OT: Kevin Durant

[Dogdeacon]

Dude, they're not comparable at all because Durant wasn't going anywhere, because he couldn't. The way the CBA is set up a team pretty much controls your rights for at least the first 7 years. Durant re-upped to a deal that he pretty much had to take(or take the 3 year extension), his situation was nothing like Lebron's because Lebron had already been through that stage in his career.

As an aside, people make way too much of a big deal about Durant signing long term in OKC. I know that wasn't your point but I've seen it on here and in the national media. I'm sure if LeBron had a top 5 PG(Westbrook), top 5 SG(Harden), and the best shotblocker in the game while he was in Cleveland he would've likely committed there long term as well.

I too mentioned how OKC built around Durant, whether they got lucky or were smart is debatable. But inarguably Durant committing long term immediately (unlike LeBron) enabled OKC to continue to think long-haul and not do what LeBron arguably forced or demanded (behind the scenes rumor that he was a prima donna demanding special treatment & help) the Cavs to do and prove to him they're committed to winning immediately.

Durant's long-term extension with little fanfare occured in the summer of 2010, so that's why most of the obvious comparisons to LeBron's latter stage decisions are made. Acebon you correctly point out that the two signing occured at different stages in their careers (3rd vs 2nd contract) but now Durant cannot go the LeBron route so I think we can conclude he has in fact made a very different decision. They clearly chose different paths and Durant's path is looking better as the future blueprint to building a franchise championship team (I smell a wager who gets more nba titles?). Hence DRose in a similar career arc to LeBron and Durant chose the Durant way and not the LeBron/Dwight Howard/Carmelo way.

I can't believe we are even debating this since 99% of the basketball universe now roots against the Heat. The masses may do this for imperfect reasons (not fully understanding contract rules), but the basic premise is that Durant has stayed with his team and is admired and LeBron pissed people off by leaving his team and possibly colluding to build a mercenary style team. Meanwhile they all are likely to get trumped by Tim Duncan* the modern NBA gold standard of franchise loyalty = winning.

* Four years of college by the way