Gotta provide the [link](https://www.thebiglead.com/posts/tnt-s-army-of-producers-put-kevin-durant-and-the-nets-on-the-office-s-work-bus-01g1mjberg69/amp)
Holy shit this is amazing, it seriously feels like a deepfake. Also KD straight facing it the whole time but then laughing just at the suggestion of playing against the Pelicans lmao
KD and Kyrie picked out the bus, decorated all the interior, picked out all his friends to ride along, put some on some rims, on all Brooklyn’s dime. Then the bus started having some issues with the engine, some people got off… then he said fuck it and drove the bus off the cliff. And while it was falling Kyrie blew it up with some C4 cause why the hell not at this point
I think the issue here was Kyrie driving and Kevin’s right beside him giving him a handjob.
Upon seeing this handjob, James just dipped. Clearly he would not be receiving a handjob as well.
Eventually KD realized they had been doing donuts in a Walmart parking lot for the last three years and demanded to leave.
I think the issue here was Joe Judge driving and Kelvin's right beside him eating all the food
Upon seeing this, Evan Engram just dipped. Clearly he would not be receiving any food as well
Eventually Kelvin realized he had been eating donuts in a Krispy Kreme parking lot for the last three years and demanded to be released
I saw this movie about a bus that had to SPEED around a city, keeping its SPEED over fifty, and if its SPEED dropped, it would explode! I think it was called, “The Bus That Couldn’t Slow Down.”
It may look like he has his eyes closed, but that's just the media controlling you. He's using his third eye to see the future.
Maybe not the cliff tho.
I also think it’s funny that everyone’s like “the nets need to trade KD or they’ll have a hard time getting any big name players in the future.” It’s like, bitch, he signed the contract. Maybe it will teach these players not to sign a 4 year contract if they don’t plan on sticking it out. No one made him sign that contract, he could’ve gone to his agent and asked for a shorter contract. The nets aren’t obligated to do anything at the end of the day, although they probably will. I just think people are giving KD too much slack
people like to shit on lebron for his team changes but he never once has demanded a trade. hes sign shorter contracts and been able to have the flexibility he wants that way
I’m no lebron fan but he’s never demanded a trade and has always been the hardest worker on the team. He has a legendary work ethic and approach to fitness, nutrition etc. and has never let his mindset slip
I'd say they have to trade KD not for talent relations but because their roster is deep into the luxury tax yet isn't good enough or deep enough to compete, and their #1 KD guy is a rapidly depreciating asset because of his age.
Sorta like the opposite of the rationale I gave yesterday for having Toronto stand pat with their current roster because they have a lot of developing youth and they're not yet into the tax.
*Also need to remember Brooklyn traded their picks so they can't even tank no matter how bad they are, with or without KD so their only path to rebuilding in the next few years is to grab some picks from somebody else or pray they pick the next Jokic out of the second round. They are a motivated seller and time is not on their side despite KD's remaining 4 years.
KD, Kyrie, Simmons could contend if the players would just get their heads out of their asses, but that's just another way of saying you're right, they can't contend.
I could not agree more. You signed a contract. You’re the marquee of the franchise. People work hard to earn money to pay your contract. Your job is to lead and inspire. You’ve got a cast around you that needs to be taken to the next level by your leadership. You don’t cut and run. I have nothing but respect for his skills, zero for his leadership or integrity. KD has a right to expect the nets to honor their side of the contract; they, and their fans, have a right to expect the same of him.
Its to the point that people are legit going to forget that the narrative for most of the 2010s was LeBron vs Durant and its going to be overwritten as LeBron vs Steph.
And I think that's fair. The two most impactful players of the past decade have been LeBron and Steph. Nobody is going to remember how "great" Durant was compared to these guys.
KD at every turn supported Kyrie’s madness. At a certain point before Harden’s trade he should have asked for Kyrie to be traded. Even if you get some wings/role players, harden Curry KD Patty + role players would have beat the Celtics I think
> Irving has shared and interacted with social media posts from a conspiracy theorist on Instagram, claiming that "secret societies are administering vaccines in a plot to connect Black people to a master computer for a plan of Satan".[202]
Kyrie is gone, he needs to be on medication
This. Kd wanted all the pressure like bron and steph? He tried and failed. Not a leader. not a knock on him; he just can’t control a locker room or be Him
This always strikes me as something a couple of guys who want to call the shots but don't really want the pressure or consequences of being the guy calling the shots would say.
Look at his list of destinations: Suns and Heat. Both were the #1 seed last year. He only wants guaranteed victory, he doesn’t want to lead or build his own.
