5 replies to this topic

[Red94]

New post: On the Kevin Durant scenario
By: Rahat Huq

I've heard one of my favorite local radio hosts state several times in some form or another, over the past few weeks during my evening drives home, that the Houston Rockets' pursuit of Kevin Durant this summer is but a pipe dream.  The latest declaration, made on Friday, an insinuation that Durant wouldn't even consider Houston, much less sign here, is what has prompted me to take to the keyboard.

 

I'm not sure I follow the sentiment.  Is Houston the front-runner?  Of course not.  Do they hold even decent odds to pull it off?  Of course not.  But there's at least a slight chance of it happening, just like there always was of Dwight Howard leaving the Lakers for the Bayou City.  And the same people who are counting Houston out now were probably counting them out then.  And the same circumstances are at play: the Rockets again will be coming off a season where they will be a bottom seed, except this time, instead of featuring the promise of James Harden as a flourishing star, he's a legitimate MVP caliber superstar, not to mention a close friend of the intended target.

 

I last wrote on this topic on February 6, and my stance hasn't changed.  The advantage Houston has, aside from the friendship with Harden, is that they can present the team as a tabula rasa.  Durant can ultimately pick his own coach, a decision which would hold direct influence over the future style and scheme in which he would play.

 

Is the Houston situation ideal?  Of course not.  Ideal would be eliminating the uncertainty in Russell Westbrook's future and Serge Ibaka not having regressed, and just sticking long term with the Thunder; ideal would be the hometown Wizards actually having taken the leap to respectability to serve as an obvious destination.  Does Durant care how history would remember him if he simply hopped onto maybe the greatest team in NBA history in the Warriors?

 

The safest bet is that Durant will stay on with the Thunder for one more year.  Another safer bet is the Warriors.  But to say the Rockets don't even have a chance is an inaccurate appraisal of the field.  It may be a very slim chance, but they have a chance.

[Jatman20]

I have written as well about such a union in Houston.

After I wrote how Houston should hire Scott Brooks, Frank Isola wrote a week or two later that unnamed sources claimed that the Knicks chances to get Durant would improve with the hiring of Brooks. Fisher was let go at the time. Brooks and teams remain in a "holding pattern" until Durant speaks up and gives his blessings on a Brooks hire.

After I wrote about LeBron and Durant joining up in Houston with the second option being Durant with Horford. A story came to my attention of how Durant mentioned to individuals about a desire to play on the same team as Horford. I will post it for everyone's interpretation. Fact is just Harden and Beasley friendships may not be enough. A star player needs to join him. Horford makes $12 million this year I believe. I feel the Rockets could sign him from $18 mil to $24 mil the first year of a four year deal.

Back to the friendships. I felt the Lawson experiment doomed the chances of Durant going to Houston. Then along comes Beasley to counter stories that may have been told to Durant by Lawson. Anyone can google: Durant and Beasley friendship. You will be directed to some you tube videos of them together. One has Durant hugging Beasley around the neck...face to face....like blood brothers. This is the thing that gives Houston an edge over the Warriors or Spurs obtaining Durant. IMHO.

Edited by Jatman20, 26 March 2016 - 10:49 PM.

[Jatman20]

Durant playing with Horford per Zach Lowe

https://boxden.com/s...d.php?t=2324701

[majik19]

Think I disagree here. It's one thing if the team seemed to be missing something, or just wasn't plain good enough, and that's why we were a lower seed. It's entirely another to be completely dysfunctional and clueluess. Yes, some of that can be attributed to coaching, but still, why would any player want to come here? 

 

While obviously you sign Kevin Durant no matter what if he wants to play here, I do wonder about fit. He's not exactly known for his defense, though he does have the long arms that go forever and he does try on that end. Can Harden and Durant coexist? Or would it be like OKC's "my turn, your turn" approach to offense? In that case, it seems our ceiling would be the current OKC team. 

 

However, Rahat did make a very good point about how it seems Harden will defer to frontcourt players, and not backcourt players. His reference points were Josh Smith last year and Michael Beasley this year. If that is truly the case, is there a better fit than Durant? And if you played Motiejunas next to Durant, that means you have legitimate shooting at all 5 positions - just like the Warriors (when Bogut sits). That's a potentially scary lineup. 

[thejohnnygold]

Think I disagree here. It's one thing if the team seemed to be missing something, or just wasn't plain good enough, and that's why we were a lower seed. It's entirely another to be completely dysfunctional and clueluess. Yes, some of that can be attributed to coaching, but still, why would any player want to come here? 

 

While obviously you sign Kevin Durant no matter what if he wants to play here, I do wonder about fit. He's not exactly known for his defense, though he does have the long arms that go forever and he does try on that end. Can Harden and Durant coexist? Or would it be like OKC's "my turn, your turn" approach to offense? In that case, it seems our ceiling would be the current OKC team. 

 

However, Rahat did make a very good point about how it seems Harden will defer to frontcourt players, and not backcourt players. His reference points were Josh Smith last year and Michael Beasley this year. If that is truly the case, is there a better fit than Durant? And if you played Motiejunas next to Durant, that means you have legitimate shooting at all 5 positions - just like the Warriors (when Bogut sits). That's a potentially scary lineup. 

 

I agree with a lot of what you're saying.

 

First, Rahat's point that Houston has a chance--even "very slim"--doesn't elucidate much.  Orlando shares a similar chance as does Utah, Milwaukee (I would love that!  Imagine Durant and Antetokounmpo together.  So much skilled, skinny length!), New Orleans, and every other team with $30M to dole out.

 

I'm more inclined to agree with you, majik.  Maybe Houston gets a coach in here that can immediately create a culture/paradigm shift that changes our odds.  Maybe Morey magically trades away role players and a couple picks for Blake Griffin while still retaining the requisite space to squeeze in Durant.

 

Assuming Durant (who is squarely in his prime and should be aware of not squandering that) does go elsewhere, I think there are some good moves to be made.

 

Danilo Gallinari is heading into the final year of his contract ($12M).  Denver should not feel confident about retaining him and may be willing to deal.  I think Gallo would be an amazing 4 next to D-Mo at the 5.  Defensively, we would be fundamentally sound, but not very athletic.  But on offense that duo would shred opposing defenses while leaving no one in the middle to defend Harden's drives.

 

Speaking of, that still leaves room to add Harrison Barnes who could step into a clear #2 role.  Beverley, Harden, Barnes, Gallinari, and Motiejunas.  That's enough offense that you don't need to worry about the (lack of) defense.  It is also 4 players who can create their own shots...well, 4 and 1/2 since Bev can sort of do it.  Add Beasley as 6th man and Houston will almost definitely lead the league in points scored (and points allowed)...as long as it is a net+ who cares, right?

 

Sorry, just fantasizing a bit.  I don't mean to hijack the Durant Dream.  I'm just not interested in watching this year's free agent crop get swept up by teams wise enough to not be a doormat for NBA player egos.  If you want to come here then sign; otherwise, take your ego-mania elsewhere.

 

I think Milwaukee makes a big run at Barnes.  He and Middleton at the 2/3 along with Giannis, Parker, and Greg Monroe is very intriguing.  I think I am going to start a free agent musing thread in the NBA section since I can't control myself.

[Cooper]

If Durant leaves okc this summer we don't have a real chance, too much of a mess. If he signs another year in okc so we can sort out the roster and find a proper coach and be back near the top of the West while okc peaks at the conference finals or worse we are at least back in the conversation.

 

Really like the idea of Gallo.