You know the NBA is lucky its not filled with too many of the Stars such as Harden, Durant, Irving who can write NBA history By taking Pro organizations, fans for granted in great game of Basketball. I like what Durant went through to earn his NBA rings. Harden may never ever GET a NBA ring & Kyrie doesn't care.

When Wade, Shaq, Duncan, Kobe (RIP) these men were aging & ready to leave NBA NONE of em would be doing crap Durant, Harden and Kyrie Irving is doing today.
They are rich successful pro hoop stars & could care less for fans and integrity of NBA now, then OR in future

As much as many Hoops fans Or some don't care for Lebron James, He has held the integrity of NBA game & TRIED TO Put TEAM Before himself as the older stars did:
B. Russell
M. Jordan
K.Jabbar
M.Johnson
K.Bryant
L.Bird
J.Irving
T.Duncan
B.Cousy
J. West
S.O'Neal
D.Wade
B.Cousy
W.Reed
G.Mikan
J. Havlichek
W.Frazier
I.Thomas
B.Cunningham
B.Walton
D.Bing
.
and so on, and so forth.

One day near future , Steph Curry . LBJ and few other active players will join Legends BY NOT SPOILING THE GAME
as James Harden (ringless NBA Title-less), Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are trying to do in Today's NBA.

Lets hope present stars as Curry, Greek-Freak, Khawhi and many other today superstars DO NOT follow the Blueprint of Durant, Irving and Harden are painting
in their lame stories today in NBA. NBA is much BIGGER than stories of rich spoiled NBA players feel everything is about their Legacy and themselves.
Versus building a Team but letting Organization run them to build towards being a Winner.

I would not want to be bothered with such players whom when Going gets rough *they bail out ! It's Not over til we say it's over.
I could care less for Brooklyn Nets but likes of Durant and Irving has "SCREWED .." the Brooklyn Nets!

Shaq? Left Orlando as a free agent for Hollywood and bigger money/stage. They loved him there, they were winning too.
Kobe? Asked to be traded twice. They told him no. He matured. His last contract and injuries made him untradable. Lets not paint Kobe a saint, his contract locked up Lakers and he took that like a man.

Jordan pushed back against BUlls and ownership plenty. He stayed with Bulls because no other team could come close to paying him what they did. Could they have run it back one more year and succeeded? Maybe.

Jabbar forced his way out of Milwaukee. Wade did not fade into Miami, he got paid in Chicago,, then came back ceremoniously.
But back in the day free agency was not a thing and the players were not always paid. Mostly their unhappiness was not addressed as they had little leverage unless the window to the ABA was open.

Kyrie won a chip with Cleveland. He admits he was immature and asking to leave was a mistake. It went wroing for him ever since.

I don’t like what Durant is doing. He ask for a lot of things that did not work out and now wants to leave the mess he created.
Lebron has not always made great decisions asking Management for things but he won chips in those cities. Harden is not nearly of that caliber of player or man.

Blame has to fall on the organization that says “yes” as well. Nets unfortunately tied their wagon to the wrong horse.

KnickDanger wrote:It appears to me KD along with Kyrie have brought pro athlete diva dickness to a new high bar, but nah, it’s nothing new. A superficial analysis posits these gifted athletes have been coddled and overpaid since forever and now the check comes. Lunatics running the asylum and all that. Boys will be boys, what would we have become if our bums were kissed nonstop while unbelievable money - and whatever other benefits- were thrown our way? But I don’t like them one bit and take pleasure in their failure. I am a petty man.

But to me the “blame” lies more with organizations who enable and pay these clowns. And what about the fans who support the “star league” NBA? They’re getting what they want. And perhaps most of all ESPN and their little brothers with their noses way way up the crevices of these big shots.

It seems there is usually an alternative to rooting for these super friend teams. Like our young hungry Knicks! And you can enjoy the next KD/Kyrie silly salvos, being grateful the Knicks “failed” to sign these huckleberries.

The welcome mat appeared to be out for them when they were able to sign here. Perhaps the fact we did not have the asset base to compliment them was fortunate for us. At the same time I Nets came close in 2021 and perhaps if Covid did not divide the Vax issues and Kyrie not intwined maybe things play out different?
Also if they were knicks? Can’t say all that is transpiring would have here can we? At the same time perhaps it would have been worse too. Their character is shines thru. Great basketball players, not enough integrity to remain in the fans favor. They are burning bridges.

DJMUSIC wrote:Let's pray Durant and Harden get back together eh? (Philly 76er's ?)

You know the NBA is lucky its not filled with too many of the Stars such as Harden, Durant, Irving who can write NBA history By taking Pro organizations, fans for granted in great game of Basketball. I like what Durant went through to earn his NBA rings. Harden may never ever GET a NBA ring & Kyrie doesn't care.

When Wade, Shaq, Duncan, Kobe (RIP) these men were aging & ready to leave NBA NONE of em would be doing crap Durant, Harden and Kyrie Irving is doing today.
They are rich successful pro hoop stars & could care less for fans and integrity of NBA now, then OR in future

As much as many Hoops fans Or some don't care for Lebron James, He has held the integrity of NBA game & TRIED TO Put TEAM Before himself as the older stars did:
B. Russell
M. Jordan
K.Jabbar
M.Johnson
K.Bryant
L.Bird
J.Irving
T.Duncan
B.Cousy
J. West
S.O'Neal
D.Wade
B.Cousy
W.Reed
G.Mikan
J. Havlichek
W.Frazier
I.Thomas
B.Cunningham
B.Walton
D.Bing
.
and so on, and so forth.

One day near future , Steph Curry . LBJ and few other active players will join Legends BY NOT SPOILING THE GAME
as James Harden (ringless NBA Title-less), Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are trying to do in Today's NBA.

Lets hope present stars as Curry, Greek-Freak, Khawhi and many other today superstars DO NOT follow the Blueprint of Durant, Irving and Harden are painting
in their lame stories today in NBA. NBA is much BIGGER than stories of rich spoiled NBA players feel everything is about their Legacy and themselves.
Versus building a Team but letting Organization run them to build towards being a Winner.

I would not want to be bothered with such players whom when Going gets rough *they bail out ! It's Not over til we say it's over.
I could care less for Brooklyn Nets but likes of Durant and Irving has "SCREWED .." the Brooklyn Nets!

Sorry, but I feel this is a load of BS. I remember years ago KD had a comment about how ridiculous it is for sports writers to decide things like All Stars and MVPs vs the guys playing the game. You could make the argument that back in the 60's writers had more opportunity to watch more games but now it's ridiculous to suggest that.

Look at DeAndre Jordan. Did that guy fail anymore than Nash has? Jordan got shipped out as soon as he couldn't contribute to winning, why don't Nash and Marks get judged on the same standard? It's tough to argue that the Nets weren't less than the sum of their parts. Plus firing a front office is way, way simpler than trading a player. Those guys should have been let go right after getting swept by Boston.

The ridiculous Sean Marks presser where he "put Kyrie in his place" should have been cause for immediate termination. All because what- Kyrie said he wanted to work with the front office to build a winner, Marks took it as encroaching on his turf, then called another presser to publicly demean Kyrie. Incidentally, it's pretty clear that the Nets could have done a lot more to support Kyrie all season, especially as the ludicrous ness of the ban got exposed during season. (ie unvaccinated fans could attend games).

Bill Russell(!) showed player-coaches are a workable concept. Not sure why KD after 10+ years in the league doesn't have the expertise to say that the head coach isn't working out.

KD. Funny, he don’t have a no trade clause in his deal. Not sure what to make of that. Nets could send him anywhere. Most likely a team that wants him given the timeline of his career and contract has to be one that thinks it contend. Not much else makes sense. PHX, go play with Grumpy CP3. Miami with grumpier Jimmy.

But the big question is how epidemic is this occurrence? I know “back in the day superstars” didn’t do this. Well, actually Wilt did it twice. Did not want to play with Warriors when they moved to San Francisco and then from 76ers to LA. Kareem as mentioned. Oscar wanted out of Cincinatti too. Pogo Joe Caldwell, Zelmo Beatty, Rick Barry all jumped to the ABA. THere were others but these were big names then. Outside of Free agents how many big names have more than a year on their contract then ask to be traded?

I think it might occur more than we know but players need not go public with it. DM seems to not refute the desire to play in NY but he is not requesting it. He has his contract and likely does not want the blowback. Actually he might be grateful for the contract and has been treated well by Utah. He has earned both.

Durant can’t sit out but he don’t have to break his ass either. Its a gray area Vince Carter taught us a long time ago. Kawhai took his time returning form injury and protected himself in SAS. Paul George did force his way from Indy but he told them he was not going to resign ahead.

Nalod wrote:My take was Harden wanted in Philly and Fertitta was not going to give Morey what he wanted. Nets also gave a good deal so all were happy. Harden perhaps thougth “lets see how it goes in Brooklyn then I have leverage with my extention. Dick move? Yes. Did it mess with Durants plan? Yes. They cool? Its business so I suppose its a thing. Did they plan for Covid and Kyries flake? Likely not. Who could? Is the NBA looking into Hardens “Oops, I missed my extension” and colluded? Yeah. Will it be a made public thing? Doubt it.

KD. Funny, he don’t have a no trade clause in his deal. Not sure what to make of that. Nets could send him anywhere. Most likely a team that wants him given the timeline of his career and contract has to be one that thinks it contend. Not much else makes sense. PHX, go play with Grumpy CP3. Miami with grumpier Jimmy.

But the big question is how epidemic is this occurrence? I know “back in the day superstars” didn’t do this. Well, actually Wilt did it twice. Did not want to play with Warriors when they moved to San Francisco and then from 76ers to LA. Kareem as mentioned. Oscar wanted out of Cincinatti too. Pogo Joe Caldwell, Zelmo Beatty, Rick Barry all jumped to the ABA. THere were others but these were big names then. Outside of Free agents how many big names have more than a year on their contract then ask to be traded?

I think it might occur more than we know but players need not go public with it. DM seems to not refute the desire to play in NY but he is not requesting it. He has his contract and likely does not want the blowback. Actually he might be grateful for the contract and has been treated well by Utah. He has earned both.

Durant can’t sit out but he don’t have to break his ass either. Its a gray area Vince Carter taught us a long time ago. Kawhai took his time returning form injury and protected himself in SAS. Paul George did force his way from Indy but he told them he was not going to resign ahead.

I don’t even like KD, but I find it daft that he gets blasted for leaving OKC and playing with Westbrook (who in turn gets ridiculed and billed as awful to play with), and signing with the warriors (for chasing a championship), then ridiculed for leaving the Warriors and walking away from more championships, then blasted for signing with the Nets, then blasted for wanting to leave the Nets.

smackeddog wrote:

Nalod wrote:My take was Harden wanted in Philly and Fertitta was not going to give Morey what he wanted. Nets also gave a good deal so all were happy. Harden perhaps thougth “lets see how it goes in Brooklyn then I have leverage with my extention. Dick move? Yes. Did it mess with Durants plan? Yes. They cool? Its business so I suppose its a thing. Did they plan for Covid and Kyries flake? Likely not. Who could? Is the NBA looking into Hardens “Oops, I missed my extension” and colluded? Yeah. Will it be a made public thing? Doubt it.

KD. Funny, he don’t have a no trade clause in his deal. Not sure what to make of that. Nets could send him anywhere. Most likely a team that wants him given the timeline of his career and contract has to be one that thinks it contend. Not much else makes sense. PHX, go play with Grumpy CP3. Miami with grumpier Jimmy.

But the big question is how epidemic is this occurrence? I know “back in the day superstars” didn’t do this. Well, actually Wilt did it twice. Did not want to play with Warriors when they moved to San Francisco and then from 76ers to LA. Kareem as mentioned. Oscar wanted out of Cincinatti too. Pogo Joe Caldwell, Zelmo Beatty, Rick Barry all jumped to the ABA. THere were others but these were big names then. Outside of Free agents how many big names have more than a year on their contract then ask to be traded?

I think it might occur more than we know but players need not go public with it. DM seems to not refute the desire to play in NY but he is not requesting it. He has his contract and likely does not want the blowback. Actually he might be grateful for the contract and has been treated well by Utah. He has earned both.

Durant can’t sit out but he don’t have to break his ass either. Its a gray area Vince Carter taught us a long time ago. Kawhai took his time returning form injury and protected himself in SAS. Paul George did force his way from Indy but he told them he was not going to resign ahead.

I don’t even like KD, but I find it daft that he gets blasted for leaving OKC and playing with Westbrook (who in turn gets ridiculed and billed as awful to play with), and signing with the warriors (for chasing a championship), then ridiculed for leaving the Warriors and walking away from more championships, then blasted for signing with the Nets, then blasted for wanting to leave the Nets.

LOL, Yeah, I don’t think he really gives a phuck. He knows nobody gonna love him either way. Lebron really read the room wrong with the Jim Gray interivew of “the decision” but he did go back to Clev and delivered.

I gave my friend the “blood in the garden book” and he just came to me and said “Wow, Riley really was crazy”………..
One day someone gonna spill the beans on him in miami. Wonder why Lebron gave him the cold shoulder?
I think most of us revered Riles too much over the years? Results matter though! He delivered.

TheGame wrote:They are not ruining the game. They are ruining their chances for the owners to continue to allow guaranteed contracts. If the players will not honor the contracts then why should the owners. The owners will push for contract lengths to be reduced from 4/5 down to 2/3, and they will also push for harsher penalties for players trying to come up with excuses to get traded. The new collective bargaining agreement is going to much different than the current one.

