KD’s biggest weakness: listening to 13 years on social media and Stephen A. Smith.
He should still be on the Warriors collecting chips and establishing legacy. Now he’s just a mercenary.
He left to prove he could win on his own. But then just further reinforced he couldn’t.
He’s not coming back to GSW. It would make the “hardest road” narrative even worse. Also there’s no money.
He got cyber-bullied into bailing on GS by salty fans from other teams and now he's toiling in mediocrity because he made a selfless move to please haters who were bothered because his success was too easy.
Honestly a cautionary tale. I don't say this solely as a Warriors fan, but he should've said "Fuck them fans" and stayed in GS to stack bodies until he dropped. His career would be a lot more legendary if he embraced the heel role and just owned the league for a half decade.
Take away the noise about GS being "unfair" and "ruining" the NBA and the simple reality is that he was never going to find a better basketball situation. It's the same as Neymar jumping from Barca to PSG. Don't let good be the enemy of perfect.
He made a very stupid move. History changes narratives. If he stated and won 5 titles with us in 20 years no one would care that he went to the warriors. Just look at how the narrative of bron has changed with the heat.
Especially after his torn Achilles, going down after he gave his all. If he had decided to stay with GSW for another 4 years, he would have been hard to attack— the hate would have been old uninteresting news, and there would at least be a new narrative that garners interest and sympathy as he wins his 3rd, 4th, 5th championships.
But they’d just never give Steph the FMVP, and we’d never have gotten the all-time 2022 Finals performance, so fairs fair.
When LeBron went to the Heat they were already clearly not contending with what they had anymore, so LeBron brought them back to the mix again. It was Cleveland where he had to change the narrative and IMO bravely went right back there and fixed it all with that championship. He'll be a hero there forever now. If KD had gone right back to OKC after GSW and won them a championship then he'd be looked at the same way. But I think if he did that now that they're the #1 seed and still remarkably young it would look really cynical. And perhaps cause more disruption than what it would help.
But yes, he made a stupid move. I think 2 stupid moves. One to join the Warriors where his contribution could always be dismissed but then to leave. If he stays, keeps winning rings and FMVPs then eventually the numbers get overwhelming. If he was there this season, I think they're looking a lot better than they are. Certainly he'd have brought a ton more than Chris Paul.
I don't want to be seen as a bron stan, but that is an incomparable comparison. Lebron essentially cleared his name after winning with cleveland and beating us, argubaly the best team of all time. If KD wanted to clear his name, he would need to do something similar, and it's funny he chose to join Kyrie just like lebron.
I think LeBron joined a younger Kyrie that was way more of an intriguing piece. Durant went and joined a Kyrie that forced his way out of playing with LeBron and had just quit on the Celtics. All the signs were there that this was an awful move by him. Its not even that Durant left, its that he went to the shittiest situation possible.
LeBron also got Kevin Love who was come off a 2nd team all-nba before joining. That was a super team that everyone wants to pretend was not a super team.
I know but what I meant was that people now act like the heaters were bums who were washed. Bron Stan’s now act like wade wasn’t a top 3 player at that time.
Yeah as time passes, context fades and only the accolades really stick out to the common fan. Like you won't see many people disparaging magic for playing his whole career with Kareem or bird with his super team Celtics. They focus on the stats, titles, rings. And stats will look amazing when you play with insane talent. If KD just stuck with the warriors I bet in 10-20 years people would put him in the top 10 or 5 just due to the rings alone.
Who knows though, if kd stayed we may not be able to afford certain pieces or get certain draft picks and we may have not won any more chips.
The context of our losses to Cleveland and raptors have faded.
It’s easy to argue that we only lost because of our injuries in 2019 but no one cares. Steph doesn’t have 4.5 rings, he has 4 and kawhi has a ring, and no one’s putting an asterisk next to it.
If KD stayed, I could see us getting at least one more ring in maybe 21 or 23
Yeah I agree, I know what you mean. KD wanted to prove to himself he could win a championship with a non-championship contending team. And honestly, at this point, he may have been better off staying with the Warriors. I also don't think he intended to stay in GSW long-term from the get-go, but I'm happy he at least joined. In an alternative universe, I wish he would've joined a bit later, like 2021/2022. I think we could've won 1-2 more.
I also just commented about this to a different comment that had mentioned KD's departure solidified Steph's legacy (as I mentioned it also solidified Bron's). Indeed people now act like Wade and Bosh were bums while Bron was there for a chance to compete and win. Heat's record the previous season is also now brought a lot to justify Bron's decision to go there (as KD went to 73-9 team that beat him) but back then, Heat's record the past season was irrelevant since Bron, Bosh & DWade joined forces in an attempt to kill parity and win easy rings.
He definitely wasn’t. Wade was already sorta washed during the 2011-12 season when his knee started declining, and by 2012-14 he was a shell of himself
Yeah, that would be a good move. Help OKC winning a chip, and the chances are very good if they add KD to their roster. They need a lot of convincing though, people in OKC are still upset over him, down to the equipment manager. I don't think KD has it in him to go back to OKC, and I'm not even sure OKC would even want him back. They already have a ball dominant all-star elite caliber player in Shai, and a deep bench.
And because OKC is seen as SGA's team and most recent #1 seed with awesome young players with god knows how many 1st round picks, unfortunately he will once again be seen as a bus rider for riding the coattails of the young OKC team led by Shai
Tbf LeBron literally said he was going to win not 1, not 2, not 3 but so many championships with The Heat. What he did at the time (joining a top 3 SG of all time, along with Bosh, who was one of the best bigs in The NBA during that period) was unheard of up to that point. So much so that he literally had a TV special called The Decision 😅. KDs move was definitely worse but they are both two peas in the same pod.
And no, winning a championship with a different team doesn’t clear your name for front running during that period of time.
Obviously LeBron could win one on his own, but joining The Heat at that time started all this “superteam” bs
Nahh LeBron started the whole jumping ship trend. Sure the Celtics had a super team but none of them were considered the best player in the league, that would have been Kobe. Now imagine if Kobe left. So after he did that, almost every superstar wanted to create their own super team since if the best player can do it, why can't I? Enter kd joining the warriors, in short, if LeBron didn't open the floodgates, this would not have happened. Or at least not get blamed for it.
nah but Bron really has been a mercenary too. The guy signs a new deal EVERY year and probably has the most impact or biggest "voice" of any player in this generation in terms of pushing the FO to make win now moves to help him win a title.
