“Show some loyalty.” “He’ll never be a true champion.” “His legacy is done forever now.”
These are just some of the things I’ve heard (and thought) when we learned that Kevin Durant would sign with the Golden State Warriors.
To a point, I wholeheartedly agree.
I do hope for the day when we see another John Stockton, who would stick with his team, ring or no ring.
But who wouldn’t take the easy way out when the offer presented itself?
Then I see the videos on social media.
Videos of Durant jerseys being burnt on barbecues, set alight with lighter fluid, or my favourite, shot with machine guns until it torches the sky for all to see. Then I think, screw loyalty if those are the same ‘fans’ you were loyal to for nine years (yes I counted the Sonics).
That’s not a loving relationship. That’s someone taking you for all you got and getting angry when you can’t (or don’t want to) give any more.
KD took his side and his city – one which never before had a major professional sports team – (not counting 05-07) to the goddamn NBA finals and the brink of something amazing and this is what he gets? To take a page from Chad Ochocinco “child please.”
I don’t think he’ll ever be seen as a “true champion” now that he’s left for the team he did.
Had he gone to the Bulls, to the Mavs, even to the Cavs, this issue wouldn’t have been compounded as much as his decision to leave for a team that most recently came back from 3-1 down to whoop his ass.
Then I remember, he wasn’t a “true champion” anyway because he hadn’t won and wasn’t guaranteed to win with the Thunder.
If he wants a ring – every player in the NBA does apart from Carmelo Anthony it seems – then why not give yourself the best chance to get one?
Would KD have liked to win it with the Thunder. I’m positive he would’ve. Would the Thunder have won a championship had he stayed? That I’m less sure of.
What’s the use of being a ‘true champion’ if you have no championships to show for it?
In my mind there’s no coming back from the media and public backlash KD gets this summer.
If he wins a title, it wasn’t earned. If he loses, he’ll be the guy that couldn’t make a team any better.
Then I think what his legacy is.
What it is, is one of the greatest scorers to ever play the game.
You know how many NBA players averaged more points per game than Durant has? Two.
Wilt Chamberlin and some baseball player called Michael Jordan.
While that may very well change with a new crop of scorers around him, what won’t change are his four scoring titles or the heart he shows every time he steps onto the court.
You may not like it. I may not like it. But if the team that was just on the verge of going back to back offered you $54 million what would you do?
Probably buy a new Russell Westbrook jersey. That is until he leaves too and you have to burn that one as well.
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