Kevin Durant On The Original Harden Trade That Broke Up OKC

Kevin Durant (The Brooklyn Nets) shares his thoughts on the original James Harden trade to The Houston Rockets that broke up The Oklahoma City Thunder.
Subscribe to The Old Man and The Three podcast w/ JJ Redick (ESPN) and Tommy Alter KZbin channel today for more interview highlights.

[@Delaretro_]

It’s so impressive how OKC drafted 3 future MVPs and also impressive how they didn’t win a championship

[@niss206]

yea sadly they ran into the Heat big 3 or else i think they couldve had a long dynasty, because if we look at things right now all the 3 players are still playing currently pretty good

[@jazzorion1]

Less impressive when you realize they only drafted one of them after stealing a franchise lol

[@kareemjones9574]

They was young that’s why

[@dannyt4663]

@@jazzorion1 lifelong sonics fan here, yep still salty

[@BigD481]

@@niss206 They had Russ that’s why. KD knew playing with Russ was not the best possible scenario for him.

[@seize3]

People tend to forget, OKC didn't have to trade Harden before the season. They could've rode it out for 1 more season. It's always "what could've been" for this team

[@coreygolphenee9633]

Not post Bron if you think the guy is gonna walk you have to attempt to get value for them or will always end bad

[@RellyRell-ud3iz]

One of the best teams to never win it all in nba history

[@weneedhim526]

I watched the thunder a lot for a while, wasn't a fan, but I just watching certain different teams, and being very honest, that team was destined to fail, I used to watch them on bballbreakdown, westbricks play style hurt them with uncontrollable hard hedge and jacking 3s, harden choked when it came to big moments or facing up against a legit team that matches up with them perfectly, and kd was 1 dimensional, his scoring was insane, but it was just an illusion for his flaws, not being able to create for other, all 3 guys took way too many shots, and I remember ther commentators saying the okc main 3 scoring guys takes like 56 or 59 out of the 77 shots per game or something like that, with the heat it was much less, thunder were never gonna win a title, maybe 2015 could have been their chance

[@pauljoseph3081]

Harden won't improve had he stayed with OKC. He's a high volume shooter who needs the ball in his hands, pairing him with Russ is a bad idea.

[@weneedhim526]

@@pauljoseph3081 and KD as well was bad pairing with them too, thats when he didn't have the ability to create for others yet like now

[@lonzofr]

whatever opinion anyone has on KD, he’s definitely one of the few greats of our generation alongside Bron and Steph, they only have a few years left and we definitely gotta appreciate em

[@djdelo5867]

I agree bro they're the continuation of the generation before

[@SNIPERHEEM7]

Well said bro I stopped comparing players after Kobe died! We just need to appreciate greatness while it’s still here

[@true2this745]

@@SNIPERHEEM7 fr

[@dr.doofenshmirtz9695]

Steph got carried in every finals not a great

[@IAMMRON]

na

[@gabesoto9301]

Makes sense that as a 22 year old, he didn’t feel like he had to power to go to ownership and the front office and force their hand to keep Harden. It’s really hard for someone that young to have that kind of pull in a franchise

[@gabrielalele8603]

💯

[@geordiejones5618]

Magic, Jordan and Lebron are legit the only players who had any front office pull at a young age. Not even Kobe had that kinda pull.

[@pharkasj]

When u lead the league in scoring you are much more valuable for the team owners than a GM. it's up to you whether you wanna use that power or not. But harden was a 6th man at that time and i guess KD doesnt really like him or his playstyle. Ben Simmons is better mate for him.

[@brianbadonde9251]

@@geordiejones5618 nah even they had to wait until they were established to be able to tell the front office what to do. The whole reason Lebron left the first time is because they never got him anyone to play with. It took until his second stint in Clevland for him to be able to influence Dan Gilbert to trade the first overall pick for Kevin Love

[@PurrVibes143]

@@geordiejones5618Kobe had that pull. Shaq joined the lakers because of Kobe.

[@H1ghligttR3el]

The craziest thing about this is that KD remembers exactly how many points Harden scored in his Rockets debut which was 10 years ago…

[@BKG-125]

its 45 isnt it? i head straight to the comments but lot of people gonna remember it. why? cus the HEAT lost a game that day and the news tell a story about how bron and wade didnt care and talk about Harden's 45 instead. Like they won a championship already now they are chilling

[@charlielane931]

Ong brooo … breaks my heart smh ..

[@jamesonedwardsii4943]

@@BKG-125 the Heat lost to MCW right?

[@niXourbis]

@@jamesonedwardsii4943 yeah MCW's best game of his career haha

[@jamesonedwardsii4943]

@@niXourbis yeah I remember he beat Bron in his first game and came out averaging almost a triple double with like 3 steals and had Philly undefeated to start the season…. Then he kindve just disappeared

[@Nina-nk8zs]

KD played big part of building and developing the foundation of OKC for sure

[@deesee2051]

Played a part ???? He was the organization

[@Mike-or7oo]

He was the foundation, one of things I’m not a fan of is fans acting like he’s not the greatest to suit up for them because his departure when they didn’t and haven’t make it out the first round sense he left he deserves his respect he’ll get after he retire ig.