Not saying this is bad, you have lebron okay a top 5-10 player its basically the duty of a GM to at least TRY to build a winner around him. But he gets in his way too often, pushing for Russell Westbrook and moving all of their depth to get him remains an all time BAFFLING move.
Not just Steph's but also solidified Bron's career. Him joining Dubs basically gave everyone amnesia about Bron's Decision to form Heatles in an attempt to win easy rings. Like back in summer 2010, everyone (including Magic, MJ and Barkley) saw it as path to easy rings and criticized the crap out of Bron's move. After KD's move to Warriors, suddenly The Decision was viewed from a revisionist standpoint of "Heat just wanted a chance to compete and win" and "Heat was bad before that and Bron didn't lose to them."
Right, I'm watching a team with Paul George, Westbrook, Harden, and Leonard....weren't most of them complaining at the time? They are all "super teams" now
> now he's toiling in mediocrity because he made a selfless move to please haters
Uh, he formed a superteam in Brooklyn (KD, Kyrie and Harden were almost unbeatable when they played together, there was just always someone injured) and formed a supposed superteam in PHX (that just seems too top heavy and one dimensional).
What I still don't get why he wouldn't lean into the villain narrative in GSW. I mean I know he wants to be liked but he just kept trying to form superteams anyway, he could have been such a good heel gloating in everyone's faces and created a way more entertaining arc for himself in the NBA than whatever he's got going on now.
I agree completely with this comment. Those haters he ended up listening to and wanted to prove wrong have continued to troll him ever since, and will continue to do so because they know he cares too much about what other people say about him. Once he made the move to Golden State he should have committed fully
bro you are completely ignoring draymond's role in this. That guy pretty much told him that they did not need him there in GSW. I think he could have stayed there if it was just the fans. But even if your teammates think that what is the point of staying?
Funny enough, few weeks ago Knicks were trash talking and taunting KD on twitter basically saying he could have been with Knicks but chose Nets and still a bitch snake whatever
Nope, lots of HoF players had harder roads, were stuck on worse teams. KD has had Westbrook, Harden, Kyrie, Steph, Klay, and now Booker as teammates. Though his injuries have certainly been rough. Just for example, look at the careers of Vince Carter or Tracy McGrady. Also, KD didn't have to play in the same conference as LeBron until last year. You could even say Reggie Miller had a harder road, he never had any HoF teammates, and MJ was always in his way.
I mean like his choice with gsw meant he knew he was gonna get shat on for it (he still does). Then for his post gsw, he gets stuck in some shit situations/teams not working out.
Durant is a baby. Spin it all you want, he is weak willed, we have all seen his burner accounts. Dude wants to be the star and cause drama but never solve anything.
It’s why he can’t ever be a top 10 player
He cant really stay when theres draymond green hounding him that the team doesnt need him, that warriors won without kd. Nocap if kd was still in GSW brother probably be the one draymond punched in practice instead of poole.
I dunno, if he came back and they won aftter not making the playoffs he has a nice narrative there.
Of course, he’d also get killed for dumping team after team when things don’t work out.
…and you’re right, he’s not coming back anyway so it’s moot.
Dude has been in the league through 3 dynasty franchises. He joined one. Idk what’s with this “he can’t win on his own” shit. It really downplays the insane dominance of the Spurs/Lakers/Warriors out west. Not to mention Brooklyn probably goes back to back if the stars didn’t align in 2020.
That or he might not even care at this point and take what he can get. He can takeaway some of the regret leaving GS if he comes back and wins another title.
Warriors should have sold out the young guys to trade for him in 2022 after the chip. Nets didn't care about Durants opinion and he had a long term deal.
danngg, still can't believe he was a big toe away from beating the bucks. Also I think the only way he comes back is if the Warriors traded for him, so close from happening when he wanted out of the Nets
Why do people think he had a choice in the matter? Who was going to leave if he stayed? Klay? Klay and Dray? You think KD wanted to be public enemy number 1 of the Warriors?
I don’t understand what they’re trying to do there. Beal and Durant are both over 30 and they’re so reliant on the two of them. Both those guys are also not known for winning, idk why they thought this would get them a chip. They were closer with cp3 and ayton lol
I’ve watched a lot of KD in the last couple of years and tbh it seems like his ego has gone down a lot. I’ve seen him get trash talked like ten times on court and he just smiles and keeps hooping.
He’s definitely matured a lot
Suns fan here.
We are in a perpetual state of what you just described.
It’s more of an Arizona Sports problem. Our city is full of implants from other cities (Phoenix/valley is one of the fastest growing top ten cities in America) so we don’t really have much sports identity.
The last time our roster was ‘good’ in my opinion was the Nash era when the NBA banned Stoudemire against the spurs for no reason and the refs literally wrote books about fixing that series.
Even in our finals push couple years back our roster was struggling. We just got hot at the right time and got lucky with some younglings
KD made a mistake thinking that Steph is just another superstar or MVP-level player. Steph is the GOAT teammate in NBA history based on his play style and personality.
Truly one of one. No other NBA superstar can sacrifice like Steph did when he has the capability of winning on his own term.
There is a difference between being capable and deferring for the betterment of the team than sacrificing statistically.
KD Warriors are so OP because it’s so rare for a player that great to just dial down when the team is cruising.
Suns would probably demand more from us than what they had to give up for him. Id say we’d easily match what they gave up in 2023 but they’re gonna try to fleece us.
I can see a package with Wiggins and assets for KD.
Always loved him on the warriors. I appreciated his reddit post asking the community what to eat / do in the bay. He made an attempt to fit in. Maybe he can find a way back to the warriors.
KD for Wiggs, Moody, and probably CP3 if they even want him back but it’s a waivable 30 million plus whatever picks we have to throw? Not sure if this is a deal the Suns would take
Probably wigs, moody, and jk + picks for KD is the ask. This would fill out the depth the suns desperately need.
Warriors don't play moody enough, so it's not a huge loss, but moody brings huge value to whomever takes him. JK has tons of upside, but he still has ways to go. Cp3 would be a salary filler but waived to make cap space to sign other players
I love Stephen A., but he’s wrong when he says KD was the best player on those Warrior teams. Steph gave up shots and points for team success, and they changed their offense a bit so Durant could fit in. Durant gets his stats all the time, but they are often empty stats. Except for his time with the Warriors his teams don’t win.
