Why did Kevin Durant leave the Warriors?

Durant’s reasons for leaving the Warriors. Scott Jay Abraham

Image source: clutchpoints.com

Image source: netsdaily.com

NBA players often contemplate taking their game to other teams once their contracts are up for renewal. These moves are done in order to find better teams to play with, the chance to win championships, and earning millions of dollars more. With that said, it was a big shock for Golden State fans when they found out that Kevin Durant was leaving them for Brooklyn. Scott Jay Abraham.

The Warriors had an amazing run in the last five years. Five consecutive championship appearances, and winning three of the five. Durant was even declared the Finals MVP twice when they won the said championships. It would seem like a bold and crazy move for a core player like Durant to leave the team, a team which had the capacity to win championships even without him. However, Durant had his reasons. Scott Jay Abraham.

According to Durant, he decided that he would leave as a free agent during his third season with the Warriors after he had suffered from a torn Achilles in the playoffs. It also wasn’t a secret that Durant was interested in playing for New York. However, the move to the Nets instead of the Knicks surprised many. Scott Jay Abraham.

Durant signed a four-year contract with Brooklyn for $164 million. According to Scott Jay Abraham, his absence, along with a string of unlucky injuries on the Golden State Warriors’ starting lineup, clipped the wings of the former champs. Right now, they are dead last in the NBA standings. Scott Jay Abraham.

Golden State legends series: Rick Barry’s college adventure

Image source: umsportshalloffame.com

While the Golden State Warriors may not have as deep or as storied a history as the Los Angeles Lakers or the Boston Celtics, the franchise does have its own legends. The immortal Rick Barry stands tall in this regard. When one mentions the name Rick Barry in the Bay Area, he mentions it with reverence. Scott Jay Abraham.

However, many fans forget that before coming to the NBA, Barry was a formidable weapon for the Miami Hurricanes. In fact, he was such a force in college that he left records broken in his wake.
Scott Jay Abraham. Barry scored 2,298 points and took in 1,274 rebounds during his stint with the Hurricanes. Both these numbers are all-time records that still stand today. Add to that the fact that he is the only player to record over 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in his career.

Image source: hurricanesports.com

His 870 points in the ’63-’64 season, and the 973 points the following year are likewise, school records. The historical king of Miami Hurricane small forwards, Rick Barry also hauled in 475 and 448 rebounds in those years, respectively. Barry also has eight records for most points scored in a single game. Scott Jay Abraham.

Over this career, Barry led the Hurricanes to two NIT appearances and their first postseason victory.
He then moved to the pros to play for the San Francisco Warriors, today’s Golden State predecessor. And the rest, as they say, is history. Scott Jay Abraham.

Lessons from the Warriors’ 2018-19 championship bid

Takeaways from the Warriors’ NBA Finals loss -- Scott Jay Abraham

The Golden State Warriors bid their hopes for a third title in five years goodbye in Game 6 of last season’s NBA Finals, succumbing to the Toronto Raptors. And, with Klay and KD out due to season-ending injuries, the Dubs’ dynasty was over.

Image source: knbr.com

Scott Jay Abraham. It must be noted though that cracks were already showing throughout the past season. Sure, the team got their 57 wins, but not in the same way it had done in previous years. The Warriors were no longer running roughshod of opponents, and they surprisingly folded in many, easily winnable games. Come playoffs, the Dubs even had a hard time disposing of the Rockets and struggled with a Clippers team devoid of stars. Scott Jay Abraham.

What’s clear is that five straight finals appearances took its toll on the team, despite the many crafty playtime management schemes coach Steve Kerr had employed to rest his starters. The loss to the Raptors also highlighted the importance of Draymond Green’s hustle and passing. And that he should make open shots if the team was to dominate. Scott Jay Abraham.