[@Warden033]

He played a bigger part in busting up the foundation

[@mrmacross]

@@Warden033 Well, that's what happens when you're a foundational cornerstone. You hold up the structure, but once you leave it all falls apart.

[@Warden033]

@@mrmacross yup

[@sammyg6188]

People often forget how good ibaka was back then, he was averaging almost 4 blocks a season that team was a legitimate championship team even after harden

[@jlui21]

- Ibaka made sense. He's a big. OKC already had a Westbrick (SG/PG) and KD (SF). It was a solid team BUT Harden just blossomed the following season.

[@ewitsdae4387]

Very true but the honestly the problem was that once harden was gone there was only really once consistent scorer on that team and that was KD. Russ was young and very inconsistent scoring wise. Had only one game in the finals shooting above 45%. And with harden gone after that year thunder didn’t have a third scoring option at all

[@timbrown9796]

He wasn't supposed to get paid before James sorry. He ain't giving u 30

[@timbrown9796]

Should got rid of Westbrook said it from door. James was playing d n running team when there playing. Does anybody watch them games smh. Magic told y'all Westbrook worse point guard ever during finals

[@TheNamesDitto]

People forget the dude was called Iblocka in his prime. He was crazy good for a 3rd option

[@chadsityvang6504]

Kev brings up a good point. The relationship the GM/Front Office has w/ the player is huge now a days with information being so readily available. If you want players to be LOYAL, the front office has to have a RELATIONSHIP to keep them. I think that's why the Bucks have been able to retain Giannis, bc they've shown the commitment and built the relationship with him to retain him. This was interesting.

[@jarrodcordova9538]

Yup, I believe Sam Presti’s inability to communicate and build a real relationship with African-American males was the main reason Harden left and eventually KD.

[@dabigbaby7193]

@@jarrodcordova9538 african-american MALES. yall just making the racism worse

[@aguyfromnothere]

He got them to hire all his brothers…

[@jeffreywasisua1271]

@@jarrodcordova9538 where tf did that come from

[@AmritBains28]

@@jarrodcordova9538 tf?

[@s1n-n3d]

That OKC team was special.

[@maximusorbis2548]

They were overrated

[@mattpassos5689]

Special needs maybe

[@maximusorbis2548]

@@mattpassos5689 1 finals trip does not make you special

[@charleschase559]

Def one my favs besides goldenstatw if harden was there prolly could abeat goldenstatw no cap

[@youreokayboah2128]

@@maximusorbis2548 Yeah getting to the finals before hitting their primes is overrated.

[@michaeldemarco2415]

I was a Seattle Supersonics fan from day one. It broke my heart to see KD and the Sonics leave for OKC but I couldn't stope rooting for him and I still do.

[@rldeuce8829]

??????

[@michaeldemarco2415]

@@rldeuce8829 I edited my comment to clarify that KD went to OKC When the Sonics were sold and moved. Seattle held onto the Sonics name in hopes of a future expansion franchise.

[@MrFrankello]

You no real sonics fan

[@michaeldemarco2415]

Can't be a Sonics fan any longer in case you haven't noticed.

[@billyholmes5860]

Yeah I remember Rashard Lewis

[@Itsjustlikemagic]

KD hit the nail right on the head. Every organization is different. Look at the Miami Heat for example, they are all about winning using the team concept and does not rely on Stars. SA Spurs for years have guilted their stars into taking less money made their veterans publicly call out Kawhi’s injury. Not every organization is there to baby their stars!

[@ashton4352]

Exactly, and those teams will benefit in the long run rather than the short run. OKC for example, Spurs, Heat, all have extremely bright futures but are on three different levels as teams. Top seed, playin, lottery. Also, Sam presti used to work for the Spurs as well and so there’s a connection to manage a bright future. However, as a small market team okc and San Antonio most of time have to pick loyalty and people over talent because we can’t obtain too free agents like Miami.

[@jameshoops10]

i think he was talking about how each organization goes about building their team for example with the heat you know winning is in their best interest so you don’t have to go to pat riley and say “we should get this player” as much and the same thing goes for the spurs not exclusively how they treat their players

[@teflon914]

Raptors organization is the best in the league. They grab undrafted players and turn them into all stars, grab G league players and turn them into Champions. It’s about having the passion to win and leaving all your personal egos at home. Last year Raptors were in the lottery with only 27wins, ESPN said Raptors will only win 35 games this year. Now they’re the 5th seed, Raptors have made the playoffs 8 out of the last 9 years. They have become the new San Antonio Spurs.

[@Twkout]

Did you forget about the big 3 heat

[@Triqkshot]

@@ashton4352 Even as a big market here in Miami we prioritize respect and loyalty over chasing stars. Haslem is the embodiment of what the Heat organization is about which is why we love him. Free Agency helps to put you over the top, it doesn’t help you fix the ship. Free Agency is a bidding war and how you get your team financially handcuffed.

