Kevin Durant told the sports world Monday he was taking his talents to the Bay Area. He didn't actually say it that way, but his decision to leave behind Oklahoma City for Golden State looks a lot like LeBron James' jump from Cleveland to Miami in 2010.
Ironically, six years ago after James announced on live TV "I'm going to take my talents to South Beach and join the Miami Heat," Durant ripped him.
Durant tweeted "Now everybody wanna play for the heat and the Lakers? Let's go back to being competitive and going at these peoples!"
Now everybody wants to play for Golden State.
Durant announced his decision to sign with the Warriors through an essay on The Players' Tribune. His two-year contract is worth $54 million and includes a player option. He'll join two-time reigning MVP Stephen Curry, splash brother Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala on Golden State's loaded roster.
Durant did eventually celebrate James' decision to return to Cleveland in 2014.
"That was pretty cool," Durant told reporters two summers ago. "It's funny seeing guys think about more than just basketball for once. He thought about the city where he comes from, about Northeast Ohio and how he can affect so many of the kids just being there playing basketball. I love that. So many guys get criticized for making the decision that's best for them, instead of what's best for everybody else. He's a guy that did that. You gotta respect that."
Durant cited his "evolution as a man" and "personal growth" as some of the reasons beyond basketball that led him to join forces with Curry and Golden State. He, Curry and Iguodala reportedly began bonding at chapel sessions during the 2010 FIBA World Championships.
