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...and I don't just mean he'll be a HOF'er.  I think he's going to be in Jordan/Russell territory by the time he's done.  He has the Jordan-esque quality of making his teammates better (Westbrook=Pippen=Robin: None of these guys are all that without Batman).  And when the game is on the line, he wants the ball in his hands, unlike a certain guy in Miami.  OKC may or may not get past the Spurs this year, but I think they're going to win multiple championships as long as Durant is there.

No offense, but I think you're nuts.  :laugh: Durant is good. He ain't THAT good.

Well, this isn't an argument that can be settled by anything other than time.  So get back to me in about 10 years, and we'll compare notes.  :toothless:

Also, just look at the Western Conference.  Most of OKC's biggest challengers- Lakers, Mavs, Spurs- are very old teams whose windows will close in the next couple years, if not sooner.  The Clippers appear to have something going, but they're still owned by Donald Sterling, and you know he'll screw it up somehow.  Who's going to challenge them in their conference?  Memphis?  Utah?  Denver?  I don't think so. 

Which IMO, means that once the Spurs are finally done (might not be this year, but definitely next year), you're going to see Thunder/Heat or Thunder/Bulls in the finals for the foreseeable future. 

I hope you're right, but the NBA won't promote him or give him the preferential treatment on the court unless he moves to a big TV market like New York, LA or Miami.  I listened to some talk radio while driving home from Florida late Saturday, and the NBA talk focused on what a disaster Indiana vs. OKC would be in the finals.  I think the comment was that "David Stern and other NBA executives would be jumping off roofs".  Then in the Indiana-Miami pregame Sunday, the entire focus was on what was wrong with Miami and what they would have to do to win the game.  The talkng heads even sounded hopeful that Miami would win.  Miami then proceded to get a lot of calls in the game.

The NBA is all about business and TV ratings and the bottom line.  Having a true sports competition is secondary or accidental.

I personally don't like that, though many will say it's "just the way it is", but I am not debating that issue.  Just sayin the NBA won't promote a player like Durrant as much as they do LeBron or Kobe.

I suppose Durrant could break the mode and start bringing in big TV ratings for OKC, but while that would be great and personally make me happy, it seems unlikely.

I don't think the NBA can even be called a true sport anymore. I used to love pro basketball. As a kid, I could pick up the AM station out of San Antonio at nights and would listen to all their games, and watched every game I could watch on TV. I grew up loving David Robinson. These days I only watch the Spurs, and only then when it's playoff time. Mostly I just read the box scores. When Tim Duncan and Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli retire and that Spurs franchise is disassembled, I imagine I'll turn it off for good, much like I did stock car racing when the old drivers began to retire.

I'm like you, I follow the Pacers from a distance and mostly watch them during the playoffs (which for a few years were non-existent   :biggrin:).   They have been a pleasant surprise the last couple years, and I watched the entire game Sunday, which is unusual.

I like the Spurs also, and if the Pacers get knocked out, I want either them or OKC to take it.  I am so tired of the favoritism of the big market teams that I root for the small market teams.   :laugh:

What the Spurs have done this year at their age is amazing.  IMO, Popovich deserves to be mentioned with the likes of Aurbach and Jackson.  Maybe the most underrated coach ever, in any sport.  Do the Spurs have one more title in them?  I'd like to see it.  I'll be rooting for whomever comes out of the West.

What is this nba you speak of? :confused:

Follow the Spurs to see a team without drama queens.