“Wow”
With that simple tweet, Kevin Durant told us everything we needed to know about the trade that shocked the basketball landscape last night.
Things will be much different now in Oklahoma City, where the “three best (basketball) friends that anyone could ever have” are no longer together.
The trade between the Thunder and Rockets is this, via ESPN.com:
The Thunder acquired guards Kevin Martin and Jeremy Lamb, two first-round picks and a second-round pick in the surprising deal that was completed Saturday night. Oklahoma City also sent center Cole Aldrich and forwards Daequan Cook and Lazar Hayward to Houston.
Reactions came quickly and were all over the map.
Israel Gutierrez mused that because of Martin’s scoring and Lamb’s potential, the move wouldn’t hurt OKC’s title chances this year at all – AND that they got better for the future.
Marc Stein saw things differently. “The Thunder broke up a trio of All-Star-caliber kiddies that truly loved playing together.”
Maybe Tom Haberstroh offered the most rational assessment of all:
Definitely a bad move for the short term, and potentially a good move for the long term. There’s just no two ways about it: The Thunder just lost an Olympian and got very little in return for this season. Kevin Martin is a brittle, one-dimensional player who might be the worst defender at his position. This is about a small-market team seeking future flexibility.
As soon as the shock has worn down, NBA pundits will get out their laptops and try to analyze this thing from a numbers standpoint.
What they will find is that OKC is getting a fantastic scorer in Martin – a guy who has averaged 18 points a game for his career. He’s also been one of the league’s premier three-point shooters over that time as well – hitting 38% of his shots from long distance.
No, he can’t guard anyone, but that will be okay. OKC will play him in the scoring role off the bench, and they still have Thabo Sefolosha and even the young Jeremy Lamb to guard perimeter players.
OKC is also getting several draft picks, which will help them stock their roster rather cheaply in the coming years.
The core of the team is still VERY young – with Ibaka, Westbrook, and Durant all less than 24 years old. The addition of Jeremy Lamb to a team that already included Perry Jones, Eric Maynor, and Hasheem Thabeet (just kidding about the last guy) could give them an incredibly young AND talented six-man core. No other team in the league can boast that.
On paper, this team looks frightening for the foreseeable future.
Yet, basketball isn’t played on paper.
And the guys that know this – the guys that have to battle OKC every night – the guys that would theoretically know whether or not this was a good trade…their responses were clear.
As I was scrolling down the list of NBA tweets, two things jumped out at me: 1) Who on earth is Malik Allen? 2) Wow…everybody hates this trade for Oklahoma City.
You see, in our world of fantasy sports and video games, we as fans tend to view things far too black and white. Hardcore basketball fans have, for years, taken control of their favorite team while playing NBA Live and piled up assets like Daryl Morey.
Pacers fans have traded away Danny Granger for a young power forward for the last three seasons, just so they could get the exciting young Paul George more run at his natural position.
Lakers fans have been trading for Steve Nash since the beginning of time.
And somewhere, an Oklahoma City fan has probably tinkered with his roster – surrounding Durant with pure shooters or big men by trading away Westbrook, Harden, or both.
It works. On paper. But the players know better – in real life, basketball isn’t played on paper.
Chemistry matters. And it’s this very thing that makes basketball so great.
Hoosiers can happen in this sport. And it does – repeatedly.
When a team really likes each other, and enjoys playing with and for each other, the team can accomplish great things. On the flip side, we can point to team after team that choked and lost to a weaker opponent – all because of a lack of chemistry.
We could look at the oft-maligned 2004 USA basketball team. While many of America’s best chose to sit the Olympics out, that team still had Tim Duncan and Allen Iverson at their absolute peaks. Have you ever looked at the teams they lost to? Puerto Rico – boasting Carlos Arroyo as its best player – beat that team handily.
Chemistry issues made the 2011 Miami Heat fall apart to a team that it was far superior to physically. The 2011 Mavericks loved each other, and you could tell. From Dirk’s fadeaway to Jason Terry’s fearlessness, from Tyson Chandler’s toughness to Deshaun Stevenson’s lunacy – that team just worked.
For several seasons now, basketball “experts” (including myself) have wanted to break the Thunder up. It doesn’t make any logical sense to keep Westbrook and Durant on the same team.
