Here is Kevin Durant. He’s a Golden State Warrior now, and he likes seeing his face on a giant poster on the side of Oracle Arena as he pulls up to the stadium for the first time he can call it home. He hugged onerous owner Joe Lacob when he walks out of the plane.
When asked about Durant’s role on the team, head coach Steve Kerr had a very enlightening thing to say:
Steve Kerr, asked how KD will fit in: “well, I haven’t made the decision yet, but he might start."
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) July 7, 2016
Durant speaks of the organic, effortless vibe he got from his new teammates when he met with them for his free agency meeting. He mentions the world championships and All-Star appearances and accolades on the way. He is happy because he is going to rule the basketball world, unencumbered as Draymond Green, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Andre Iguodala teem with beautiful basketball harmony around him. This is what makes a transition that a lot of people dislike acceptable for him, as he says later in his introductory press conference:
Kevin Durant: "It's an unpopular decision but I can live with it."
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) July 7, 2016
Durant will be living with the backlash and insane expectations all season. He knows that, and it doesn’t exactly jive with his low-key demeanor. The basketball and lifestyle perks of his new job, however, seem so pleasant, it could very well overrule the rest.
Plus, he’s always got Klay to talk with…on an actual cell phone.
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