Image source: knbr.com

Another takeaway is that Steph cannot do it alone. Curry needs a partner to dish out those assists and shoots the treys consistently when the defense is focused on him. And the likes of Quinn Cook and Alfonzo McKinnie simply can’t fill that role. The tandem that is the Splash Brothers is crucial to the team, especially when coming from behind in the fourth. Klay’s injury effectively ensured a Raptors’ championship. Scott Jay Abraham.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, the Warriors offense was heavily dependent on Kevin Durant to save the day. And missing him (save for a quarter or so, before he got reinjured) proved simply devasting for Golden State. Scott Jay Abraham.

The greatest shooters in NBA history

Greatest NBA shooters Scott Jay Abraham

Image source: wsj.net

The NBA has been the pinnacle of professional basketball in the world for decades. It’s only fitting to see that the greatest talents in the history of the sport have made their mark here. On that note, here are some of the greatest shooters in the league’s history.

Larry Bird


Larry Bird, also known as Larry Legend is the king of NBA shooters. But contrary to popular belief, shooting wasn’t Bird’s forte. He was one of the great all-around players to ever lace up a pair of basketball shoes. It just so happened to be that he was a sniper as well.

Reggie Miller

One of the most dangerous players to every play on an NBA court, Reggie Miller could shoot the ball as well as anyone and he could fire off a shot incredibly quick. He was also an expert at moving without the ball to get free for a catch-and-shoot play.

Image source: bleacherreport.net

Ray Allen

The fundamentals of Ray Allen’s shooting form are simply perfection. Nobody shoots as smooth as Ray, and has led the league in 3-pointers, until the next person on this list showed up…

Steph Curry

Often cited as the greatest NBA shooter of all-time, it’s easy to see why. No player before or since has had quite the shooting ability of Curry. Once he gets past half-court, he’s in range. And he has erased and broken records left and right in the past five seasons.

High risin’ in the Big Apple: NYC’s famous skyscrapers

When one thinks of skyscrapers, no other city’s skyline comes to mind as vividly as New York City’s. Yes, the Big Apple has one of the most, if not the most recognizable skylines in the world due to its skyscrapers.

Image source: Wikimedia.org

Here are a few of the most iconic ones. Scott Jay Abraham.

Comcast Building: 30 Rock, as this building is also known, is one of the most famous NYC buildings in architecture and design circles. It has a timeless quality both in its exterior and interior designs, which only gets better as the 80-year-old structure gets older.

Chrysler Building: Once the tallest building in all of New York, the Chrysler Building still stands as a beacon of architecture, engineering, and construction. Famous for largely being made of brick, this building exudes elegance, which reflects the Big Apple. Scott Jay Abraham.

Image source: Time.com

Empire State Building: As far as NYC skyscrapers are concerned, it doesn’t get any more iconic than the Empire State Building. Being the tallest building in the world for over 40 years is just one of its many achievements. Ask millions of people from all over the world what they know about New York City, and most of them will mention the Empire State. Scott Jay Abraham.

One World Trade Center: One WTC stands at 1,776 feet. It towers over most buildings in Manhattan. A replacement of the original WTC, this glass tower is nothing short of an architectural and engineering feat. Plus, it operates on renewable energy. Scott Jay Abraham.

Boost employee productivity with these office designs

Office design for improved productivity -- Scott Jay Abraham

Many business owners and managers have noticed how an office is designed affects employee job satisfaction and ultimately, productivity. However, to achieve this, not just any design would do, it has to be carefully thought of, and a lot of things have to be considered.

Image source: officespacesoftware.com

Scott Jay Abraham. Different departments have different needs. Take for instance any department tasked with coming up with new ideas such as advertising or marketing would greatly benefit from a design geared toward creativity.

This kind of design would feature a more laid-back atmosphere perfect for thinking and throwing around ideas. It some instances, it may not even look like an office. In others, it may look like a living room, or even a play or game room. Scott Jay Abraham.

