Dion Waiters

The 55 point game from Kyrie combined with Waiters actually getting worse since the trade has basically chopped the head off of the "Waiters can be better than Kyrie crowd." It's a dead debate at this point. Waiters is going to struggle to stay in the league.

Glenechocreek said:

3-14, you say? Somehow, I don't think he's going to be playing so many minutes come playoff time. OKC will surely realize by then what a mistake this was.

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Thunder may not make the playoffs.

mrbeaks said:

Apologies if this is old news. I just saw it for the first time, and can't stop laughing.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WsGrHzReo4

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just came across this now. wow this was hilarious. the only thing that was missing was a "at the end of the day" being slipped in somewhere

shoes22 said:

Thunder may not make the playoffs.

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The Thunder are a disaster, imo, Durant is leaving and it is showing. Not a good environment for Waiters at all. Notice how he did good for when they tried and then mysteriously, just loses all focus. Boy, I wonder why? The whole team looks like a corpse.

Kyrie getting 55 then slumping is classic Kyrie.

Please no Durant to Washington

David. said:

Please no Durant to Washington

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As a FA in 2016, I'm OK with it because our group will be in their prime together and have the chemistry working for them. I also believe that we will win a championship either this year or next.

But if OKC fails to make the playoffs this year, Presti is in a very difficult, unique spot. All of the media speculation will be centered on KD FA 2016. The hype of that beginning the second the Thunder don't make the playoffs(or even do and make a quick first round exit) will be off the charts. Does Presti keep faith that OKC can hold on to Durant and go the route Ferry/Gilbert did in 2010? Or does he assume the worst and decide they can not lose Durant for nothing and look to make the biggest deal he can? Think about all the picks Boston has. You have to think Ainge would believe he could trade for and keep Durant while also adding another piece or two, the way he did in 2007. The problem Boston has now as opposed to 2007 though is there is not already an established superstar on that team.

Anyways, will be interesting to see what happens. The fever pitch of KD FA rumors will be almost as big as the summer of 2010.

Futuredome said:

The Thunder are a disaster, imo, Durant is leaving and it is showing. Not a good environment for Waiters at all. Notice how he did good for when they tried and then mysteriously, just loses all focus. Boy, I wonder why?

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Because he's streaky and moody. Same as in Cleveland.

Kyrie getting 55 then slumping is classic Kyrie.

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So following up a great game with a bad game is just what he does, eh? He had 21 points on 13 shots, along with 6 assists, after that 55 points. And the 55 point game itself came right after he exploded for 38.

Here's "classic Dion" - following up a 3-10 outing with 3-14.

Futuredome said:

The Thunder are a disaster, imo, Durant is leaving and it is showing. Not a good environment for Waiters at all. Notice how he did good for when they tried and then mysteriously, just loses all focus. Boy, I wonder why? The whole team looks like a corpse.

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Always the environment or the coaches or the front office. Never actually Dion's fault, eh? I have a theory. He's just not a good basketball player.

Kyrie getting 55 then slumping is classic Kyrie.

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As Q-Tip said, that's not true. He had a really solid game after his 55. Second, this is opposed to Dion, whose entire career is one, long slump?

The truth is there is no good fit for a small shooting guard that can't shoot and defends only when he feels like it. He fits with no team that actually feels like winning basketball games.

David. said:

Please no Durant to Washington

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That one is definitely happening.

Futuredome said:

Kyrie getting 55 then slumping is classic Kyrie.

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Huh?

38, 55, 21 in 3 straight games. Had a bit of an off night last night but 4th game in 5 days... he can be excused for that.

Shep said:

38, 55, 21 in 3 straight games. Had a bit of an off night last night but 4th game in 5 days... he can be excused for that.

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IMO on this team you are going to see that from all the players, even Lebron at times will be in "chill mode". There are so many options now that Mozgov and JR are here, that sometimes it's a night to defer to a teammate.

Kyrie, in my opinion of course, knew it was Love's night. And then when it was close, it was Lebron's. The night when Lebron was out, and Love was not hitting anything, was his chance to let it fly.

Those situations will vary from game to game. The talent level is that good.

Back to Kyrie, on a "normal" night when the ball is getting spread and people are playing reasonably well, the 21 point game with 6 assists and (nowadays) his typical good defense probably represents his contribution. A damn good one.

It's amazing that there are still Dion apologists and they always have a built in excuse for the guy..

"This situation wasn't right for him" "He needs to be the primary ball handler" "He needs to be in a better environment"

When will the excuses stop and we focus on his faults and that HE'S the problem?

The reason why I will never feel sorry for this fuck. If he hadn't said it, I'd still be a supporter. Touch it, Dave!

"The situation wasn't right for him" can probably be used for a ton of players in the NBA. How often do guys get traded and then thrive, or tank there?

Hell, you could say the situation wasn't right for JR Smith in NY. He gets traded to the Cavs and fits right into a winning situation.

You could say the situation isn't right for Kevin Love in Cleveland. If he were traded to a different situation where he was the #1 option his stats would explode.

The situation wasn't right for Mozgov in Denver. And on and on.

So duh, the situation affects the player.

Bottom line, it's up to the player to do the best they can in the situation they are in. In Dion's case he blamed the situation. That's never going to fly no matter where he is.

The Red Viper said:

The Thunder fans are abusing LeBron because they feel he is sabotaging their season by sending Dion there, lol. Seriously though feel bad for Dion. Hopefully once his contract ends, he can go to a team who don't have much expectations.

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Good point. I think there's likely a team in China that could use his talents.

One thing about his "highlight" from yesterday is that he actually did get credit for a rebound on the play. Rare event.