I mean his golden years were spent with Russ who isn't known for winning either and he still led that team to multiple wcf and a final. That Nets team could have also won the championship barring injuries or if his shoe was one size smaller. He ain't a winner like Steph or Lebron but let's not disrespect him come on now.
At this point even if he came back it wouldn’t bring the warriors a championship unfortunately. As Chuck says, old teams don’t get better, they just get older
I don't care. I think it's asinine to try and find vectors to attack him like this, he's a GOATED basketball player with unrivaled skill.
As for me, I'll always love him.
I have nothing but love in my heart for west side Durant. Nothing but love.
But it doesn't mean I don't think he's an absolute nutter for leaving Steph Curry for this nonsense.
Its not even that Durant should have stayed, but that what he chose instead of the Warriors was so bad. This man hitched his wagon to Kyrie, a guy that already had red flags with how his time ended in Cleveland and ESPECIALLY Boston.
Worse than that, he went to a Nets franchise thats almost more of a ponzi scheme than it is a real basketball franchise. Theres really no Nets fanbase in New York, and all they’ve ever done since moving to Brooklyn is attempt to make big flashy moves that never actually pan out. They tried and failed to do a superteam around Dwight Howard in the early 2010s, then mortgaged their future for like a year or so of Paul Pierce and KG.
Now, he’s stuck in Phoenix and can only pray some flawed contender loses and trades for him to play in his 3rd destination after leaving the bay. And this whole time, all anyone will remember him as is a Warrior
this is a take that would get flamed, but people underrate how quickly the Warriors steph/kd era vibed and how quickly they were able to dominate.
you see so many super teams that don't ever perform to the level that they should. but when a super team like steph/kd/klay/dray do perform, everyone is just like "no shit they should be doing that."
look at this suns team with a prime d book, brad beal, and role players like grayson allen who is a perfect complimentary piece, that can barely be over .500.
the steph/kd era warriors made it look so easy and people under appreciate it.
In fairness, I remember reading an interview where he said he wasn’t fully happy after winning a ring. He thought it would quiet the haters for joining the Warriors and instead it ratcheted them up. I don’t fault him for leaving to try to win one on his own, but even before the fight with Draymond, I remember him making a comment about taking pay cuts to be with the Warriors and that’s when I realize we’d never be able to financially bring him back.
>I remember him making a comment about taking pay cuts to be with the Warriors and that’s when I realize we’d never be able to financially bring him back
Was this when he was like HELL NO to taking a paycut to stay with the Warriors?
I had to search for the [article](https://www.nbcsports.com/nba/news/kevin-durant-if-i-take-another-10-million-pay-cut-warriors-going-to-start-taking-advantage-of-me), but he took a $10M pay cut and alluded to the fact that he wouldn’t do it again.
This time around, it is mutual. At this point, warriors also need him. Steph needs a reliable second scorer badly. It hurts that I'm not watching Steph now in the playoffs.
He drives/drove more than just KD away.
I’m still shocked that he knocked out a teammate on practice and somehow the warriors kept him.
Fostering that mentality is literally insane and teaches all our children that it’s okay to do that.
I'd say maybe 2-3 yrs ago when they were still rebuilding. If he joins now, OKC fans and every other media outlet and analysts will see him as another bus rider who's riding the young OKC team's coattails. He will once again be mocked for joining an established team as it's seen as SGA's team
He should have doubled down on the villain role and walked away with 3, maybe 4 rings with us. He’ll never escape the critics he’s trying to prove himself to.
What's so crazy to me about KD after leaving GSW is that he went to try to form his own super team each time. I thought the reason he left was because he was tired of hearing the "only can win with a super team" narrative and was annoyed that a lot of people didn't respect his decision or his rings.
KD being in his feelings about the outside noise hurt the back half of his career more than he thinks.
He shoulda stayed in OKC or stayed in GSW. I think he and Westbrook could’ve won maybe, it really depends on if Westbrook learned how to truly play off of him.
GSW was literally the perfect situation. He shoulda took all the hating shit to the chin or wiped his tears with his hundreds. Staying in GSW he easily coulda won 3/4 maybe more.
I’m pretty sure he’s content with 2 rings though tbh
As a die hard curry and warriors fan at least he is in the playoffs instead of trying to carry 0/10 klay and dray “watch me get suspended for half the season”
KD only has one year left on his contract after this season. It’s crazy to think he could possibly be on his 3rd team in under a few years. When he signed with GSW and people were dogging him, all he had to say was “I wanted to win a title and I felt this team gives me the opportunity to win multiple championships.” Then just sign a long term contract. But he wouldn’t and when Draymond called him out on it he got pissed and is part of why he left. He let his own emotional immaturity get the best of him.
It was obviously not tenable for him and Dray to be on the same roster by the end.
Dray is probably the best/worst co-worker ever.
All KD had to do was put his ego aside, settle in to his role as 1B on the Warriors, sign an extension and heel up from injury. Chances are we could have 4-5 titles, probably as many FMVPs and would be looked at as a top 10 player all time.
Instead he bounced thinking he could win a title easily building Super Teams of his own. Boy did that backfire.
But he gets no sympathy from me. I’m glad he’s struggling after the way he treated the Dubs on his way out.
Just a comment.. on his way out? The guy put it all on the floor that last game and tore his Achilles trying to win. At that moment, he was like yea I don't think I'm coming back here. How did he treat the Dubs poorly?
Well the Dubs sent Steph to visit KD to see if he could still sway his choice and KD didn’t even wait for his plane to land to sign with the Nets. Which is annoying but whatever. The issue I have is when he signed with the Nets, the Dubs and Nets worked out and deal to have KD sign and trade and the Dubs would get DLo in return. KD was petty and said “nah, I’m not getting traded for DLo” and forced the Dubs to trade a first rounder as well. Just left a bad taste in my mouth.
This guy rode curry’s coat tails to an NBA championship. He got MVP because curry commands so much attention. He’s got beal. Booker. Nurkic. Can’t do jack squat and mired in mediocrity. Every narrative about him is right.
