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Kevin Durant on joining the Dubs: “I wanted to be a part of this so bad”

ByNathan Beighle|
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 02: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors looks on against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 2, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Warriors defeated the 76ers 120-117. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 02: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors looks on against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 2, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Warriors defeated the 76ers 120-117. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Kevin Durant knew that joining the Golden State Warriors wasn’t going to be a popular decision.

Almost three years ago now, Kevin Durant sacrificed money and fame to take a backseat to Stephen Curry on the NBA’s best regular season team of all time.

Now a two-time champion, Durant opens up on his decision and how he’d coped with the backlash he knew was inevitably going to follow him to Golden State.

"“I came here knowing for a fact, that every media member, every fan was going to call me every name in the book for however long I was here and I was going to take the brunt of everything. But I wanted to be a part of this so bad, I didn’t give a f–k,” Durant told Michael Lee of the Athletic (subscription required)."

Durant gave us a glimpse into how at least one of the NBA’s best stars viewed Golden State. He wanted what Golden State had, and he decided that whatever negativity followed him along the way that he was going to get that type of success.

With no regrets, Durant will be preparing for his third straight playoffs with the team. Finding and conquering the NBA Finals in both the last two seasons, Durant has made the Dubs arguably the most unstoppable team of all time.

In Golden State, Durant’s scoring numbers have taken a dip. Everyone expected that. However, what many might not have expected is that Durant would’ve then found a way to average a career high in assists, now at 5.9 per game.

While still a top-ten scorer in the NBA, Durant has found new ways to boost his productivity on a team full of superstar talent. That’s what sets Durant apart and made him such an elite addition to Golden State.

Durant has taken his game to the next level in both productivity and efficiency. He’s strung together seven straight seasons of over 50% shooting, and in the last three consecutive seasons, he’s shot over 51.5% from the field, a mark he hadn’t hit prior to joining the Warriors.

This was the best move for Durant, and hearing him say he’s got no regrets should make fans a bit more confident that he’ll return after they hopefully three-peat this postseason.

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