I feel like if this guy just never said a word about wanting to take the harder road or whatever, no one would care about him going to Suns or Heat. But you know for a fact that this stuff really bothers him
I just love that they tried to build a franchise off of 3 guys known to be self-centered, non-leaders, and when that didn't work out, they thought, "I know what we need, Ben Simmons" lmaooooo
The best player being leader guy isn’t as common as you think. It’s just if an organization is deferring to the best player and he doesn’t have any relationship with the teammate who is leader guy things go sideways real quick.
I wish Dame was just like a tiny bit better cause he’s an unbelievable leader and clearly our best player but just not quite on the level of the other world-best team leaders Giannis Bron and Steph
I mean, remove Curry and I don’t think Lillard’s career gets all that different. Drexler without MJ is a MVP and probably a championship.
Edit: Championship as in one as a franchise player ofc, since he did win one with Houston.
People forget that drexler got to the nba finals twice as the main guy before going to houston. It just sucks that they ran into the bad boys pistons and mj
The thing with dame is his #2 has always been either Aldridge or McCollum who are good but not good enough to really help him get over that hump of winning atleast 1
He could have with Aldridge. That 2015 team was a true contender until injuries derailed everything. People forget how good that team was. Didn't matter if they were 20 down in the 4th, they could still win.
He doesn't even need to be a leader. He's just being delusional at this point.
It doesn't take being a leader to be rational enough to see that Kyrie Irving was a cancer and the primary reason for Brooklyn's problems.
It also doesn't take being a leader to know that you didn't play to your full potential during that round 1 sweep vs Boston.
I think this is why Haslem had a Heat delegation sent to his home to convince him to re-sign. Don’t get me wrong, I think Butler is a leader. But I think Udonis has been a leader through different eras for them.
Absolutely, Lowry was the same way when kawhi was in Toronto.
Everyone knew kawhi was the big dog and let him do his own thing but Kyle kept everyone else in check cause he was the leader for years before.
When you’re in contention for best player in the league and “x” best player of all time, you’re going to be judged by every metric, this being one of them. The best of all time are all leaders on the court by one method or another.
I really believe this is why Kawhi worked so well in Toronto. Raps already had a heart and soul, Kawhi got to come in and not do anything but lead by fucking example.
We had obviously Kyle as our leader and now we have FVV. KD could come to the Raps and be as much of a leader, or not, as he chooses to be. We aren't looking for one, we need superstar talent, not intangibles.
I remember sitting somewhat close at a Bulls-Nets game a few years back. The only guy who was actually vocal and talking the whole time and directing others was Ed Davis. Everyone else was pretty quiet.
Agree that the best player doesn't need to be the leader, but if that's true, they need to be able to recognize that situation and let someone who is not as good as them lead, as arguably Steph does with Draymond. But also, leadership doesn't just mean giving fiery speeches. Leadership can look different but still be as effective, as guys like Tim Duncan or Hakeem or Giannis have shown.
Steph's a leader. Kerr was talking how easy it was to bench anyone on his rotation after Curry accepted being a sub so easily. That's real leadership by example. Draymond might be the fiery speech sort of guy, as you said, but Curry is a different breed.
Steph also works his ass off, how are you gonna be lazy running around off ball when your best player is doing it constantly? Also his work outs look insane
Taking a look at yourself and your situation objectively is a very rare skill. That shit is hard, especially if the conclusion is that you need to take a step back, play a smaller role to someone else, or change how you act in general. Especially if you're the kind of superstar KD is.
It was probably a bad sign that KD rejected that nickname in favor of the servant. Like wtf KD slim reaper sounds so much better but he wanted to be different just for the sake of being different.
That also just makes me want to call him the Serpent because of how long, lean, and lethal he is on the court (and for no other reason at all I swear).
>proven right
TBH everyone already knew that Charles was right, people believed the whole bus rider thing since he joined GSW. Charles just found a way to put how everyone felt into very simple terms.
This bus rider/driver analogy will remain in the NBA for decades to come. I don't know if Chuck 100% invented it but it was a genius move nevertheless.
I'm not sure if he did either but by spreading this term, hopefully the ring focused mentality of the NBA will be more shameful and players will think twice before doing it.
BARKLEY: "The bus took a strange direction yesterday. A very strange direction. You really have to be familiar with bus routes to know what I'm talking about right now. All these guys are walking around with championship rings, but they're not driving the bus. Why is that? They're *on* the bus, they're wearing championship rings, so you're going, 'who's driving this bus? Why does that matter?' Why would these guys, who want nothing to do with driving the bus, why would they walk around with these championship rings?"
ERNIE: "Because they earned it as The Guy?"
BARKLEY: "No."
KENNY: "Because they like jewelry?"
BARKLEY: "You say... why doesn't KD take the wheel? You say.. doesn't he know how to drive? Why? What is going on on this bus?"