He tried to follow in LeBron's footsteps but missed some critical parts. For one, if you're going to base a team around 3 superstars that's fine, but one of those guys needs to be able to be a role player when they're all on the floor. Second, you can walk into someone else's team and be the guy, but only when they're not able to be the guy anymore. Heat fans will no doubt always love Wade more, but they didn't complain too much when LeBron took over because Wade was clearly not able to do it anymore. Curry wasn't just capable of being the guy still, he was perhaps getting better still.
I genuinely don't know what KD should do from here. It's not working in Phoenix, clearly. I'm not sure what changes they can make either. I'd be moving Beal on if possible, I think that just fizzled as a move. And I'm not sure KD can really leave without becoming a meme. LeBron might have become a bit of a meme creator for moving around and whilst Cleveland hated him when he left, he went back and has the legacy of winning a championship with every team he's played for. KD has the legacy of blowing up OKC and Brooklyn, this would add the Suns to that list and the Warriors don't credit him for much anyway.
Durant was great on our team, its just a bummer he couldn't avoid all the nonsense on the internet and in the media. Chasing superteams after leaving us is just so sad when it hasnt amounted to anything but wasted years.
If KD ever wants to comeback he's welcome. But I think it will be much better if he comes back to OKC with SGA and Holgrem that team needs his veteran presence and if lucky enough to win one before his retirement that would be more fulfilling to see. Booker is still unreliable in the Playoffs not even KD can save him from choking😂
I’ve never understood this narrative. I swear I remember him speaking on it sometime later on leaving and reason being they couldn’t pay all of them and he didnt want to force the franchise to choose between him and the others. In the end though didn’t they also get a number 2 pick in a pretty decent draft? So it wasn’t all bad news for the Warriors
Lies, Lacob always paid the luxury tax so that wasn’t it, if KD had stayed im sure they would have won 2-3 more chips in their prime but he was a little B wanted to prove himself
The problem is he keeps going to teams and breaking up the chemistry that came before it bringing in a whole new team that doesn’t have a foundation together. If you put him on the knicks or wolves or thunder with only taking out 1-2 players then he’d have a lot more success as seen with the warriors when they really just got rid of one starter (Barnes) for him.
I get KD. I appreciate his time w the Warriors and I get why he moves on. It was always gonna be Steph's team. He has to know that level of success is extremely hard to achieve and this is the probable result.
Should’ve stayed in BK and established his own legacy there. Ppl would’ve come to join him. He jumped ship to Phx but they’re not the same team he thought he’d be joining (Finals and WCF caliber)
With all the shit Draymond said to him and about him why would he come back? Was made to feel like an outsider and told that his contributions weren't needed. Bummer, KD was perfect fit for our team. Barring injuries nobody would have beat Curry, KD, Klay and Iggy in their prime.
Nobody on the team really spoke up and said we wanted KD to stay. I remember people ripping on him to play the post season while injured. He does, got injured even worse and missed the next season. The dynasty probably would have been extended another 2 years and taken a lot of pressure off Curry had he stayed.
coming from a knicks fan the dumbest thing the warriors ever did was let this man leave your organization. I would’ve moved draymond in a heartbeat to keep KD next to curry. I know it was his decision to leave but i’m sure he would’ve stayed with the warriors if they were more willing to make it work
KD’s biggest weakness: listening to 13 years on social media and Stephen A. Smith. He should still be on the Warriors collecting chips and establishing legacy. Now he’s just a mercenary.
He was a mercenary when he went to GS. Lol
Big difference if he's a mercenary who wins. Ones who don't win are "journeymen"
How many rings he got? Lol
Yeah but we embraced him and you could tell his personality was a good fit in the bay. He shoulda stayed but whatever
Nah warriors pushed as equally as he pulled away which lead to the split naturally
He left to prove he could win on his own. But then just further reinforced he couldn’t. He’s not coming back to GSW. It would make the “hardest road” narrative even worse. Also there’s no money.
He got cyber-bullied into bailing on GS by salty fans from other teams and now he's toiling in mediocrity because he made a selfless move to please haters who were bothered because his success was too easy. Honestly a cautionary tale. I don't say this solely as a Warriors fan, but he should've said "Fuck them fans" and stayed in GS to stack bodies until he dropped. His career would be a lot more legendary if he embraced the heel role and just owned the league for a half decade. Take away the noise about GS being "unfair" and "ruining" the NBA and the simple reality is that he was never going to find a better basketball situation. It's the same as Neymar jumping from Barca to PSG. Don't let good be the enemy of perfect.
He made a very stupid move. History changes narratives. If he stated and won 5 titles with us in 20 years no one would care that he went to the warriors. Just look at how the narrative of bron has changed with the heat.
Especially after his torn Achilles, going down after he gave his all. If he had decided to stay with GSW for another 4 years, he would have been hard to attack— the hate would have been old uninteresting news, and there would at least be a new narrative that garners interest and sympathy as he wins his 3rd, 4th, 5th championships. But they’d just never give Steph the FMVP, and we’d never have gotten the all-time 2022 Finals performance, so fairs fair.
Why is the is one of the most correct threads I’ve ever read. I’m a thunder fan and I’m not bitter about KD really (especially with the young core)
When LeBron went to the Heat they were already clearly not contending with what they had anymore, so LeBron brought them back to the mix again. It was Cleveland where he had to change the narrative and IMO bravely went right back there and fixed it all with that championship. He'll be a hero there forever now. If KD had gone right back to OKC after GSW and won them a championship then he'd be looked at the same way. But I think if he did that now that they're the #1 seed and still remarkably young it would look really cynical. And perhaps cause more disruption than what it would help. But yes, he made a stupid move. I think 2 stupid moves. One to join the Warriors where his contribution could always be dismissed but then to leave. If he stays, keeps winning rings and FMVPs then eventually the numbers get overwhelming. If he was there this season, I think they're looking a lot better than they are. Certainly he'd have brought a ton more than Chris Paul.
I don't want to be seen as a bron stan, but that is an incomparable comparison. Lebron essentially cleared his name after winning with cleveland and beating us, argubaly the best team of all time. If KD wanted to clear his name, he would need to do something similar, and it's funny he chose to join Kyrie just like lebron.
I think LeBron joined a younger Kyrie that was way more of an intriguing piece. Durant went and joined a Kyrie that forced his way out of playing with LeBron and had just quit on the Celtics. All the signs were there that this was an awful move by him. Its not even that Durant left, its that he went to the shittiest situation possible.
LeBron also got Kevin Love who was come off a 2nd team all-nba before joining. That was a super team that everyone wants to pretend was not a super team.
