Suns 2024-2025 Season Discussions

[95pro]

So why force him to become the leader of the team? The guy has MVPs and rings already, and you're minimizing him as a cancer, which is simply untrue. These comparisons to Melo are absolutely ridiculous. KD is one of the greatest offensive talents this game has ever seen and he is light years better defensively than Melo ever was.

Should he be more of a leader? Maybe. But he's been in the league a long time and he is what he is. To expect him to change at this point is unrealistic. I'm more critical of Book not becoming that vocal leader. Funny thing, is we have a good player that can become that vocal leader, but he hasn't stepped up -- whether that's because he's now a bench player or what, I don't know.

But blaming KD for not being a leader is ridiculous. He never has been, so your expectations are based on a delusion.

I said appointed, not forced. I think some fans think he is the leader. I wish Book would stop bowing down to KD and say this is my team and play like he did when they were chanting mvp mvp.

I did not blame KD for not being a leader. I blame him based on the negative aspects that everyone overlooks when it comes to him. I dont consider him a leader, some do, maybe some of the younger guys (Dunn) look up to him and think he is the leader of the suns.

 

[Phrazbit]

Durant is the problem.

He's great a getting HIS stats, but not getting the team their stats.

The offense continues to be bogged down, something we've seen with all three coaches. Can't say the same for Book, Book has been a team player and has shown that he will and can play within, and for a system.

KD is starting to remind me of Melo and LeBron. They put up fantastic numbers and percentages but manage to do so by ignoring the team aspect. Melo by ignoring his team completely, Lebron on the defensive end, KD on the systematic and x's and o's of plays.

You cannot have a team with the appointed leader doing un-team-like things. And the team leader cannot say the coach is the leader. He will not, and has not, taken accountability for his teams.

Durant just wants to hoop.

Adding to this, if you’re the type of player who gets a coach fired just about every other season or more and you better step up and fill the leadership void that you were continuously creating.

Durant has had like six or seven coaches just since leaving the Warriors and several of them he publicly demanded that they get fired.

 

[Chaplin]

Adding to this, if you’re the type of player who gets a coach fired just about every other season or more and you better step up and fill the leadership void that you were continuously creating.

Durant has had like six or seven coaches just since leaving the Warriors and several of them he publicly demanded that they get fired.

Assuming you believe everything you read.

And most suns fans do.

 

[95pro]

Assuming you believe everything you read.

And most suns fans do.

There is a chemtrail following KD

 

[Phrazbit]

Assuming you believe everything you read.

And most suns fans do.

Which part of that was assumption? He publicly demanded Kenny Atkinson and Steve Nash (along with the GM) get fired, that’s two that are indisputable. Some of the others there’s plenty of smoke.

Regardless, the guy could make a necklace out of coaches ears at this point.

And this doesn’t even count him using burner Twitter accounts to torch his thunder coaches on the way out.

 

[Chaplin]

Which part of that was assumption? He publicly demanded Kenny Atkinson and Steve Nash (along with the GM) get fired, that’s two that are indisputable. Some of the others there’s plenty of smoke.

Regardless, the guy could make a necklace out of coaches ears at this point.

And this doesn’t even count him using burner Twitter accounts to torch his thunder coaches on the way out.

There's warts, sure, and I never disputed him forcing out those 2 coaches, but you make him out be the antichrist and you have been beating this drum, along with a few others, for months and months. We get it, you don't like KD, you don't like the trade. That's your right. But you using hyperbole to prove your point is over the top hate.

 

[Cheesebeef]

There is a chemtrail following KD

Sure… but the trail of winning games when he was on the court stopped here. At least that was happening when he was healthy. So people want to keep blaming KD, but he ain’t alone in this team’s woes. Booker’s void of leadership/fit/only playing half of one side of the court/ball-stopping ISO game is just as much to blame.

 

[95pro]

Sure… but the trail of winning games when he was on the court stopped here. At least that was happening when he was healthy. So people want to keep blaming KD, but he ain’t alone in this team’s woes. Booker’s void of leadership/fit/only playing half of one side of the court/ball-stopping ISO game is just as much to blame.

Book can play iso but he doesn't play iso like KD, they both do play iso.

As I already said above, Book need to take over this team instead of side stepping.

And quoting the chemtrail comment, well that was in regards to KD and his firings.

 

[Phrazbit]

Sure… but the trail of winning games when he was on the court stopped here. At least that was happening when he was healthy. So people want to keep blaming KD, but he ain’t alone in this team’s woes. Booker’s void of leadership/fit/only playing half of one side of the court/ball-stopping ISO game is just as much to blame.

