Kevin Durant Will Never Be A Boston Celtic

by PB @ BON on Mar 14, 2007 4:40 PM CDT in Basketball Comment 15 comments

I've written two excessively long posts on Bill Simmons' love affair with Kevin Durant, both times noting how much I enjoyed the way he covers basketball. Should I take it all back?

Simmons has trashed Rick Barnes twice in one week now, first in his Monday blog entry, and then again in his Wednesday Page 2 column.

When Simmons first started proclaiming his Durant crush, I noted my ambivalence about it. I was happy to have the attention on Texas, but a little uncomfortable with an outsider gawking at us through the window. Now, come March, Simmons has officially overstayed his welcome.

At this point, he's quickly becoming like a friend who came over to your house to check out your new Porsche, stayed in your pool house for six months so he could drool over it incessantly, then reported on his website that "While being around this Porsche is simply amazing, the guy who owns it overcooked the salmon souffle last night by about a minute and a half. What a bum."

I've already outlined in great detail why Rick Barnes is a great coach, so I'll just reference you to that article rather than rehash the whole thing again. I just wonder why Simmons seems incapable of providing any semblance of balance in his columns on Rick Barnes and Texas. I pleaded with him to throw in a word or two about the countless Texas fans - here and elsewhere - who love the guy and wouldn't trade him for any coach in the country. I begged for him to write about Texas with the same intellectual vigor that he applies to his NBA columns.

It just looks like those efforts are wasted, that his fandom begins and ends with Durant, and that we should expect a running series of "Rick Barnes can't coach" jokes, from now until Durant departs for the NBA.

I will say this, though: Simmons had better be careful with his karma. Even before his blog entry today with his wife's picks, I was starting to think about it: he's setting himself up for a big, hard fall. With all the negative energy he's directing towards Rick Barnes, DJ Augustin, and Texas, and with each consecutive entry that he slams the man who brought the kid to Austin, one wonders whether David Stern may just reach for those sealed envelopes and - just to torture Simmons - carefully avoid selecting that Boston Celtics envelope that's been sitting in a freezer for six hours prior to the drawing.

And there won't be anyone in Austin weeping when the New York Knicks select Kevin Durant with the top pick of the draft.

I'm just sayin'. . .

--PB--

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I am getting a little tired of this

This is what happens when a writer takes a first glance look at something new and obsesses about it without properly examining its history. I am just tired of it.

"A lot of people look for the easy way to do anything, in swimming there is no easy way." - Eddie Reese

by SwimTexas on Mar 14, 2007 5:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'll probably be in Houston for the draft...

Regardless, I'd rather not see Durant end up at Isiah's house of horrors.

I completely agree with the article's viewpoints, as Simmons is way out of line.

Still, I'm in favor of Durant as a Celtic, as:

Boston is one of the NBA's "classic" teams, and he could bring it back to prominence.
It would allow us to read every other Simmons column about Kevin Durant.
Most importantly, it gives Durant the best possible situation out of the potential lottery teams and a chance to win right away. He would have a legitimate superstar to play with and learn from (Paul Pierce), a young and extremely talented big man to team up with for years (Al Jefferson), and a pass-first point guard who's good at everything but shooting (Rajon Rondo). Just kick Doc Rivers to the curb, and I'd love to see this Celtic team on the court.

by jc25 on Mar 14, 2007 5:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The worse Barnes looks,

the more likely Durant leaves for the NBA. Simmons doesn't have a real argument against Barnes and hasn't tried very hard to make one. He's just doing what he can to get Durant into the draft and out of Austin. If the coaching is bad and the teammates are of lesser talent then there is no reason to stick around.

by mess on Mar 14, 2007 7:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Posible NBA destinations

I wouldn't mind if Durant went to Orlando. I really like Dwight Howard and adding Durant would make them automatic playoff contenders for years. Also, Memphis and NO/OKC would be good so that he would come to San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston twice a year.

I would hate to see him go to Minnesota. I think Minnesota would replace one Kevin with another and the franchise would continue to do nothing.

by JohnsonUT on Mar 14, 2007 7:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

As I read it

Simmons appears to be complaining only about Barnes' on-court strategy. He does not speak ill of his recruiting, teaching, etc. and these are the central responsibilities of the head coach. Most often the floorplay is directed by assistants.

However, there are disturbing patterns that run throughout the Barnes era. Texas has never been able to get the ball inside, even with TJ Ford running the offense. Texas also does a terrible job of holding onto the ball while under the basket. We miss way too many layups (and free throws). Our defenses are often chosen to protect our players rather than to challenge the offense. We don't take many charges, we don't make many steals, we don't box out very well.

Despite all that, talent prevails. But there are chronic deficiencies that go back to the priorities set for practice and the systems the team plays. Those are the responsibilities of the head coach, but rather than lose Barnes, I would prefer for him to bring a couple of top assistants who can address the problems.

by Caradoc on Mar 14, 2007 8:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Not sure I agree with all this

I do agree that there's been a repeated inability to get the ball into the post, but the suggestion that there's a chronic boxing out problem or that Rick's responsible for missed layups and/or free throws seems to be a stretch.

Nonetheless, I appreciate your larger point about the responsibilities of the head coach.

--PB--

by PB @ BON on Mar 14, 2007 9:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's not just Simmons now

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=2797791&sportCat=ncb

"Worst case: He shoots 9-for-30 against New Mexico State, which runs out to a 22-point first-half lead and holds on for dear life, winning when Rick Barnes draws up the last shot for guard Craig Winder."

Now it's Pat Forde, who probably wrote that based on all the Simmons' blogs he read. The funny thing is, that really could happen, where someone else takes the last shot. It won't be Barnes fault though. We saw it in both Kansas games. KD gets too exhausted and disappears at the end. I saw some possessions in OT where he didn't even move. Yet the idiots will blame Barnes or Augustin that KD didn't get the ball.

