Kevin Durant expresses regret for the “terrible” move that upset Draymond Green six years after the Warriors split.

Kevin Durant Expresses Regret for the “Terrible” Move That Upset Draymond Green Six Years After the Warriors Split

The NBA is a league defined by drama, intense rivalries, and, at times, deeply personal storylines. Among the most captivating chapters in recent NBA history is the brief but unforgettable pairing of Kevin Durant and the Golden State Warriors. Durant’s decision to join the Warriors in the summer of 2016 sent shockwaves through the basketball world, with some questioning his motivations and others decrying the move as the ultimate example of a superteam run amok. Durant’s subsequent two championships with the Warriors further fueled the debate, but what followed—his eventual departure from the Warriors in 2019 and the ensuing fallout with Draymond Green—has become a defining moment in NBA history.

Six years after the split, Durant has publicly expressed regret over his decision and the fallout that led to the tension between him and Green. In a recent interview, Durant admitted that his decision to leave Oklahoma City and join a team already stacked with talent was a “terrible” move, one that created lasting tension and hurt the team’s chemistry. His comments are a significant moment in the evolving relationship between Durant and Green, two players who were once at the center of the Warriors’ success but now find themselves reflecting on that time with a sense of retrospection and, perhaps, regret.

This article will delve into the context of Durant’s move to the Warriors, the impact it had on both the team and the NBA landscape, the fallout between Durant and Green, and Durant’s recent comments. By examining the complexities of the situation, we will explore what Durant’s admission of regret means for both his legacy and the relationships that were affected by his decision.

The Decision to Join the Warriors: A Franchise-Altering Move

When Kevin Durant made the decision to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder and sign with the Golden State Warriors in 2016, it was a move that shocked the NBA. Durant, coming off a 73-win season with the Warriors, had just lost in the Western Conference Finals to them. The Warriors, having already set the NBA record for wins in a regular season, were a juggernaut that had dominated the league for the previous few years. By adding Durant to an already stacked roster featuring Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, the Warriors essentially created a superteam, one that many viewed as unfair.

Durant’s decision was widely criticized. Critics argued that he had joined a team that didn’t need him, and his decision was seen as the antithesis of competitive spirit. While Durant had been a superstar in his own right, his decision to join the Warriors was perceived by many as a betrayal of the NBA’s competitive nature. A player of Durant’s caliber, having been one of the most dominant players in the league, joining a team that had just beaten him in the playoffs felt, to some, like a betrayal of the spirit of competition. It didn’t help that Durant’s move came on the heels of his near-miss with the Thunder in the 2016 Western Conference Finals, where they were eliminated by the Warriors after taking a 3-1 series lead.

Durant’s decision sparked outrage among fans and players alike, and it set the stage for a complicated and contentious few years. While Durant would go on to win two NBA championships and two Finals MVPs with the Warriors, the team’s success was tempered by the perception that they had taken the easy way out by adding one of the league’s best players. The Warriors were viewed by many as an unstoppable force—one that was perhaps too dominant, too loaded with talent. Despite their championship success, the move created a sense of discontent, particularly among some members of the team.

The Fallout with Draymond Green: A Tipping Point

Though Durant’s decision to join the Warriors had an immediate impact on the team, the tension that would eventually erupt between him and Draymond Green developed over time. Green, who had been the Warriors’ emotional leader, was one of the players most affected by Durant’s arrival. On the surface, the pairing seemed like a perfect fit: Green’s defense, playmaking, and intensity alongside Durant’s scoring and shot-making ability. Together, they helped propel the Warriors to two NBA championships.

However, as time went on, it became clear that there were underlying tensions between Green and Durant. In November 2018, during a regular-season game against the Los Angeles Clippers, the relationship between the two players reached a boiling point. In the final moments of a close game, Green grabbed a rebound and was pushing the ball up the court when he and Durant had a heated exchange. Green reportedly ignored Durant’s calls for the ball and proceeded to make a questionable play, which only intensified their conflict. Words were exchanged on the sideline, and Green’s frustration with Durant boiled over. The incident, which was caught on camera, ended with Green cursing at Durant and telling him to “leave” the team if he wasn’t happy.

The fallout from that exchange was significant. The Warriors, who had been a well-oiled machine for years, were now dealing with internal strife. Green’s outburst and the subsequent fallout threatened the Warriors’ chemistry and their pursuit of another championship. The team suspended Green for one game, but the damage had been done. Durant’s relationship with Green had soured, and the tension between the two was palpable.

After the incident, Durant and Green both addressed the media, but it was clear that the two were no longer on the same page. Durant, who had been known for his quiet, introverted demeanor, seemed visibly shaken by Green’s comments, while Green expressed frustration with Durant’s lack of transparency regarding his future plans with the team. Durant had become increasingly distant from the Warriors’ core, and Green’s outburst seemed to represent a tipping point in their deteriorating relationship.

Durant’s Regret: Acknowledging the “Terrible” Move

Six years after the Warriors split, Durant has publicly acknowledged that his decision to leave Oklahoma City and join the Warriors was a “terrible” move that had a negative impact on his relationship with Green. In a candid interview, Durant reflected on the turmoil his decision caused and admitted that it had hurt both him and the Warriors in ways he hadn’t fully understood at the time.

Durant’s acknowledgment of regret is significant for several reasons. First, it reflects a level of self-awareness and humility that fans may not have expected from a player who has often been at the center of controversy throughout his career. Durant has long been criticized for his decision to join the Warriors, and his admission shows that he recognizes the unintended consequences of his actions.

Moreover, Durant’s regret speaks to the broader emotional and psychological toll that his decision had on him. While Durant’s championships with the Warriors were undeniably successful, the process of getting there was far more complicated. Durant’s relationship with Green, in particular, was strained by the external pressures that came with joining the Warriors. The expectations placed on him as a member of a superteam were immense, and Durant may have underestimated the personal and professional costs of that move. It’s clear that, in hindsight, Durant feels that the decision to join Golden State ultimately led to a fractured relationship with Green—a relationship that was crucial to the Warriors’ success.

Durant’s decision to express regret also sheds light on the complex nature of relationships in professional sports. The NBA is a league where personal dynamics play a significant role in team chemistry. The Green-Durant fallout is an example of how even the most talented teams can struggle when egos clash and trust is eroded. Despite winning two championships together, Durant and Green’s relationship became a symbol of how internal conflict can disrupt even the most successful teams.

The Impact on Durant’s Legacy and the Warriors’ Dynasty

Durant’s regret over his decision has broader implications for his legacy and the legacy of the Warriors’ dynasty. On the one hand, Durant’s time with the Warriors cemented his place as one of the greatest players in NBA history. He helped lead the Warriors to two championships and was named Finals MVP in both of those victories. From a basketball perspective, Durant’s tenure in Golden State was a resounding success, and his individual accomplishments were undeniable.

However, the emotional and relational toll of Durant’s time with the Warriors has complicated his legacy. Many critics argue that Durant’s championships with the Warriors were tarnished by the fact that he joined a team that was already one of the best in NBA history. His departure from the Warriors, coupled with his ongoing tension with Green, left a bitter taste in the mouths of some fans and analysts.

For the Warriors, Durant’s time in Golden State was a period of unmatched dominance. With Durant on board, the Warriors won back-to-back championships and formed a nearly unstoppable offense. However, the internal conflict, particularly between Durant and Green, may have ultimately contributed to the Warriors’ decision to move on from Durant after the 2018-2019 season. Durant’s departure left a hole in the Warriors’ roster, and while they would go on to make another Finals appearance in 2019, they struggled in the years that followed without Durant.