The Golden State Warriors are now one win away from sweeping the San Antonio Spurs and earning their third straight trip to the NBA Finals. For Kevin Durant, it’ll be a long-awaited return, as he and his former team the Thunder last made it to the Finals back in 2012 when they lost to LeBron James and the Heat.
That four-year drought is undoubtedly what contributed to KD leaving OKC last summer for a loaded Golden State squad, and checking back in with him 10 months later, it appears as if he’s still feeling pretty good about that decision. Via Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated:
“I made the 100 percent correct decision, win or lose,” Durant told The Undefeated after the Warriors’ practice at AT&T Center in San Antonio on Sunday. “I feel like this is the place I was supposed to be. I appreciate everything I’ve done before this. But I’m here now, and I feel like it’s a great spot for me to be.
“This is where I am supposed to be at this point of my life. I’m taking it on and conquering every part of it. I’m enjoying every single step.”
Granted, Durant left a lot of heartache in his wake back in Oklahoma City, but it’s hard to argue with the results. The Warriors are arguably a better team this season than when they set the NBA record for 73 wins last year. A championship certainly isn’t guaranteed as long as LeBron and the Cavs likely await, but this young and supremely talented Warriors team is built to contend for many years to come. As for the future, Durant has a player option for this summer and Spears asked if he planned on staying with the Warriors beyond this season.
“Yeah. I love it here,” said Durant. “I love my teammates. I love the city [of Oakland, California]. I love the organization. I love it here. I don’t plan on going anywhere else.”
That doesn’t mean he will opt in to his $27.7 million option, but, whether he seeks a long-term deal or just the one-year option, it sounds like Durant will be more than a one-year rental for the Warriors.