None of the other teams he played for had to gut their roster to get him.

If we’d brought him in as a free agent I am sure things would be different here too.

 

[Hoop Head]

Sure… but the trail of winning games when he was on the court stopped here. At least that was happening when he was healthy. So people want to keep blaming KD, but he ain’t alone in this team’s woes. Booker’s void of leadership/fit/only playing half of one side of the court/ball-stopping ISO game is just as much to blame.

He got swept in Brooklyn in the first round. The trail didn't start here and to claim it did ignores history. KD is not a leader and he doesn't have the talent to carry a team to success on his back. He won in OKC with Russ, who continued winning after KD left. He went to Golden State, who had won a title a year before he signed and they won another 2 years after he left. He didn't win anything in Brooklyn. Blame Kyrie and blame Harden for that if you want but they were players KD wanted. Kyrie has made it back to the finals without KD and Harden wore out his welcome in Brooklyn, Philadelphia, and is now leading the Clippers to mediocrity.

 

[Hoop Head]

There's warts, sure, and I never disputed him forcing out those 2 coaches, but you make him out be the antichrist and you have been beating this drum, along with a few others, for months and months. We get it, you don't like KD, you don't like the trade. That's your right. But you using hyperbole to prove your point is over the top hate.

Everyone but you is talking about his play on the floor and his leadership, or lack thereof. You are the only person using hyperbole by saying he's being called a cancer or the antichrist. Literally no one else said those things. Quit projecting.

 

[Superbone]

KD isn't the problem, but he doesn't make the team any better as well. They are like +2 or something when he's on the floor. Kind of crazy.

I disagree. He is not THE problem but he is definitely part of the problem. His high turnover rate, and often at the worst times, isn't helping the club. His ball stopping and grinding the offense down to a halt is part of the problem. He's one of the greatest scorers of all-time, his efficiency is through the roof, and he can be a great defender at times, but he's not infallible.

He's only gotten to the ultimate prize with the Warriors who were already a ready made team who had won before. There are plenty of great HOF players though the years that haven't won a title. The biggest recipe for success is putting together the right team around these guys. They can't do it alone. Our team composition is a mess. All offense and no defense, rebounding, size or athleticism.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

I disagree. He is not THE problem but he is definitely part of the problem. His high turnover rate, and often at the worst times, isn't helping the club. His ball stopping and grinding the offense down to a halt is part of the problem. He's one of the greatest scorers of all-time, his efficiency is through the roof, and he can be a great defender at times, but he's not infallible.

He's only gotten to the ultimate prize with the Warriors who were already a ready made team who had won before. There are plenty of great HOF players though the years that haven't won a title. The biggest recipe for success is putting together the right team around these guys. They can't do it alone. Our team composition is a mess. All offense and no defense, rebounding, size or athleticism.

Disagree with what? Your post mostly agrees with what I said, that he isn't the problem but he really isn't making the team better.

 

[Superbone]

Disagree with what? Your post mostly agrees with what I said, that he isn't the problem but he really isn't making the team better.

I disagree that he is not the problem in any way. Saying he is "not the problem" implies that he has no part in the Suns' issues.

 

[Cheesebeef]

None of the other teams he played for had to gut their roster to get him.

When healthy, he was regularly lifting injury riddled or Covid-addled Nets teams who had almost nothing of note around him when Harden or Kyrie were out.

But that was while he was still in the prime of his career. He ain’t that guy anymore which is why it sucks that we gutted the team for him, thinking that Booker would be a 1a and hopefully overtake him. Booker unfortunately has once again proven not up to that task. So we boofed both ways, thinking KD was still the guy and Booker would naturally evolve into one.

 

[Phrazbit]

When healthy, he was regularly lifting injury riddled or Covid-addled Nets teams who had almost nothing of note around him when Harden or Kyrie were out.

But that was while he was still in the prime of his career. He ain’t that guy anymore which is why it sucks that we gutted the team for him, thinking that Booker would be a 1a and hopefully overtake him. Booker unfortunately has once again proven not up to that task. So we boofed both ways, thinking KD was still the guy and Booker would naturally evolve into one.

You're being pretty generous here, he only played in 35 games in 2021 when they earned the 2 seed and their record was just as good with him as without him, the next year they were a play in team and got demolished in the first round.

 

[Hoop Head]

When healthy, he was regularly lifting injury riddled or Covid-addled Nets teams who had almost nothing of note around him when Harden or Kyrie were out.