[@ryananderson8139]

Love listening to KD talk. We are lucky to have him as fans

[@valentinexavier9278]

He's starting to sound more and more like Dave Chappelle as he gets older.

[@Qnzdipset1]

I feel like back then it was clearly obvious harden was a starter with immense talent. These professional athletes are so locked in their competitive state they get tunnel vision and just think someone on the bench is automatically lesser than them. Then when it's finally time to come off the bench their ego is destroyed.

[@devvv4616]

He was coming off the bench but basically playing starter minutes and ended the game with the starting lineup. But he did show a big gap in improvement when he went to the rockets. From average all star to franchise player real quick

[@williefaulker]

I think his finals performances tht year hurt him in a way

[@xastric6944]

enter buddy hield and melo

[@niss206]

yea i was confused with Harden off the bench, becuse i noticed the tempo would change once Harden would get in to play

[@davixn]

@@niss206 harden wanted to come off the bench originally

[@bryanwhite7365]

As a Seattle guy I’d love to hear his thoughts on his rookie season here and the process of leaving to OKC.

[@kennethc9996]

I've been always curious about that too!

[@bryanwhite7365]

@@kennethc9996 being here for that season the players weren’t aloud to talk to the media much.

[@kennethc9996]

@@bryanwhite7365 I always wondered as a whole how people in the organization felt that we're living in Seattle they had to relocate to Oklahoma City. Even Prestis thoughts.

[@Hitdablunt23]

Miss those 3 together 😕

[@braeling3677]

I completely forgot they were together at one time. And James was coming off the bench. Insane.

[@youngcity4241]

Why ? They didn’t win no rings

[@Hitdablunt23]

@@youngcity4241 3 future mvps on the same team all 23 and under is INSANE

[@duffal0]

Now there’s Shai Giddey and Mann (or Dort)

[@kameronhowe9290]

@@youngcity4241 are you dumb

[@Joeelectronicschematicsforauto]

JJ is just incredible how much insight he puts into these players and strategy I really wish one day he would be an analyst on TV like Romo is for football

[@jonnydavis6066]

What insight? He's a former player. Btw I Been supporting JJ Reddick since he been playing for duke 🤣

[@Joeelectronicschematicsforauto]

I followed him since he was in a 76ers when Ben Simmons came there but he gives you the explanation of the offense and the defense you don't hear that from anybody else regardless if it was a player wasn't Troy aikman a player wasn't Tony Romo a player

[@amadoumoustaphadieng8660]

Sending James Harden to Houston was the biggest blunder ever made by a franchise. It completely dismantled QKC chemestry. Senegal, West Africa.

[@EikoHarvey]

Nah Portland could have drafted MJ

[@edwardbrito4010]

Biggest??? There’s trades like Utah trading for old SG Lakers got some picks. Magic being main one. Recently it was unforced error but small market team likely didn’t have the money.

[@dominiquewilson]

@@EikoHarveywasn’t a bad choice at the time

[@ec3810]

KD seems like a chill dude….he just has the unfortunate case of Twitterfingeritis

[@kellyrenee1917]

I Wish I was Kevin's Twitter 🥴😍Can I imagine 🥴😍 😇😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@josiahlewis6392]

As an okc fan hearing Kd say he didn’t have that relationship with the front office and that they didn’t come to him about trades and free agent signing just makes me mad and makes it more obvious thunder did a bad job building around Russ and Kd yet they will both always get criticized about not winning a chip there smh

[@jbtreshawn]

They did a great job building around them. The biggest problem was kd nor Russ was ready to play team ball. They kept getting close but they ran into teams that were just perfect. Okc always had more talent their playstyle just couldn’t keep up

[@josiahlewis6392]

@@jbtreshawn I can tell you ain’t watch okc enough. Kd left cause he wanted to play team ball, Russ has been wanting to be a playmaker a not forced to be a scorer for years. Nobody wants to play hero ball they had to they didn’t do a good job building around them they put no consistent shooters around someone who’s game is getting to the rim and no other playmakers besides Russ. They tried to play team ball and it never worked for them cause we didn’t have the team to do it.exactly why Stephen a smith and magic Johnson both apologized to Russ after the 2012 finals and said it was wrong to criticize Him for playing that way cause he had to play that way for okc to win

[@rich3637]

@@josiahlewis6392 Thank you. KD said in an interview once he wanted okc to draft Devin Booker and they drafted someone else. I remember when KD wanted Iman Shumpert and he ended up on the Cavs and helping them make the finals. Okc never surrounded KD and Russ with 3 and D wings. They had bums like Kyle Singler and washed up Derek Fisher on those Okc teams.

