Kevin Durant: Other Teams Would Get Vets, Thunder Kept Getting Young

[RealGM Wiretap]

Kevin Durant expounded upon his decision to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder for the Golden State Warriors in an interview before training camp with Rolling Stone.

"All my life, I've been a pleaser, put everyone else ahead of me," said Durant.

Durant spoke of how the Thunder kept taking a longer view instead of doing everything possible to win now. Even before his free agency, the Thunder traded away Serge Ibaka in a deal for a player still on his rookie contract in Victor Oladipo, a rookie in Domantas Sabonis and veteran Ersan Ilyasova.

"Where other teams went out and got that veteran guy, we kept getting younger," said Durant.

"For nine years, he refused to speak a word against that team – he loved those guys and that city," said his mother Wanda Durant. "But this summer he said, 'Mama, I can't do it anymore. They're not in this thing with me, we're not together like we were – I feel like I need something different.' "

After the Thunder blew a 3-1 lead to the Warriors, the team Durant decided to join did the same thing against the Cavaliers.

"It felt like that whole thing was set up for me to leave," he says, "especially after they blew a lead in the finals, because I damn sure wasn't going there if they'd won. But after Game Seven, I called up my agent and said, 'Damn, dude, Golden State – what if?' "

Via Paul Solotaroff/Rolling Stone

[Sam195]

Anyone who rips Durant for his comments since joining the warriors is a buffoon - he's been completely honest. Durant tried his best not to lead on the thunder that he was coming back all season by carefully choosing his words and comments. He didn't do what lebron did in 2010 to the cavs and than miami in 2014. Durant also didn't do what Dwight Howard did with the lakers (implying he was resigning when he first got traded there and changing his mind after the season imploded) or Lamarcus Aldridge did with the blazers (claiming he wanted to be the best blazer ever a season before he left for spurs in free agency). Durant chose the best team where he can win rings immediately which also happens be a fantastic situation for him marketing wise (winning in a big market = more endorsements) and in his post-playing future (all the silicon valley contacts he will get just living in the bay area and even through the warriors ownership group to help invest his earnings). Anyone with a working brain and the talent he has would likely do the same thing.

[The Hypnotoad]

Anyone who rips Durant for his comments since joining the warriors is a buffoon - he's been completely honest. Durant tried his best not to lead on the thunder that he was coming back all season by carefully choosing his words and comments. He didn't do what lebron did in 2010 to the cavs and than miami in 2014. Durant also didn't do what Dwight Howard did with the lakers (implying he was resigning when he first got traded there and changing his mind after the season imploded) or Lamarcus Aldridge did with the blazers (claiming he wanted to be the best blazer ever a season before he left for spurs in free agency). Durant chose the best team where he can win rings immediately which also happens be a fantastic situation for him marketing wise (winning in a big market = more endorsements) and in his post-playing future (all the silicon valley contacts he will get just living in the bay area and even through the warriors ownership group to help invest his earnings). Anyone with a working brain and the talent he has would likely do the same thing.

His reasoning for leaving is still frustrating, and nearly contradicting. Because he is saying that he never would have gone to Golden State had they won the title last year, like that would have been crossing some line of pride for him. Yet anyone that's not a Cavs fan will tell you that that series was an extremely fluky, lucky win by the Cavs where they needed a suspension from Green and Curry / Iguodola / Bogut getting injured to pull it out 7. He's saying he's based his decision on the outcome of the finals series last year that was basically a coin toss, when he should be taking personal responsibility for not playing up to his potential in his own series with GS.

[Pedro]

Anyone who rips Durant for his comments since joining the warriors is a buffoon - he's been completely honest. Durant tried his best not to lead on the thunder that he was coming back all season by carefully choosing his words and comments. He didn't do what lebron did in 2010 to the cavs and than miami in 2014. Durant also didn't do what Dwight Howard did with the lakers (implying he was resigning when he first got traded there and changing his mind after the season imploded) or Lamarcus Aldridge did with the blazers (claiming he wanted to be the best blazer ever a season before he left for spurs in free agency). Durant chose the best team where he can win rings immediately which also happens be a fantastic situation for him marketing wise (winning in a big market = more endorsements) and in his post-playing future (all the silicon valley contacts he will get just living in the bay area and even through the warriors ownership group to help invest his earnings). Anyone with a working brain and the talent he has would likely do the same thing.