Image source: officespacesoftware.com

As for offices wherein employees sit in their cubicles for hours on end, looking at spreadsheets or answering phones, several companies have found that lighting plays an integral role in productivity. Having a well-lighted office keeps employees in these departments from dozing off or getting bored out of their wits.

Natural light during the day not only brings down the electric bills, but it is also healthy for employees and keeps them up and about while accomplishing office work that would otherwise be boring. Scott Jay Abraham.

Work productively from home with these design tips

These days, many professionals have the option to telecommute or work from the comfort of their own home. But if we're being honest, most of us who work in our "home office" sometimes cave in to the distractions around us. If you need ideas for your workspace at home, you can get help from me—Scott Jay Abraham. As an interior designer and a guy who mostly works at home these days, I have found some elements you can incorporate in your office design that will help you work productively and efficiently. Check these out:

Image source: Pexels.com

Have access to natural light

Sometimes it's nice to have a little corner in your home where you can work undisturbed for hours. On the other hand, being cooped up in a cramped space might not be good for your health. Set up your workstation near the windows where you can get natural lighting. According to experts, those who work in offices that utilize sunlight have reported an increase in efficiency.

Image source: Pexels.com

Choose ergonomic furniture

Scott Jay Abraham at your service, if you need help picking furniture for your home office. Your computer table should be the right height so you won't slouch or overextend your neck. It should also be spacious enough for your stuff. Your chair should also support your back properly with the right firmness. Personally, I don't recommend beanbags and super soft recliners for the home office.

Make your space colorful

But not overly colorful that it becomes distracting. According to design experts, the colors blue, red, and green are conducive to productivity. Blue calms the senses, red boosts energy, and green improves information retention. These hues also promote positive feelings so be sure to incorporate these shades in your wall, furniture, and even in your computer's wallpaper.
These design tips might be simple but trust me, these can help a great deal in accomplishing your work-related tasks. Even when you're at home, you can still be creative and efficient.

Scott Jay Abraham is an industrial interior designer, avid traveler, blogger, and a huge fan of the Golden State Warriors. For more reads like this, visit this blog.

Kevin Durant: A true Warrior

Image source: hoopshype.com

It seems like only yesterday when Kevin Durant left OKC to join the Dubs, thus making him one of the most hated figures in the NBA. I’m Scott Jay Abraham and I still remember it. The season before that, the Dubs though making history, winning 73 games in the regular season, would suffer the most heartbreaking of losses at the hands of Kyrie Irving in the dying seconds of the last game of the NBA Finals.

Image source: thecourtsidecollective.com

Durant’s arrival though all but assured a championship for the Dubs. However, it only wasn’t a championship. Today, the Dubs are on a quest for a three-peat. While they aren’t as invincible as they seemed when KD first arrived, they’re still top dog in the league.

KD is a huge part of the Dubs’ success. With Steph Curry, the greatest shooter of all-time, at the helm, and Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala defending oppositions’ stars, KD spearheads the offense alongside Klay Thompson. It’s one of the most formidable line-ups since the second Bulls team of the ‘90s.

At a shade below seven feet, with the moves of a shooting guard, KD is almost impossible to defend. Just ask the Cavs, who KD buried twice in the Finals with two daggers on separate occasions.
While people may question his intentions, KD has delivered two banners to the city that I love. And for me, that makes him a true Warrior.

This is Scott Jay Abraham, signing out.

Hi! I’m Scott Jay Abraham, an industrial interior designer from San Francisco, California and big fan of the Dubs. In my free time, I travel to strange but ruggedly handsome places with my favorite buddy, Shadow, a Dachshund. For more reads on the stuff I love, visit this website.

Steph Curry The greatest shooter in NBA history

Image source: cnbc.com

Here’s the thing – when I, Scott Jay Abraham say Steph Curry is the greatest shooter in NBA history, I don’t do so lightly. It’s easy to write what I say off due to me being a huge fan of the Dubs. But hear me out.


