Warriors are better without KD

[L8krH8tr]

currently destroying the Thunder on primetime tv. they have been on a tear since kd went down. Scary stuff.

[Celtics 1825]

A tear? It's been 1 game (this one isn't over yet)

[Bronbron23]

currently destroying the Thunder on primetime tv. they have been on a tear since kd went down. Scary stuff.
How have they've been on a tear? They only scored 106 in the one game they played without him. They're playing good now against okc but it's only first half. Warriors are gonna need kd deep in playoffs when Steph starts declining as usual.

[Cali Syndicate]

Offense flows better cause Durant is a black hole on this team. But Durant is a top tier scorer so he still makes it work

[imdaman99]

Regular season yes. Playoffs HELL NAW :lol

[Indian guy]

They'd still be the favorites for the title without him. Not unbeatable like they are with him (KD's elite iso scoring come playoffs is invaluable), but clearly the best team in the league.

This is why we all hate KD and laugh at his rings.

[zizozain]

https://media.giphy.com/media/1gdqYJAdcmyC4ecwFo/giphy.gif

[Bronbron23]

They'd still be the favorites for the title without him. Not unbeatable like they are with him (KD's elite iso scoring come playoffs is invaluable), but clearly the best team in the league.

This is why we all hate KD and laugh at his rings.
They might be the favorite but no way in hell they win without kd.

[Indian guy]

They might be the favorite but no way in hell they win without kd.

Ummm who would beat them?

There's no 2016 Cavs out there. I can see Houston and Milwaukee giving them a series, but not actually beat them.

[Celtics 1825]

Ummm who would beat them?

There's no 2016 Cavs out there. I can see Houston and Milwaukee giving them a series, but not actually beat them.
Houston almost beat them last year with KD on the team. You don't think they could beat them without him? (I know they added Boogie but even then the Rockets definitely have a chance.)

[DMAVS41]

No, they aren't at all.

However, KD isn't necessary for this team to be a dynasty level team with an average to above average small forward.

This team with Robert Covington in place of KD, for example, would still be elite and likely the title favorite...while also not having an absurdly large margin for error.

[Bronbron23]

Ummm who would beat them?

There's no 2016 Cavs out there. I can see Houston and Milwaukee giving them a series, but not actually beat them.
Exactly those 2 teams. Steph and Klay historically play worse deep in the playoffs especially the finals. Remember they only have 1 ring without kd and it was a huge asterisk.

[DMAVS41]

They might be the favorite but no way in hell they win without kd.

No way in hell?

I mean...of course there is a chance they win with an average replacement level player instead of KD.

Would they?

Certainly wouldn't have won last year. No way they beat the Rockets, imo, without an elite player like KD.

Year before? Yea, they win.

This year? Not sure, I'd lean towards no, but certainly wouldn't have "no chance"...that is absurd.

[Indian guy]

Mike Breen, ever the clueless retard :facepalm. Marveling at Westbrook's rebounding numbers when everybody and their mother knows how heavily stat padded they are.

Breen should stick to PBP and never actually give an opinion. He always sounds like he's repeating something he read in the newspapers that morning.

[tpols]

kd is an iso baller.

they were at their best when they were all healthy 2016

[DMAVS41]

kd is an iso baller.

they were at their best when they were all healthy 2016

I understand what you are saying, but having KD, even with the drag on ball movement at times, is easily more valuable in the playoffs than merely a 3/D type player...even a really good one.

[Bronbron23]

No way in hell?

I mean...of course there is a chance they win with an average replacement level player instead of KD.

Would they?

Certainly wouldn't have won last year. No way they beat the Rockets, imo, without an elite player like KD.

Year before? Yea, they win.

This year? Not sure, I'd lean towards no, but certainly wouldn't have "no chance"...that is absurd.
I was talking specifically this year. I don't think there's anyway they're beating Houston and bucs without kd. The league has caught up to the warriors since a few years ago and the warriors bench was much better then also

[imdaman99]

Mike Breen, ever the clueless retard :facepalm. Marveling at Westbrook's rebounding numbers when everybody and their mother knows how heavily stat padded they are.