Why would you ever surround the greatest scorer, possibly of all time when it’s all said and done, with a shoot-first point guard that has a below average jump shot?
Why didn’t the Thunder draft Ricky Rubio, a guy that would have made it his nightly goal to get Durant and Westbrook 30 ppg, instead of James Harden?
Our love of Durant’s personality and Westbrook’s incredible athleticism actually skewed our perception of the Thunder as a whole – and most of us came to a conclusion that was simply not true: The Thunder were great because of their incredible talent.
Because their best players were all so young, we ignored the idea that chemistry could have had anything to do with their success.
But by all accounts, Durant, Harden, and Westbrook loved each other. They loved to just play the game. When Harden made Team USA this summer over some other guys that probably fit a little better, nobody was surprised. Why? Because the other guys just got him.
No matter how much writers like me tried to insert drama into their situation, the young Thunder trio wouldn’t have any part of it.
Every time Westbrook took atrocious shots at the end of a game, Durant had his back. When Harden played the worst five games of his life last year in the NBA Finals, his friends had his back. When Durant lit up the Olympics with his scoring this summer, Westbrook and Harden were the loudest cheers on the bench.
Sometimes in sports, you are privileged enough to play on a team that really does care about more than winning. The Thunder had that going for them. And now they don’t.
As I was watching Notre Dame put the finishing touches on their victory last night, I waited patiently for my friend Ben – the biggest OKC fan I know – to contact me in some way. Would it be a long, ranting email? Maybe instead, a short, somber text message? I waited and waited, but nothing ever came to me until this morning – a simple “sad face” on my facebook wall.
That’s what Kevin Durant was really saying to us on twitter last night – “Our team was about more than just winning. Now it won’t be.”
The reality is this: Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and the Oklahoma City Thunder are still going to be great. They have too much talent and too much drive to just “bow out” to the Lakers, Spurs, and Heat. They will be a playoff team, and might be able to ride a hot hand to the conference finals or further.
But they will most definitely be different this year.
That spark will be a little dimmer. That crowd will be a little quieter. Their joy will be a little less infectious.
Rip up that paper…these Thunder will never be the same.
About Jon Washburn
Bad deal Thunder!
Hmm it seems like your blog ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I
guess I’ll just sum it up what I had written and
say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I too am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still
new to everything. Do you have any tips for newbie blog
writers? I’d certainly appreciate it.
Hi there, just wanted to mention, I enjoyed this post.
It was inspiring. Keep on posting!
Nice answers in return of this question with solid arguments
and explaining the whole thing on the topic of that.
Hey I am so thrilled I found your website, I really found
you by error, while I was searching on Digg for something else, Regardless I am here now and would just
like to say thank you for a tremendous post and a all round interesting blog (I also love the theme/design),
I don’t have time to read it all at the minute but I have book-marked it
and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read more,
Please do keep up the great work.
Hi there, all is going well here and ofcourse every one is sharing facts, that’s
truly fine, keep up writing.
I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of
your website. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much
more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often.
Did you hire out a developer to create your theme?
Great work!
Hi there just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you
know a few of the pictures aren’t loading correctly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue.
I’ve tried it in two different web browsers and both show the same results.
I got this web site from my friend who told me regarding this web page and at the
moment this time I am browsing this web site and reading
very informative articles at this place.
Sweet blog! I found it while surfing around
on Yahoo News. Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News?
I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there!
Thank you
hey there and thank you for your information – I have definitely picked up something new from right here.
I did however expertise several technical issues
using this web site, since I experienced to reload the site
many times previous to I could get it to load correctly.
I had been wondering if your hosting is OK? Not that I’m complaining, but slow loading instances times will sometimes affect your placement
in google and could damage your high-quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords.
Anyway I’m adding this RSS to my email and could
look out for a lot more of your respective intriguing content.
Make sure you update this again very soon.
The other day, while I was at work, my sister stole my apple ipad and
tested to see if it can survive a 30 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is
now destroyed and she has 83 views. I know this is completely
off topic but I had to share it with someone!
Excellent blog here! Also your site loads up very fast! What host are you using?
Can I get your affiliate link to your host?
I wish my web site loaded up as fast as yours
lol
My developer is trying to convince me to move to
.net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses.
But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using
Movable-type on several websites for about a year and am worried about switching to another platform.
