Star players who will never lead a team to a ring. These guys are seen as number one players on a team but really are number two options, or else seen as number two options and are really third options. James Harden - He'd make a great #2 option but his team will never win if he's #1. Paul George - He's not even a #2. Strictly a #3, maybe worse. Kyrie Irving - Even in his prime he couldn't be a number 1. These Guys Won't - but could under the right conditions: Westbrook - I think he has the talent, toughness and mentality to carry a team, but chemistry is an issue. I don't think he ever will lead a team to championship but could under the right coach and with the right make up of a team around him. Not Sure About: Kevin Durant - Mentality issues. If he matures he has what it takes to lead a team. But I'm not sure if he will. Notice the defensive issues here. The guys who lead as true number 1's do it well on both ends. The only exception is where a team wins more by committee rather than with one obvious star leader.
I agree with Irving and George. I'm wishy washy on Harden. I'd put him into the probably not category but you're probably right. I think Westbrook and Durant are capable but they need to be on a solid team with a culture they decide to buy into.
Love you, but your Durant take is ridiculous. I can’t even unpack it all. He’s ALREADY led his team to 2 championships. He’s a two time Finals MVP for chrissakes!!!
It's hard to say Durant lead the Warriors anywhere considering they had already done it without him. He was transplanted onto a championship roster. Let's see what he does in Brooklyn.
Why? Weren't they already a great team? I'm not saying he's not a great player. I haven't said I'm certain he's not a leader. I'm just saying that we haven't seen him lead a team which would be lost without him - except the Thunder, but right when things were looking good he jumped ship for Golden State.
I watched those games. He was clearly the leader of those teams. I have no further argument other than I watched the games. He was fantastic. A true leader as well. I don’t even like him. I thought his signing with Golden State sucked. But I disagree with you.
I don't deny that he was leading those teams. I'm just not sure that being a leader of a team that was able to lead itself without you proves you're much of a leader.
Not really. What else have we seen of Durant elsewhere? We've seen a talented player who hasn't been able to have a lot of success leading a team, and who is emotionally a bit immature. It may mean he's just not the type to carry a team. Then there was the quote from him when he went to GS "Steph Curry is the face of the franchise, and that helps me out, because I don’t have to,” he said. “I don’t want to have to be the leader. I’m not a leader. I’m bad at saying, ‘Stand behind me and follow me.’ No. I’m one of those guys that’s just like, ‘Let’s do this **** together. Let’s just work everybody together. I don’t mind being on the front line with you, but let’s come and do it together.’ That’s my way of leadership. I’m leading by example.” Well that's all well and good Mr. Durant, but you can't have your cake and eat it too. Just playing well and doing your part isn't being a leader - it's being a good player. Leadership, by definition, goes beyond that. It takes on responsibility, and cuts a path forward, and encourages from behind, and is willing to stand at the front... Maybe Kevin Durant will learn, maybe he has learned, to take on responsibility and move past his fear or discomfort of being a leader, or whatever it is, and we'll see him become the #1 guy who can carry a team. Maybe not. Like I said, let's see what happens with Brooklyn.
I mean, Durant led OKC to what would have been a title had they played literally any other team on Earth in almost any other year prior. I cant really knock him for not winning it, lots of great players never actually win one.