Over the years, the NBA has seen great shooter after great shooter emerge, from the indomitable Larry Bird to the mercurial Reggie Miller to the purely dependable Ray Allen. However, all these guys as great as they were, never really set single-season records that most of us know will take decades to be broken.

Image source: nba.com

Some shooters, such as the aforementioned Ray Allen and Steph Curry’s father, Dell, may even be more efficient shooters than the Dubs’ superstar point guard, however, the discussion of the NBA’s greatest shooter isn’t all about efficiency and shooting percentages.

Steph has developed two aspects of his jump shot which makes me believe him to be the top sniper of all-time. First, he has almost unlimited range. As soon as Steph brings the ball past half-court, he’s within range, which is unheard of. Second, and just as important is that Steph has developed such a quick release that it takes less than a second to fire off a shot.

With these two qualities, combined with his accuracy, Steph has shattered so many records in the past seven years, and continues to do so.

I’m Scott Jay Abraham, and I believe Steph Curry to be the greatest shooter in NBA history. Change my mind.

Scott Jay Abraham is an interior designer, traveler, and certified NBA fan. For more on Scott, follow him on Twitter.

Travel tips for vacationing with your pet

If you are an animal lover, there is nothing more satisfying than being able to travel to places with your pet. It might seem like a daunting task, but there are some ways you can make this easier. Scott Jay Abraham, a designer who always takes his dog on trips, shares travel tips if you want to spend a holiday with your pet.

Image source: mnn.com

Check if your accommodation is pet-friendly. Before even considering bringing your furry friend, make sure that the hotels or inns you are staying at accept pets. You can always check online pet-friendly hotel listings and databases.


Keep a list of local veterinary clinics. Bringing your pet traveling is a big responsibility, and this includes having an emergency plan in case your pet gets sick. A quick research on local vets in your destination is a must before you travel, so you can have peace of mind.

Image source: hccmis.com

Train your pet with simple commands. Bringing your pet to a place that’s completely foreign to them could create some difficulties. This will save you a lot of trouble while you’re on the road, especially when you’re driving or carpooling with people. Personnel at the hotel you’re staying at will also appreciate an obedient pet, adds Scott Jay Abraham.


Scott Jay Abrahamhas been working as an independent industrial interior designer for five years. During his free time, he takes his Dachshund, Shadow, for long walks across less touristy spots throughout the West Coast. For more articles like this, visit this page.

Which NBA teams should you keep an eye on this season?

Image source: thesporter.com

It’s incredibly important for basketball teams to keep improving. Be it on or off season, teams must always be grinding, getting better at handling, offense, defense, and overall play. Through scrimmages and other practice games, teamwork is made stronger and bolder. The 2018-2019 season promises a lot of action for teams and fans alike.

The Indian Pacers made one of the greatest trades last year, moving Paul George for a young star, Victor Oladipo. Indy is excited for the current season with such as Oladipo and Myles Turner joining the team. A top-4 seed is almost guaranteed this year for the Pacers, as the team had a great run the previous year. The Chicago Bulls is not a stranger to both the limelight and the sidelines. The Bulls used to be Lebron’s biggest competition back in the East before regressing. With building blocks like LaVine, Dunn, Markkanen, and Wendell Carter, the Bulls are set to improve significantly this season.

Image source: thesporter.com

The Denver Nuggets, after grabbing the steal of the draft in Michael Porter, picking up Isaiah Thomas, and re-signing their star Center for an extra five years, might finally be able to reach it. The Nuggets can take a spot in the playoffs, with a stable lineup and with other teams regressing this season.

The Los Angeles Lakers have a couple of veterans mixed with young guns. The legendary franchise has a lot to offer, but fans are curious as to how the team will improve throughout the season in terms of playing well together.

Scott Jay Abraham is an industrial interior designer, fearsome traveler, blogger, and a diehard Golden State Warriors fan. For more NBA updates, head over to this blog.