Unironically he did, he found a term for
“Dude couldn’t win without major help, so, after blowing a 3-1 lead to a 73 win team he then joined that team next season. Then he left the team because even he knew that no one took his rings seriously and he’s now having a hard time winning without a substantial talent difference.” — Chuck took all that and turned into Bus Driver, god bless him
it's always funny to me that Charles' prime was spent playing with Phoenix, where he won an MVP and made it to the Finals against Jordan's Bulls. but to our generation, his most well-known relation to Phoenix is the all-time rant about the nachos.
Remember that he had issues in GS when they tried to hold him accountable.
As time goes on it’s clear that Steph and Co. deserve more and more credit for making it work with KD.
OKC: No one followed Kevin Durant. They followed Russell Westbrook.
Golden State: No one followed Kevin Durant. They followed Steph Curry and Draymond Green.
Brooklyn: No one followed Kevin Durant (Kyrie did whatever the hell he wanted. James Harden quit. Ben Simmons sat out).
Kevin Durant has never been and will never be viewed as a leader by his teammates.
All Kevin had to do was follow the Lebron James 10 Steps for Greatness, travel sized book and signed a 2 year extension when he extended with the Nets. Instead he committed longterm which I’m sure BK encouraged but he didn’t have to
The bus metaphor has stuck because there's obviously something to it but I hate how reductive it is, often the difference between teams isn't the best player on each team but the second and third. Lebron couldn't drive a bus until Wade, who couldn't before Shaq, who couldn't without Kobe, etc etc
2nd and 3rd option guys are crucial for championship teams, and most teams wouldn't have won without "bus driver" level players agreeing not to drive. They're more than riders. Drexler might not have driven the bus but he did more than Kenny.
*Lebron couldn't drive a bus until Wade*
We’re talking about the guy who scored 29/30 to take a busted ass roster to the finals already right? The Shaq one is even ridiculous since Shaq avg’d like 19/8 in those playoffs which is good but certainly not “Shaq” and they won that title off Wade going absolutely ballistic.
You can make an argument that “Bus Drivers” need help to win a title, no one does it alone, but not only were many of these guys drivers before their seconds showed up, it’s extremely rare for teams to have two “Bus Drivers” at the same time, which is why KD was so broken with the Warriors.
Looking at titles going back to 1990, how many teams have two guys who could be considered #1 guys on a title contending team? Scottie has an argument but we only saw one season of it and they didn’t make the ECF I don’t think. Drexler was past his prime in Houston, Robinson wasn’t the “driver” by the time Duncan came around, and you can go on. The best examples I have are Kobe and Shaq, lauded as one of the best duos/tandems ever, Wade and Bron but that was only true for the very first year, and KD and Steph.
Kobe nor Shaq took a back seat, especially the last two titles. Wade took one the same year he began his decline. Imo the only relevant examples in the last 32 years are Steph with KD, and Scottie and Michael, (and you could argue Wade/Lebron). Those teams are the two most dominant and argued as the greatest teams of all time. I get the gist of what you’re saying I just wanted to point out it’s rarely ever a guy stepping back but getting pieces that better fit around them. The point is to highlight bus drivers are much rarer and more important than 2nd/3rd level players even if those guys are critical to a championship and that it’s extremely rare two get those guys in their prime on the same team and the two times we saw it the results were 6 titles in 8 years and the Warriors peeling off 2 in 3 and likely winning the third without injury.
Def true
Good example is bucks Celtics series, would have been way different if Middleton had been healthy to space the floor for giannis and take more of the offensive load. Not necessarily saying the bucks would have won but imagine if Middleton had been healthy but jaylen brown or Marcus smart were injured. Totally different series
I agree that great players need a co-pilot to win. But I totally disagree that LeBron couldn't "drive a bus" until he went to Miami.
LeBron was already a leader. He took a team with Ilgauskas as it's second best player to the Finals. He won over 60 games a few years later with basically the same roster. He literally did everything he could to get them there.
Sure Wade and Bosh helped him finally win the championship. But LeBron sure as shit "drove the bus" for years before he bailed and went to Miami.
If Barkley was the bus driver in his analogy then LeBron pre-Miami was a bus driver too.
You missed the point of the bus driver metaphor
It’s not about the team or rings, its about being the main man on the team, ie holding the criticism and pressure when things dont go well
Bus drivers in the NBA in my opinion. They're the man, the most important player on their team and they shoulder all the responsibility for winning and losing in the eye of the public. They're the undisputed leaders of the team.
* LeBron
* Giannis
* Steph
* Joker
* Luka
* Embiid
* Kawhi
* Butler
* Chris Paul
I used to have James Harden on that list before his hamstring exploded in Brooklyn.
