All of the Thunder players gave their exit interviews today to officially end this basketball season for the Oklahoma City Thunder. For obvious reasons, what Kevin Durant had to say created the most interest as he’ll become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his pro basketball life on July 1st.
Durant spoke fondly of his teammates. Of his time spent in Oklahoma City as he’s grown from a college freshman into a young man comfortable in his own skin. He spoke of his fondness for the city itself. He spoke of people like Sam Presti and others in the Thunder organization whose relationships he cherishes. But mostly he said he enjoys playing basketball with players he respects and admires as humans not just players. All good things said as far as Durant staying in Oklahoma City to continue his basketball career.
As a fan, I’ve now watched Durant for ten seasons. Eight with the Thunder, one with the Sonics, and one with the Texas Longhorns in the Big 12 Conference.
Durant is one of those rare gems like Tim Duncan or Dirk who don’t come along nearly enough in our modern culture of sport in America.
Humble, modest, and whether he likes it or not a role model to pretty much every kid of every age in the state of Oklahoma. To put it bluntly, he’s probably the most respected, admired person in the state.
Everywhere you go in Oklahoma City you see kids and their parents wearing No. 35 jerseys. This isn’t just Kevin Durant’s team, this is Kevin Durant’s city and his state.
Pretty amazing when you consider he went to college at the University of Texas and to this day still openly vows his fondness to the hated Longhorns.
He speaks of his friendship with former Thunder head coach Scott Brooks. He and Perk still text. His friendships with Russell Westbrook and Nick Collison seem especially close given the time they’ve spent together building the Thunder from the ground up into one of the top four NBA franchises in the league.
But most of all he said things to his mother in his MVP speech which made every mother and father not only cry, but whisper–thank you.
The only person I’ve ever seen Durant be snarky with is Reggie Jackson. Truth be known that says volumes more about Reggie Jackson than Kevin Durant from my perspective.
Durant has been the centerpiece of a team which went 23-59 its first year here into a team which has now played in four Western Conference Finals and one NBA Finals.
Without Kevin Durant none of this happens.
Kevin Durant isn’t just the key piece to Sam Presti’s team, but he’s the most important ambassador of goodwill in the state. If Durant leaves Oklahoma City, the Thunder will lose their best player and the state will lose its pulse.
From a basketball standpoint, there’s no reason for Kevin Durant to leave. His team was five minutes away from dethroning the defending champions in six games.
Steven Adams, Enes Kanter, Dion Waiters, Andre Roberson, and Cam Payne are all 24 years of age or younger. The Thunder could use another smart veteran wing player, but otherwise Sam Presti has put a team together which can win a championship if they’ll just play a little smarter.
From a basketball standpoint there’s no reason for Kevin Durant to leave a franchise he not only has built from the ground up, but has carried on his shoulders for eight basketball seasons.
For Durant this doesn’t at all seem to be about money or the whole LeBron bullshit show we saw when James went from the Cavs to the Miami Heat. Kevin Durant has never struck me as a guy who thinks what Lebron James did was appropriate.
In the end–I ‘d have to say if Durant leaves after what he just saw in these 2016 playoffs I’d be surprised if he leaves because everything he needs to be happy is already in place in Oklahoma City.
It doesn’t always have to be about playing in New York, LA, or Chicago.
Aaron Rodgers seems relatively content playing in Green Bay. Tim Duncan never left San Antonio. Dirk will finish his career in Dallas.
I really don’t see why it would be crazy for Durant to stay in OKC as long as Presti has a championship roster in place.
Kevin Durant, please stay. Your city needs you.
Please don’t leave us!