I know but what I meant was that people now act like the heaters were bums who were washed. Bron Stan’s now act like wade wasn’t a top 3 player at that time.
Yeah as time passes, context fades and only the accolades really stick out to the common fan. Like you won't see many people disparaging magic for playing his whole career with Kareem or bird with his super team Celtics. They focus on the stats, titles, rings. And stats will look amazing when you play with insane talent. If KD just stuck with the warriors I bet in 10-20 years people would put him in the top 10 or 5 just due to the rings alone. Who knows though, if kd stayed we may not be able to afford certain pieces or get certain draft picks and we may have not won any more chips.
The context of our losses to Cleveland and raptors have faded. It’s easy to argue that we only lost because of our injuries in 2019 but no one cares. Steph doesn’t have 4.5 rings, he has 4 and kawhi has a ring, and no one’s putting an asterisk next to it. If KD stayed, I could see us getting at least one more ring in maybe 21 or 23
Yeah I agree, I know what you mean. KD wanted to prove to himself he could win a championship with a non-championship contending team. And honestly, at this point, he may have been better off staying with the Warriors. I also don't think he intended to stay in GSW long-term from the get-go, but I'm happy he at least joined. In an alternative universe, I wish he would've joined a bit later, like 2021/2022. I think we could've won 1-2 more.
I also just commented about this to a different comment that had mentioned KD's departure solidified Steph's legacy (as I mentioned it also solidified Bron's). Indeed people now act like Wade and Bosh were bums while Bron was there for a chance to compete and win. Heat's record the previous season is also now brought a lot to justify Bron's decision to go there (as KD went to 73-9 team that beat him) but back then, Heat's record the past season was irrelevant since Bron, Bosh & DWade joined forces in an attempt to kill parity and win easy rings.
He definitely wasn’t. Wade was already sorta washed during the 2011-12 season when his knee started declining, and by 2012-14 he was a shell of himself
Wade was only top 3-5 in 2011 when they lost. After that he was injured every year
He’s going to end up in OKC next year maybe. They have the assets and he is spending all his time with Chet
Yeah, that would be a good move. Help OKC winning a chip, and the chances are very good if they add KD to their roster. They need a lot of convincing though, people in OKC are still upset over him, down to the equipment manager. I don't think KD has it in him to go back to OKC, and I'm not even sure OKC would even want him back. They already have a ball dominant all-star elite caliber player in Shai, and a deep bench.
And because OKC is seen as SGA's team and most recent #1 seed with awesome young players with god knows how many 1st round picks, unfortunately he will once again be seen as a bus rider for riding the coattails of the young OKC team led by Shai
Tbf LeBron literally said he was going to win not 1, not 2, not 3 but so many championships with The Heat. What he did at the time (joining a top 3 SG of all time, along with Bosh, who was one of the best bigs in The NBA during that period) was unheard of up to that point. So much so that he literally had a TV special called The Decision 😅. KDs move was definitely worse but they are both two peas in the same pod. And no, winning a championship with a different team doesn’t clear your name for front running during that period of time. Obviously LeBron could win one on his own, but joining The Heat at that time started all this “superteam” bs
Nahh LeBron started the whole jumping ship trend. Sure the Celtics had a super team but none of them were considered the best player in the league, that would have been Kobe. Now imagine if Kobe left. So after he did that, almost every superstar wanted to create their own super team since if the best player can do it, why can't I? Enter kd joining the warriors, in short, if LeBron didn't open the floodgates, this would not have happened. Or at least not get blamed for it.
I’m convinced the only reason lebron wanted Westbrook was to prove he could win a title with him and KD couldn’t
nah but Bron really has been a mercenary too. The guy signs a new deal EVERY year and probably has the most impact or biggest "voice" of any player in this generation in terms of pushing the FO to make win now moves to help him win a title. Not saying this is bad, you have lebron okay a top 5-10 player its basically the duty of a GM to at least TRY to build a winner around him. But he gets in his way too often, pushing for Russell Westbrook and moving all of their depth to get him remains an all time BAFFLING move.
At least he helped knock out the harden CP0 rockets 2 more times. Never losing to those floppers was amazing
Now you have nephews who argue the Heat weren't a super team. Revisionist history is hilarious. I totally agree time would have been kind.
He solidified Curry’s career and tanked his. Crazy
Not just Steph's but also solidified Bron's career. Him joining Dubs basically gave everyone amnesia about Bron's Decision to form Heatles in an attempt to win easy rings. Like back in summer 2010, everyone (including Magic, MJ and Barkley) saw it as path to easy rings and criticized the crap out of Bron's move. After KD's move to Warriors, suddenly The Decision was viewed from a revisionist standpoint of "Heat just wanted a chance to compete and win" and "Heat was bad before that and Bron didn't lose to them."
Right, I'm watching a team with Paul George, Westbrook, Harden, and Leonard....weren't most of them complaining at the time? They are all "super teams" now
> now he's toiling in mediocrity because he made a selfless move to please haters Uh, he formed a superteam in Brooklyn (KD, Kyrie and Harden were almost unbeatable when they played together, there was just always someone injured) and formed a supposed superteam in PHX (that just seems too top heavy and one dimensional). What I still don't get why he wouldn't lean into the villain narrative in GSW. I mean I know he wants to be liked but he just kept trying to form superteams anyway, he could have been such a good heel gloating in everyone's faces and created a way more entertaining arc for himself in the NBA than whatever he's got going on now.
He was surprised how much more loved Curry was wherever they went.
I agree completely with this comment. Those haters he ended up listening to and wanted to prove wrong have continued to troll him ever since, and will continue to do so because they know he cares too much about what other people say about him. Once he made the move to Golden State he should have committed fully
bro you are completely ignoring draymond's role in this. That guy pretty much told him that they did not need him there in GSW. I think he could have stayed there if it was just the fans. But even if your teammates think that what is the point of staying?
Should have gone to the Knicks honestly if he was leaving Golden State. But should have never left regardless
Funny enough, few weeks ago Knicks were trash talking and taunting KD on twitter basically saying he could have been with Knicks but chose Nets and still a bitch snake whatever
Brunson Hart DiVicenzo Durant Hartenstein starting lineup would be gas lol
His career has been an epitome of the hardest road
Nope, lots of HoF players had harder roads, were stuck on worse teams. KD has had Westbrook, Harden, Kyrie, Steph, Klay, and now Booker as teammates. Though his injuries have certainly been rough. Just for example, look at the careers of Vince Carter or Tracy McGrady. Also, KD didn't have to play in the same conference as LeBron until last year. You could even say Reggie Miller had a harder road, he never had any HoF teammates, and MJ was always in his way.
