Kevin Durant‘s move to the Warriors in 2016 altered the NBA’s landscape forever.
Durant’s decision to join the Golden State Warriors in 2016 was undoubtedly influenced by his desire to win NBA championships. After 9 Seasons with OKC Thunder, he failed to secure a ring. Kevin then aligned himself with the Warrior’s awe-inspiring lineup that had already won an NBA championship in 2015.
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The Warriors were boasting an incredibly powerful team. With two-time MVP Stephen Curry leading the charge, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green as the star players. Adding Durant, a former MVP and one of the league’s most prolific scorers, to this already formidable squad further solidified the notion that the Warriors had an unparalleled advantage over their opponents.
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal shed light on a tense moment between Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant during a game between the Golden State Warriors and the Memphis Grizzlies. The video hints that this moment could have signaled the beginning of the Warriors-KD era’s decline. The game was fiercely contested, with the Grizzlies displaying remarkable resilience and determination against the formidable Warriors lineup.
A ‘chink’ in the Warrior’s impenetrable armor
The video captures a pivotal moment unfolding on the court as the game reaches a critical juncture. The Warriors depend on their star players to deliver, and Durant pleads with Curry to alter the play. However, Durant misses the shot, leading to a strong reaction from Curry, who shows visible frustration and disappointment.
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Shaq, in this story, shared a video, shedding light on a tense moment between Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant during a game between the Golden State Warriors and the Memphis Grizzlies. The incident hinted at potential tensions within the team and sparked discussions about the chemistry and dynamics among the Warriors’ star players. It raised questions about how Durant’s role and integration within the team may have influenced their performance on the court.
Shaq shares a video of Stephen Curry getting mad at Kevin Durant during their Warriors days pic.twitter.com/sjQjEMUdor
— tragicpatek (@tragicpatek) May 17, 2023
However, KD’s decision to join the Warriors paid immediate dividends. He played an integral role in securing back-to-back championships for the team in 2017 and 2018. These triumphs provided the validation Durant had longed for and cemented his status as one of the game’s premier players.
Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors
Following the Warrior’s success in 2017, and 2018, Durant didn’t sign an extention with the Warriors. The allure of building something unique and becoming the face of a franchise led him to part ways with Golden State in 2019. Joining the Brooklyn Nets, KD embarked on a new chapter in his career. However, he has faced numerous challenges, including injuries, and has yet to replicate the championship success he achieved with the Warriors.
One key factor that influenced his departure was the prevailing notion that the Warriors were always Stephen Curry’s team. Even during their championship-winning seasons with Durant. Despite his undeniable talent and crucial role in securing two NBA championships, KD often found himself overshadowed by Curry’s established presence and popularity within the organization.
After joining the Nets, Durant faced both triumphs and setbacks, including injuries that sidelined him for significant periods. While he continues to showcase his exceptional skills and remarkable scoring ability, the same level of team success has proved elusive. KD’s tenure with the Nets and the Phoenix has been marked by his determination to establish his own legacy and lead the team to success.
