today is a bummer, but seeing this dumpster fire of a roster and knowing we own their 1st this year and next still brings me comfort

http://espn.go.com/nba/team/roster/_/name/bkn/brooklyn-nets
- Dave
  
  Gotta build towards the future now.
eddysamson

https://twitter.com/KDTrey5/status/18688294600
- Dave
  
  The epitome of hypocrisy.
Sean McLaughlin

Ha
RedsLoveChild

What idiot thought bringing stiffs like Smart & Olynyk to the KD meeting would be a good selling point?

That alone clinched it for GS!
- jrleftfoot
  
  Are there any players on the Celtics that you like, Mr. bitterness?
  - RedsLoveChild
    
    Aside from AB, nobody. Ainge`s ineptness as a draft picker is unbelievable!
    
    In 2021, you and other Ainge worshippers will be begging for him acquire Buddy Hield and Bender. When he could`ve had either one instead of Jaylen Brown.
    - jrleftfoot
      
      Ainge worshippers? Presume much? I` m pretty sure he doesn`t play any more, and my question was whether you liked any of the players, because rooting for a team when you don`t like any players seems like an exercise in masochism.
      - RedsLoveChild
        
        And I`m pretty sure I answered your question…AB.
      - jrleftfoot
        
        Didn’t ask you anything about Ainge, but you are are certainly entitled to obssessively criticize him if it floats your boat. I got the AB part. One for 15. Myst be fun watching.
      - RedsLoveChild
        
        It was a lot of fun watching Ainge as a player….not fun watching Ainge`s annual GM screw-ups with draft selections!
        
        For me to like a Celtic, he has to be a good solid productive player {I`m “funny” that way}.
        
        If I were an opposing GM, Bradley has been the only Celtic in the last 3 or 4 years worth pursuing.
- msnthrop
  
  They told KD, were going to send these two plus a NJ pick to OKC for your pal Russ when you don’t sign with us…
art

I hope GS has to give up a good chunk of their bench to sign KD. Barnes is probably gone for sure. This move is definitely not good public relations wise for Durant. It’s definitely a Lebron James number 2 move and that didn’t last now did it? I don’t understand how you can sign on with the enemy ala Ray Allen. Don’t you typically want to conquer the leader when you’re a true competitor, not join them?
Dmitry

fun to read other players reaction , like

https://twitter.com/nurkic23/status/749997949799718912

and this pearl

https://twitter.com/SDinwiddie_25/status/750003320874500096
Elmo

I know most Celtic Fans are bummed and I thought they had a chance as well. However, there is only one Ball and they will have no inside presence at all. I would say try and get Demarcus Cousins and pound them in the middle. Those jump shot stop falling the later the season gets and I cannot imagine Draymond Green covering Horford or Cousins in the post with much success at all.

This small ball game has become “the thing” because there just have not been many great Bigs in the NBA for several years. The NBA has been and always will be a big mans league but nobody has been able to put together an 80’s styles front court {Bird. McHale and Parish} for whatever reasons. Pound the Warriors down low and they will be beaten up so bad playing defense that those long jumpers will start to hit rim. The Celts will turn the trend of small ball back to Power Ball, the way it should be.
- art
  
  Plus the 3’s that have become so common in today’s game promote small ball. Make the distance shots worth 2 again and that will help turn the game back to the Power Ball game. That’s the way it should be. I’m all for the C’s getting back to that Power Ball – 3’s or no 3’s. Let’s make all the other teams re-think their small ball strategy..
- Mike C
  
  Totally agree. Only a matter of time till the next great “Big man” is discovered and totally destroys the idea of small ball.
- swissflix
  
  Jared Sullinger is very “big”!!!
jrleftfoot

The first word in free agency is free. now people are making moral judgements about where somebody chooses to play basketball? how pathetic.
- Mike C
  
  So when Ray Allen jumped ship and went to Miami to “Literally” win another championship for Lebron, you were ok with that? Your right, “Pathetic.”
  - jrleftfoot
    
    It`s you`re , not your. When you say ” your right” you are telling me that a particular right is mine, for instance, choosing my place of employment, one you seem to think should be denied to basketball players. When Ray Allen left , I quit rooting for him, simple as that. I didn`t make any moral judgments or try to read his mind. Since Durant has never been on the Celtics I am even less inclined to engage in psychoanalysis and sit around wringing my hands like a jilted schoolgirl. His former teammates and to a lesser extent, Thunder fans, have a right to get emotional about his leaving. Keyboard -pounding fans of other teams that sit around woe is me-ing and accusing Durant of all sorts of moral shortcomings are the very definition of ” pathetic.” Its the 4th of July. Free agents are free. Durant, Al Horford and all the rest of them.
    - Mike C
      
      I never said he should come to Boston. A player that understands the words Honor & Loyalty would not betray his team or his fans just to guarantee a championship. I always thought he should re-sign with OKC. Just shows your lack of morals. Sad!
      - jrleftfoot
        
        Thanks, reverend, since you were too stupid to respond to what I said , I will repeat, without resorting to capital letters like a little girl screaming on a roller coaster , free agents are free to go where they want and only presumptuous azzwads read other people`s minds and make moral judgements about them.This should correspond better with your short attention span and reading comprehension disability.
      - Mike C
        
