King James Gospel
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Kevin Durant’s Decision: 3 Takeaway For LeBron James

By Reece Helms

Dec 17, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) guards Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) in the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) guards Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) in the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 7, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Kevin Durant poses for a photo with his jersey during a press conference after signing with the Golden State Warriors at the Warriors Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 7, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Kevin Durant poses for a photo with his jersey during a press conference after signing with the Golden State Warriors at the Warriors Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Kevin Durant’s decision and LeBron James’ decision are NOT comparable

Kevin Durant took a lot of heat for this decision. Many called him a “coward” or a “sellout.”

He didn’t get as much hate as LeBron James did after his decision, but that’s because Durant didn’t go on national TV to announce his decision. And because LeBron is LeBron, Durant isn’t as polarizing.

There’s only two similarities between 2010 LeBron and current Kevin Durant.

  1. LeBron James and Kevin Durant both left the franchise that drafted them
  2. LBJ and KD were both ring-less at the time, and were chasing a ring

At the time of LBJ’s decision, everyone was criticizing LeBron saying he was taking the easy way out.

Yes, in a sense KD and LBJ both took the easy way out. But in LeBron’s situation, it was the ONLY way out.

During NBA free agency in 2010, it was expected LeBron would explore the opportunity to leave Cleveland. He didn’t have any help and he couldn’t get past the Boston Celtics.

Kevin Durant was the total opposite. Most of the media and fans expected Durant to remain with the Thunder. He had a dynamic playmaker in Russell Westbrook, a promising coach in Billy Donovan and a great fan base in OKC.

Durant’s Thunder were just 1 win away from an NBA Finals appearance. They had three different chances to close out the Golden State Warriors. And they didn’t.

LeBron James didn’t have any of that.

Cleveland didn’t provide LBJ with a star player like Russell Westbrook. He didn’t have a great coach like Billy Donovan. The best players the Cavs gave LeBron during his first 7 years were Mo Williams, Larry Hughes, Anthony Parker and Anderson Varejao.

In his last two years in Cleveland, they acquired a washed up Shaquille O’Neal and Antawn Jamison, who under-performed during the post-season.

When LeBron decided to leave Cleveland, the franchise didn’t have an active head coach. They had already fired Mike Brown, and the position was still vacant. The franchise was unstable.

OKC was making moves to help improve the team. On draft night, they traded Serge Ibaka to the Orlando Magic for Victor Oladipo and a few other pieces.

Ibaka has been a centerpeice for the Thunder’s franchise the last several years, but Oladipo would’ve helped their perimeter defense against Golden State in the inevitable Western Conference Finals match-up they would’ve had if Durant stayed.

Related Story: Kevin Durant's And LeBron James' Moves Are Different

Before Durant’s decision, I was convinced OKC had the best roster in the NBA. If I had to place money on who would be playing in the 2016 NBA Finals, it would’ve been the Oklahoma City Thunder versus the Cleveland Cavaliers.

If this OKC team stays relatively the same next year minus Durant, they will still be a playoff team. Westbrook might even be a favorite to win NBA MVP.

When LeBron left Cleveland in 2010, the Cavaliers immediately became the worst team in the NBA. They won the NBA Draft lottery 3 out of the next 4 years.

Another difference between the two decisions is that LeBron James did not have any playoff history against Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat. They were not a championship team when LBJ “took his talents to South Beach.”

Kevin Durant is joining the team that he couldn’t beat, and they have won a championship together. It is exactly like if LeBron joined the Boston Celtics in 2010.

When LeBron joined the Heat in 2010, he made them an all-time team. If he never joined Wade and Chris Bosh, they would’ve still been a good playoff team, but they weren’t a super-team.

The Golden State Warriors set the NBA record for 73 wins in a regular season this past season. If you take KD off the team, they’re fine. They still won 73 games and a championship the year before.

I have no problem with Durant wanting to leave OKC. I understand playing alongside Westbrook was frustrating at times.

The opportunity to win multiple championships was the reasoning for both LeBron James and Kevin Durant’s decisions. You cannot fault them for wanting to win.

Next: The Warriors still have the same flaws