Overview of Is Expansion Good for the NBA? Plus, Kevin Durant Voices His Frustrations | Real Ones
This episode of The Ringer’s Real Ones (hosts Logan Murdoch and Howard Beck, with Cliff in the mailbag) covers two big NBA storylines: the reported NBA expansion push for Seattle and Las Vegas and what that means for the league, Adam Silver’s legacy and leadership, and a deep conversation about Kevin Durant’s current situation and legacy in Houston. The show also answers listener mail on Luka Doncic’s on-court behavior, examples of “great but not super‑athletic” players, and Russell Westbrook’s near‑term future.
Key topics discussed
- NBA expansion news
- ESPN reporting that the Board of Governors will vote to explore adding teams in Las Vegas and Seattle with target play in 2028–29.
- Estimated franchise bids in the $7–10 billion range.
- Potential ripple effects: dilution of talent, two more “very bad teams” initially, conference realignment (possible move of Minnesota or Memphis to the East).
- Business vs. basketball quality debate
- Owners face a choice: immediate windfall from expansion fees vs. splitting league revenue (more owners sharing TV/league revenue).
- Concern that expansion is driven by league revenue growth rather than product quality.
- Schedule, inventory and player load
- Discussion of whether adding teams could be paired with shortening the season (e.g., 82 → 72 games) to protect players while maintaining TV inventory — but skepticism that owners will risk cutting inventory.
- Adam Silver’s leadership and legacy
- Heavy scrutiny: Clippers investigation, tanking, gambling issues, international expansion talk.
- Criticism that Silver has been less visible and less engaged with local media and league crises compared with David Stern’s command-style leadership.
- Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets
- Durant criticized Rockets’ late-game stagnation and double-teaming; he described feeling like it’s “one-on-five” when teams rally to stop him.
- The Rockets’ roster construction (missing Fred VanVleet playmaking, injuries like Steven Adams and others) has left the team underwhelming despite Durant’s continued high individual efficiency at age 37.
- Durant’s legacy debate: elite individual production vs. repeated perceptions of “bad juju” or failure to elevate teams to the next level.
- Michael Lee’s Ringer piece (“Buckets Over Bullshit”) is highlighted as a recommended read for deeper KD reporting.
- Mailbag highlights
- Luka Doncic: fans annoyed by his constant complaining; refs now allow more player chatter than decades ago and ejections are rarer.
- “Great but not gifted” player examples: Kobe framed as maximizing skill over elite athleticism; Shane Battier, Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, Andre Miller, Chris Paul discussed.
- Russell Westbrook: most likely to remain with the Kings next season as a veteran presence; other contenders/fit issues noted.
Main takeaways
- Expansion feels financially motivated and likely to happen; Seattle and Vegas make sense commercially, but the basketball product risks being diluted (more weak teams, roster/equipment ripple effects).
- Owners will weigh a large up‑front franchise fee against long‑term revenue split implications; some owners (smaller markets or less-glamorous destinations) will be anxious about player attraction and competitive balance.
- Adam Silver’s legacy is under unusual pressure — multiple simultaneous crises and perceptions of limited public leadership are shaping narratives about his stewardship.
- Kevin Durant remains an elite scorer and efficient player, but his time in Houston has amplified historical critiques: team cohesion problems, leadership/fit questions, and whether his presence consistently produces playoff/glory outcomes.
- Modern officiating culture tolerates more player dissent; stars who don’t win will see their reputations judged on both production and perceived demeanor.
Notable quotes and lines
- On expansion motivation: “The league is making so much fucking money right now that that’s the only consideration.” — Howard Beck (paraphrased)
- On KD and Houston’s offense: Durant — “When I come across half court… I just think the whole process is too slow. … It just feels like one-on-five, to be honest.”
- On Durant’s outlook: “People don’t truly appreciate anything until it’s not here anymore… I just go out there, do what I do and love what I do without getting anything back.” — Kevin Durant (from Michael Lee interview)
- On Luka and officiating: modern refs give players “a lot more latitude” than 20 years ago; ejections are rarer, so star complaining is more visible but less punished.
Mailbag — quick answers
- Luka Doncic: yes, he talks to refs a lot and risks perception problems; refs are generally more lenient now than in past eras.
- “Great but not gifted” players: examples include Kobe Bryant (maximized what he had), Shane Battier, Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, Andre Miller, Chris Paul — players who relied on craft/skill/IQ over elite physical tools.
- Russell Westbrook: most plausible landing spot is Sacramento (returning for another season as a veteran, high-usage presence). Other contending fits are limited.
Implications & recommended follow-ups
- If you care about the league’s on-court quality, watch how the Board of Governors discussion frames expansion — fees, redistribution of revenue, and whether relocation was considered instead of expansion.
- Read Howard Beck’s Ringer pieces on expansion and Michael Lee’s “Buckets Over Bullshit” profile of Kevin Durant for deeper reporting cited in the episode.
- Keep an eye on:
- Board of Governors vote/reporting from next week’s meetings.
- Any announced expansion-process details (open bid vs. targeted-city approach).
- Rockets’ roster moves (playmaker acquisitions, recovery of injured pieces) and Durant’s comments as the season moves toward playoffs.
Credits: episode hosts Logan Murdoch and Howard Beck; reporting and writing referenced from Michael Lee and Howard’s Ringer coverage.