[@jbtreshawn]

@@josiahlewis6392 okc so starting from 11 to 16. In 11 they were young but ran into Dirk and the mavs who essentially were a perfect team for todays era. 12' lost to miami partially because russ wasnt a good shooter and harden stunk. 13 injuries mainly but didnt have that 2nd guy. 14 shouldve won but the spurs forced kd and russ to become playmakers but they still forced the issue. Ibaka was injured and steven Adams didnt get any time. 15 injuries. 16 their best by far perfect top to botton. Waiters was inconsistent but played well. Were up 3-1 but kd and russ turned the ball over too much in game 6. Arguably lost to the greatest team of all tine

[@josiahlewis6392]

@@rich3637 yeah book literally went a pick before us we could’ve traded up for him easily. Anybody that uses the fact that Russ and Kd didn’t win a ring together against them I automatically stop talking ball with them cause they was in such a shitty situation but people hear names and think they just supposed to win cause of those names 🤦🏾‍♂️ they was literally playing 4 on 5 on offense cause they had Roberson getting big minutes

[@user-kk8wr7bv8b]

I immediately subscribed after youtube algorithm suggested this to me. JJ seems to get the most honest answers from all the athletes

[@thrizzol6269]

Wow. Jj really be getting the people we least expected but want to hear from lowkey.

[@藍筆幸]

Those questions are so on the point. Great show JJ Redick

[@jaimejaimes3773]

Daddy dirk put that whole team in his back pocket 🌚😮‍💨

[@goldteethpoohproductions2707]

🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️ lol 🤣🤣

[@thafinessekidd1850]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@Dram9724]

Dirk had Kobe and Bron in his pocket as well that year. One of the best playoff runs we’ve ever seen

[@Blaze_e7]

@Sazid _ win a real ring LeFraud

[@bub6010]

@Sazid _ dirk also dicked on Brons big 3

[@ronnieturner6820]

Man JJ is so good at this stuff. He was prepared enough to know harden’s stat line in game 1 w/ Houston knowing this topic was going to be brought up

[@royalsportsshow9118]

Kevin Durant is actually a good guy in person. I think he’s misunderstood for the most part.

[@thekingstaytheking75]

he seems like a cool dude

[@noonecares7730]

I never thought he was a bad person. I just think he's sensitive and takes criticism poorly.

[@jhoannadevotee]

He's just a shitty dude to work with like right now he's requesting a trade to be in the top1 seed team after what brooklyn done all the request he asked.

[@Tmcply]

this is definitely the best channel to interview NBA players!!!

[@chingon784]

The kings stay catching strays lmao

[@mr.bellefleur]

Russ and Kd wasn’t a bad duo just our role players weren’t all that great we needed shooters

[@adriandantedanosos4146]

It took GSW 7 games to beat them. And they were 73-9

[@hawks19_65]

oh yes definitely they were, westbrook is a selfish player who doesn’t understand what passing to your best player means. tbh i like kd bc of the fact that he chooses the right teammates to play with like gsw and he’s gonna win a ring with kyrie i reckon

[@pronobb8104]

@@adriandantedanosos4146 And they were up 3-1 before Warriors took the next 3

[@adriandantedanosos4146]

@@pronobb8104 Yes, GSW had to play perfect basketball and OKC had to choke

[@josecarranza7555]

And then durant did the weakest move ever, running to the team that beat him in the playoffs.

[@scoopmoore6384]

Man this is the kind of content I love 💯

[@williamlee7672]

Had harden stayed in OKC. I don’t think harden would have developed the way he did. Still had the skills but not the stats. So his value and how people perceive him would be much lower.

[@Fearseblack]

he would be ginobli. People forget that man was all-star coming off the bench

[@marzelsimmons8708]

That's facts

[@adamcummings4060]

I disagree, Morey saw it, OKC should have seen it. They could have got a perfect set of role players for Westbrook at the time. If okc had seen what Morey did they could have been a dynasty.

[@battlersparadise6643]

Nah he would’ve helped Westbrook out bc he would’ve been primary ball handler on the floor

[@brian6816]

@@battlersparadise6643 they should’ve traded russ for cp3 and start Harden at the SG position for me

[@crayvd8229]

After watching this podcast I had an epiphany. We always talk about LeBron and Steph when it comes to changing the game but we never bring up Durant. LeBron has changed the game in terms of player empowerment and growing the game on a international level. Just as Jordan did. Steph has changed the game in terms of play style and how to efficiently and effectively play the game to your strengths as a player. His play-style inspires young people and makes them believe they can do what he can do. Durant’s impact however is very different. In a lot of ways he is the perfect combination of talent and most importantly skill. There is no offensive weakness. Teams are now only drafting 6’9+ guys who can handle and shoot the basketball. We are starting to see it now, eventually teams will only consist of guys with attributes and skillsets similar to Durant. On a professional level, he has changed the game and required teams to build with players that look like him and play like him.

[@naquanjones1365]

Teams are drafting 6’9 guys who can handle the ball bcuz of lebron not kd

[@corylongville1492]

@@naquanjones1365 it’s the length. Every night now I see some kid with arms nearly on the floor. Take a Jaden McDaniels for example his game is being long

[@dariuslukacs4128]

KD is probably the best pure scorer in history. Curry is the best 3pt shooter of all time. LeBron is best overall player of all time. We are a lucky generation

[@ASalahSamak]

Im surprised u got that many likes over the bs u gave on KD part lol. Kd didn't Revolutionized the game in ANY kinda way or from any aspect of the game. All he proved is that he's a unicorn and there won't be another KD. But his style his game didn't change anything. Stop it

[@Big_3000]

@@ASalahSamak yes it did. Before KD, how many big guys were handling the rock on the perimeter? You see it all the time now.