I have heard fantastic things about blogengine.net. Is
there a way I can transfer all my wordpress content into it?
Any kind of help would be greatly appreciated!
Amazing! Its truly amazing paragraph, I have got much clear idea
on the topic of from this paragraph.
Everything said made a great deal of sense.
However, what about this? suppose you wrote a catchier title?
I am not suggesting your content isn’t solid., but suppose
you added a headline that makes people desire more? I
mean James Harden Trade Puts Chemistry Ultimate Test is kinda boring.
You could peek at Yahoo’s front page and see how they create
article headlines to grab viewers to click.
You might add a video or a related picture or two to grab people
excited about everything’ve got to say. Just my opinion, it might bring your posts a little livelier.
I blog frequently and I truly appreciate your information. Your article has really peaked my interest.
I’m going to book mark your website and keep checking for
new information about once a week. I opted
in for your Feed too.
I have been surfing online more than 4 hours today,
yet I never found any interesting article like yours.
It is pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you
did, the web will be much more useful than ever before.
Do you have a spam issue on this website; I also am a blogger, and I was wanting to know
your situation; many of us have developed some nice practices
and we are looking to trade solutions with others, why not
shoot me an email if interested.
It is really a great and useful piece of information. I
am glad that you simply shared this helpful info with us.
Please stay us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
I used to be suggested this blog by my cousin. I’m now not
positive whether this publish is written by him
as nobody else realize such specific approximately my problem.
You’re wonderful! Thank you!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on personal motivation. Regards
I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting
my own weblog and was wondering what all is needed to get set
up? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny?
I’m not very internet savvy so I’m not 100% positive.
Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks
May I simply say what a relief to discover an individual who actually
understands what they are talking about on the net. You certainly know how to bring an issue to light and make it
important. More and more people ought to check this out and understand this side of your story.
I was surprised you’re not more popular because you definitely possess the gift.
I’ve been browsing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours.
It’s pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet
will be much more useful than ever before.
I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your
sites really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your site
to come back later. All the best
Excellent post. I used to be checking constantly this
blog and I’m inspired! Very useful info specifically
the remaining part :) I deal with such information a
lot. I was seeking this certain information for a long time.
Thanks and good luck.
Hello there! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be ok.
I’m definitely enjoying your blog and look forward to new updates.
Hi! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone!
Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward
to all your posts! Carry on the excellent work!
Wonderful beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your web site,
how can i subscribe for a blog site? The account helped me a acceptable deal.
I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear concept
hey there and thank you for your info – I’ve definitely picked up anything new from right here.
I did however expertise a few technical issues using this site, since
I experienced to reload the web site lots of times previous to I could get it to load correctly.
I had been wondering if your web host is OK? Not that I’m complaining,
but slow loading instances times will sometimes affect your placement in google and can damage your high-quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords.
Well I’m adding this RSS to my email and could look out for much more of your respective exciting content.
Make sure you update this again very soon.
I was more than happy to discover this site.
I want to to thank you for ones time for this particularly fantastic read!!
I definitely enjoyed every bit of it and I have you bookmarked to look at new things in your
site.
Hello There. I discovered your blog using msn.
This is a very neatly written article. I will make sure to bookmark it
and return to read more of your useful information. Thanks
for the post. I’ll definitely return.
Great blog here! Also your site loads up very fast! What host
are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host?
I wish my site loaded up as fast as yours lol
Excellent way of telling, and fastidious piece of writing to get data concerning my presentation topic, which
i am going to deliver in academy.
First of all I want to say fantastic blog! I had a quick
question that I’d like to ask if you do not mind.
I was curious to know how you center yourself and clear your head before writing.
I have had a hard time clearing my thoughts
in getting my thoughts out there. I do take pleasure in writing however it just seems like the
first 10 to 15 minutes tend to be lost simply just trying to
figure out how to begin. Any recommendations or tips?
Thanks!
Fabulous, what a webpage it is! This website provides helpful
information to us, keep it up.
Wow that was strange. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up.
Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyways,
just wanted to say wonderful blog!
Hello, Neat post. There’s an issue along with your site in web explorer,
would check this? IE still is the marketplace
leader and a huge element of other folks will leave out your great writing
due to this problem.
Wow that was odd. I just wrote an very long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear.
Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Regardless, just wanted to say great blog!
