So, moral of the story: Until decision time comes, take everything Durant – and any other National Basketball Association player, for that matter – says with a heavy grain of salt.
Advertisement
“You don’t do that, man”, Morris said of Durant, Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green forming a super-team that appears destined to win the 2017 National Basketball Association title, or at the very least earn a rematch with LeBron James’ Cavaliers.
Since Durant agreed to terms with the Warriors, reports emerged of some fracturing in his relationship with Westbrook.
The two were teammates in Oklahoma City for eight seasons, but now Durant is a member of the Warriors.
Durant’s career, if he went to the Warriors. “I know it’s Jerry West and I know he’s the logo, and you’re expecting a sexier conversation, but it was more so about the team and how I could fit in and how great the coaching staff was”.
“I talked to [Russell]”, Durant said. “That’s the kind of feel that I wanted”. “But like I said, I wanted a new chapter in my life”.
Durant shot down the idea that he had changed or was easily influenced by others to leave Oklahoma City. Like I said, I made this decision based upon what I wanted to do and how I felt and it’s the best decision for me.
Durant said tears were shed as he told the Thunder in a phone call that he wasn’t going back there, and he called it the hardest thing he’s ever had to do in his life. I’ve been there for so long, but this new journey I’m excited for, I’m looking forward to. “He’s the face of the National Basketball Association”, said Durant. I knew that was apart of this whole deal, that’s just the life we live. “It felt like those guys just played pickup every single day”. It was real. It was feelings I couldn’t ignore.
In contrast to popular opinion on Durant’s move, he called his decision to join the Warriors the hardest thing he’s ever had to do, adding that joining Golden State, in his mind, makes the prospect of winning a title more difficult.
Durant acknowledged that there were many people who were not thrilled with his decision, but he ultimately had to do what was best for him. “Just as we’ve talked about how much Kevin is going to miss Oklahoma City and the people and the relationships that he built there, I know I speak on behalf of Bob [Myers, GM] and Joe [Lacob, owner] and our entire organisation when I say how much we’re going to miss the players who are moving on now as a result of the shift in the roster”, Kerr said. “I don’t want to go through that again, so I plan on being here”. Kerr added, “I’m blessed”. We were teammates for so long.
Advertisement
Some in the media have speculated that part of the reason Durant left Oklahoma City was because of Westbrook’s uncertain future with the Thunder.