Breen should stick to PBP and never actually give an opinion. He always sounds like he's repeating something he read in the newspapers that morning.
Hurr durr anyone can get rebounds if they were to statpad hurr durr. Just so happens that Westbrook is the only statpadder in the league. Lebron only gets contested rebounds!

[Brujesino]

Nah we're just good without him better with him.

[DMAVS41]

I was talking specifically this year. I don't think there's anyway they're beating Houston and bucs without kd. The league has caught up to the warriors since a few years ago and the warriors bench was much better then also

Depends on which small forward you replace KD with. You can't just take KD off the team and pretend like they aren't going to have a Harrison Barnes type player in his place.

Even if they got a lower end replacement player, saying "no chance" for a team as accomplished as the Warriors is silly.

Doesn't mean they would win, but saying they have a 0% chance just isn't remotely accurate.

[Bronbron23]

Depends on which small forward you replace KD with. You can't just take KD off the team and pretend like they aren't going to have a Harrison Barnes type player in his place.

Even if they got a lower end replacement player, saying "no chance" for a team as accomplished as the Warriors is silly.

Doesn't mean they would win, but saying they have a 0% chance just isn't remotely accurate.
A Harrison Barnes type I still say no. He was terrible for them in the finals.

And yes obviously they have a chance. Any good playoff team does technically. Im obviously being a little dramatic when I say no chance in hell. I said it that way to express how strongly I feel that they'll lose without kd but yes of course there's always a chance.

[game3524]

:oldlol:

No, they aren't.

Without KD, they are much easier to defend since neither Klay or Steph are elite iso players (which is what playoff basketball comes down to again). When the defenses buckle down this team without Durant would have a tough time scoring consistently.

[tpols]

I understand what you are saying, but having KD, even with the drag on ball movement at times, is easily more valuable in the playoffs than merely a 3/D type player...even a really good one.


yea but their balance, passing, and roles were so elite with the prior team... the original death lineup dray iggy barnes klay & curry, bogut to touch them up, and protect against early easy baskets that build momentum. the balance was incredible i still remember seeing the charts and stats that showed how unstoppable they were. Of course curry hasnt played with big balls shots really since then either since theyre so loaded he doesnt need to which took their cieling down.

[Vino24]

They are better without him. Which is amazing because LeBron beat the best version of the Warriors :bowdown:

[4pointshot]

First time Warriors have won by 20+ points in fifteen games, longest such streak of the season.

[DMAVS41]

A Harrison Barnes type I still say no. He was terrible for them in the finals.

And yes obviously they have a chance. Any good playoff team does technically. Im obviously being a little dramatic when I say no chance in hell. I said it that way to express how strongly I feel that they'll lose without kd but yes of course there's always a chance.

I'm the biggest Barnes hater in the world...and even I'd admit that his play in the 16 finals wasn't anywhere close to indicative of his value / impact as a player.

Sure, if you replace KD with a player that literally forgets how to play basketball for the most important games of the year...they aren't winning.

My point is simple...with an average starting level player...the Warriors would be about as good as anyone currently in the league right now...with a proven championship core that really nobody else has.

Would they win? Not sure, but I honestly don't see how they'd even have only a small chance given how any flaws you can point to with the Warriors...other teams would have issues as well and wouldn't know what it takes to win a title either.

Obviously they aren't better without KD, but too many people forget what they are capable of without him.

Once again tonight...they are dismantling another top team on the road without KD. This is a team that has essentially been on a near 67 win pace for like 5 years now in the games they've played without KD.

[AlternativeAcc.]

So why aren't the Thunder better without him even though he's been replaced by a superstar SF and much better role players? (albeit still average role players who can't shoot worth shit)

Thunder were perennially contenders with him, and 1st round fodders without despite being replaced with a superstar and more talent overall... insane

[Mr.GOAT2408]

He's in an awkward fit on the team, that's the main reason why they don't miss much of a beat without him in the regular season + they're not as healthy or try as much in the rs as they did in 2016. They learned their lesson after losing to the Cavs that 73 wins don't mean shit without a ring.

But playoffs? His skillset is very valuable, he's what makes the Warriors unstoppable. Curry is the more valuable player but KD is the better player. His only real flaw is his beta mindset but his talent is enough to compensate.

