SU has had a day to reflect on Kevin Durant’s decision to go to Golden State with a 2-year deal for a lot less money than he would have received by staying at OKC. My thoughts:
- Everyone is anointing Golden State to be the NBA champions for the next several years. SU says not so fast. I don’t think there are enough basketballs to go around for this talented group. OK, there will be a “transition” period – that is the consensus opinion. You see this sometimes in the Olympics with the “Dream Teams” as they pass up open shots in order to defer to their other talented teammates. No doubt, there will be a lot of that on Golden State in the beginning.
- The Warriors have had to decimate their roster and they will not be nearly as talented on the bench. What does that mean? In the perfect world, you wouldn’t start either Klay Thompson or Durant, and have one of them play significant minutes with the 2nd unit. Is there a chance in hell that happens? Nope.
- Durant had his reasons for leaving and who knows if he was fed up playing with Russell Westbrook in OKC. If he was, that’s fair. The guy is super talented but is a ball controller who loses his mind on occasion.
- Durant took less money. Sure, he will likely get paid in the long run but he is taking a gamble with a 2-year deal to win a championship. Not everyone does that in free agency (see Carmelo Anthony who took the money over a chance to win now. Nothing wrong with that – it’s a personal preference).
Bottom line: SU is fine with the decision but feels it’s premature to say the Warriors are a lock to win the championship next season. Team chemistry is a tricky thing and in the end, injuries often come into play. SU predicts some other team is going to emerge that will surprise – maybe the Boston Celtics. Coaching matters at some point and they have one of the best.
Meanwhile, should the Cavs now look to move Kevin Love to become more offensive? You know Carmelo would fill that void nicely in the event they meet Golden State in next year’s finals. Love is a poor fit with the Knicks but maybe there is a 3-team deal somewhere that would make sense.
Brandon Jennings has now signed with the Knicks to be a back-up point guard. Positives: he is someone that has always wanted to play in NY. Negatives: another high volume shooter for his position. Probably past his prime. Phil Jackson has assembled a roster that likely make the playoffs this year. Certainly not much youth here and a lot will depend on team health.
Former Michigan player of the year Trey Burke has been traded to the Washington Wizards. Another team for SU to watch. Now OKC needs to move Mitch McGary to the Knicks or the Nets.
So, Met fans, who knew that signing Jose Reyes would have such an impact on the team’s offense? He has inspired the entire team by just playing in the minor leagues. How crazy is baseball?
Over in the Bronx, it’s time to put A-Rod in the line-up every day. Enough with nursing Beltran’s hamstring and waiting to see if Aaron Hicks can hit as high as .220. July will be a really interesting month for Cashman and the Yankees. SU says do the right thing and trade Beltran now before he totally blows out the hamstring and has no trade value.
Sports Update Intergalactic 
I agree it’s premature to hand GS the trophy. When the big 3 went to Miami they didn’t win the first year and when the big 3 assembled in Cleveland they didn’t win the first year either. Having said that, it will be a big surprise if they don’t win at least one title in the next few seasons.
They are now very small. Who is their center, Varejao? backup center? Although they are known for their small (death) lineup, they play it a minority of the time.
Meanwhile, please stop sending Melo to Cleveland. We don’t want him! First it was Kyrie, now it’s KLove. Nope, not gonna happen. I think KLove, will finally fit in next year and the Cavs will be better for it. Losing Delledova hurts but there are rumors we are pursuing David West which would be a good addition. He would be an inexpensive veteran role player, similar to RJ, that would be valuable in the playoffs.
Face the truth: LeBron is your de facto GM and we all know he wants to play with his buddies. I don’t think LeBron will ever be sold on Love and the Cavs need an upgrade on offense. David West is a good, solid veteran addition no doubt and he will go wherever he can win a championship at this point. I don’t blame you for not wanting Melo but with Wade re-signing with the Heat for 2 years, and Chris Paul not really feasible with Kyrie Irving in place, that leaves Melo. Plus as an occasional Knick fan, there really is no other possible landing spot for Carmelo than Cleveland until his contract is up. Cleveland will always have the advantage now as a destination for good veteran players without a ring. That certainly helps in rounding out the roster.
If LeBron is the GM, he’s doing a good job of it. if LeBron is the GM, he is the one that brought Love to Cleveland. I would not be surprised at all if Love is traded, but it won’t be for Melo.
I didn’t hear Melo as one of the names with Lebron and CP3 on the yacht off Spain.
LeBron is going to want to make that up to Melo along with not being on the US Olympic team in Rio this year. Just remember if Love is traded, the salaries have to equalize and there are only so many max contract guys out there.
SU: Get on the Mondaugas Kuzminskas story! What do SU’s Lithuanian sources say about him?
Here is what we know: “The New York Knicks have reached an agreement Tuesday with 26-year-old Lithuanian forward Mindaugas Kuzminskas for a two-year deal, Sportando reported.
ESPN New York’s Ian Begley confirmed the report.
Kuzminskas played with Spain’s Unicaja since 2013 before “recently” signing a multiyear deal with Turkish team Darussafaka Dogus, per Sportando.
He showed last season with Unicaja that he is a small forward capable of exhibiting a solid all-around game in the NBA. n Euroleague action, Kuzminskas averaged 12 points per game while shooting 54.9 percent from the field and 37.7 percent from three-point range. Despite his 6’9″ frame, he’s a slender player (216 lbs) who uses his speed to his advantage. While he isn’t going to overpower players near the basket on the offensive end, he can outwork them, which will make him a nuisance to the opposition.
He proved his ability to collect second chances by finishing the 2015-16 regular season tied for 19th among all players with 1.8 offensive rebounds per game.
Joining a Knicks team whose face of the franchise, Carmelo Anthony, is the starting 3, expect Kuzminskas to come off of the bench to provide a different style of play than the pure-scoring Anthony.
Given Kuzminskas’ index rating of 142, which was 22nd last season, Knicks fans could also expect him to provide some defensive versatility away from the basket. New York could utilize his athleticism to defend the oppositions’ wing players, but Kuzminskas’ build could work against him on the defensive glass.
But don’t expect another Porzingis to enter Madison Square Garden from Europe and immediately become a sensation. Kuzminskas looks like he’ll be the type of player who can provide valuable minutes off of the bench to give Anthony a rest while providing a high-intensity style of play.”
Foreign player, small forward, looks like he can shoot. Someone different. I LIKE IT!