        Lebron James, Ray Allen, Kevin Durant, & jrleftfoot: All people you wouldn’t want to go into a war with, since there’s no guarantee they wouldn’t switch sides half way through the battle. Thats “All” I need to know about you to make a judgement! Real class act.
      - jrleftfoot
        
        Professional basketball is a spectator sport, not a war. somebody who doesn’t know the difference either has little experience in either , or is dumber than dogshite
      - Mike C
        
        Its about “Loyalty” in whatever you do in life. Someone who cant understand that concept is a “Little Bitch” in my book.
      - jrleftfoot
        
        Easy to call names behind a keyboard. Try me in real life. I figured out what the C stants for. rhymes with runt. stick your loyalty in yours.
      - Mike C
        
        Are you still crying you gutless wonder?
      - jrleftfoot
        
        You`re the one who has been crying since Durant failed to take your tender sensibilities into consideration. See the previous sentence for the correct usage of you`re and your.
      - Mike C
        
        I see Paul Pierce didn’t think much of Durant’s choice either. You want to explain to him your gutless theory on “Loyalty?”
      - jrleftfoot
        
        What are you , 7? It is hard to believe that anyone older than that can think a Paul Pierce tweet proves their point. They say God protects children and idiots You can continue to embarrass yourself without my help. Carry on , -unt.
      - Mike C
        
        I’m bored with you.
      - jrleftfoot
        
        zzzzzz
      - Mike C
        
        Basic,…just what I’d expect from you.
      - jrleftfoot
        
        Kevin Durant doesn’t care what you or Stephen A. Douchebag think. Neither do I. Carry on with your whining.
      - Mike C
        
        Its stands, not stants! Watch your grammar little guy.
      - jrleftfoot
        
        Thanks , sweetie. There is a difference between typos and not knowing the meaning of basic English words, though.
      - Mike C
        
        Thats a run-on sentence you got going there “Professor.” I know what a stickler you are for proper grammer.
      - jrleftfoot
        
        Actually, its not, but its nice to see that you are trying to improve yourself, Michelle C.
      - jrleftfoot
        
        Something tells me Loyalty (sic) wouldn`t be a big issue if he`d joined the Celtics—lol
Pingback: Locked On Celtics Podcast: Immediate reaction to Durant’s decision | Red's Army - The Voice of Boston Celtics Fans()
Mike C

Just opened the door for the Celtics to go after Russell Westbrook next year. Can you imagine the media hype over a Celtics vs Warriors final with KD vs Westbrook?
adam

Durant really chose the easiest route there was. At least it’s for only 1+1. Harrison Barnes is definitely gone. Let’s see what else goes. All Golden State needed was a healthy Bogart and they would have won.
- jrleftfoot
  
  Bogut`s gone too.
Pete

http://i.imgur.com/y6ZjK04.gif
Sean McLaughlin

https://twitter.com/MrBusby4o8/status/750024183388581888
- Mike C
  
  SO GOOD!
  - Sean McLaughlin
    
    I’ve seen that 25 times and I STILL laugh my ass off!
    - Mike C
      
      Those expressions are priceless. Great find!
AC3

Can’t wait for the Cs to put their D to the “golden ones” this year.
- Dmitry
  
  i also would like every team just give the best effort possible (playoff style) to win their round with gsw all year =)
gchasse

I am looking at Golden State with Durant, and man, they have some high level talent. But at what price? They are going to lose Bogut, Ezili, and Barnes. Durant is better than any of them by far offensively, but not defensively.

Remember how they lost to Cleveland and almost lost to OKC. They were pounded inside. Outside of Green, they are very weak defensively inside. I am not sure they are better off. Yes, they have the stars, but they are not as balanced and lost depth.

Let’s see how they address this.

As far as the C’s go, if Durant had joined them, they were guaranteed (barring injury) to reach the conference finals, and with a good shot to go to the NBA finals. This is not even taking into account that the young core is still improving. They would have addressed their 2 most pressing needs, a premier scorer and interior defense. It would have been fun. Still will be, but I am concerned about replacing Turner’s end of game role. Hopefully someone will step up.
- Sean McLaughlin
  
  Indeed. Turner’s shot creation will be missed.
tvor03

For once I agree with Stephan A. who called it, “the weakest I’ve ever seen from a superstar.”
- adam
  
  I agree, and I am the biggest anti-Steven A. Smith guy.
jrleftfoot

Durant`s loss is more crucial to OKC than his addition is to the Warriors, especially when you consider the guys they had to jettison to make cap space for him. BTW, who would choose to live in Oklahoma City compared to virtually any other city with an NBA franchise?
- adam
  
  At least Lebron agreed to do a sign and trade so Cleveland wasn’t stuck with nothing.
jrleftfoot

The issue of ” loyalty” never comes up when a guy gets traded. I get it . The bosses that run things must hold the power—
- Mike C
  
  Another dumb comment.
adam

The more this settles in, the more i care less and less about KD going to GSW. We have some good stuff going on in Boston we should be happy about.

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