Kevin Durant‘s return to Golden State was much friendlier than anyone could have imagined when he left the team two years ago, writes Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic. Although there were no fans Saturday to welcome him back because of COVID-19 restrictions, the organization played a tribute video, followed by a standing ovation from members of the front office. After the Nets posted a lopsided victory, Durant greeted everyone on the Warriors‘ bench.
“Kevin came here and gave us three years of just incredible basketball,” Golden State coach Steve Kerr said. “The least we could do is welcome him back with open arms. I think everybody was genuinely happy to see him, obviously, healthy and playing at such a high level again. That’s the main thing. The guy gave everything to us for three years and then left with a devastating injury. So there should be a lot of love for him. He did so much for us.”
There’s more from Brooklyn:
- A month into their partnership in the Nets’ backcourt, Kyrie Irving and James Harden have worked out a new arrangement, according to Brian Lewis of The New York Post. Irving decided this week that Harden should take over the point guard role, and the former MVP responded with 16 assists Saturday night. “(The talk) went quick, it went professionally and we looked at each other in agreement and James was like, ‘OK, I’m the point guard and you’re the shooting guard,’” Irving said. “It’s easy to play off somebody that’s willing to complement your game and ready to sacrifice and it’s easy to do. I’ve been waiting for this opportunity.”
- Spencer Dinwiddie offered an update on his rehab from a partially torn ACL in an Instagram post Saturday, relays Kristian Winfield of The New York Daily News. The Nets received a Disabled Player Exception for Dinwiddie’s injury, but he says he’s far ahead of schedule and hasn’t given up hope of playing again this season. “I share his sense of optimism for him being back playing, being as good as he ever was. But I certainly don’t want to put any undue pressure, unrealistic expectations on him returning this season,” coach Steve Nash said. “My No. 1 concern with Spencer is long-term health and ability to play and finish his career at a really high level. That to me is way more important than trying to rush him back for our own self-interest here.”
- A NetsDaily story examines whether Brooklyn would still be interested in Hawks forward John Collins after being involved in trade talks for him last season.
Doesn’t seem like the Nets would have a good enough offer to get Collins.
Without Allen, I can’t see it either
They also don’t have picks until 3021, seems like they could be outbid rather easily
The league should be intergalactic by that point.
Veteran team can’t afford to pay luxury tax for Collins next season
Harden is the clear choice at point. Irving has flourished before with James in a co-ball handler role & mostly playing shooting guard. Why shouldn’t it work with Harden & he? Was there another option really? Seriously…
Seems like common sense. It wasn’t going to be Joe Harris!
Crystal ball sez: KD will opt out at the end of next season and rejoin the Splash Bros, who will trade Draymond to wherever Lebron is, and then they will have gotten Kawhi, who will leave LAC at the end of his deal. Then they will do another 5 year Finals run with the “Ageless” Curry dominating the game even more with every passing year, flying in the face of what pundits/haters keep saying about him.
I think you should return your crystal balls.
Do you have better ones? How can you see into the future “better” than anyone else?
I think your crystal is foggy lol. Marty chill man. Your Warriors aren’t done. Klay injury messed things up this yr. But now you have two great drafts going into next yr. With Wiseman one yr better.
Maybe in your 2k game, but not in real life.
Where’s your delorean, Marty McFly? Explain how its impossible. It isn’t. Kawhi and KD’s deals end both at the end of this season and next.
You realize the Warriors already have one of the worst cap situations in the league, yes? Now you have them adding like $90 million more in salary for just two players.
Curry, Klay, Wiggins, and Dray all have massive contracts, plus add in Wiseman’s $9 million. You’re saying that the Warriors will add Durant and Kawhi, likely for $40+ million a season each.
I know you don’t think Lacob cares about the luxury tax, but it’s a progressive tax and you have them **soaring** past the threshold. Their luxury tax estimate next year is already over $100 million, and that’s without KD and Kawhi. Absolute insanity.
link to spotrac.com
Nooo, what’s “absolute insanity” is you thinking good players don’t deserve big money, or a billionaire cant cover $100M with ease.
I dont care at all what tax situation is, I care about winning basketball, very strange how its a big thing for you, but not for me. Lacob has stated repeatedly he will pay anything for a ring, no matter what 100% arbitrary goals YOU have for the Warriors salary situation, they are not based in reality at all, you do is pull out your own boundaries out of thin air, because you are so terrified of my post becoming true.
Rent free forever, baby…
Marty seems to need Steph Curry to be belittled to assist in his fantasy by making it also a revenge fantasy. Problem is, Curry is widely liked, and prefers balance himself.
Interesting note made during a telecast, that his father Dell reworked 16-yo Steph’s shot around a method he called the catapult, using his whole body to power the ball rather than rely on the wrists. I guess it worked!
Lol his fantasy also relies on the warriors acquiring every known superstar available in order to win because he knows curry has no chance of doing it alone or even with a healthy clay
I love being in Lil D’s head, rent free forever baby boi! Soft as butter…I made this comment knowing he’d show up to further make himself look corny by slandering the Curry GOAT – lol
I always slather my curry goat with corny butter lol yummy! Being a top 3 commenter make me hungry!
Top 3 troll and top 3 corniest commenter, no argument here.
Keep posting in all GSW threads even though you openly despise them, instead of embracing #joyinbuckets like you should. I bet you don’t even watch any games, lol
Color me shocked that this prediction of yours has the Warriors massively improving by adding not one, but two of the best players in the league.
The team that is most interested in Collins is Celtics
Trade idea
Hawks get Grant and Celtics future First
Pistons get Smart, Grant Williams, 2021 Celtics First
Celtics get Collins and Snell
no way sillyman, you know Danny boy in Boston doesn’t trade 1st rounders.
“You pass the ball now that you’re here in Brooklyn, and I’m too selfish to do anything but shoot or turn the ball over.”
If Dins returns sooner, then he can be traded sooner, and get more say on a new team. This thing where Irving is looking at Harden and coming to an understanding, Dins has not much affect on.
BTW Harden to be the 1 seems pretty obvious.
Brooklyn needs another C, maybe drummond, which would make them no. 1!
Moving Collins for Hawks could pay off big. Okongwu is more than capable of holding down the 4. And they can get their SG that they need. A guy like RJ at the 2 is perfect for them. Not that I give him up. But a big SG who plays D and can go for 18-20 a gm. That fits their need big time.
Barrett is still a flawed, inefficient player. Is he markedly better than what the Hawks have now? Not sure.
Everyone talks about how KD returned to the Bay Area, it’s like, cool we get it he played against his former team. Nobody, ESPN, Guys drop what your doing, forget about Klay Thompsons injury, KD is returning to GSW. (And then the whole office) no way serious, this going to be bigger than sliced bread. Like big deal ESPN, who cares about KD’s return, go worry about some other big news story.