Michael Jordan left the Bulls in 1990 for the Detroit Pistons.
Dirk Nowitzki left the Mavericks in 2010 for the Miami Heat.
And Steph Curry left for the Spurs in 2015.
Evidently we are living in an alternate universe where MVP caliber players make ridiculous moves to teams that don’t need them. Because Kevin Durant announced Monday he is leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder for the Golden State Warriors.
Of course, Jordan, Dirk, and Steph all stayed with their respective teams and won championships because of it. And that’s my point. Durant doesn’t need to leave OKC. The Thunder already have the pieces in place to win an NBA championship this next season. So why go to a team that just won 73 games, already has three All-Stars, and won’t be your team?
Durant made the announcement on The Players Tribune:
The primary mandate I had for myself in making this decision was to have it based on the potential for my growth as a player — as that has always steered me in the right direction. But I am also at a point in my life where it is of equal importance to find an opportunity that encourages my evolution as a man: moving out of my comfort zone to a new city and community which offers the greatest potential for my contribution and personal growth. With this in mind, I have decided that I am going to join the Golden State Warriors.
As expected, the basketball universe exploded upon the announcement.
These fans argued over whether or not Durant is a traitor.
Stephen A. Smith called it the “weakest move I’ve ever seen from a superstar.”
And of course, Thunder fans started burning Durant jerseys.
But the best kick of the day? This doozie from Durant from 2010 when the Thunder star reacted to LeBron’s choice to leave Cleveland for Miami:
Although I do think Durant should have stayed in OKC to win a title, I don’t have a problem with him leaving. However, there are two teams he should have never considered: Cleveland and Golden State. By choosing the latter, he not only makes the rich richer, but loses control of his legacy.
Can we just skip the regular season next year and just get right to another Warriors-Cavs Finals rematch?
Josh Helmuth is the editor of Crave Sports. Follow him on Twitter or like the channel on Facebook.