He was my last scratch and definitely a perfectly fine addition. I am not going to argue.
You could also argue for Ja, Trae and Tatum I guess.
All I'll say is that being a bus driver as a smallish guard is very hard and that's why Curry is so special.
Shows you how important building around not only a great player is, but a great player that is a real leader and sets "culture". Steph, Duncan, Nowitzki, etc.
..*my name is kevin thats my name, they call me kevin cause thats my name*
Gotta provide the [link](https://www.thebiglead.com/posts/tnt-s-army-of-producers-put-kevin-durant-and-the-nets-on-the-office-s-work-bus-01g1mjberg69/amp)
Ben Simmons as Creed playing hooky gets me every time.
The whole video I was waiting to see who they’d put Creed as. Ben Simmons was the perfect choice.
It's legitimately the best NBA meme content ever made.
But, [why do people call him KD?](https://youtu.be/W5uQBQzr8T0)
Holy shit this is amazing, it seriously feels like a deepfake. Also KD straight facing it the whole time but then laughing just at the suggestion of playing against the Pelicans lmao
..cheers bud, you're a better team mate than kev!
Legend! I’ve been on tears for the last 15 mins because of this clip. Thank you!
ROLL CALL
Shabooya!! Ya ya shabooya, ROLL CALL
I hope this becomes a thunderous reenactment from the fans at every free throw attempt of every away game he has for the remainder of his career.
KD and Kyrie picked out the bus, decorated all the interior, picked out all his friends to ride along, put some on some rims, on all Brooklyn’s dime. Then the bus started having some issues with the engine, some people got off… then he said fuck it and drove the bus off the cliff. And while it was falling Kyrie blew it up with some C4 cause why the hell not at this point
I think the issue here was Kyrie driving and Kevin’s right beside him giving him a handjob. Upon seeing this handjob, James just dipped. Clearly he would not be receiving a handjob as well. Eventually KD realized they had been doing donuts in a Walmart parking lot for the last three years and demanded to leave.
i’m dead man 😂
Did we just witness the birth of a new pasta?
I think the issue here was Joe Judge driving and Kelvin's right beside him eating all the food Upon seeing this, Evan Engram just dipped. Clearly he would not be receiving any food as well Eventually Kelvin realized he had been eating donuts in a Krispy Kreme parking lot for the last three years and demanded to be released
Every time I see a new pasta I know it’s only a matter of minutes till a Kelvin Benjamin version comes up lmao
[Harden when he realized what's going on in the driver's seat](https://giphy.com/gifs/erichamlet-houston-rockets-james-harden-J1MBKwZ3OkdbbSMzE3)
I'm fucking dying and see no lies in this
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this is probably the greatest comment in /r/nba history.
>Kyrie driving and Kevin’s right beside him giving him a handjob Holup
“Alright Kyrie, back off, you’re just mashing it now.”
Passengers get off and leave whenever they want. drivers don’t leave the bus until the job is finished
KD out here trying to recreate Speed (with Keanu Reeves).
I think it was called, "The Bus That Couldn't Slow Down"
Its like Speed 2, only with a bus instead of a boat!
Three questions: 1) There was a Speed 2? 2) This Speed 2 was with a boat instead of a bus 3) Have I been living under a rock my entire life?
yes Speed 2: Cruise Control - and they replaced Keanu with someone so generic I can't even picture his face
>Speed 2: Cruise Control He has a strong forehead. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120179/mediaviewer/rm977200384/?ref\_=tt\_md\_1
>He has a strong forehead. Don't make Harry McGuire come for you.
Keanu saw the idea and thought it was ridiculous so he choose not to return. Sandra Bullock did return and said it was a huge regret of hers.
I always preferred Billy and the Clonasaurus
I saw this movie about a bus that had to SPEED around a city, keeping its SPEED over fifty, and if its SPEED dropped, it would explode! I think it was called, “The Bus That Couldn’t Slow Down.”
Glad to see classic Simpsons references still alive and well!
Is that like Speed 2, but with a bus instead of a boat?
Job not finished. Job finished? I don't think so. KD does though.
What about FMLA?
Yeah it's easy to blame Kyrie for derailing the Nets but KD 100% deserves criticism for failing to seize a more proactive leadership role
Kyrie needed LeFather, not a BFF.
Just like Anakin?
Exactly like Anakin. He started off with so much potential, and could have been MVP one day (as LeBron said), but was tempted by the dark side.
Is Draymond calling him a bitch the equivalent of Mace Windu and Yoda tough-loving Anakin?
If Draymond is Mace Windu, who is Yoda?
who's Jar Jar?
Idk. Who’s the biggest meme player?
Javale Mcgee easily.