[Hopper15]

Dumb. Houston would have sent them home without KD.

[Stephonit]

No KD means more touches for Curry

[hold this L]

No, they aren't at all.

However, KD isn't necessary for this team to be a dynasty level team with an average to above average small forward.

This team with Robert Covington in place of KD, for example, would still be elite and likely the title favorite...while also not having an absurdly large margin for error.
The correct answer

[DMAVS41]

So why aren't the Thunder better without him even though he's been replaced by a superstar SF and much better role players? (albeit still average role players who can't shoot worth shit)

Thunder were perennially contenders with him, and 1st round fodders without despite being replaced with a superstar and more talent overall... insane

What?

The version of KD on the Thunder post 2011 was way better than Paul George has ever been...well, until this year...and even then...12 through 16 KD is simply a better basketball player than current PG in my opinion.

It will be interesting to see what the Thunder do this year, but Russ has also greatly declined as a player as well...

If this Thunder team had 27 year old Russ shooting 54% TS...I think they'd be exactly what you describe above. Russ has literally forgotten how to shoot the basketball...and I don't really see how that is related to KD or PG. Russ can't shoot anymore at all...not in games and not from the ft line. I don't know what has happened, but his drop off in efficiency is why this Thunder team isn't as good as they should be with PG being the two way force he's been this year.

Lastly, I wouldn't take these current teams over really any of the 11-16 Thunder. For starters, 11 and 12 had Harden as well...and Ibaka seemingly gets no respect at all on here despite being a really good player.

You are overrating this current roster quite a bit. Grant / Dennis / Ferguson / Noel / Patterson / Morris / Nader...not sure if I'm forgetting anyone...that actually isn't very good. They lack 3 point shooting, yet again, in a league in which that could not be more important.

I'm not taking that roster over the KD Thunder rosters in which they do what you described.

[Phoenix]

KD is in the essence the world's greatest insurance policy. He's not needed for them to be elite during the season, but he is needed as a buffer for when Steph is out with an injury, or 'the team can't score so we need someone who can iso and take over' high leverage playoff moments.

[Charlie Sheen]

currently destroying the Thunder on primetime tv. they have been on a tear since kd went down. Scary stuff.

I caught myself saying almost the same thing as you earlier this season when I was annoyed with him playing hero ball on too many possessions. They definitely aren't better without him, but the dubs do appear more likable and fun to watch without him at times.

[smoovegittar]

Helping pave the road to NYC. Thanks, OP - :cheers:

[bdonovan]

There's no question they are a better team without him. GSW beat the Rockets without him recently, whereas they otherwise lost 3 games to Rockets with him.

The difference doesn't have to do with the stat-line. If you're addicted to box scores and highlight reels, you'll never know. It's all off the ball. Curry's movement off the ball is what makes the Warriors offense tick; it wreaks havoc on the opponent's defense. He gets free; another defender has to scurry to guard him, now his man (GSW player) is open. And it ends up being high % open shots all day long. Durant's obsession with ISO ends the ball movement that exploits this. Yes, Durant may score; but GSW loses a lot of easy baskets; not just by Curry but by the whole team which creates good looks from motion offense.

The difference in team defensive is massive. Durant routinely misses rotations. He refuses to move through back screens, letting opponents get any mismatch on GSW they want. He forces other Warriors to defend people he doesn't want to guard; which is usually a PF or C he gets switched onto because he doesn't want to get shown up; this throws GSW defense into disarray. I could go on for hours. If you watch what happens off the ball, Durant's failings will be clear.

He does have more value in the playoffs, but I wouldn't overstate his value. The Warriors lost to a Cavs team a few years ago in the finals that was playing out of its mind. I don't see that happening again. As a long-time Warriors fans, I hope Durant departs end of this year and we can get back to being one of the top defensive teams and the kind of motion offense that no team seemed to figure out how to stop.

[Manny98]

So LeBron beat the absolute best version of the Warriors the past 5 years :eek:

GOAT

[warriorfan]

There's no question they are a better team without him. GSW beat the Rockets without him recently, whereas they otherwise lost 3 games to Rockets with him.

