Westbrook - Page 3

Chris P · 09-30-2017, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elee712

Happy for you and Thunder Fans but let's be honest...the money was likely a MAJOR part of his decision. Coming off the triple double season, his stock could not be higher.

This season playing alongside two other ball dominant guys, if he waited until next year he'd run the risk his numbers and value will drop...not to say Presti wouldn't offer him the same contract a year from now but it would raise some concern.

I would guess that Carmelo coming to OKC helped accelerate WB's decision to sign the supermax now knowing that his amount of touches will be reduced that much more.

Ok, so maybe I shouldn't have said "little" but I really don't believe with the Elite NBA Players that Money is the #1 factor. I guess that's what I meant. Even guys like Gordon Heyward took less money to go to Boston. These guys make so much that in my opinion it's not simply just about the money though obviously it doesn't hurt. I really believe that Russ' goal is to bring a championship to OKC and that's why he stayed above anything. That's just my opinion and from what I've seen and heard about him.

elee712 · 09-30-2017, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris P

Ok, so maybe I shouldn't have said "little" but I really don't believe with the Elite NBA Players that Money is the #1 factor. I guess that's what I meant. Even guys like Gordon Heyward took less money to go to Boston. These guys make so much that in my opinion it's not simply just about the money though obviously it doesn't hurt. I really believe that Russ' goal is to bring a championship to OKC and that's why he stayed above anything. That's just my opinion and from what I've seen and heard about him.

With these guys, after you make a certain amount, it's all about ego and how you rank amongst your peers. Nobody needs THAT much money but they want it.

You might be right that one of WB's goals is to win a championship but wouldn't it have been better for the team if he waited until the end of the season for PG to possibly resign for the max and then resign himself for the max? With WB signing this early, it could prevent PG or any other FA's to sign with OKC reducing their chances to compete in upcoming years.

elee712 · 09-30-2017, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdoody42

His value would never go down unless he had a massive injury. He is getting the max now or next year. More players should show loyalty like RW.

That's exactly what the supermax deal is meant for - small market teams to keep their superstar. The whole idea is the money will outweigh the location - which it does. I'm not sure why people are swinging this as showing complete loyalty. At best it's a 50/50 split between money and loyalty, leaning towards the money side. If other teams were able to offer 40M a year, it would certainly be a much harder decision.

JustinVerlander07 · 09-30-2017, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elee712

That's exactly what the supermax deal is meant for - small market teams to keep their superstar. The whole idea is the money will outweigh the location - which it does. I'm not sure why people are swinging this as showing complete loyalty. At best it's a 50/50 split between money and loyalty, leaning towards the money side. If other teams were able to offer 40M a year, it would certainly be a much harder decision.

It *can* keep the star, but we've already seen the supermax scare some teams (Kings with Cousin, Bulls with Butler) into trading them before they had to make the choice, and some guys just not care about getting the supermax (Paul George, Kyrie Irving).

The supermax is great to keep Westbrook, until he's making $35 million and the Thunder are at the cap and don't want to spend to keep anybody around him.

Chris P · 09-30-2017, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elee712

With these guys, after you make a certain amount, it's all about ego and how you rank amongst your peers. Nobody needs THAT much money but they want it.

You might be right that one of WB's goals is to win a championship but wouldn't it have been better for the team if he waited until the end of the season for PG to possibly resign for the max and then resign himself for the max? With WB signing this early, it could prevent PG or any other FA's to sign with OKC reducing their chances to compete in upcoming years.

Maybe he didn't want to be a distraction all season? Having to answer "will he or won't he". Maybe he also wanted to show his commitment to the team before the season starts so that Paul George knows he serious about wanting to win here? I'm just throwing out possibilities

Chris P · 09-30-2017, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elee712

That's exactly what the supermax deal is meant for - small market teams to keep their superstar. The whole idea is the money will outweigh the location - which it does. I'm not sure why people are swinging this as showing complete loyalty. At best it's a 50/50 split between money and loyalty, leaning towards the money side. If other teams were able to offer 40M a year, it would certainly be a much harder decision.

Agree to disagree about the 50/50 split. The supermax deal is "meant" to keep their superstar, but a lot of guys don't want to play in a small market..that's why the rumor has always been Russ to LA with his fashion interests/and home ties there..yes the money was beyond awesome, but Russ isn't the type of guy that I believe plays strictly for the money, he's wants to play where he feels most comfortable and I believe OKC affords him that. From everything I've heard Russ is a private guy and he loves that fact that he can live his life pretty private in OKC for a guy of his stature. I think he's a proud guy and wants to win FOR OKC. I can't speak for every individual superstar, but that's just how Russ comes across, so for him, no I don't believe it's a 50/50 split with money being the most influencing factor. I think he also wanted to see what OKC was going to do and he sees that Presti is willing to go beyond to do his best to make OKC a competitive team as can be. It's now up to Russ and co. to make it work.

ninjacookies · 09-30-2017, 06:44 PM

You guys are acting as if WB planned this whole 40 million dollar contract thing years in advance.

I mean, was he the one who wanted KD to leave so he could have all that cap space to himself? I think it was quite to the contrary, which is why he held such a grudge this past season and wasn't on speaking terms.

How on earth can anyone argue that WB did this all for the money? lol.

tjforce · 09-30-2017, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

You guys are acting as if WB planned this whole 40 million dollar contract thing years in advance.