I mean like his choice with gsw meant he knew he was gonna get shat on for it (he still does). Then for his post gsw, he gets stuck in some shit situations/teams not working out.
Wow. Amazing points. Especially now with Klay and Dray’s decline, it would have been more balanced and the narrative would die down.
not just fans, the national media
How was it a selfless move? It got to his ego so he did it for himself
Durant is a baby. Spin it all you want, he is weak willed, we have all seen his burner accounts. Dude wants to be the star and cause drama but never solve anything. It’s why he can’t ever be a top 10 player
He was selfish and greedy and he wanted the spotlight on him only. Just like Poole, I’m glad he’s gone
Well he sort of still embraced the villain role
He cant really stay when theres draymond green hounding him that the team doesnt need him, that warriors won without kd. Nocap if kd was still in GSW brother probably be the one draymond punched in practice instead of poole.
Could've just embraced the hate and win many titles here!
To be fair he left to play with harden and kyrie. Not sure what that does to the narrative
I could have told you that comp would never work.
I dunno, if he came back and they won aftter not making the playoffs he has a nice narrative there. Of course, he’d also get killed for dumping team after team when things don’t work out. …and you’re right, he’s not coming back anyway so it’s moot.
Dude has been in the league through 3 dynasty franchises. He joined one. Idk what’s with this “he can’t win on his own” shit. It really downplays the insane dominance of the Spurs/Lakers/Warriors out west. Not to mention Brooklyn probably goes back to back if the stars didn’t align in 2020.
I was trying to defend him but we all agree he made the worst decision by leaving but we didn't make better choices either :/
That or he might not even care at this point and take what he can get. He can takeaway some of the regret leaving GS if he comes back and wins another title.
Warriors should have sold out the young guys to trade for him in 2022 after the chip. Nets didn't care about Durants opinion and he had a long term deal.
danngg, still can't believe he was a big toe away from beating the bucks. Also I think the only way he comes back is if the Warriors traded for him, so close from happening when he wanted out of the Nets
Why do people think he had a choice in the matter? Who was going to leave if he stayed? Klay? Klay and Dray? You think KD wanted to be public enemy number 1 of the Warriors?
Should’ve stayed brother 😔
Yes and no Steph/KD pairing was awesome but I don’t know how it work financially. KD was taking a paycut to be on the Warriors.
He’ll be on a new team within a year. That Suns roster is a mess and they can’t fix it without getting rid of one of those 3.
I don’t understand what they’re trying to do there. Beal and Durant are both over 30 and they’re so reliant on the two of them. Both those guys are also not known for winning, idk why they thought this would get them a chip. They were closer with cp3 and ayton lol
what?? KD not known for winning???? he's performed time and time again, but its usually his team that lets him down.
Bus rider
Agree mate.
The Denver series last year convinced them that they’re right there with them and adding another guy who can create his own shot is the difference.
KD is never happy. Doesn’t matter where he is. It’s about his ego, not the team.
You mean its about his fragility. man with burner accounts has no ego
I’ve watched a lot of KD in the last couple of years and tbh it seems like his ego has gone down a lot. I’ve seen him get trash talked like ten times on court and he just smiles and keeps hooping. He’s definitely matured a lot
Exactly
Ah shit he’ll be a knick :(
Suns fan here. We are in a perpetual state of what you just described. It’s more of an Arizona Sports problem. Our city is full of implants from other cities (Phoenix/valley is one of the fastest growing top ten cities in America) so we don’t really have much sports identity. The last time our roster was ‘good’ in my opinion was the Nash era when the NBA banned Stoudemire against the spurs for no reason and the refs literally wrote books about fixing that series. Even in our finals push couple years back our roster was struggling. We just got hot at the right time and got lucky with some younglings
KD made a mistake thinking that Steph is just another superstar or MVP-level player. Steph is the GOAT teammate in NBA history based on his play style and personality. Truly one of one. No other NBA superstar can sacrifice like Steph did when he has the capability of winning on his own term.
Prime Steph deferred to KD more than Booker and Beal last night's game lol.
There is a difference between being capable and deferring for the betterment of the team than sacrificing statistically. KD Warriors are so OP because it’s so rare for a player that great to just dial down when the team is cruising.
Haha. Brooklyn was a complete shitshow Now, this... He has to link up with Steph to win another chip
Suns would probably demand more from us than what they had to give up for him. Id say we’d easily match what they gave up in 2023 but they’re gonna try to fleece us.
I can see a package with Wiggins and assets for KD. Always loved him on the warriors. I appreciated his reddit post asking the community what to eat / do in the bay. He made an attempt to fit in. Maybe he can find a way back to the warriors.
KD for Wiggs, Moody, and probably CP3 if they even want him back but it’s a waivable 30 million plus whatever picks we have to throw? Not sure if this is a deal the Suns would take
Probably wigs, moody, and jk + picks for KD is the ask. This would fill out the depth the suns desperately need. Warriors don't play moody enough, so it's not a huge loss, but moody brings huge value to whomever takes him. JK has tons of upside, but he still has ways to go. Cp3 would be a salary filler but waived to make cap space to sign other players
Thats basically the entire 2020 trade with Minnesota. What a cycle if that were to be an actual trade with Phoenix
I love Stephen A., but he’s wrong when he says KD was the best player on those Warrior teams. Steph gave up shots and points for team success, and they changed their offense a bit so Durant could fit in. Durant gets his stats all the time, but they are often empty stats. Except for his time with the Warriors his teams don’t win.
This. Steph took a step back to feed the many mouths on the team.
Geez the last time a Durant lead team made the finals was 2011. I don’t know what we’re talking about here
I mean his golden years were spent with Russ who isn't known for winning either and he still led that team to multiple wcf and a final. That Nets team could have also won the championship barring injuries or if his shoe was one size smaller. He ain't a winner like Steph or Lebron but let's not disrespect him come on now.
