Jae Crowder, who participated in the Celtics‘ pitch to Kevin Durant earlier this month, isn’t thrilled that Durant ended up choosing the Warriors over Boston, or even over Oklahoma City. As Crowder tells Tom Westerholm of MassLive.com, the Celtics were the only team to beat both the Cavaliers and Warriors on the road last season, and the team’s presentation to Durant included an explanation of its strategies in those games.
“We played him clips from both games and told him basically the scouting report of how we guarded Steph (Curry) and Klay (Thompson) — our entire game plan, basically,” Crowder said. “That’s what made me mad. We (expletive) told him everything we do to beat these guys, and we beat them, and he went and joined them. I mean, that’s part of the process, but I did not think he would go to those two teams.
“I felt like afterward, I was talking to Isaiah (Thomas), like maybe after you sit back, you shouldn’t have told him everything, but who the (expletive) thought he was going to Golden State, realistically?” Crowder continued. “It was like a slap in the face for us, basically.”
Here’s more on Durant, along with a couple more Pacific Division notes:
- The Lakers have an “unnamed trade target” in mind, but the team would be willing to use its cap room to accommodate another Jose Calderon-esque salary dump, writes Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders. Taking Calderon off the Bulls’ hands landed Los Angeles a pair of future draft picks.
- Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com examines how Durant is adjusting to his new role as a villain, while Michael Lee of The Vertical explains why the newest Warriors star isn’t worried about his legacy.
- Draymond Green‘s attorney, James Heos, tells Christopher Haxel of The Lansing State Journal that his client’s court case could be resolved at any time. However, if a trial is set, Heos will ask that it happen after the Olympics and before the NBA regular season begins. The Warriors forward faces a misdemeanor charge of assault and battery stemming from a July 10 incident in East Lansing.
As a Celtics fan I can’t blame Kevin for not choosing us to go when right now and win big time in Golden State. Do I wish you came to Boston Durant? HELL YES! But we will still take you next year if you somehow failed with Golden State we got your next paycheck ready.
Crowder is an idiot.
Agreed
Soooo…who are the Lakers targeting? Really want to know. I’ve heard it’s JR Smith Ana it would be a sign and trade where the Cavs sign Smith and send him to the Lakers for Nick Young so that way the Cavs don’t just lose Smith and the Lakers get rid of Young. Now sure if this is true or not. Also hear all the Boogie Cousins and Westbrook rumors but I just don’t believe it
why wouldn’t they just sign him?
I’m curious where you heard this Jr smith rumor from.. Do you have a link
Hmmm I’m curious as well..
Have the lakers signed Ingram yet?
No they havent signed him yet. Or Black and the Huertas
The funny thing about his comment is and old saying that if you have to talk so much about the other guy that’s not in the room to make yourself sound and look better, then you helped make that guy appear more attractive therefore reinforcing the opinion about that guy. lol
It’s irritating how the “Celtics almost got KD” narrative has stuck around for this long. C’mon Celtics, he picked his team. If he doesn’t like it in Golden State, you can always try again next offseason. Until then, STFU.
And the Thunder beat the Warriors in the playoffs at Oracle, when home court advantage becomes a bigger thing. If the Celtics’ pitch revolved around their game plans on how they beat the Cavs and Warriors at home in the regular season, it becomes a bit obvious why he didn’t choose them.
durant = soft / weak
Boston fans still reaching for someone who is never coming to Boston.
Shouldn’t tell secrets to anyone that isn’t on your team then? KD wasn’t a member of the team and I don’t know how sharing the strategy would help sway him to Boston.
No big deal. Any player leaving Boston also has the same secret info. Stevens adapts. Move on.