His reasoning for leaving is still frustrating, and nearly contradicting. Because he is saying that he never would have gone to Golden State had they won the title last year, like that would have been crossing some line of pride for him. Yet anyone that's not a Cavs fan will tell you that that series was an extremely fluky, lucky win by the Cavs where they needed a suspension from Green and Curry / Iguodola / Bogut getting injured to pull it out 7. He's saying he's based his decision on the outcome of the finals series last year that was basically a coin toss, when he should be taking personal responsibility for not playing up to his potential in his own series with GS.

He didnt say he wouldnt leave OKC had GS won the Finals. He said he woudnt have chosen GS had they won. He was still planning to leave and I dont blame him what with 6 years of a youth movement and obvious chemistry issues with Westbrook.

[Sam195]

Anyone who rips Durant for his comments since joining the warriors is a buffoon - he's been completely honest. Durant tried his best not to lead on the thunder that he was coming back all season by carefully choosing his words and comments. He didn't do what lebron did in 2010 to the cavs and than miami in 2014. Durant also didn't do what Dwight Howard did with the lakers (implying he was resigning when he first got traded there and changing his mind after the season imploded) or Lamarcus Aldridge did with the blazers (claiming he wanted to be the best blazer ever a season before he left for spurs in free agency). Durant chose the best team where he can win rings immediately which also happens be a fantastic situation for him marketing wise (winning in a big market = more endorsements) and in his post-playing future (all the silicon valley contacts he will get just living in the bay area and even through the warriors ownership group to help invest his earnings). Anyone with a working brain and the talent he has would likely do the same thing.

His reasoning for leaving is still frustrating, and nearly contradicting. Because he is saying that he never would have gone to Golden State had they won the title last year, like that would have been crossing some line of pride for him. Yet anyone that's not a Cavs fan will tell you that that series was an extremely fluky, lucky win by the Cavs where they needed a suspension from Green and Curry / Iguodola / Bogut getting injured to pull it out 7. He's saying he's based his decision on the outcome of the finals series last year that was basically a coin toss, when he should be taking personal responsibility for not playing up to his potential in his own series with GS.

Well imagine if he joined the warriors had they won - it would have really put an asterisk on his legacy as a bandwagon hopper and ring chaser more so than a historic talent. You do the latter two things if your like a veteran player who really badly wants a ring before your career is over like Gary Payton and Karl Malone with the lakers - they were unsuccessful of course. Also pretty sure there is like some unspoken rule that nba free agents don't tell teams that they are intending to sign with to get rid of specific players to accommodate them. Had Warriors won a ring - pretty sure Bogut and Barnes would have been more vocal about wanting to stay and defend the title. But since they lost - Durant was looked as more of a need and upgrade for the warriors front office to help contend going forward. It's like how pg free agents typically don't speak to teams that have a quality starting pg already on the roster. Bulls have needed an upgrade at pg - a full time starter because of Rose's recurring injuries for a while and there were moments where they had the cap space to pursue one but none seemed to even entertain joining a team that was already lead by pg Derrick Rose.

[The Hypnotoad]

Anyone who rips Durant for his comments since joining the warriors is a buffoon - he's been completely honest. Durant tried his best not to lead on the thunder that he was coming back all season by carefully choosing his words and comments. He didn't do what lebron did in 2010 to the cavs and than miami in 2014. Durant also didn't do what Dwight Howard did with the lakers (implying he was resigning when he first got traded there and changing his mind after the season imploded) or Lamarcus Aldridge did with the blazers (claiming he wanted to be the best blazer ever a season before he left for spurs in free agency). Durant chose the best team where he can win rings immediately which also happens be a fantastic situation for him marketing wise (winning in a big market = more endorsements) and in his post-playing future (all the silicon valley contacts he will get just living in the bay area and even through the warriors ownership group to help invest his earnings). Anyone with a working brain and the talent he has would likely do the same thing.