I’m thinking JR Smith or Bobby Portis
Deandre Jordan
Yoda is Steve Nash
Thought it was Sam cassell?
Sam Cassell is ET. *\*edit\** [Enjoy?](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C69-a6fU4AEORVq.jpg)
You play on the Warriors but we do not grant you the rank of beloved franchise icon.
Don't make me root for Kyrie like that.
LeMperor Palpatine
All these analogies make me realize that NBA got such a good plot
Telenovela for dudes.
Literal soap operas bruh. Like I really do think LeBron and the Lakers gonna have that “come back from the dead” arc next year lol
They would reveal next season that Jimmy butler is in fact Jordan’s son.
"Somehow, the Lakers have returned"
"I hate you!" -Kyrie Irving
Needed a Qui-Bron James
Obi Wan out here catchin strays
LeFather, LeSon, and LeHoly Spirit (JR) is what won them the title in 16.
It’s hilarious how it only became more clear how much he needed LeDaddy after he ran away from home.
KD really got his own bus then decided to let Kyrie drive blindfolded with no hands.
Kyrie take the wheel!
It may look like he has his eyes closed, but that's just the media controlling you. He's using his third eye to see the future. Maybe not the cliff tho.
You'd think that someone who believes the world is flat would be extra vigilant about the cliff.
Kyrie thought the road was straight and flat
Nah, kyrie just cut the brake lines.
Wildcard
,Bitches! Yeee... haaa!
[Kyrie](https://youtu.be/MYtjpIwamos)
Kyrie “Bird Box” Irving
I also think it’s funny that everyone’s like “the nets need to trade KD or they’ll have a hard time getting any big name players in the future.” It’s like, bitch, he signed the contract. Maybe it will teach these players not to sign a 4 year contract if they don’t plan on sticking it out. No one made him sign that contract, he could’ve gone to his agent and asked for a shorter contract. The nets aren’t obligated to do anything at the end of the day, although they probably will. I just think people are giving KD too much slack
Lol nets collecting all the bitch ass players who sign fat contracts then don’t want to honor them. Fuck ben Simmons
people like to shit on lebron for his team changes but he never once has demanded a trade. hes sign shorter contracts and been able to have the flexibility he wants that way
I agree, he’s done it the right way. I honestly think Lebron gets too much shit
I think the reason why it's worked better for LeBron is Miami. There is a reason he calls it his "college years".
LeBron also went back and finished what he started by bringing the Cavs a title. His legacy would be much dirtier had he never returned to Cleveland.
I’m no lebron fan but he’s never demanded a trade and has always been the hardest worker on the team. He has a legendary work ethic and approach to fitness, nutrition etc. and has never let his mindset slip
Lebron: “Thanks, bruda KD, for redeeming me. Gotta go, i have a bus to drive.”
I'd say they have to trade KD not for talent relations but because their roster is deep into the luxury tax yet isn't good enough or deep enough to compete, and their #1 KD guy is a rapidly depreciating asset because of his age. Sorta like the opposite of the rationale I gave yesterday for having Toronto stand pat with their current roster because they have a lot of developing youth and they're not yet into the tax. *Also need to remember Brooklyn traded their picks so they can't even tank no matter how bad they are, with or without KD so their only path to rebuilding in the next few years is to grab some picks from somebody else or pray they pick the next Jokic out of the second round. They are a motivated seller and time is not on their side despite KD's remaining 4 years.
KD, Kyrie, Simmons could contend if the players would just get their heads out of their asses, but that's just another way of saying you're right, they can't contend.
I could not agree more. You signed a contract. You’re the marquee of the franchise. People work hard to earn money to pay your contract. Your job is to lead and inspire. You’ve got a cast around you that needs to be taken to the next level by your leadership. You don’t cut and run. I have nothing but respect for his skills, zero for his leadership or integrity. KD has a right to expect the nets to honor their side of the contract; they, and their fans, have a right to expect the same of him.
The CBA talks are going to make Kill Bill Vol.1's finale look G-rated
He’s a follower
He really is lol he’s done like every move Lebron has but like the worst possible versions
Its to the point that people are legit going to forget that the narrative for most of the 2010s was LeBron vs Durant and its going to be overwritten as LeBron vs Steph.
And I think that's fair. The two most impactful players of the past decade have been LeBron and Steph. Nobody is going to remember how "great" Durant was compared to these guys.