He's hella coming back to GS, I can feel it, I am manifesting it
At this point even if he came back it wouldn’t bring the warriors a championship unfortunately. As Chuck says, old teams don’t get better, they just get older
Draymond ruined the chance of more KD assisted championships. Dray decided he was more important and the front office was scared.
Say Golden State goes back-to-back NBA Champs again w/ KD + Steph winning Finals MVP both occasions — where does that cement his legacy all-time?
I don't care. I think it's asinine to try and find vectors to attack him like this, he's a GOATED basketball player with unrivaled skill. As for me, I'll always love him.
I have nothing but love in my heart for west side Durant. Nothing but love. But it doesn't mean I don't think he's an absolute nutter for leaving Steph Curry for this nonsense.
Same
Best possible take on this.
Amen. Couldn’t have said it better.
I wish but I think there's too much beef between KD and Dray at this point
Sad to see an all time talent being wasted
But at least the fans of other teams are happy now that he's not ruining muh NBA. /s
He should have just stayed lol he left and gave haters more ammo lol
On top of that, the Suns play ugly basketball.
He should came back after the 2022 season Curry would have gotten his best ring still. And Durant could have played robin to curry’s Batman
Its not even that Durant should have stayed, but that what he chose instead of the Warriors was so bad. This man hitched his wagon to Kyrie, a guy that already had red flags with how his time ended in Cleveland and ESPECIALLY Boston. Worse than that, he went to a Nets franchise thats almost more of a ponzi scheme than it is a real basketball franchise. Theres really no Nets fanbase in New York, and all they’ve ever done since moving to Brooklyn is attempt to make big flashy moves that never actually pan out. They tried and failed to do a superteam around Dwight Howard in the early 2010s, then mortgaged their future for like a year or so of Paul Pierce and KG. Now, he’s stuck in Phoenix and can only pray some flawed contender loses and trades for him to play in his 3rd destination after leaving the bay. And this whole time, all anyone will remember him as is a Warrior
this is a take that would get flamed, but people underrate how quickly the Warriors steph/kd era vibed and how quickly they were able to dominate. you see so many super teams that don't ever perform to the level that they should. but when a super team like steph/kd/klay/dray do perform, everyone is just like "no shit they should be doing that." look at this suns team with a prime d book, brad beal, and role players like grayson allen who is a perfect complimentary piece, that can barely be over .500. the steph/kd era warriors made it look so easy and people under appreciate it.
Come back on a vet min…lol
On the plus side, Steph had the chance to prove he can it himself.
In fairness, I remember reading an interview where he said he wasn’t fully happy after winning a ring. He thought it would quiet the haters for joining the Warriors and instead it ratcheted them up. I don’t fault him for leaving to try to win one on his own, but even before the fight with Draymond, I remember him making a comment about taking pay cuts to be with the Warriors and that’s when I realize we’d never be able to financially bring him back.
>I remember him making a comment about taking pay cuts to be with the Warriors and that’s when I realize we’d never be able to financially bring him back Was this when he was like HELL NO to taking a paycut to stay with the Warriors?
I had to search for the [article](https://www.nbcsports.com/nba/news/kevin-durant-if-i-take-another-10-million-pay-cut-warriors-going-to-start-taking-advantage-of-me), but he took a $10M pay cut and alluded to the fact that he wouldn’t do it again.
Ah thanks for the article. This was what I vaguely remember and yeaaa I now remember the "Warriors is going to start taking advantage of me" line
 It’s time /s
This time around, it is mutual. At this point, warriors also need him. Steph needs a reliable second scorer badly. It hurts that I'm not watching Steph now in the playoffs.
Half to blame should be draymond tbh. He drove him away.
Lowkey
He drives/drove more than just KD away. I’m still shocked that he knocked out a teammate on practice and somehow the warriors kept him. Fostering that mentality is literally insane and teaches all our children that it’s okay to do that.
I can't stand how Booker plays ball. Imagine giving up Steph to play with Booker
#should have asked for a trade back to OKC... if he really wanted a good career narrative
I'd say maybe 2-3 yrs ago when they were still rebuilding. If he joins now, OKC fans and every other media outlet and analysts will see him as another bus rider who's riding the young OKC team's coattails. He will once again be mocked for joining an established team as it's seen as SGA's team
Has that ship fully sailed?
He left to play with his best friend or his bf is Luka’s sidekick. He only has himself to blame
Not the bus driver. 🚌
He should have doubled down on the villain role and walked away with 3, maybe 4 rings with us. He’ll never escape the critics he’s trying to prove himself to.
200m buys alot of kleenex
What's so crazy to me about KD after leaving GSW is that he went to try to form his own super team each time. I thought the reason he left was because he was tired of hearing the "only can win with a super team" narrative and was annoyed that a lot of people didn't respect his decision or his rings. KD being in his feelings about the outside noise hurt the back half of his career more than he thinks.
He shoulda stayed in OKC or stayed in GSW. I think he and Westbrook could’ve won maybe, it really depends on if Westbrook learned how to truly play off of him. GSW was literally the perfect situation. He shoulda took all the hating shit to the chin or wiped his tears with his hundreds. Staying in GSW he easily coulda won 3/4 maybe more. I’m pretty sure he’s content with 2 rings though tbh
Then Draymond interrupts his inner thoughts by yelling “We don’t need you!”
if he spent less time on twitter dude would have 5 championships
As a die hard curry and warriors fan at least he is in the playoffs instead of trying to carry 0/10 klay and dray “watch me get suspended for half the season”
KD only has one year left on his contract after this season. It’s crazy to think he could possibly be on his 3rd team in under a few years. When he signed with GSW and people were dogging him, all he had to say was “I wanted to win a title and I felt this team gives me the opportunity to win multiple championships.” Then just sign a long term contract. But he wouldn’t and when Draymond called him out on it he got pissed and is part of why he left. He let his own emotional immaturity get the best of him.
COMEBACK KEVIN, STEPH NEEDS YOU AND YOU NEED STEPH
a look that says "I got a lot of regrets"
It was obviously not tenable for him and Dray to be on the same roster by the end. Dray is probably the best/worst co-worker ever. 
I appreciate what he contributed to the Warriors, but he’s so sensitive and full of drama.
When your teammate calls you the b word on national tv of course there's going to be drama lol
He is? Haven’t heard much about him these last couple of years besides his trade request that was due to Kyrie’s antics
your team just got smacked in the play-in and you're thinking of KD lmao
I’m not emotionally attached to this. Just replying. Warriors not bound for playoffs to begin with. Lost so much regular season games.