Guaranteed contracts aren’t going away. The next CBA will likely have a codified rule that if a player chooses to not play and it’s not related to a reasonable injury they don’t get paid and probably receive a fine. Ben Simmons is trying to get the money that he would have got from playing for the 76ers and I think it goes to trial because it’s pretty clear he intended not to play and missed the whole season.

Meanwhile Harden came in fat and at least played until Houston could trade him. That just makes more sense than anything else. We might be fans but the NBA is a business and star players, playing sells tickets. I think that is what the owners would want more than anything else. It’s ok if you dial it in but you can’t just sit out. Not earning money but potentially losing it will have the players show up. Meanwhile players would still have ways to show their displeasure like not playing focused or being selfish or still missing games as can be justified. The teams might sit them themselves until the trade to avoid bad on court play, but that would be the team’s decision.

smackeddog wrote:

sidsanders wrote:

smackeddog wrote:One thing that bothers me with all the buzz in the media about how teams want this sort of thing clamping down on- Why is it an abomination for a player to sign a 3 or 4 year deal and then ask/ demand out (which the team can refuse to do so), but it's perfectly fine for a player to sign a 3 or 4 year deal and then the team decides to trade them? Don't get this faux rage by teams, when they're more than happy to match/ extend players with the sole intention of trading them (or deciding to trade the team if they don't perform as well as expected), and that's not even questioned. How's it any different?

I take issue with players refusing to play or dogging it but expecting to get paid, but I don't have a problem with them kicking up a fuss or making demands (as long as they take a financial hit), as annoying as that may be if they play for your team- that's fair enough if teams can happily do likewise. If the nba decided to clamp down on players demanding trades, then it's only fair all players get no trade clauses.

As knick fans we're the first to demand a player gets traded if they or the team underperform (even if we only just signed them a few weeks ago- see Fournier last season), just think it's a bit hypocritical to then get outraged when players do likewise. If they sit out AND don't get paid, that's fine- but teams can already do that, they just choose not to because they're worried about the consequences.

Plus, this may be a controversial take- I actually think players asking/demanding out while under contract is a good thing- it creates the opportunity for us to be able to trade for great players who otherwise would be unobtainable. If the nba clamps down on it, how exactly do you get the chance to get a star or even good player unless you draft them? It's hard enough! Don't think fans think this through! Yeah, it's annoying if you're the team with the star, but it incentives those teams to make more effort to keep them happy and they can get good trade returns.

whats the point of a contract if players can essentially not honor it? come into camp out of shape, skip games, hold out till you get what you want after you signed a deal. you cant count on players if that is going to be normal behavior. thegame is spot on. next cba seems like this is going to be a big factor.

part of signing the contract -- if you do not have a no trade clause, you have to know you can be traded. if you dont like the direction of the team, going to mgmt and saying something i think is fine in private. doing what durant is doing is nuts. nets did what he and his nutbag pal wanted and now he wants to bail and they may have to sell these fools for way less than perhaps is reasonable.

while it may be interesting to see guys be available to trade to the knicks, look at it from the other way. you go out and trade for or sign a mega star and they end up hating ny and want to bounce and pull all these insane stunts. you want that? i do not. you signed up, you knew you could be traded, that things may not work out. thats why you are paid a ton of $.

It goes two ways, if teams can trade a player after signing him, its only fair players can demand to be traded after signing with a team- why’s it okay for a team to want to move on, but it shouldn’t be for a player?

no. a player signed a contract, being traded isnt voiding/violating that contract. that traded player will still be paid. you have a no trade clause, you dont have to worry about that.
when a player signs and then wants to bail and pull stunts to do so and is allowed to do so, whats the point of a contract. you dont like how things are going and want to bounce -- when does it end. when is it then ok to start stunts to get out of town? they want to bounce less than a year in, 2? hows that going to work if all players start to do this? player signed for 4/5 years, wants to bail after 1 or 2 -- forces a team to possibly eat % of the value in a bad trade as that player now refuses to play or comes into camp out of shape, puts in no effort, etc. thats most likely going to bring wrath from nor just the owners, the fans as well.

pro ball player -- its part of the business that you might get traded (unless you got the no trade clause). you might get cut if you have a non guaranteed contract. you may not get an extension or qualifying offer. players may get tired of where they are --> go to the fo and ask to be traded. i have no arg against that. one of the issues is if the fo doest want to trade the player, the player should not be allowed to throw tantrums and just not honor the contract. durant is threatening a hold out -- not ok. he signed up, hes supposed to be a pro. he has to know things may not work out after you sign. things dont go his way he gets to pout and get his way by no showing? that cannot be tolerated.

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