Kevin Durant Transfer to Warriors: Sports Experts Weigh on NBA Star's Decision to Choose GSW
Kevin Durant Criticized for Joining Super Team Golden State Warriors
Most basketball fans and experts have more or less shared the same sentiment about Kevin Durant leaving Oklahoma and choosing Golden State Warriors: they hate it. The initial reaction was to say that Durant was taking the short road to a championship, and most people feel bitter about the fact that he left to join the team that beat his old team during the 2015-16 NBA Western Conference Finals.
After things settled a bit, though, some have looked at Durant's decision from another viewpoint, and have loosened up on the hate. Some people have even referred to Kevin Durant's move as a wise business decision that has nothing to do with his morality.
A lot of sports experts have pitched in their views regarding Durant's infamous decision. The following are some of the most notable ones to date.
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1. Reggie Miller hates Durant's Choice
Hall-of-famer and 3-point shooting wizard Reggie Miller has chimed in on Durant's decision to leave OKC and play for GSW through an exceptionally long essay he posted on Bleacher Report.
Reggie Miller said that "failing to win one with the Thunder would arguably be more admirable than collecting any number of titles with the Warriors." He emphasized that "a king should never leave his kingdom." Miller himself played for 18 seasons in the NBA, all seasons played with the Indiana Pacers.
Miller said he understands how Durant feels about not winning a championship, because he himself has never won one and it pains him to this day. But he added that staying in Indiana was all about the fans; he didn't leave the fans and the fans didn't leave him. The fans cheered with him through victories, and cried with him in defeat.
2. LeBron James becomes mainstream hero
When Durant's decision first hit social media and online news, some basketball fans have now jumped into the Cleveland Cavaliers' bandwagon and said they will be rooting for LeBron James and his squad to beat the overpowering Warriors.
Bethlehem Shoals of SB Nation feels the same way. SB Nation says the death lineup, composed of Curry, Thompson, Green and Barnes should now be called the Megadeath lineup with the removal of Barnes (the weakest link according to his performance in the finals) and the replacement of Durant.
When James went to Miami six years ago, he received a lot of hate because he left Cleveland and joined Wade and Bosh to form the big three. But he came back and fulfilled his promise to give Cleveland its first major championship since 1964. After last season, a Warriors versus Cavaliers rival has been established.
But with Durant's acquisition, Golden State basically took a star player from a team that almost eliminated them. As an analogy, it's like "the rich getting richer." Golden State is now the Goliath of NBA sports, and LeBron James is now the David.
3. NBA Players Tweet About Durant's Decision
Here's what some NBA players have to say about Durant playing for the Warriors through the Twitterverse.
Marcin Gortat said, "That's crazy!!!! KD in GSW???? …. R they gonna score 200 points in a game?" Evan Fournier says "WOW… Really?" Paul Pierce says, "if u can't beat um join um."
Andre Iguodala had some positive things to say about his new teammate, "the fam was def blessed today!" CJ McCollum is surprised, "Soooo KD really going to the Warriors. Sick change of events" Joel Embiid channels his inner gamer, "I'm gonna use GSW all day in 2k17… Fam I wouldn't be surprised if they score 200 pts next year lmao."
4. The Warriors will be Unbelievable
Like Kevin Durant's decision or not, one thing's for sure: Golden State will be unbelievable next season. Each player in the megadeath lineup is so skilled, whatever weaknesses one player has other players can cover up.
This Warriors move has truly changed the NBA. Expectations are mad high for the new super team, and they are more likely to achieve them than disappoint.