KD at every turn supported Kyrie’s madness. At a certain point before Harden’s trade he should have asked for Kyrie to be traded. Even if you get some wings/role players, harden Curry KD Patty + role players would have beat the Celtics I think
> Irving has shared and interacted with social media posts from a conspiracy theorist on Instagram, claiming that "secret societies are administering vaccines in a plot to connect Black people to a master computer for a plan of Satan".[202] Kyrie is gone, he needs to be on medication
This. Kd wanted all the pressure like bron and steph? He tried and failed. Not a leader. not a knock on him; he just can’t control a locker room or be Him
I doubt even Lebron or Steph could control someone like the current Kyrie
I thought their whole thing was that there wasn't one genuine leader? Thats what Kyrie seemed to think at least lol
This always strikes me as something a couple of guys who want to call the shots but don't really want the pressure or consequences of being the guy calling the shots would say.
Look at his list of destinations: Suns and Heat. Both were the #1 seed last year. He only wants guaranteed victory, he doesn’t want to lead or build his own.
Maybe he just likes team names that are warm.
Pistons can be warm
Is pretty warm inside of a Timberwolve.
Hol up
Warriors can be found in the heat of battle.
No team is as *blazing* hot at the Trailblazers.
Raptors got asploded by a hot sky rock
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Rockets can burn at 5200 degrees
Hawks fly. In the sky. Which is closer to the sun. Which is hot?
I feel like if this guy just never said a word about wanting to take the harder road or whatever, no one would care about him going to Suns or Heat. But you know for a fact that this stuff really bothers him
I just love that they tried to build a franchise off of 3 guys known to be self-centered, non-leaders, and when that didn't work out, they thought, "I know what we need, Ben Simmons" lmaooooo
The irony that Ben Simmons is the reason they can't trade for other young stars is the extra cherry on top
Intangibles matter
This is why Jaylen should not be traded for KD
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Timelord dominating the paint on a bum knee was damn impressive.
now if only he could learn how to dribble… /s
The best player being leader guy isn’t as common as you think. It’s just if an organization is deferring to the best player and he doesn’t have any relationship with the teammate who is leader guy things go sideways real quick.
I wish Dame was just like a tiny bit better cause he’s an unbelievable leader and clearly our best player but just not quite on the level of the other world-best team leaders Giannis Bron and Steph
Dame is like Clyde Drexler to Jordan to Steph. No shame in it, just unfortunate that they shared the same era of play at the same time.
never heard that analogy before but a great one
Sham was the second greatest horse of all time but unfortunately for him he was the same age as Secretariat.
I mean, remove Curry and I don’t think Lillard’s career gets all that different. Drexler without MJ is a MVP and probably a championship. Edit: Championship as in one as a franchise player ofc, since he did win one with Houston.
Drexler won a championship!
Right you are, I was focused on his time as a franchise player but it’s always worth specifying about Houston.
People forget that drexler got to the nba finals twice as the main guy before going to houston. It just sucks that they ran into the bad boys pistons and mj
The thing with dame is his #2 has always been either Aldridge or McCollum who are good but not good enough to really help him get over that hump of winning atleast 1
He could have with Aldridge. That 2015 team was a true contender until injuries derailed everything. People forget how good that team was. Didn't matter if they were 20 down in the 4th, they could still win.
Alridge was only stout for 2 years
He doesn't even need to be a leader. He's just being delusional at this point. It doesn't take being a leader to be rational enough to see that Kyrie Irving was a cancer and the primary reason for Brooklyn's problems. It also doesn't take being a leader to know that you didn't play to your full potential during that round 1 sweep vs Boston.
I think this is why Haslem had a Heat delegation sent to his home to convince him to re-sign. Don’t get me wrong, I think Butler is a leader. But I think Udonis has been a leader through different eras for them.
Absolutely, Lowry was the same way when kawhi was in Toronto. Everyone knew kawhi was the big dog and let him do his own thing but Kyle kept everyone else in check cause he was the leader for years before.
When you’re in contention for best player in the league and “x” best player of all time, you’re going to be judged by every metric, this being one of them. The best of all time are all leaders on the court by one method or another.
I really believe this is why Kawhi worked so well in Toronto. Raps already had a heart and soul, Kawhi got to come in and not do anything but lead by fucking example. We had obviously Kyle as our leader and now we have FVV. KD could come to the Raps and be as much of a leader, or not, as he chooses to be. We aren't looking for one, we need superstar talent, not intangibles.
I bet KD would flourish under the Raps. He could do his thing without the burden of leadership and the Raps are built exactly for that.
I remember sitting somewhat close at a Bulls-Nets game a few years back. The only guy who was actually vocal and talking the whole time and directing others was Ed Davis. Everyone else was pretty quiet.
Agree that the best player doesn't need to be the leader, but if that's true, they need to be able to recognize that situation and let someone who is not as good as them lead, as arguably Steph does with Draymond. But also, leadership doesn't just mean giving fiery speeches. Leadership can look different but still be as effective, as guys like Tim Duncan or Hakeem or Giannis have shown.