His reasoning for leaving is still frustrating, and nearly contradicting. Because he is saying that he never would have gone to Golden State had they won the title last year, like that would have been crossing some line of pride for him. Yet anyone that's not a Cavs fan will tell you that that series was an extremely fluky, lucky win by the Cavs where they needed a suspension from Green and Curry / Iguodola / Bogut getting injured to pull it out 7. He's saying he's based his decision on the outcome of the finals series last year that was basically a coin toss, when he should be taking personal responsibility for not playing up to his potential in his own series with GS.

He didnt say he wouldnt leave OKC had GS won the Finals. He said he woudnt have chosen GS had they won. He was still planning to leave and I dont blame him what with 6 years of a youth movement and obvious chemistry issues with Westbrook.

I don't care that he left OKC, people would not be complaining had he gone to Boston or another upstart team, or hell even a team that had made the playoffs. He went to a team that had just won the finals and for all intents and purposes should have repeated but for the flimsiest of circumstances. Be clear, leaving OKC is not why people are upset, its joining the freaking Golden State Warriors ( a team that did not need him).

[Furinkazan]

hahahhaha so it didnt take long to start making jabs


also shows what a liar he is

[luss54321]

Anyone who rips Durant for his comments since joining the warriors is a buffoon - he's been completely honest. Durant tried his best not to lead on the thunder that he was coming back all season by carefully choosing his words and comments. He didn't do what lebron did in 2010 to the cavs and than miami in 2014. Durant also didn't do what Dwight Howard did with the lakers (implying he was resigning when he first got traded there and changing his mind after the season imploded) or Lamarcus Aldridge did with the blazers (claiming he wanted to be the best blazer ever a season before he left for spurs in free agency). Durant chose the best team where he can win rings immediately which also happens be a fantastic situation for him marketing wise (winning in a big market = more endorsements) and in his post-playing future (all the silicon valley contacts he will get just living in the bay area and even through the warriors ownership group to help invest his earnings). Anyone with a working brain and the talent he has would likely do the same thing.

Silicon Valley contacts to help him invest his money? That has to be a joke... I really can't take your post seriously after reading that comment.

Durant will win rings in GS, but they really won't mean very much. Not all rings are equal. Dirk putting the Mavs on his back to win a title? Incredibly impressive. Dwade putting the Heat on his back to win a title? Incredibly impressive. Durant joining a team that just won the most games in NBA history and won a title two years ago? Not really impressive at all. If GS wins a title this year, there's a good chance they would have won the title without Durant. They really don't need him. He's just hopping on board to get some easy rings. That will be his legacy. He's ring chasing. A little early in his career if you ask me.

[Donnyxc]

Still can't believe OKC traded Harden.

[The Hypnotoad]

Anyone who rips Durant for his comments since joining the warriors is a buffoon - he's been completely honest. Durant tried his best not to lead on the thunder that he was coming back all season by carefully choosing his words and comments. He didn't do what lebron did in 2010 to the cavs and than miami in 2014. Durant also didn't do what Dwight Howard did with the lakers (implying he was resigning when he first got traded there and changing his mind after the season imploded) or Lamarcus Aldridge did with the blazers (claiming he wanted to be the best blazer ever a season before he left for spurs in free agency). Durant chose the best team where he can win rings immediately which also happens be a fantastic situation for him marketing wise (winning in a big market = more endorsements) and in his post-playing future (all the silicon valley contacts he will get just living in the bay area and even through the warriors ownership group to help invest his earnings). Anyone with a working brain and the talent he has would likely do the same thing.

His reasoning for leaving is still frustrating, and nearly contradicting. Because he is saying that he never would have gone to Golden State had they won the title last year, like that would have been crossing some line of pride for him. Yet anyone that's not a Cavs fan will tell you that that series was an extremely fluky, lucky win by the Cavs where they needed a suspension from Green and Curry / Iguodola / Bogut getting injured to pull it out 7. He's saying he's based his decision on the outcome of the finals series last year that was basically a coin toss, when he should be taking personal responsibility for not playing up to his potential in his own series with GS.

