Kevin Durant (Photo : Twitter)
The Oklahoma City Thunder's loss to the Golden State Warriors carries many implications including the biggest one this offseason.
Kevin Durant has been the most valuable player of the franchise since he was drafted in 2007. Obviously, the team will exhaust all means to make sure he stays in their fold. However, he is not beyond criticism.
Some media outlets have seen him as the primary cause for their Game 7 loss to the Golden State Warriors. It should be recalled that the Thunder led by as much as 13 points in the second quarter (35-22) and entered the half with a six point lead.
In an analysis by Neil Greenburg of The Washington Post, Durant was cited for his heavy usage in the fourth quarter 42.8 percent of the team's possessions while producing just 12 points. His teammates were a long way behind: Ibaka (18.2) Waiters (18.2 percent) and Westbrook (17.3 percent). In one instance, Durant was "heaving up a midrange shot down seven points when Ibaka and Waiters are open beyond the arc."
It's not just in Game 7, though, as Greenburg mentioned that "Durant's propensity to hog the ball in crucial situations has been a common thread in the postseason."
Which led to the hard conclusion: "Unless Durant completely abandons "hero ball" - a selfish style of play that relies more on isolation than ball movement - he may never win a title with the Thunder or anyone else."
In light of the criticism thrown at Durant, perhaps he should be better off with another team-maybe another system. Will other teams take advantage of this rift?
The Miami Heat is considered one of Durant's possible suitors, but Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel warns against misplaced and untimely enthusiasm as the demand for their team to "pounce" on Durant heightens.
"If you put Pat Riley in a room with Durant at this very moment, I wouldn't put anything past Riley. But there remains plenty of time for Durant to reflect, and plenty of time for the Thunder to argue their case, as is their right with their own impending free agent."
Winderman also notes that this is not similar to the Heat recruiting LeBron James in "The Decision" because Wade and James had a personal connection and they have talked about teaming up two years prior. No such connection is known between Wade, or any of the Heat personnel for that matter, with Durant.
