Kevin Durant... How close he was to a 2nd year at UT

[Shaunsters]

I posted back in the day about how close KD was to coming back for his sophomore year on orangebloods. Like normal I got ripped for not giving every detail. Now is the time to tell how close KD was too coming back.

2 days before the deadline KD walked into Barnes office and basically said he was 50-50. Barnes told KD he has to do what's best for him, his family and his future. Told him he would be a Top 2 pick, big endorsements and financial stability. However if he came back with the class we were bringing in, we had a shot at a National Championship. Which was led by big man Gary Johnson! Clint Chapman and guard Dogus Balbay. Toughness inside and out something Texas missed in KD only year. Say what you want about Rick, but Rick did a great job with KD and he thought he had him one more year.

1 day before deadline, from what I heard at the time... KD talked to Todd Wright, Russ Springmann and aftert those convos he was all set to announce his comeback to Texas. What was said in those convos I have no idea. Matter of fact DJ Augustin told people close to him,that KD was coming back and ready to win a national championship. People told me on orangebloods, I was crazy. No way KD was considering it. I posted the night before the deadline that what I was hearing, he was coming back I put it at 75 percent. Mostly because I had 4 separate people telling me he was coming back. Now what happen in 24hrs for KD to change his mind?

I don't know what Happen, most likely the understanding that he could support his whole family for the rest of his life was too much for KD to pass up IMO. I will say this an hour before the announcement KD told people Close to the program, that he might regret his decision as soon as he annouces it. Which led many to believe he changed his mind. If you talk to KD now, the first thing he will tell you is he should have came back for his sophomore year. We were within hours of him coming back and doing something special!

 

[TheContractor]

thanks, i didnt know that.

 

[BobLoblawsBLogs]

Man I'm really enjoying this board. I never saw this on OB but am definitely glad to know this now. The level of info over here is amazing.

 

[Black Scholes]

The business decision almost always trumps the heart. Even more true in hoops IMO.

 

[Mr. Cosell]

Good stuff, Shaunsters.

 

[HornSolo]

Yep, the climate over there is somewhat difficult at times. Glad you and others that I have followed over the years are here. Again thanks for the input.....

Here anything else on Myles Turner?

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[Lukus Alderman]

Thanks, Shaunsters.

As much as I wish he had come back, it's hard to say he made a bad decision. Very risky to come back when he was number 2 overall.

 

[SanTexHorn]

Sure wish he had come back. It would be nice to have a NC in basketball along with football and baseball.

 

[Chitownhorn]

Thanks Shaunsters, that's great stuff. Overall I'm not a fan of the one and done I can't blame him or anyone else for that matter that is going to be a top 10 pick for jumping.

 

[Brasky]

The thing about KD is that he seems like such a big supporter of the 'horns. You can't necessarily expect that from a guy who comes in for one year. He just seems almost like a 3 or 4 year guy.

I'm not sure if it was fake but after the RRS this year one of his fans posted on Twitter that he shouldn't be boasting about the 'horns unless he was okay with alienating a huge portion of his own fanbase. His response? "OU Sucks".

Probably the most classic thing to ever have happened. I'm serious about the word "ever" here. I mean in the entirety of time and space.

 

[Massiah]

Great insight info. Thanks for sharing Shaunster.

 

[Shaunsters]

Kevin is a all Texas. He bleeds burnt orange. He's not fake. Matter of fact he will be a part of the new arena. He wants the students to have front row seats. Make it rowdy. Patterson will listen.

On Myles turner... I'm working on some stuff now. We are in his top 3. Which that alone shows you how much work this staff has done. At one pointer weren't even top 8

 

[skj7]

thanks for insight shaunsters-

would have been great to have KD back

will always root for him - he is a great ambassador for our university

 

[ZoomAir34]

Thanks Shaunsters. Never knew he was that close to staying. Me personally thought he would be crazy to stay because knew he would be a high pick.

 

[jmachorns]

Great info, wish KD would have came back for another year but who can blame him when going #2 and a lot of people thought he should have gone #1. I am sure Patterson knows what to do with a new arena but some ideas from a guy like KD can't hurt. I just joined over here after being on OB for 5 yrs. Looking forward to the site.

 

[TheContractor]

Sure wish he had come back. It would be nice to have a NC in basketball along with football and baseball.

Even if KD came back, I don't think we win a title, maybe final 4. If KD and DJ are there then maybe we have a chance.

 

[Horn78]

Man what might have been. That being said Shaunsters do you feel Barnes is coaching and recruiting any differently this year or did he just have some bad eggs the last couple of years. Sure seems to be a different vibe.There's been plenty of talk he's coaching for his job. You feel he has a chance to be back next year?