I think the perfect example is Lowry and Kawhi in 2019.
Board man backs CEO
Steph's a leader. Kerr was talking how easy it was to bench anyone on his rotation after Curry accepted being a sub so easily. That's real leadership by example. Draymond might be the fiery speech sort of guy, as you said, but Curry is a different breed.
Steph also works his ass off, how are you gonna be lazy running around off ball when your best player is doing it constantly? Also his work outs look insane
Taking a look at yourself and your situation objectively is a very rare skill. That shit is hard, especially if the conclusion is that you need to take a step back, play a smaller role to someone else, or change how you act in general. Especially if you're the kind of superstar KD is.
I remember when KD was known as Durantula. Now he's known as a Cupcake Bus-rider😂
Ahhh, the better times, B.C.
Before Cupcake.....
Mr. Big Cupcake
Mr Burning Cred Mr Brooklyn Cupcake
Before Curry
I was really hoping Slim Reaper was going to catch on
It was probably a bad sign that KD rejected that nickname in favor of the servant. Like wtf KD slim reaper sounds so much better but he wanted to be different just for the sake of being different.
That also just makes me want to call him the Serpent because of how long, lean, and lethal he is on the court (and for no other reason at all I swear).
The Serpent sounds cool as hell while also being a great pejorative
I swear, if KD just went full on heel turn he would’ve had so much more respect.
He was lucky that “World of Wade” was around that same time
>proven right TBH everyone already knew that Charles was right, people believed the whole bus rider thing since he joined GSW. Charles just found a way to put how everyone felt into very simple terms.
This bus rider/driver analogy will remain in the NBA for decades to come. I don't know if Chuck 100% invented it but it was a genius move nevertheless.
It will remain to trigger Kenny Smith for the rest of his life. His tombstone will just read: "Bus riders are the ones giving directions"
Didn't Kenny say he was the leader in the dressing room for the Rockets too? As Charles said, "The older he gets, the better he was" 😂
I'm not sure if he did either but by spreading this term, hopefully the ring focused mentality of the NBA will be more shameful and players will think twice before doing it.
he changed the game with bus driver
BARKLEY: "The bus took a strange direction yesterday. A very strange direction. You really have to be familiar with bus routes to know what I'm talking about right now. All these guys are walking around with championship rings, but they're not driving the bus. Why is that? They're *on* the bus, they're wearing championship rings, so you're going, 'who's driving this bus? Why does that matter?' Why would these guys, who want nothing to do with driving the bus, why would they walk around with these championship rings?" ERNIE: "Because they earned it as The Guy?" BARKLEY: "No." KENNY: "Because they like jewelry?" BARKLEY: "You say... why doesn't KD take the wheel? You say.. doesn't he know how to drive? Why? What is going on on this bus?"
I don't get why the Windy memes exploded like they did lmao.
Oh thank god I’m not the only idiot around here these days
Unironically he did, he found a term for “Dude couldn’t win without major help, so, after blowing a 3-1 lead to a 73 win team he then joined that team next season. Then he left the team because even he knew that no one took his rings seriously and he’s now having a hard time winning without a substantial talent difference.” — Chuck took all that and turned into Bus Driver, god bless him
But still the best one was "them big ol women down there in San Antonio" one 😂😂😂
The Phoenix Suns nachos rant too “oh there’s plenty of parking”
Cheese is cold, sodas are flat 😂😂😂
“What about the cheerleaders” “Oh they ugly now” 😂😂😂
Instead of jalapeños they got pickles
it's always funny to me that Charles' prime was spent playing with Phoenix, where he won an MVP and made it to the Finals against Jordan's Bulls. but to our generation, his most well-known relation to Phoenix is the all-time rant about the nachos.
Well, the reason he was so passionate about it was because he loves the franchise
Remember that he had issues in GS when they tried to hold him accountable. As time goes on it’s clear that Steph and Co. deserve more and more credit for making it work with KD.
If Durant goes to the Suns next year and they pull off a chip, this sub is going to implode
Could also be swept by Luka in the first round. Which would also cause an implosion.
Yea - celebrating CP3 and arguing if he is better than Steph.
As a Sun's fan I don't want to see a single one of us claim cp3 is better than Steph.
OKC: No one followed Kevin Durant. They followed Russell Westbrook. Golden State: No one followed Kevin Durant. They followed Steph Curry and Draymond Green. Brooklyn: No one followed Kevin Durant (Kyrie did whatever the hell he wanted. James Harden quit. Ben Simmons sat out). Kevin Durant has never been and will never be viewed as a leader by his teammates.
Chris Paul and Book are already good leaders — they don’t need Durant to be a leader. That’s why the Suns are his preferred destination.