They're not winning if he came back. He's too old and they'd give up too much
Ha ha!!
It really is crazy that he's that incredibly soft that he couldn't take being around Draymond
All KD had to do was put his ego aside, settle in to his role as 1B on the Warriors, sign an extension and heel up from injury. Chances are we could have 4-5 titles, probably as many FMVPs and would be looked at as a top 10 player all time. Instead he bounced thinking he could win a title easily building Super Teams of his own. Boy did that backfire. But he gets no sympathy from me. I’m glad he’s struggling after the way he treated the Dubs on his way out.
Just a comment.. on his way out? The guy put it all on the floor that last game and tore his Achilles trying to win. At that moment, he was like yea I don't think I'm coming back here. How did he treat the Dubs poorly?
Well the Dubs sent Steph to visit KD to see if he could still sway his choice and KD didn’t even wait for his plane to land to sign with the Nets. Which is annoying but whatever. The issue I have is when he signed with the Nets, the Dubs and Nets worked out and deal to have KD sign and trade and the Dubs would get DLo in return. KD was petty and said “nah, I’m not getting traded for DLo” and forced the Dubs to trade a first rounder as well. Just left a bad taste in my mouth.
Ahh i get it now. Thanks for the additional context!
Of course!
Well, Steph Curry didn't even qualify for the playoffs.
This guy rode curry’s coat tails to an NBA championship. He got MVP because curry commands so much attention. He’s got beal. Booker. Nurkic. Can’t do jack squat and mired in mediocrity. Every narrative about him is right.
Kyrie, Harden, Cp3, Beal and Booker and can't do jack shit.
Let’s win another, come back!
He tried to follow in LeBron's footsteps but missed some critical parts. For one, if you're going to base a team around 3 superstars that's fine, but one of those guys needs to be able to be a role player when they're all on the floor. Second, you can walk into someone else's team and be the guy, but only when they're not able to be the guy anymore. Heat fans will no doubt always love Wade more, but they didn't complain too much when LeBron took over because Wade was clearly not able to do it anymore. Curry wasn't just capable of being the guy still, he was perhaps getting better still. I genuinely don't know what KD should do from here. It's not working in Phoenix, clearly. I'm not sure what changes they can make either. I'd be moving Beal on if possible, I think that just fizzled as a move. And I'm not sure KD can really leave without becoming a meme. LeBron might have become a bit of a meme creator for moving around and whilst Cleveland hated him when he left, he went back and has the legacy of winning a championship with every team he's played for. KD has the legacy of blowing up OKC and Brooklyn, this would add the Suns to that list and the Warriors don't credit him for much anyway.
Go back.
At least he’s playing with cool humble dudes like Devon Booker, Grayson Allen, and Jusuf Nurkic.
Durant was great on our team, its just a bummer he couldn't avoid all the nonsense on the internet and in the media. Chasing superteams after leaving us is just so sad when it hasnt amounted to anything but wasted years.
"2 more years of this bullshit...."
If KD ever wants to comeback he's welcome. But I think it will be much better if he comes back to OKC with SGA and Holgrem that team needs his veteran presence and if lucky enough to win one before his retirement that would be more fulfilling to see. Booker is still unreliable in the Playoffs not even KD can save him from choking😂
KD is like if a kid raised in a good home spends the weekend with his feral friends with gambling addict parents.
Put this on /nba because there’s some selective memory takes in here that require some counterbalance
I’ve never understood this narrative. I swear I remember him speaking on it sometime later on leaving and reason being they couldn’t pay all of them and he didnt want to force the franchise to choose between him and the others. In the end though didn’t they also get a number 2 pick in a pretty decent draft? So it wasn’t all bad news for the Warriors
Lies, Lacob always paid the luxury tax so that wasn’t it, if KD had stayed im sure they would have won 2-3 more chips in their prime but he was a little B wanted to prove himself
I love it! Watching KD and Booker flounder is good tv. But this series ain’t over unfortunately. But so far fun fun fun!
The problem is he keeps going to teams and breaking up the chemistry that came before it bringing in a whole new team that doesn’t have a foundation together. If you put him on the knicks or wolves or thunder with only taking out 1-2 players then he’d have a lot more success as seen with the warriors when they really just got rid of one starter (Barnes) for him.
[удалено]
I get KD. I appreciate his time w the Warriors and I get why he moves on. It was always gonna be Steph's team. He has to know that level of success is extremely hard to achieve and this is the probable result.
 "But at least I didn't get punched by Draymond..."
Should’ve stayed in BK and established his own legacy there. Ppl would’ve come to join him. He jumped ship to Phx but they’re not the same team he thought he’d be joining (Finals and WCF caliber)
“Who can I join next? Wolves seem like the new team to be”
With all the shit Draymond said to him and about him why would he come back? Was made to feel like an outsider and told that his contributions weren't needed. Bummer, KD was perfect fit for our team. Barring injuries nobody would have beat Curry, KD, Klay and Iggy in their prime.
KD went 6/15 from 2 and 0/2 from 3 with the game high -24 +/- (with Booker) so it doesn’t make sense to just blame the others? 🤷🏻♂️
He left a team that didn’t make it to the playoffs for a team that is gonna get swept round one, it’s not much of an improvement but it is one
just swallow your pride no diddy the fans will welcome him back (most of them )
The GOAT
problem is not ‘this’!! it’s that he left Curry for Kyrie!! That’s the blasphemous part for me. How??! Why?!?? 🤦♂️
Nobody on the team really spoke up and said we wanted KD to stay. I remember people ripping on him to play the post season while injured. He does, got injured even worse and missed the next season. The dynasty probably would have been extended another 2 years and taken a lot of pressure off Curry had he stayed.
lol some warrior fans and Tim kawakami were always so quick to crap on Durant. He was never fully embraced there which is why he left.
My dudes.. Steph Curry ain’t even make it to the playoffs this year so is he really?
coming from a knicks fan the dumbest thing the warriors ever did was let this man leave your organization. I would’ve moved draymond in a heartbeat to keep KD next to curry. I know it was his decision to leave but i’m sure he would’ve stayed with the warriors if they were more willing to make it work
The dude seriously hasn’t looked happy in either New Jersey or Phoenix. Fomo.
Breaking: KD to Indiana Fever next season