Kevin Durant’s time with the Golden State Warriors (2016-2019) remains one of the most discussed chapters in NBA history. Durant, a two-time NBA champion and two-time Finals MVP, joined the Warriors in the summer of 2016, a decision that shocked the basketball world and ignited a series of debates about team-building, competition, and the nature of legacy. Durant’s move was seen by many as a power move that created a superteam, one that dominated the NBA landscape for three consecutive years.
Over the years, Durant has spoken candidly about his time with Golden State. His comments have ranged from positive reflections on the team’s success to honest admissions about the challenges he faced during his tenure. In particular, Durant’s remarks about the Warriors have resonated with fans and analysts alike, offering a glimpse into his thought process and revealing the complexities of being a part of such a high-profile, championship-caliber team.
In this piece, we will explore Durant’s honest remarks about the Golden State Warriors, examining the implications of his words, the nuances of his experience, and what they reveal about the nature of the NBA today. To understand Durant’s perspective fully, we must consider both the context of his move to the Warriors and the circumstances that led to his departure.
Durant’s Decision to Join the Warriors
When Kevin Durant made the decision to sign with the Golden State Warriors in the summer of 2016, it was a move that instantly shifted the balance of power in the NBA. Durant had just finished an incredibly successful season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, leading them to the Western Conference Finals where they lost to the Warriors in a dramatic 7-game series. Despite coming within one win of reaching the NBA Finals, Durant ultimately chose to leave OKC and join the team that had just set an NBA record for regular-season wins (73-9) in 2015-16.
At the time, Durant’s decision was met with significant backlash. Many saw it as an attempt to “join a superteam” and take the easier route to an NBA championship. Critics accused him of not competing at the highest level by aligning himself with an already established juggernaut. For Durant, however, the move was about the opportunity to play with a team that shared his basketball philosophy—unselfish, free-flowing, and focused on winning.
Durant explained his decision in various interviews over the years. He often emphasized that the allure of playing with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, combined with head coach Steve Kerr’s offensive system, was simply too enticing. Durant sought a culture that would help him improve as a player and a person, and the Warriors offered him a platform to do just that. In many ways, the Warriors’ style of play suited Durant perfectly—his versatility, scoring ability, and ability to stretch the floor made him a seamless fit with Golden State’s style.
While the decision made sense from a basketball standpoint, Durant’s remarks over time reveal that his time with the Warriors was not as straightforward as it may have seemed.
The Success and the Criticism
On the court, Durant’s time with the Warriors was nothing short of a success. In his three seasons with the team, the Warriors went to the NBA Finals every year, winning two championships (2017, 2018) and losing only one game in the Finals during that stretch. Durant was instrumental in both Finals victories, earning Finals MVP honors in both 2017 and 2018. His scoring, rebounding, and defensive versatility allowed the Warriors to remain an elite team, even as they navigated various challenges.
However, Durant’s success with the Warriors came with a considerable amount of criticism. Critics argued that by joining the Warriors, Durant had taken an easier path to an NBA title, joining a team that was already stacked with talent. Many fans viewed his decision as undermining the competitive integrity of the league, given that the Warriors had already won 73 games the previous season. The backlash was fierce, especially on social media, where Durant was regularly called out for “joining a superteam.”
In response to these criticisms, Durant often defended his decision, stating that his primary motivation was not to avoid competition, but rather to play with a team that had a philosophy and culture he admired. He rejected the notion that he was taking the easy route, insisting that the Warriors’ system required him to be at his best every night in order to win. Durant also pointed out that despite the Warriors’ established core, there were still obstacles to overcome, both in terms of the competition (like LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers) and internal dynamics.
Durant’s comments on the matter highlighted the complexities of being a star in the modern NBA, where the scrutiny of every decision is amplified. As one of the league’s most talented players, Durant understood the gravity of his decision, but he also realized that it was in his best interest to pursue a championship with a team that maximized his strengths. In the end, his time with the Warriors cemented his place as one of the NBA’s all-time greats, but it also left him with a mixed legacy in the eyes of many.
The Internal Dynamics and Challenges
While Durant’s time with the Warriors was filled with on-court success, his relationship with the team’s internal dynamics was more complicated. Durant’s arrival in Golden State instantly elevated the team’s championship aspirations, but it also created tension behind the scenes. One of the most notable incidents during Durant’s tenure with the Warriors was the altercation between him and Draymond Green during a regular-season game in 2018. The incident, which occurred after a late-game turnover, was widely publicized and led to significant media coverage.
The altercation highlighted some of the underlying tensions within the Warriors’ locker room. While Durant and Green eventually reconciled, the episode underscored the fact that blending personalities and egos—especially on a team filled with high-profile players—was not always easy. Durant has admitted that this tension played a role in his decision to leave the Warriors after the 2018-19 season. Despite the team’s success, Durant felt that the Warriors’ internal environment was not as harmonious as it appeared from the outside. In some of his later remarks, Durant acknowledged the complexity of his relationships with teammates, particularly with Draymond Green.
Durant’s comments about the Warriors’ locker room suggest that while the team was successful, there were times when the dynamics were difficult to navigate. His reflection on this experience highlights the pressures of being a part of a team with such high expectations and intense media scrutiny. Durant has said that while he enjoyed his time with the Warriors, the internal conflicts and the external noise eventually wore him down.
Durant’s Departure and Legacy
In the summer of 2019, Kevin Durant made the decision to leave the Warriors and sign with the Brooklyn Nets. His departure marked the end of a highly successful yet tumultuous three-year stint in Golden State. Durant’s departure, coupled with the Achilles injury he suffered during the 2019 NBA Finals, led to further speculation about his motivations and the impact of his time with the Warriors on his career.
Durant has reflected on his decision to leave the Warriors in several interviews. He explained that part of the reason for his move was the desire for a fresh start, away from the expectations and pressures that came with being a part of the Warriors’ superteam. Durant felt that he needed to challenge himself in a new environment, one where he could establish his own legacy and build a team around him. His decision to join the Brooklyn Nets was about more than just basketball—it was about finding a sense of autonomy and control over his career.
Looking back, Durant’s time with the Warriors undeniably shaped his career. He became a two-time NBA champion and Finals MVP, cementing his status as one of the greatest players of his generation. However, Durant’s reflections on his time with the Warriors suggest that success came at a personal cost. The pressure, the internal dynamics, and the external criticisms all played a role in his decision to move on after three years.
Durant’s honest remarks about the Warriors offer a nuanced perspective on what it means to play on a superteam in the modern NBA. While his championships with the Warriors are a significant part of his legacy, Durant has made it clear that the experience was not without its challenges. His ability to navigate these challenges while continuing to perform at an elite level is a testament to his resilience and basketball IQ.