Howdy! I just want to offer you a big thumbs up for your great information you have got right here on this post.
I am coming back to your website for more soon.
Admiring the commitment you put into your blog and in depth information you
offer. It’s great to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same unwanted rehashed material.
Fantastic read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to
my Google account.
Quality articles is the main to invite the people to pay a visit the
web page, that’s what this web page is providing.
Hi, every time i used to check webpage posts here
early in the dawn, because i love to find out
more and more.
Hmm is anyone else having problems with the pictures
on this blog loading? I’m trying to find out if its a problem
on my end or if it’s the blog. Any feedback would be greatly
appreciated.
Spot on with this write-up, I honestly believe this
web site needs a great deal more attention. I’ll
probably be back again to read through more,
thanks for the info!
Link exchange is nothing else except it is simply placing the other person’s weblog
link on your page at suitable place and other person will also do similar in support of you.
Great article, exactly what I needed.
Today, I went to the beach front with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave
it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to
her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and
it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is
totally off topic but I had to tell someone!
fantastic points altogether, you simply won a logo new reader.
What may you recommend in regards to your publish that you just made a
few days ago? Any sure?
It’s amazing for me to have a web site, which
is good designed for my know-how. thanks admin
Good post. I learn something new and challenging
on blogs I stumbleupon on a daily basis. It’s always
helpful to read through content from other authors and practice a little something from other sites.
hello!,I like your writing so much! percentage we communicate
more approximately your article on AOL? I require an expert on this space to
resolve my problem. Maybe that’s you! Having a look
ahead to look you.
Hey there! This post could not be written any better!
Reading this post reminds me of my old room mate!
He always kept talking about this. I will forward this write-up to
him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!
Hello, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i
was just wondering if you get a lot of spam feedback? If so how
do you prevent it, any plugin or anything you can suggest?
I get so much lately it’s driving me insane so any assistance is very much appreciated.
Hello just wanted to give you a quick heads
up. The words in your article seem to be running off the screen in Opera.
I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with internet browser compatibility
but I thought I’d post to let you know. The layout look great though!
Hope you get the problem solved soon. Kudos
Greetings, I believe your web site may be having browser compatibility issues.
Whenever I take a look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine
but when opening in Internet Explorer, it’s got some overlapping
issues. I merely wanted to give you a quick heads up!
Apart from that, fantastic website!
I’m gone to convey my little brother, that he should also pay a quick visit this
website on regular basis to take updated from newest news.
My family every time say that I am killing my time here at net, except I
know I am getting know-how daily by reading such pleasant
posts.
First of all I want to say wonderful blog! I had a quick question that I’d like to ask if you don’t mind.
I was interested to know how you center yourself and clear your head
before writing. I’ve had a tough time clearing my thoughts in getting my thoughts out there.
I truly do take pleasure in writing but it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are usually
lost simply just trying to figure out how to begin. Any
recommendations or hints? Appreciate it!
Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog
posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your
feeds and even I achievement you access consistently rapidly.
It’s very simple to find out any matter on net as compared to
books, as I found this paragraph at this web page.
Pretty component of content. I simply stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to claim
that I acquire actually loved account your blog posts. Any way I’ll
be subscribing for your augment or even I fulfillment
you get entry to persistently fast.
I think the admin of this web site is actually working hard
for his web site, for the reason that here every material is quality based information.
What’s up, its good post regarding media print, we all
know media is a enormous source of data.
all the time i used to read smaller articles that as well
clear their motive, and that is also happening with this post which I am reading at
this time.
I really like what you guys are usually up too. This kind
of clever work and reporting! Keep up the terrific works
guys I’ve included you guys to our blogroll.
Magnificent beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your web site, how could i subscribe for a weblog site?
The account aided me a applicable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided brilliant clear idea
It’s the best time to make some plans for the future and it’s
time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I desire to suggest you few interesting things or advice.
Maybe you could write next articles referring to
this article. I want to read more things about it!
It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d definitely donate to this outstanding blog!
I guess for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS
feed to my Google account. I look forward to brand
new updates and will talk about this website with my Facebook group.
Talk soon!
Yes! Finally something about financial advisor.
Heya! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any trouble with hackers?
My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing
months of hard work due to no data backup. Do you have
any solutions to protect against hackers?