Well imagine if he joined the warriors had they won - it would have really put an asterisk on his legacy as a bandwagon hopper and ring chaser more so than a historic talent.

Most people (myself included) do not see a difference just because GS happened to have lost that series. This is still how we see him, and deservingly so. You can't say just because GS lost a coin flip of a series that it completely changes how everyone should view his decision. We have eyes. We know how good GS is and what they would have been capable of going forward without Durant.

[Ballerhogger]

Is he blaming Russell for last year loss ??

[spree2kawhi]

He made the right decision.

There is literally nothing wrong with anything about it. Simple as that.


EDIT: what's more: he doesn't owe anybody anything there. Hell, even married couples file for divorce. Nothing wrong, times are a changing.

[spree2kawhi]

His reasoning for leaving is still frustrating, and nearly contradicting. Because he is saying that he never would have gone to Golden State had they won the title last year, like that would have been crossing some line of pride for him. Yet anyone that's not a Cavs fan will tell you that that series was an extremely fluky, lucky win by the Cavs where they needed a suspension from Green and Curry / Iguodola / Bogut getting injured to pull it out 7. He's saying he's based his decision on the outcome of the finals series last year that was basically a coin toss, when he should be taking personal responsibility for not playing up to his potential in his own series with GS.

Well imagine if he joined the warriors had they won - it would have really put an asterisk on his legacy as a bandwagon hopper and ring chaser more so than a historic talent.

Most people (myself included) do not see a difference just because GS happened to have lost that series. This is still how we see him, and deservingly so. You can't say just because GS lost a coin flip of a series that it completely changes how everyone should view his decision. We have eyes. We know how good GS is and what they would have been capable of going forward without Durant.

... so consequently you mustn't join them. What an idiot perspective. Sorry no personal offense intended, but this is flat out ignorant of the dynamic nature of personal preference, relationships and interpersonal history. You don't know the man and the people he knows. Get the **** over it already.

[The Hypnotoad]

Well imagine if he joined the warriors had they won - it would have really put an asterisk on his legacy as a bandwagon hopper and ring chaser more so than a historic talent.

Most people (myself included) do not see a difference just because GS happened to have lost that series. This is still how we see him, and deservingly so. You can't say just because GS lost a coin flip of a series that it completely changes how everyone should view his decision. We have eyes. We know how good GS is and what they would have been capable of going forward without Durant.

... so consequently you mustn't join them. What an idiot perspective. Sorry no personal offense intended, but this is flat out ignorant of the dynamic nature of personal preference, relationships and interpersonal history. You don't know the man and the people he knows. Get the **** over it already.

Yeah, his personal preference was to be a punk who doesn't have to try hard to win a championship. It's pretty clear.

[Worm122]

Durant is lying, because Al Hoford didnt went to the Thunder because he didnt committed to the Thunder

[spree2kawhi]

Most people (myself included) do not see a difference just because GS happened to have lost that series. This is still how we see him, and deservingly so. You can't say just because GS lost a coin flip of a series that it completely changes how everyone should view his decision. We have eyes. We know how good GS is and what they would have been capable of going forward without Durant.

... so consequently you mustn't join them. What an idiot perspective. Sorry no personal offense intended, but this is flat out ignorant of the dynamic nature of personal preference, relationships and interpersonal history. You don't know the man and the people he knows. Get the **** over it already.

Yeah, his personal preference was to be a punk who doesn't have to try hard to win a championship. It's pretty clear.

So by your logic,...

A) your aim in life is pointlessly trying hard. Not happiness and satisfaction. (OKC was a terrible offense, management, coaching staff, plus KD and Westbrook are not good fits. Actually, that team overachieved)

B) you're of course allowed to judge personal wishes and the background of interpersonal relationships between people you don't know the least bit.

C) Durant and his incredible talent will not be part of the reasons for their eventual success because the others can also ball.

