Kevin Durant had a great three years with the Golden State Warriors. They won NBA titles in 2017 and 2018, and Durant was named an All-Star fourteen times. They went to the NBA Finals again in 2019, but Durant left the team afterward. Coach Steve Kerr recently mentioned that it was clear Durant was ready for a new beginning.
In an interview, Kerr expressed his gratitude for Durant’s contributions to the Warriors during his three-year tenure, and it was his choice to become a free agent. He said, “Those years were incredible. I loved coaching Kevin. I think that last year he was here, he was visibly wanting to move on. We could feel it, and that was his choice as a free agent.”
Reflecting on his time coaching Kevin Durant, Kerr further said, “Everything that he gave to us and brought to us, we will be thankful for that forever… Kevin’s an incredible player and I am blessed to have coached him. You can tell when somebody is happy or not… It was obvious to everyone that Kevin just needed a new challenge. He was looking to move on.”
The Warriors’ championship-winning run with Durant comes to an end when they lose to the Toronto Raptors in the 2019 NBA Finals. If they had won, Durant might have stayed and could have avoided the struggles he faces now.
Kevin Durant’s tough times since leaving the Warriors
In May 2019, Kevin Durant was at his best, trying for a third straight title for the Warriors. However, he suffered two injuries during the playoffs: a calf injury and an Achilles tear in the Finals. The Raptors won that year, and Durant’s tenure as a top player was fraught with difficulties.
After leaving the Warriors, Durant’s playoff years were hard:
– **2020**: Missed playoffs due to injury
– **2021**: Lost to the Bucks
– **2022**: Lost to the Celtics
– **2023**: Lost to the Nuggets
His losses, especially to the Bucks, showed how bad luck played a big role in his hunt for another championship.
