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Revisionist History: What would we change about this NBA season?

By HP Basketball Network

Dec 7, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker (12) dunks the ball during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Bucks 125-102. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker (12) dunks the ball during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Bucks 125-102. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 20, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) is seen on the floor prior to action against the Atlanta Hawks at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) is seen on the floor prior to action against the Atlanta Hawks at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Revisionist History: What if Kevin Durant’s foot healed properly?

By: Bryan Toporek (@btoporek)

As excited as I am for Playoff Brow, I can’t help but lament Kevin Durant’s ongoing foot woes.

Fresh off winning the 2014 Most Valuable Player award, KD looked primed to challenge LeBron for the NBA’s GORN (Greatest of Right Now) title. Instead, he’s now coming off two foot surgeries in less than a year — a terrifying prospect for any basketball player — and despite Russell Westbrook’s post-All-Star-break triple-double tour de force, the Thunder’s playoff hopes are officially on life support.

For OKC, this represents the third straight season in which a devastating, ill-timed injury cut short their potential title run. Instead of seeing Durant and Westbrook scare the life out of the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs, we’re left with KD taking Twitter shots at Bill Simmons as OKC’s local paper continues to rehash the James Harden trade from two-and-a-half years ago. Does the Based God’s curse know no end?

According to ESPN.com’s Stephania Bell, Durant should be able to return next season with no complications from his latest procedure. However, his upcoming date with unrestricted free agency threatens to overshadow everything the Thunder do between now and July 2016. Get ready for an endless stream of hot takes about potential friction between Durant and Westbrook, especially now that the latter has become Oscar Robertson/Incredible Hulk hybrid.

Three years ago, the Thunder looked to be NBA’s next budding dynasty. With Durant, Westbrook, Harden and Serge Ibaka leading the way, it was unfathomable to imagine that core not winning multiple championships. Now, we could be one year away from that exact reality unfolding.

Had KD come back from his first surgery healthy, helped lead an upset over the Warriors and taken the Thunder on a deep playoff run this spring, the chatter about his free agency may have died down slightly. Instead, NBA fans will be bludgeoned with that storyline for the next 15 months. All of the sighs.

Next: What if Julius Randle's tibia didn't self-destruct?

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