[@naushilmehta652]

Most 22 year olds in any other industry are likely interns or entry level employees. Kevin, while established, was still super young, so it completely makes sense to hesitate thinking strategy/team building as opposed to just going out and hooping. We've now seen how important relationship building is with potential/current star players.

[@Nick-sr4fe]

Idk I have mixed take on it some players honestly shouldn’t be GMs and actively make their teams worse in the process. Like in all honesty I think most GMs listen to the players because they don’t want to lose that player. Not talking about KD or even Bron.

[@vhutch11]

JJ and Gil really cracked the secret bball podcast sauce recipe! ESPN could never 🤣. This content is premo! Keep going!

[@Goofy8907]

Basically KD admitting every signing now goes through him lol

[@jandaxprss6784]

I wish KD never left okc but I hope him and russ can make up one day more than I care about not having a title. These guys were my greatest influence on life growing up. And they helped out in the community when we had natural disasters (mainly tornadoes). They had a bond and no bond can be so easily cut.

[@josecarranza7555]

“If you can’t beat them, join them” kevin durant.

[@gunkanjima3408]

Hindsight is always 20/20. The “stretch 4” player was all the rage 10 years ago. Ibaka was averaging almost 4 blocks per game too. No one knew the Curry era taking a million 3’s a game was on the brink of breaking the NBA, which Harden happened to fit perfectly in that category of basketball

[@jokerofmorocco]

Yes but they should've kept both Harden and Ibaka, plus back then they had the amnesty clause that they could've used to get out of Perkin's contract

[@balljelly5244]

I’m glad this happen because James harden will never be too 75 if that trade happen 💯 harden town 👍

[@ItsYuhBoyyyy]

Top 75 no rings wow

[@SmoovyNovaFan]

@@ItsYuhBoyyyy theres a bunch of legends in the top 75 that are immortalised forever even without rings though🤷‍♂️Barkley, Malone, Miller, Harden, Dame, Westbrook

[@DB-cg4vs]

You're delusional he easily would've still been a top 75

[@macvincemosquera9616]

@@ItsYuhBoyyyy anybody can win a ring but not everybody can make it to the hall of fame, top 75

[@carnage3208]

@@ItsYuhBoyyyy Javale McGee has rings. Demeaning people who don't have none when they're clearly great is such hater mentality

[@deesee2051]

Jj putting words in Hardens mouth Harden has a mini documentary about this he didn’t ask the Thunder for the Max

[@CASII47]

Exactly. From the story I've heard, I'm pretty sure that's why Durant didn't go to far into it. I've heard that Harden was down to take any deal OKC was giving him, but that was actually Russ' year for extension and he wanted the Max and OKC didn't want to give it to him. They had a back and forth and eventually OKC caved and gave it to Russ. At that point, OKC felt they couldn't keep Harden because he would have put them over the luxury tax cap and they probably weren't comfortable with that seeing that they were a new small market franchise. That same year they also paid Ibaka and Collision. I think KD didn't want to tell the truth because it would of been another story about him talking down on Russ. IMO.

[@tmc31390]

@@CASII47 that sounds about right

[@devanteswing701]

people forget that at the time it was harden or perks .. they ended up keeping perks cause they needed bigs to go against the laker bigs. wouldve been crazy to see how all 3 turned out together tho

[@auzzieankai8354]

Pretty sure it was Ibaka

[@eesa_1980]

I think you forgot Lol. OKC traded Jeff Green to Boston for Perk. OKC chose Ibaka over Harden.

[@devanteswing701]

@@eesa_1980 yall right my fault. smh didnt even try to fact check myself tried to go off memory

[@dandoubleyou_]

Really been enjoying the podcast. Let's keep em rollin🤝

[@mr.bellefleur]

When they lost the finals Harden said “We will be back “ 🥲🥲🥲

[@bmillersince92]

He also played horrible he was going to strip clubs in Miami while playing In the finals the okc gm didn’t like that, harden hasn’t been a great teammate since those days he quits in big games so in hindsight the trade wasn’t terrible they got rid of harden the diva

[@bbryant9455]

@@bmillersince92 exactly. I thought they got robbed at the end of game 1 or 2 i can't remember. The rest of the series they had no momentum and KD was the only one who balled every game of the series imo. No way in hell that series should have been 5 games but that's me. I'm not even a fan of either team but I still thought it'd go at least 6.

[@geraldking9385]

@@bbryant9455 that's why I laugh when pol said James harden was better than wade at that point in time talking about the best sg in the league saying wade was behind him and derozan. imagine wade was on KD team, that would be completely different

[@russwest3627]

@@bbryant9455 nah russ drop 43 game 2 but yeah

[@Makarov-z6v]

kd fan here since 2012 finals , I observed that haters are gone slightly on kd , I'm very happy for that , I love kd no matter what from 🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭 We really love kd , actually we have a group chat to support kd until the end! Sorry for my phrases , I'm not good in English.

