Scribbler's 11th Hour Post of the Week: Why Kevin Durant's Big Decision Gives Me Cause for Pause

I had every intention of keeping this post as simple as possible, but when have y'all ever known me to do that?!?!  I'm not afraid to admit it: I just don't do brief, especially when it comes to breaking news like seven-time All-Star, four-time scoring champ and former NBA MVP Kevin Durant signing a two-year, $54.3 million deal with the Golden State Warriors--yup, the same team that kept him, Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder from what appeared to be a surefire date with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2016 NBA Finals.  It seems like more people have been talking about this and nearly choking on their burnt hot dogs and potato salad in the process than the news that the FBI has decided not to charge former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for mishandling classified information in her emails.  (You're probably thinking, "Well Dirk, you're doing the same thing."  My response: politics suck right now.  It's either going to be a shady Hillary Clinton or a baseless Donald Trump for President of the United States...who TF wants to talk about that?!?!)  My overall position, however, is simple: neither am I in love with this move for Durant nor the Warriors...yet.  Indulge me...

Dirk's 1st Annual NFL Free Agency Frenzy Wrap-Up



Now that's a money shot.  Amidst so much doubt as to whether you're the franchise quarterback, you go out and play nearly flawless postseason football, win a Super Bowl and put yourself in position to virtually request a blank check during contract negotiations.  However, not every player was in the same position as Joe Flacco when the free agency frenzy began last Tuesday--especially because quarterbacks always get preferential treatment when they win that Lombardi trophy.  Some players tried to gain leverage from what the market dictated combined with their productivity to either be the highest paid or just get more money for their families, fledgling businesses and/or sports car fetishes.  On the converse, many teams had to make hard decisions because they were running up against the salary cap, often letting go of some of their best players.  One thing is clear from this year's free agency frenzy: if you bank on wearing the same uniform your whole career, then plan on being broke.

"Ain't Nobody Coming to See You, Otis!"

So why have I posted a video from perhaps the funniest scene in The Temptations TV miniseries from 1998 and juxtapose it with a picture of New York Jets' cornerback Darrelle Revis--who could be wearing a new uniform four hours from now once free agency and trading begins?  Please indulge me for a moment...David Ruffin (played by Leon) felt like fans were only coming to see The Temptations because he had become the primary lead singer and undeniably possessed the most amount of swagger out of any group member.  However, Otis Williams (played by Charles Malik Whitfield) and Melvin "Blue" Franklin (played by D.B. Woodside) felt like his failure to make rehearsals, his drug abuse, and overall erratic behavior was hurting the group more than his standout vocals were helping.  Thus, they made a business decision to move on without him.  Now does that make Darrelle Revis the football equivalent of David Ruffin?  Not exactly.  On one hand, he greatly believes in his priceless ability like David Ruffin did.  On the other hand, he's way more of a team player, and his fan appeal when compared to other skilled positions is more like Otis Williams.  Hence, the Jets' entertainment of a trade involving their four-time Pro Bowl, three-time All-Pro cornerback and former AFC Defensive Player of the Year only makes sense because we are talking about the Jets.  Because of their recent resorting to gimmicks and desperate ploys for attention in the New York City spotlight, they're telling him in so many words (and maybe unfairly), "Ain't nobody coming to see you, Otis!"