What's really disappointing about this for me is that because of one player, we're not flying under the radar anymore. Now it's like if we don't get to the Sweet 16 (which would be an absolutely amazing achievement given that we're starting 4 freshman), it's because Barnes didn't get the ball to KD enough and/or DJ made too many bad decisions.

VY : Football :: KD : Basketball

by goingforthecorner on Mar 14, 2007 9:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Lightbulb = ON!!

Guess what guys...these national writers are on to something. Ever since the Tennessee game i have noticed Rick Barnes mismanaging this young but talented group. I have been hammered for criticizing Barnes in the past, but just watch this tournament for the same things Simmons, Forde and others have been seeing:

When the Horns get in trouble (by blowing big leads), he doesn't call TOs to settle down the troops. He just watches as they self destruct.
It seems like Barnes has no idea how to draw up an inbound play for an easy score. Something I noticed in the Tennessee game.
I disagree that he's mismanaging Durant, however, the rest of the offense is relegated to Abrams firing a threes off screens or Augustin creating his own shot off penetration. Seems to me that James and Mason has enough offensive talent to have plays called for them.

by DC Horn on Mar 14, 2007 10:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

not enough from the bench

Let's face it, the biggest problem is not Barnes mis-managing the best player to wear a Texas basketball jersey but the fact that we don't get help from the bench. Kansas has 8 legit players they can go to to get quality minutes with their offense not suffering much. What happens when DJ has to sit because of foul trouble?

Maybe the teams that are playing against us have watched so much tape that they are throwing every defense at Durant they can, and he still gets his 25-35. I'm not a coach but it would seem that in order to design plays where Kevin gets the ball it would help to at least have an idea of the defense that is being run, not too mention that its a well known fact that Barnes is a defensive minded coach first.

I think we have a legit shot to get to the final four, the key is not Kevin or DJ but our bench. If Winder adds energy to the floor, Connor can bring defense and hopefully some REBOUNDING, and Big Dex can shut down the paint that'll give the starters the chance to get their legs back. If they don't it'll be the Durant show, which may be enough too.

Hookem.

TKO_CEO

by juancdavila on Mar 15, 2007 9:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

While I agree with a lot of what you said...

I don't see Dex shutting down anything. I wish he was farther along, but just isn't in good enough shape yet to give Texas anything more than 5-10 minutes of quality play.

by the1austin on Mar 15, 2007 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Celtic fan

I sm a C's fan, I agree with the comments about karma and the sports guy running his mouth but... I have really only been watching your team for a couple of years now, this year especially, so you guys may know better than me but Bill has a point. I mean there are stretches when it looks like Doc Rivers coaching Texas. Now maybe Al Jefferson and Durant don't know how to seal off a man to receive a pass on the block but I don't think so, I think they are great players and it would be great to see them play together under a good coach.

By the way the Bulls, have the right to trade picks with the Knicks this year and I doubt very much that KD slides that far (hahaha). Wouldn't you texas fans rather have him on the C's if he isn't at Texas. You don't want him on the Griz, Bobcats, 76ers, or Bucks do you. Look at how crappy Aldridge life has been with the Jailblazers, wish better for your man.

by mrbizack on Mar 15, 2007 4:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Heh

I was making a (perhaps bad) joke about the Knicks, but the larger point was about Simmons' karma. For all Rick's faults - and he, like every coach - has many, he's overall an outstanding coach and a real boon to the program. Simmons trashing him like he has is both unfair and bad karma. Just watch...

--PB--

by PB @ BON on Mar 15, 2007 4:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

More Bandwagon-Jumping

Now the San Antonio paper wants a piece of Barnes.

"Durant has the tendency to disappear into the Longhorns' random motion offense for entire halves of halves. Against Oklahoma State in the semifinals of the Big 12 tournament, Durant attempted just two field goals in the final 12 minutes.

That should not happen. Ever.

If it does happen, it is incumbent upon Barnes to fix it by, we don't know, running something less random that forces Durant into some touches. Sometimes, Barnes doesn't do anything to alleviate Durant's droughts, and the Longhorns suffer for it.

That makes Bill Simmons sad.

So, to some (sic) up: Simmons and his dittoheads in the blogosphere are right, but they are also wrong. They are off base, but not by much.

That's the kind of decisive analysis only your friendly neighborhood Longhorns Mailbag can provide."

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/stories/MYSA03152007.longhornsmailbag.161a0149.html

Officially a Limey Longhorn

by patienthornsfan on Mar 16, 2007 1:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

keep KD out of New York

First, as has been noted above, fans of KD would hardly want him involved with the absurd circus in New York (full confession - as a New Yorker who loathes the Knicks and a UT alum who loves KD I've been as fastidious as possible in trying to seprate any objective analysis from my intense prejudice - still one can hradly believe that KD's talents would be best deployed in NYC). On the other hand, the Celtics have hardly been a model franchise over the past couple of decades.
Still well managed teams are rather thin at the top of the draft and KD will just have to make the best of it. The Knicks, though, are not the way to go.

marshalld

by duras on Mar 16, 2007 6:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Celtics fined for chattin' up Momma

"The Boston Celtics were fined $30,000 as a result of contact that took place between executive director Danny Ainge and Durant's family members at a Big 12 tournament game on March 10.

Ainge was seen sitting with Durant's mother at the Big 12 tournament. He was later quoted as saying that he was seated next to her by accident and that he had no control over his ticket location.

But that argument holds no water with the NBA."

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/basketball/nba/03/16/durant.oden.fines/index.html

Officially a Limey Longhorn

by patienthornsfan on Mar 17, 2007 3:44 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs