Kevin Durant is making a big move from the Golden State Warriors to the Brooklyn Nets.
The 30-year-old forward has signed with the Brooklyn Nets, seeking out new territories to conquer and a fresh start. Hailed as one the Basketball’s best players of his generation, Kevin Durant or K.D as he is referred to as by his fans shocked many Golden State Warriors fans with his move, however, he was adamant on his need to change-up the scene. As part of the All-star GSW team with Stephen Curry, Alfonzo McKinnie, and many others, he missed out on the NBA 2019 final against the Raptors due to an injury, which may have influenced Durant’s search for a blank slate.
And many were the impression that Durant, Kyrie Irving, and DeAndre Jourdan had been planning their move all along. Yahoo Sports reported, “Irving seemed miserable with the Celtics. He failed to connect with Brad Stevens and his younger teammates. Irving’s leadership attempts went sideways. Not only was he ready to move on, many Celtics fans were eager for him to depart.
“Durant brooded for portions of the seasons with the Warriors. He squabbled with Draymond Green, lashed out at the media and clashed with Steve Kerr. His injury in the NBA Finals might have pushed him even further from Golden State. But it’s also worth wondering: Did Irving’s and Durant’s plan cause them to find unhappiness in their prior situations? Even subconsciously, they could have been looking ahead and/or wanting to find reasons to leave.”
However whether it was premeditated or the stars aligned to lead Durant to greener pastures, K.D announced his move, and like a mother ready to have her child leave the coop, Golden State Warriors CEO Joe Lacob made a gracious announcement in honor of Durant.
Statement from Warriors Co-Chairman & CEO Joe Lacob on Kevin Durant: pic.twitter.com/D2TPPZPuz1
— Warriors PR (@WarriorsPR) July 1, 2019
The Bleacher Report points out, 30-year-old averaged 25.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.5 blocks per game with Golden State. He won two titles and was the MVP in both of those Finals, and he was a first-team All-NBA selection in the 2017-18 campaign and made the All-NBA Second Team twice.
Durant, two-time NBA Finals MVP joins many other great players to have his jersey number retired in honor of his game while at the Golden State Warriors team.
K.D is not the only player to have his jersey retired. Kobe Bryant also had his jersey number 24 retired while playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. He left the team in 2016, after playing for the California-based team for a decade. Michael Jackson also had his jersey number ’23’ retired in the Miami Heat. Though he never played for that particular team, his jersey was retired for his contributions to the sport. Miami Heat All-Star Shaquille O’Neal also had his jersey number ’32’.
The are no official plans for K.D starting out in the next season 2019-2020. However, New York Times reports, “Durant, a 10-time All-Star, will likely miss the 2019-2020 season after rupturing his Achilles’ tendon in the N.B.A. finals three weeks ago…there is no guarantee that Durant will make a full recovery. But he is a unique talent — perhaps the most versatile scorer on the planet — and the Nets are betting big.”