D) he should keep trying even though his situation there has been stagnant for a decade and wasn't improving one bit.

This is ignorance. Shortsighted and plain ignorance. Also, it is stupid.

[Throwback24]

Most people (myself included) do not see a difference just because GS happened to have lost that series. This is still how we see him, and deservingly so. You can't say just because GS lost a coin flip of a series that it completely changes how everyone should view his decision. We have eyes. We know how good GS is and what they would have been capable of going forward without Durant.

... so consequently you mustn't join them. What an idiot perspective. Sorry no personal offense intended, but this is flat out ignorant of the dynamic nature of personal preference, relationships and interpersonal history. You don't know the man and the people he knows. Get the **** over it already.

Yeah, his personal preference was to be a punk who doesn't have to try hard to win a championship. It's pretty clear.

He's a punk because he picked to join the best work place in the league?

[Sam195]

Durant is lying, because Al Hoford didnt went to the Thunder because he didnt committed to the Thunder

Horford didn't even formally meet with the thunder - it was just a rumor that reporters picked up. I think Horford only met with the hawks and celtics (2 teams he was interested in). He has already stated he was in love with the celtics fan base's passion for the team regardless if they were a contender or non-playoff team during the early days of his career with the hawks when they played against them especially a couple of playoff series between the two squads. Horford is also friends with David Ortiz (both from dominican) who heavily recruited him and participated in the celtics pitch to get him. The only reason he even was having discussions with the hawks in free agency was to try and get that 5th year on his contract ( he wanted the same money Mike Conley got in memphis 5 years 153m) but hawks did not think he was worth it and offered less they also had belief that he might resign on the bigger deal with them than disclose frustrations later on to force a trade down the road somewhere else. Hawks were hoping to sign both Horford and Dwight Howard while trading away Paul Millsap for assets. When Celtics offered the 4 year max and hawks were haggling - he decided to leave. I'm not sure Horford had much communication with KD about teaming up or w.e.

[likashing]

He made the right decision.

OKC is a small market, and does not have an owner willing to pay up to win it all. They let Harden go because of money. They refuse to afford max contracts to max players. Before OKC fans start arguing, look at the Cavs, small market, but they paid up for Love and Irving.

I am looking closely at how they handle Adams' extension and restricted free agency, who will definitely get a 25% max offer next summer, who would have been another Harden-like casualty had Durant stayed.

No point staying in OKC if his goal is to be on a team committed to paying up for a contender.

OKC has a tight wallet like the Sterling's Clippers except OKC has a smart GM in Presti, that's it.

[The Hypnotoad]

... so consequently you mustn't join them. What an idiot perspective. Sorry no personal offense intended, but this is flat out ignorant of the dynamic nature of personal preference, relationships and interpersonal history. You don't know the man and the people he knows. Get the **** over it already.

Yeah, his personal preference was to be a punk who doesn't have to try hard to win a championship. It's pretty clear.

So by your logic,...

A) your aim in life is pointlessly trying hard. Not happiness and satisfaction. (OKC was a terrible offense, management, coaching staff, plus KD and Westbrook are not good fits. Actually, that team overachieved)

B) you're of course allowed to judge personal wishes and the background of interpersonal relationships between people you don't know the least bit.

C) Durant and his incredible talent will not be part of the reasons for their eventual success because the others can also ball.

D) he should keep trying even though his situation there has been stagnant for a decade and wasn't improving one bit.

This is ignorance. Shortsighted and plain ignorance. Also, it is stupid.

Whats ignorant is you are ignoring the part where Kevin freaking Durant himself admits that he wouldn't have gone to Golden State had they won the championship. Can you say that yourself in your long list of points that Kevin Durant is saying that he would not have gone to Golden State had they won the series against the Cavs?? If you can say that, can you say with a straight face that the Cavs were completely the better team and that if that same series occurred the following year, that the Cavs would have won again? That Draymond Green being suspended and Iggy/Curry playing hurt didn't completely change the outcome of that series? Durant is using the flimsiest excuse ever to bypass his own set standard!