Kevin Durant is a free agent and has been rumored to be leaving the Golden State Warriors. Draymond Green’s actions during Game 5 of the NBA Finals were considered one of the reasons why Durant left, but was it completely his fault?
Kevin Durant, a Golden State Warrior player, left the team in free agency. Some say it was completely Draymond Green’s fault that he left.
Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors had a highly anticipated conversation with former colleague Kevin Durant on Bleacher Report’s Chips. Green is generally considered to be the primary reason Durant departed the Bay Area. Green asked Durant the question we all want to know in the interview’s promotional trailer.
“Did our case against the Clippers influence your decision to leave the Warriors?”
It’s always fascinating to see two celebrities sit down and chat in front of the camera, but everyone is focused on Durant’s response to that question.
After Green’s Warriors eliminated his Oklahoma City Thunder in the playoffs a few months before, Durant made the contentious choice to join the Warriors in 2016. This act sparked a feud between Durant and his former colleague Russell Westbrook, but it wasn’t the only one.
With Durant, the Warriors won back-to-back NBA titles, but the third year was marred by issues. It was a difficult season, according to head coach Steve Kerr, because to the many injuries. The club was still winning games, and everything seemed to be in place for a dynasty to continue.
Then there was one disagreement on national television that led fans to believe Durant would depart the Warriors in free agency the following season.
Green failed to give Durant the ball for the last shot of a tied game in the closing seconds of regulation during a heated contest with the Los Angeles Clippers. He ran the full length of the court before turning the ball over and forcing the game into overtime. Durant was visibly angered by Green’s decision, which sparked a heated verbal exchange in which things became personal.
It was a significant event that most certainly influenced Durant’s choice to depart, but it wasn’t the only one. Durant tore his Achilles tendon in the playoffs. Some think the group handled the setback incorrectly. Durant felt pressured to participate in the Warriors’ championship round after sitting out the whole Western Conference finals.
In game five of the Finals, he returned to play and fell down in the first quarter, ripping the same Achilles that he had hurt in the second round. Many others thought the Warriors were being reckless by letting him play. Durant didn’t point the finger at anybody, but it’s possible it was a factor in his decision to leave.
Then there were whispers that Durant wasn’t receiving the love he deserved. Even though he was obviously the team’s greatest player, Stephen Curry was still the boss. Curry would always be the top dog, no matter how many titles Durant contributed to. Problems were certain to arise with so many dominant guys on one squad. I’m not claiming this is true, but Curry’s popularity in the Bay Area may have had a role.
The good news is that the reason for Kevin Durant’s free agency departure will be disclosed. The whispers will go away when Green and Durant publicly bury the hatchet, which will be a breathtaking spectacle to see.
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