I mean, was he the one who wanted KD to leave so he could have all that cap space to himself? I think it was quite to the contrary, which is why he held such a grudge this past season and wasn't on speaking terms.

How on earth can anyone argue that WB did this all for the money? lol.

If you haven't noticed, it's the same people that try to cut down everything he does. Lead the league in scoring? Ball hog. Average a triple double? He snipes too many rebounds. League MVP? Shoulda been someone else.

Now we get a guy who is loyal to his small market fan base and he can't get any credit from these trolls either.

HP7163 · 09-30-2017, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjforce

Boy someone is taking this very seriously.

And yea, I totally chose to attend Vanderbilt because of the football team.... because that's how smart people decide on an education. Nothing to do with that top 15 ranking.

But I'm sure you went to a more prestigious school... Harvard? Yale? Phoenix Online???

The "boy" went to UPenn but you were close ...please spare me the Trump jokes.. and if you didn't know the Univeristy of Phoenix is pretty expensive

drobfan8 · 10-01-2017, 12:21 AM

No matter what happens down the line with PG and Melo, OKC have guaranteed themselves a superstar for the next 5 years.

Does nobody remember Orlando baulking at maxing Shaq out only to then let LA in with a sniff.

Pay the man like you value him.

No WB, no Thunder. He'll have bums on seats for years now.

exoticprince · 10-01-2017, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

You guys are acting as if WB planned this whole 40 million dollar contract thing years in advance.

I mean, was he the one who wanted KD to leave so he could have all that cap space to himself? I think it was quite to the contrary, which is why he held such a grudge this past season and wasn't on speaking terms.

How on earth can anyone argue that WB did this all for the money? lol.

Agree 100%

HP7163 · 10-01-2017, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drobfan8

No matter what happens down the line with PG and Melo, OKC have guaranteed themselves a superstar for the next 5 years.

Does nobody remember Orlando baulking at maxing Shaq out only to then let LA in with a sniff.

Pay the man like you value him.

No WB, no Thunder. He'll have bums on seats for years now.

Agree... I think with him signing will get players to stay there potentially or come there. I've been to several OKC games and the crowd is ELECTRIC! It's a great environment where they truly love the team An players.

This move could change the landscape for some teams thinking they could build a super team next year

johnyensmith123 · 10-01-2017, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drobfan8

No matter what happens down the line with PG and Melo, OKC have guaranteed themselves a superstar for the next 5 years.

Does nobody remember Orlando baulking at maxing Shaq out only to then let LA in with a sniff.

Pay the man like you value him.

No WB, no Thunder. He'll have bums on seats for years now.

100%

On a side note Melo's probably going to leave again in a few years b/c he feels like he's not getting enough touches or points lol

Or maybe he'll finally realize he needs to change his mindset a little bit. Anyways excited to see what happens this season will all these changes. Thunder, Cavs, Timberwolves. Gotta get that league pass.

johnyensmith123 · 10-01-2017, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris P

Ok, so maybe I shouldn't have said "little" but I really don't believe with the Elite NBA Players that Money is the #1 factor. I guess that's what I meant. Even guys like Gordon Heyward took less money to go to Boston. These guys make so much that in my opinion it's not simply just about the money though obviously it doesn't hurt. I really believe that Russ' goal is to bring a championship to OKC and that's why he stayed above anything. That's just my opinion and from what I've seen and heard about him.

100%

Money's not the only thing Westbrook cares about at this point.

ninjacookies · 10-01-2017, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnyensmith123

100%

On a side note Melo's probably going to leave again in a few years b/c he feels like he's not getting enough touches or points lol

Lol yeah. It'll be interesting to see how that works. His sly pompous remark at the press conference didn't rub off well.

johnyensmith123 · 10-01-2017, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

Lol yeah. It'll be interesting to see how that works. His sly pompous remark at the press conference didn't rub off well.

About him coming off the bench right? Yeah. I guess we'll see how everything works out (or doesn't) for him.

RemusTheOne · 10-02-2017, 10:58 AM

Good for Russell to get that large contract. After last year, he earned it.

10-01-2017, 12:21 AM	#60
drobfan8 Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 17,842 drobfan8 drobfan8	No matter what happens down the line with PG and Melo, OKC have guaranteed themselves a superstar for the next 5 years. Does nobody remember Orlando baulking at maxing Shaq out only to then let LA in with a sniff. Pay the man like you value him. No WB, no Thunder. He'll have bums on seats for years now. __________________ Wanted, 03/04 Exquisite Base Gold Tim Duncan and 05/06 Exquisite Base Gold /25 Michael Jordan

09-30-2017, 06:44 PM	#57
ninjacookies Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: All the girls see the (boi)/ Look at his flips / Look at his kards / All they say is (oh boi). Posts: 57,036	You guys are acting as if WB planned this whole 40 million dollar contract thing years in advance. I mean, was he the one who wanted KD to leave so he could have all that cap space to himself? I think it was quite to the contrary, which is why he held such a grudge this past season and wasn't on speaking terms. How on earth can anyone argue that WB did this all for the money? lol.

10-02-2017, 10:58 AM	#67
RemusTheOne Banned - PBM Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Tejas Posts: 24	Good for Russell to get that large contract. After last year, he earned it.