[@Cartrell]

…plus those OKC teams had a lot of skill. Just not a lot of shooting. Key injuries ruined 2/3 of their prime seasons. Same could be said for a lot of teams, I know.

[@HB-ih9qp]

no they didn't they had 3 young stars & a bunch of utility players. which is fine it worked for them but in a game of chess when only 3 guys can get a shot off & one is missing, another is off you gotta counter or end up losing to a prime heat team who just came off a finals run

[@llLeezy]

i wouldnt say 'a lot of skill' lmao they were playing 37 year old derek fischer in key playoff games... most the free agents they signed were washed

[@Cartrell]

@@HB-ih9qp +Serge, Jeff Green and Reggie Jackson, right? That’s 5/6 out of your 8/10 man rotation being skilled players. Or, do you not count them as offensively skilled?

[@6Hustles]

None of them can pass or really shoot. And 2/3 can't dribble so yeah not skilled m

[@joshuapratt995]

I’m laughing at this camera angle and the seats that each of them are sitting in. Really shows how big KD and JJ are lol

[@Yugigreg]

One of the biggest “What Ifs” in NBA history. Imagine Harden, KD, Ibaka, and Russell all in there prime. I think they guarantee win 2 championships, maybe more.

[@GameTime-yj6qv]

The dynasty that never was

[@zenodee]

very important segment right here folks JJ is clutch

[@bb2757]

I can’t get over how long kevin’s legs are compared to everyone else’s at the beginning of the video 😂

[@wavvyhd]

😭

[@TheNamesDitto]

Appreciate greatness

[@hiddenleaf2]

KD acts real humble

[@TuPhonez4Free]

That dude said oh wait... I gotta little juice here. Lol 😂

[@mandlatube]

One of the best draft team assembled...the front office messed it up.

[@realkoolvg]

them okc teams was lit on 2k 🔥🔥

[@toraso842]

KD and Russ was actually a good duo up 3-1 against warriors that’s insane. Just the role players and better bench would’ve helped.

[@cashcky5893]

That cause through the years the bench ain’t really matter. ( NOW as in today NBA) you got B+ players on benches & sophmores going on year 3 and veterans starting

[@JacionBryant]

This is a certified hood classic

[@jpowell6418]

If OKC really couldn't see the talent they had. Then they deserved to lose them all. I remember when Harden left. I knew they would never be as good without him. You could see how good he was. And he was already being compared to Ginobli. OKC messed up.

[@leroygreen9227]

They never saw another finals again after he left

[@jpowell6418]

@@leroygreen9227 exactly.

[@michaeldemarco2415]

Ownership wouldn't spend the money.

[@macvincemosquera9616]

harden was really a luxury off the bench. kd and russ could chill in the middle of the game because when harden's on the floor with the rest of the bench he can handle the point, had a good d back then and gives you 16-18 points on a nightly basis.

[@jpowell6418]

@@macvincemosquera9616 yup and it seemed like he took pride in being the 6th man.

[@georganatoly6646]

that was such a fun team to watch

[@tarrenceconyers6548]

The Thunder thought they was go get Kevin Martin but got Ricky Martin

[@AHWW288]

A lot of people hate on KD for going to GS but people forget how humble this dude is. At 23 he was already a star but he knew his place within the organization from a business standpoint. Just like he knew where he was when deciding to leave or stay in OKC

[@PankysPen]

People seem to forget KD is 33 now…

[@c60sofresh]

I'm curious as to what it was in the video that prompted you to point that out

[@UltraGreatness13]

Lol

[@trymuk8816]

This dude is consistently honest.

[@topnotchtajmahal7216]

As much flak I’ll always give him for goin to golden state of all teams I respect it a little bit knowing they let the real second best player on the team go over luxury tax smh

[@johngotti8736]

Russell westbrick

[@dwalkokc2593]

My heart hurt rn just remembering these days

[@republikadugave420]

Durant is the GOAT and UNICORN at the same time

[@Eliht01]

Lebron has entered the chat

[@sosmooth13]

This changes things for young guys demanding more from their team coming in now on top of social media being a bigger deal too. These days you’ll hear so many more fans pressing the front office over trades like that and keeping players.

[@piratelord89]

whos the random dude next to kd?

[@mid2860]

His fan

[@balljelly5244]

You watch this whole video and u pick that to talk about

[@Tony-fq5bn]

@@balljelly5244 I mean i also would like to know who the dude is and what his relationship to KD is, I've watched about 5 diff clips of this interview but still haven't heard his name

[@IceDizzy]

I’m sure he does the podcast with KD like the “random dude” with JJ

[@vanja11111]

Ok KD I love you youre a King. You made basketball life for me! Love Vanja ♥️💕

[@KingPiercter]

If they traded russ, that team would’ve been a dynasty

[@RealMikeMiller13]

Would’ve been more fun, too. Russ running his own team before/in his prime would’ve been awesome

[@elalexsantos3150]

I know russ has been having a bad season and all but damn, this is straight up blasphemy

[@davidfebreeze428]

@@elalexsantos3150 nah man If you swap Russ and harden in 16 what you think would happen?

[@felix3033]

@@davidfebreeze428 y’all need to stop with these hypothetical situations lol okc trading Harden for Kevin Martin gonna go down as one of the worst trades ever tho lol

[@goldteethpoohproductions2707]

@@davidfebreeze428 WHAT?!!!!! LMAO

[@giiotm8272]

That OKC team is probably the best/most talented team to never win a Finals.. history will always look back at what could’ve been.

[@Stonecoldalston]

If Okc keep harden they win at least 2 rings

[@trevmorin]

Woulda been crazy to see the rivalry break out between them and the Warriors, like a Spurs-Lakers 2.0

[@Stonecoldalston]

@@trevmorin definitely

[@roycedot]

nah, if they kept Harden, they had to lose other pieces, and Russ was still playing like Russ - taking the last shot instead of KD

[@NoVisionGuy]

@@Stonecoldalston GSW vs OKC in the playoffs would be crazy every year

[@Stonecoldalston]

@@roycedot no they wouldn't not right away at least by the time they had to do that they probably would have 1-2 rings already

[@concretejungle8916]

I'm glad that Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Jordan and the other guys from the greater days of B-Ball didn't run to other teams for more money and stayed loyal to the franchises and fans back then 💯💯💯

[@antoniohoward981]

Hell they couldn’t. They didn’t have no power in the 80s

[@picklerick1203]

You gotta try and get James Harden on a podcast

[@gilfordmccormack8140]

It's interesting to here his perspective on it in hindsight

[@ryanabbeyseon]

And OKC got absolutely NOTHING from that trade

[@felix3033]

Kevin Martin 🤣🤣

[@williefaulker]

the trade was bad but if they was able to resign KM. they wouldve had him and adams off the bench a couple years , martin wasnt bad after he left

[@kingX777]

Jeremy Lamb 😂

[@valeriewimberly4568]

KD is such a special and smart player, I just wish he could just ignore all the noise and not feel the need to "clap back" at everything. He obviously has the right and I understand not letting people talk "ish" about you, but I think it detracts and distracts and allows people to continue to take shots fair or unfair.

[@TomboyRespector]

Kevin Durant joined a 73 win team in free agency. This is his legacy.

[@choncyterry5374]

Hater

[@chuckyking1005]

You said it right “free agency” get over it dude

[@robs257]

KD cucks getting mad now 😴☑️

[@scottbabien4395]

Along with having no Basketball weaknesses

[@IceDizzy]

That’s the narrative. The truth is that 73 win team couldn’t beat Lebron and Kyrie, so they RECRUITED KD.

[@joejenkity1704]

Bro even like the year kd left okc they had acquired oladipo before kd left so that’s another what if like what if kd stayed with a russ who was at the the top of the mountain of his prime and then you add oladipo in the mix. Just crazy.

[@jaycoop85]

I'm a big fan of KD but going to a 73-9 team is one of the most cowardice things in NBA history

[@josecarranza7555]

The weakest move ever by a star player. You want to beat your opponents, not join them.

[@BenO.Verbitch]

Unfortunately, his legacy is forever tainted with that move.

[@GameTime-yj6qv]

Kevin "if you can't beat them, join them" Durant

[@Impeach_the_queen]

I was totally thinking of the kings when JJ asked if they were talking about the kings😂

[@strength9621]

I think that is so crazy how he just went with the flow of it, but didn’t realize the L of it until hindsight. Meanwhile everyone else outside of that organization saw it as an immediately terrible decision. This really put some perspective on certain player thought processes. I hate to say it, but there’s no way Kobe , Bron , Jordan, Magic , Bird , Dr.J letting that happen.

[@Lifeofalexp1]

He was 22 man

[@strength9621]

@@Lifeofalexp1 I was 18 at the time and still knew better

[@SonglyWryt.Bon-Burr]

The only thing wrong about this guy is that he cares what people say too much. But he brings it bro. He is one of the few basketball players that aren't just there for the bag.

[@erase9006]

Somebody had to go for them all to develop

[@sweg9457]

could have been ibaka

[@BBTHEBEAST]

Over a couple million dollars that they gave to damn kendrick perkins

[@mrmacross]

@@BBTHEBEAST Absolutely this. They wanted to stay under the tax and thought Kendrick Perkins was essential, so they could only offer Harden a sub-max contract. The biggest mistake the OKC made was extending Perkins for so much.

[@rah6229]

No one literally had to leave lmao 💀

[@roycedot]

@@rah6229 it's called a salary cap and luxury tax

[@SamuelRodriguez-jq4bi]

Harden, KD,Russ OKC team is definitely one of the biggest what if teams ever.

[@Eliht01]

What about Shaq and Kobe stayed together 🤔 this is bigger what if

[@Eliht01]

Or if TMaC and Vince Carter stayed together 🤔

[@crizzleyo815]

kd going to gsw was the cheapest move in nba history.

[@raz2cy]

fr

[@mohammedmashud4621]

In a way it was necessary for people to acknowledge him tho

[@nicholassmith4039]

It was cheap but he was the best player on that team

[@mrmacross]

@@mohammedmashud4621 Seeing how KD went to Brooklyn, I'm not sure he got the fulfillment he wanted. He got his rings, but too many people were calling it "cheap" and whatnot that he didn't really get the level of acknowledgment the "best player in the game" typically gets.

[@mikediao15]

@@mrmacross Bruh, its business. He went to New York to expand his business. its not about fulfilment.. Its about maximised your profit before you retire. He got what he come to GSW to do.

[@mark11967AD]

I just like Kevin’s honestly here. He simply says basically it was all new to me and I didn’t view management as somebody I could just walk into their office and have a conversation or a certain say. Very humble and honest answer. Of course over time superstars with mega contracts now do have some say. For better or for worse case in point LA Lakers and LeBron’s input on picking Russell Westbrook as the guy.

[@alfredodominguez8978]

If okc had a coach pop type he would of made harden ginobli than russ Parker and Durant Duncan but never happened

[@brendanbloom3366]

Russ was better off just playing sg like he did in college

[@red-baitingswine8816]

. (Love these videos featuring solid players) . The bottom line seems to be that KD didn't see Harden's potential, he says partly because at that point he wasn't yet focused on evaluating his teammates from that strategic point of view.

[@optimalpowersimracing6625]

It’s one of the dumbest trades of all time. They had the opportunity to be GSW. They drafted 3 future HOFers and traded one of them away for literally nothing when compared to James..... It’s hands down easily one of the biggest blunders of all time. That teams wins titles and competes for titles because prime Westbrook, KD and James on one team? Sheesh.

[@optimalpowersimracing6625]

And what I meant by being GSW, I mean drafted incredibly well. 3 HoFers from the draft in a short period of time is striking gold and it doesn’t happen often.

[@roycedot]

nah, you can't win a championship with Russ. Never could.

[@thegreatman1116]

I used to think that but they got jeremy lamb ,kevin martin(20 point scorer no d)+ steven adams and kept ibaka which they later traded for oladipo and sabonis two future all stars and traded them for paul george and then that helped them get sga and all the picks they got now

[@jaykillz5141]

GSW is a very good franchise in which they know how to develop players, its more than just being lucky by drafting great players. It also about the franchise and how they manage their team as well.

[@roycedot]

@@jaykillz5141 true, they also have/had two of the best shooters in history, a premier perimeter defender in Klay, and one of the best defensive players of the past 10 years in Draymond. Harden and Russ were bad defenders, and Russ has the worst 3pt percentage in history

[@markbantz9699]

Love this guy!!

[@DuchessTheCorso]

He’s like, Harden deserved it 😂

[@jecoral9467]

Him and harden are literally still cool stfu

[@September2004]

I used to be for a hard salary cap but I realize now I was for it to prevent Jerry Jones/George Steinbrenner situations where a big market team can just sign free agents and win championships. I never thought of a situation like OKC. If a team does a great job drafting and developing those players, it should be able to keep them and not have to trade them because of the salary cap.

[@ceebee312]

The *LA Rams* have entered the chat

[@September2004]

@@ceebee312 Is that what’s happening to them now?

[@medou99]

They didn't have to trade him honestly. They didn't even give him a chance to accept the offer. They threw a number, he was talking with his family about it. Before he made the decision he was told he was traded. The whole world saw how amazingthey were. The went to the NBA finals, and they didn't keep the core. It was an extremely dumb move

[@GoatMeal365]

My Prediction: these 3 will play together again before they retire Their careers started in OKc, they left, and their career trajectories were very similar (MVPs, scoring phenoms, and all 3 struggle as playoff closers). Remember this post! I said it first 😂

[@andrewilliams6367]

Naw Russ and KD will never play together again lol. Too much bad blood there.

[@detroitdrama3]

@@andrewilliams6367 I'm pretty sure they past that, they've been cool on da court for a while now

[@Wavgangmafia]

Good to finally here him speak on it

[@pauljoseph3081]

Even MJ wouldn't win a damn ring if he got Russ as a sidekick.

[@jmaj0315]

That ANGC hoodie tho 🔥🔥

[@robs257]

Why that clown talking smh, he asked KD a question not you!

[@hollaholla215]

If casual fans listen to this podcast or watch this channel they will really have an understanding of the business and the players themselves. People won't be so quick to judge after that and actually have some insight on how the business and the player's minds work.

[@Sn3AKERH3AD13]

You trade Westbrook 10/10 times you trade Westbrook imagine prime harden and KD

[@iguodolafrancisco2349]

Don’t let this one year have you forget how good Russ was…injuries robbed okc of some runs at chips with just those two

[@daniell5740]

They combined for 70 points a few games lmao westbrook carried KD many. Shut up kid lol

[@chillywillie6283]

What if they kept that young team of super talent together for longer?