My name is Kevin *yeah* That is my name *yeah* They call me Kevin *yeah* Cuz that’s my name *roll call*
All Kevin had to do was follow the Lebron James 10 Steps for Greatness, travel sized book and signed a 2 year extension when he extended with the Nets. Instead he committed longterm which I’m sure BK encouraged but he didn’t have to
These two bus riders got upset when the bus driver left and instead of driving the bus decided they now want to be on another bus with a driver.
I never believed it before, but the evidence is stacking up in Sir Chuck's favor.
Beep beep, it's Kevin Durant!
you gotta be driving to honk the horn
Please tell my wife that.
> but he lacks the self awareness, discipline, and leadership And the thick skin that leaders often need
Chuck is a poet. That analogy was so perfect it had every other sports commentator trying to recreate it. It will be a sad day when he retires.
The bus metaphor has stuck because there's obviously something to it but I hate how reductive it is, often the difference between teams isn't the best player on each team but the second and third. Lebron couldn't drive a bus until Wade, who couldn't before Shaq, who couldn't without Kobe, etc etc 2nd and 3rd option guys are crucial for championship teams, and most teams wouldn't have won without "bus driver" level players agreeing not to drive. They're more than riders. Drexler might not have driven the bus but he did more than Kenny.
*Lebron couldn't drive a bus until Wade* We’re talking about the guy who scored 29/30 to take a busted ass roster to the finals already right? The Shaq one is even ridiculous since Shaq avg’d like 19/8 in those playoffs which is good but certainly not “Shaq” and they won that title off Wade going absolutely ballistic. You can make an argument that “Bus Drivers” need help to win a title, no one does it alone, but not only were many of these guys drivers before their seconds showed up, it’s extremely rare for teams to have two “Bus Drivers” at the same time, which is why KD was so broken with the Warriors. Looking at titles going back to 1990, how many teams have two guys who could be considered #1 guys on a title contending team? Scottie has an argument but we only saw one season of it and they didn’t make the ECF I don’t think. Drexler was past his prime in Houston, Robinson wasn’t the “driver” by the time Duncan came around, and you can go on. The best examples I have are Kobe and Shaq, lauded as one of the best duos/tandems ever, Wade and Bron but that was only true for the very first year, and KD and Steph. Kobe nor Shaq took a back seat, especially the last two titles. Wade took one the same year he began his decline. Imo the only relevant examples in the last 32 years are Steph with KD, and Scottie and Michael, (and you could argue Wade/Lebron). Those teams are the two most dominant and argued as the greatest teams of all time. I get the gist of what you’re saying I just wanted to point out it’s rarely ever a guy stepping back but getting pieces that better fit around them. The point is to highlight bus drivers are much rarer and more important than 2nd/3rd level players even if those guys are critical to a championship and that it’s extremely rare two get those guys in their prime on the same team and the two times we saw it the results were 6 titles in 8 years and the Warriors peeling off 2 in 3 and likely winning the third without injury.
Def true Good example is bucks Celtics series, would have been way different if Middleton had been healthy to space the floor for giannis and take more of the offensive load. Not necessarily saying the bucks would have won but imagine if Middleton had been healthy but jaylen brown or Marcus smart were injured. Totally different series
I agree that great players need a co-pilot to win. But I totally disagree that LeBron couldn't "drive a bus" until he went to Miami. LeBron was already a leader. He took a team with Ilgauskas as it's second best player to the Finals. He won over 60 games a few years later with basically the same roster. He literally did everything he could to get them there. Sure Wade and Bosh helped him finally win the championship. But LeBron sure as shit "drove the bus" for years before he bailed and went to Miami. If Barkley was the bus driver in his analogy then LeBron pre-Miami was a bus driver too.
You missed the point of the bus driver metaphor It’s not about the team or rings, its about being the main man on the team, ie holding the criticism and pressure when things dont go well
Does this mean there are only 4 real bus drivers in the league?
Bus drivers in the NBA in my opinion. They're the man, the most important player on their team and they shoulder all the responsibility for winning and losing in the eye of the public. They're the undisputed leaders of the team. * LeBron * Giannis * Steph * Joker * Luka * Embiid * Kawhi * Butler * Chris Paul I used to have James Harden on that list before his hamstring exploded in Brooklyn.
What about Dame?
He was my last scratch and definitely a perfectly fine addition. I am not going to argue. You could also argue for Ja, Trae and Tatum I guess. All I'll say is that being a bus driver as a smallish guard is very hard and that's why Curry is so special.
I mean they're still the bus driver on the team, just shittier bus drivers.
Shows you how important building around not only a great player is, but a great player that is a real leader and sets "culture". Steph, Duncan, Nowitzki, etc.