NBA finals

[FilterFunk]

About the 2021-2022 season in general:

Kudos to the NBA for an outstanding 75th Anniversary celebration. The league did a stellar job of honoring the past while linking it to the present.

 

[Bob_Ross]

If the Brooklyn Nets had been successful with their "superteam" experiment, I think it would have been very bad for basketball.

Didn't the LA Lakers already prove that you couldn't buy a "superteam" back in 2003-2004?
That was the year Gary Payton and Karl Malone were added to the lineup that already included Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. I mean, I guess they came close; they did get to the Finals (where Detroit destroyed them) but no thanks to Payton or Malone.

One of the things I find gratifying about Golden State's potential dynasty (and San Antonio's before that) is that their success seems more predicated on cooperative altruistic teamwork rather than a litany of individual superstars. As an ensemble-oriented musician, that really appeals to me.

 

[FilterFunk]

Didn't the LA Lakers already prove that you couldn't buy a "superteam" back in 2003-2004?
That was the year Gary Payton and Karl Malone were added to the lineup that already included Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. I mean, I guess they came close; they did get to the Finals (where Detroit destroyed them) but no thanks to Payton or Malone.

One of the things I find gratifying about Golden State's potential dynasty (and San Antonio's before that) is that their success seems more predicated on cooperative altruistic teamwork rather than a litany of individual superstars. As an ensemble-oriented musician, that really appeals to me.

Good point.

They sort of tried it again recently with Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony. They virtually mortgaged their future to get Westbrook. It was one thing to add Anthony Davis, which did help them win a title in 2020 (the "bubble" season), but the Westbrook deal was very short-sighted.

 

[GregC]

Didn't the LA Lakers already prove that you couldn't buy a "superteam" back in 2003-2004?
That was the year Gary Payton and Karl Malone were added to the lineup that already included Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. I mean, I guess they came close; they did get to the Finals (where Detroit destroyed them) but no thanks to Payton or Malone.

One of the things I find gratifying about Golden State's potential dynasty (and San Antonio's before that) is that their success seems more predicated on cooperative altruistic teamwork rather than a litany of individual superstars. As an ensemble-oriented musician, that really appeals to me.

Well, the KD Warriors were a super team with several superstars.

 

[slobake]

Well, the KD Warriors were a super team with several superstars.

They were and they won two championships with that team. I was never comfortable with the KD Warriors, it didn't seem like Durant gelled well with the rest of the team and the general Golden State approach to playing. I admit I know less about the NBA than some others here on this thread and I wasn't in the Dubs locker room. Just an observation from a fan.

 

[Bob_Ross]

Well, the KD Warriors were a super team with several superstars.

But except for KD those GSW superstars were all home-grown ...they became superstars by developing together as a team.

The whole Buying A Superstar Team thing that I find anathema to good sportsmanship is this notion of importing several superstars, who each had already earned their superstar bona fides separately, individually, on other teams. E.g., the two versions of the Lakers mentioned above (Kobe/Shaq/Malone/Payton, and LBJ/AD/Carmelo/Westbrook) or the also aforementioned Brooklyn Nets (KD/Harding/Kyrie).

Bringing in just one superstar to round out an already excellent team seems a lot less mercenary/opportunistic to me. Maybe I'm deluding myself.

 

[FilterFunk]

But except for KD those GSW superstars were all home-grown ...they became superstars by developing together as a team.

The whole Buying A Superstar Team thing that I find anathema to good sportsmanship is this notion of importing several superstars, who each had already earned their superstar bona fides separately, individually, on other teams. E.g., the two versions of the Lakers mentioned above (Kobe/Shaq/Malone/Payton, and LBJ/AD/Carmelo/Westbrook) or the also aforementioned Brooklyn Nets (KD/Harding/Kyrie).

Bringing in just one superstar to round out an already excellent team seems a lot less mercenary/opportunistic to me. Maybe I'm deluding myself.

You're not deluding yourself. I agree with you. Apples and oranges...

I consider KD/Kyrie/Harden to be the most egregious example of attempting to buy a superteam, and I'm really glad it didn't work out for the Nets.

 

[51PRI]

...I consider KD/Kyrie/Harden to be the most egregious example of attempting to buy a superteam, and I'm really glad it didn't work out for the Nets.

I agree on both counts, although the Lakers getting Karl Malone and Gary Payton was pretty bad. I'm glad that both of those superstar teams flamed out.

Well, the KD Warriors were a super team with several superstars.

All the "KD Warriors" proved is that The Warriors are versatile enough to win with different other pieces. I really didn't like the KD Warriors, and that's a terrible name, too. The fact that KD couldn't win it all at OK City with Harden AND Westbrook, and got swept with Harden and Irving puts a blemish on his "legacy" in my opinion. The fact that the Warriors won it all and The KDNets got swept is just icing on the MF'ing cake.

They were and they won two championships with that team. I was never comfortable with the KD Warriors, it didn't seem like Durant gelled well with the rest of the team and the general Golden State approach to playing.....

I agree. KD being with the Warriors is like when someone outside sets in with the group. It's not like a fit.

 

[Clark Dark]

They were and they won two championships with that team. I was never comfortable with the KD Warriors, it didn't seem like Durant gelled well with the rest of the team and the general Golden State approach to playing. I admit I know less about the NBA than some others here on this thread and I wasn't in the Dubs locker room. Just an observation from a fan.

Kevin made a choice to leave thinking that Kyrie was all in which he wasn't. James Harden is nearly washed, showed up out of shape and clubbing. 6ers made a bad deal but that was Daryl Morey looking out for his buddy. The Dubs draft very well and once that core was healthy they showed they still have it and with the youngins they have on tap they will be on top for a few more years. They beat the Celts because coach Ime could only depend on 7 players having Tatum and Brown playing entire second halfs while Kerr could go 10 and 11 deep in his rotations. The Celts were gassed. Entertaining series nonetheless.