Does Durant have any excuse not to win?

[pmj]

Let's state it now: Does Durant have any excuse not to win?

He's the MVP.
He has a top 5 teammate.
He has legit big men and the best shot blocker in the NBA.
He has good role players.
No one can say the refs don't give him the benefit of the doubt, I'll leave it at that.

Who is the last young wing superstar in their prime with a similarly talented team? Kobe or maybe Wade, and they both succeeded.

Seriously, let's set the expectations. I think the Heat are flawed, old, and Spo will be exposed (mainly for playing scrub vets instead of Beas). I think the Spurs will get worked by the refs again even if they are good enough.I think the Clips won't be able to answer Durant in the clutch, so that means I'm picking OKC, short of Durant failing.

[russwest0]

[buddha]

Russell Westbrook is top 5 now? lmao

and by legit big men do you mean man?

and by good role players do you mean a good role player?

[J Shuttlesworth]

Same guys who predicted this:

So I guess OKC had no excuse to lose in 2012.

[KDthunderup]

The excuse is that there are 2 other teams more favored to win the title.

[JohnFreeman]

Championship or bust, let's not make excuses now.

[Rose'sACL]

The excuse is that there are 2 other teams more favored to win the title.

the reason those teams are favored is that one went to the finals and still has the best record in the NBA and the other team has the best player in the best player in the world according to most people even though his team is #2 seed in a bad conference.
If anything, KD should be fired up given that OKC have played better in the regular season and are still not considered the favorites to win by vegas who don't have any bias as all they care about is money which means they still consider lebron better than him. Lebron answered by winning 2012 finals when vegas thought thunder were the favorites.

[Rose'sACL]

why does Russwest keeps posting start of the season predictions?

[chazzy]

The west is pretty close after the first round. I could see the Clippers or Spurs beating them, though I would predict they make it to the finals and lose to the Heat.

[pmj]

Before the season predictions. Care to post any legit reasons?

If Lebron/Wade/Kobe has Durants cast in their prime.... Their reason would be what?

[J Shuttlesworth]

why does Russwest keeps posting start of the season predictions?

He's always loaded with excuses for the Thunder not winning the chip. He's basically anticipating LeBron or Duncan winning their next ring.

If I was a Thunder fan, I'd be furious that nobody picked the Thunder to win... I mean even the Pacers got a couple votes and the Nets/Bulls got one too

[pmj]

The west is pretty close after the first round. I could see the Clippers or Spurs beating them, though I would predict they make it to the finals and lose to the Heat.

I pretty much agree, except for why should they lose to the Heat? Spurs and Clippers are pretty objectively better teams top to bottom. I guess I'm saying, I expect OKC to get to the Finals and win, so let's be fair here.
Durant should get the same treatment as others.

[KDthunderup]

The perception that any team this season is championship or bust is ridiculous. There are several teams this season who can win a chip and there are no clear cut favorites. It will come down to luck and which team just plays better on the day.

If there is to be any excuses for the title contenders it will be that there are other great teams capable of winning the title who beat them on the day.

[russwest0]

If you gonna bet on Scott Brooks coaching a team to da title, go ahead homie. I ain't stoppin you.

[Trollsmasher]

Deuxrant has the most faithless fans. No wonder, I would not put too much stock into that stick either.