The difference doesn't have to do with the stat-line. If you're addicted to box scores and highlight reels, you'll never know. It's all off the ball. Curry's movement off the ball is what makes the Warriors offense tick; it wreaks havoc on the opponent's defense. He gets free; another defender has to scurry to guard him, now his man (GSW player) is open. And it ends up being high % open shots all day long. Durant's obsession with ISO ends the ball movement that exploits this. Yes, Durant may score; but GSW loses a lot of easy baskets; not just by Curry but by the whole team which creates good looks from motion offense.

The difference in team defensive is massive. Durant routinely misses rotations. He refuses to move through back screens, letting opponents get any mismatch on GSW they want. He forces other Warriors to defend people he doesn't want to guard; which is usually a PF or C he gets switched onto because he doesn't want to get shown up; this throws GSW defense into disarray. I could go on for hours. If you watch what happens off the ball, Durant's failings will be clear.

He does have more value in the playoffs, but I wouldn't overstate his value. The Warriors lost to a Cavs team a few years ago in the finals that was playing out of its mind. I don't see that happening again. As a long-time Warriors fans, I hope Durant departs end of this year and we can get back to being one of the top defensive teams and the kind of motion offense that no team seemed to figure out how to stop.

Good post. I can

[Manny98]

:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

[L8krH8tr]

:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

Missing Klay Thompson is no joke. With him they have 3 allstars. Guaranteed to be right there in the mix. Klay is the moster under appreciated player ever also his defense is ELITE.

[Hamtaro CP3KDKG]

Missing Klay Thompson is no joke. With him they have 3 allstars. Guaranteed to be right there in the mix. Klay is the moster under appreciated player ever also his defense is ELITE.

they have 3 allstars right now babyboi (Steph, Draymond, DLo)

with Klay theyd have 4

[Doranku]

These guys are all playing ~20+ minutes for the Warriors right now:

Omari Spellman
Marquese Chriss
Jacob Evans
Jordan Poole
Glenn Robinson
Eric Paschall

This isn't just "the Warriors without KD". This team is Steph, offensively inept Draymond, DLo, and a bunch of literal garbage. :lol

[Manny98]

These guys are all playing ~20+ minutes for the Warriors right now:

Omari Spellman
Marquese Chriss
Jacob Evans
Jordan Poole
Glenn Robinson
Eric Paschall

This isn't just "the Warriors without KD". This team is Steph, offensively inept Draymond, DLo, and a bunch of literal garbage. :lol
3 all stars

No excuses

[L8krH8tr]

3 all stars

No excuses
Stfu you dumb Mexican Faker faag

[Manny98]

Stfu you dumb Mexican Faker faag
Triggered :oldlol:

[warriorfan]

These guys are all playing ~20+ minutes for the Warriors right now:

Omari Spellman
Marquese Chriss
Jacob Evans
Jordan Poole
Glenn Robinson
Eric Paschall

This isn't just "the Warriors without KD". This team is Steph, offensively inept Draymond, DLo, and a bunch of literal garbage. :lol

:lol

These low iq KD stans are fuming :lol

[Hey Yo]

These guys are all playing ~20+ minutes for the Warriors right now:

Omari Spellman
Marquese Chriss
Jacob Evans
Jordan Poole
Glenn Robinson
Eric Paschall

This isn't just "the Warriors without KD". This team is Steph, offensively inept Draymond, DLo, and a bunch of literal garbage. :lol
Well..... if they weren't getting blown the f*ck out by the end of the 3rd quarter their first 2 games, maybe some of the starters could play the 4th quarter. Plus add Russell getting tossed yesterday. That's why some of those guys are avg. 20+ minutes.

Steph's sat the entire 4th quarter of both games so far.

[Bronbron23]

:lol

These low iq KD stans are fuming :lol
Coming from the idiot who thought curry was a goat impact player and who thought because of that the warriors would make the playoffs this year. Your dumbass probably still believes this. Mj took crap teams to to playoffs and actually won a a couple series. LeBron took crap teams to the playoffs and did the same. Curry can't. He was never who you thought he was.