He made it to second round one time. That isn't "regularly". He got swept the next year. He spent 2 full seasons in Brooklyn and then demanded a trade, after being swept out of the first round as a 7 seed. Harden was traded at the deadline. Kyrie was healthy and played all 4 games, averaging 42 minutes in those 4 games. Your statement doesn't align with reality.

As for Harden being dealt, Harden asked out but KD endorsed it and wanted Harden out. Any blame being levied at the supporting cast he had needs to go at him since he wanted the #3 player gone, even when the trade market was almost non-existent. Durant also pushed for the Harden trade a year earlier that depleted the team around KD, Kyrie, and Harden.

 

[Proximo]

Durant is still one of the best players in the league on both ends. It's not translating to wins. KD may not win titles everywhere he goes but when he has been on a healthy team he wins everywhere he goes. I will say it again, KD is not the problem. This team has much bigger issues.

KD is not one of the best defensive players in the league. He's slightly above average is all.

KD is great as a 1 on 1 player, but the NBA is a team game. Being so he often faces double teams, and he is actually pretty bad against those.

He probably is a net positive, but is he more positive than Cam Johnson, Mikal Bridges, and draft picks and the team style play that team had - No way.

Is he better than Jimmy Butler and Kuminga and draft picks - No way.

What are the bigger issues - Beal's contract - maybe, but with the no trade clause that is a tough one to solve. Lack of youth and athleticism - well yeah, but that is mostly due to the KD deal.

Getting rid of KD and perhaps Book are the only possible solutions, other that waiting 6 or 7 years till we get our picks back.

 

[Cheesebeef]

You're being pretty generous here, he only played in 35 games in 2021 when they earned the 2 seed and their record was just as good with him as without him, the next year they were a play in team and got demolished in the first round.

Right… so they were a 2 seed with him playing half the games. They had a down year in 2022 And then in 2023, they were coming off an 18-3 streak when he got injured and were a top 4 team in the East with basically nothing else surrounding him. Funny that you left that part out.

 

[Covert Rain]

KD is not one of the best defensive players in the league. He's slightly above average is all.

KD is great as a 1 on 1 player, but the NBA is a team game. Being so he often faces double teams, and he is actually pretty bad against those.

He probably is a net positive, but is he more positive than Cam Johnson, Mikal Bridges, and draft picks and the team style play that team had - No way.

Is he better than Jimmy Butler and Kuminga and draft picks - No way.

What are the bigger issues - Beal's contract - maybe, but with the no trade clause that is a tough one to solve. Lack of youth and athleticism - well yeah, but that is mostly due to the KD deal.

Getting rid of KD and perhaps Book are the only possible solutions, other that waiting 6 or 7 years till we get our picks back.

Above average is splitting hairs. A swap for basically Butler makes you no better. Adding Bulter with him makes more sense. Again, KD isn't the problem is not the same thing as saying he has NO problems. Having KD with no way to compliment with the players he needs around him is. I think we need to trade KD in the offseason because we need more assets. Personally, I think Book should go as well.

 

[Covert Rain]

I said appointed, not forced. I think some fans think he is the leader. I wish Book would stop bowing down to KD and say this is my team and play like he did when they were chanting mvp mvp.

I did not blame KD for not being a leader. I blame him based on the negative aspects that everyone overlooks when it comes to him. I dont consider him a leader, some do, maybe some of the younger guys (Dunn) look up to him and think he is the leader of the suns.

Book is not a leader either. That's why the team transformed when CP3 was here. I don't think Book or KD are the guys you want on your team "leading". Book was considered an empty stat guy for a long time.

 

[Phrazbit]

Right… so they were a 2 seed with him playing half the games. They had a down year in 2022 And then in 2023, they were coming off an 18-3 streak when he got injured and were a top 4 team in the East with basically nothing else surrounding him. Funny that you left that part out.

They went 25 and 12 when he didn’t play and 23-12 when he did during the 2 seed year, that isn’t him carrying the team around.

Then they barely made the playoffs and got destroyed in 22.

Sorry for leaving out that he had a good month and a half or so in 2023 before he again got injured and was simultaneously trying to get the coach and GM fired while demanding a trade, that doesn't really seem like a high point to me. You also left out that Kyrie played more for the Nets than Durant did in 2023.

His Nets tenure was pretty terrible... not as bad as here, but pretty bad. The highlight for the Nets was robbing us blind when they traded him away.