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THE NBA BETRAYAL MURDER: Durant ‘Betrayed’ the Entire League to Join the Warriors – 9 Years Later, the Controversy Still Rages On!

Posted on July 5, 2025 - 11:22 am by

Nine years ago, on July 4, 2016, Kevin Durant sent shockwaves through the NBA with a decision that still sparks heated debates and passionate reactions: he left the Oklahoma City Thunder to join the Golden State Warriors, a team already stacked with All-Stars and fresh off a record-breaking 73-win season. For some, it was a savvy career move; for others, it was nothing short of betrayal—a seismic shift that “broke” the league and left fans, analysts, and even players questioning the competitive spirit of the game.

The Warriors, already boasting Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, didn’t just add another star—they gained an MVP in his prime, a 7-foot scoring machine with a deadly jumper and unmatched versatility. The move was dubbed everything from “genius” to “cowardly,” and even now, as we hit the ninth anniversary of that fateful Fourth of July, the NBA world can’t stop talking about it.

A recent post on X reignited the fire, featuring an image of Durant alongside the caption: “9 YEARS AGO TODAY! Kevin Durant took his talents to Golden State. The Warriors won 154 out of 208 games with KD.” That jaw-dropping stat—74% of their games won—reminds everyone just how dominant that Warriors squad was. And the reactions poured in, as fans and former players alike dove headfirst into the nostalgia, drama, and lingering salt.

“Crazy stat. What a time,” one fan wrote, capturing the awe of witnessing a dynasty in its prime. Another chimed in, “There’s ppl on this app that weren’t old enough to experience how insane this was,” highlighting how the move felt like a cultural moment in basketball history. But not everyone was reminiscing fondly. One user didn’t hold back: “The biggest (expletive) move in sports history lol.” Meanwhile, another called it “a hilariously great run,” summing up the polarizing nature of Durant’s decision.

Even former NBA player Evan Turner weighed in with a vivid analogy: “Playing against that team was equivalent to playing a pickup game vs your big cousins. So advanced and Fun to watch but it was still lame and UNGUARDABLE.” His words paint a picture of a team so overwhelmingly talented that opponents felt like kids trying to keep up with the grown-ups.

Back in 2016, the Warriors were already the league’s golden child, coming off a historic season and a heartbreaking Finals loss to LeBron James’ Cavaliers. Adding Durant, who had just averaged 28.2 points per game with the Thunder, seemed like hitting the cheat code in a video game. Critics cried foul, accusing Golden State of stacking the deck and robbing the NBA of competitive balance. Fans of rival teams felt betrayed, as if Durant had abandoned the grind of earning a title the “hard way” to join a ready-made juggernaut.

And yet, the results spoke for themselves. During his three-year stint with the Warriors, Durant was a force, averaging 25.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game. The team won two championships in 2017 and 2018, with Durant earning Finals MVP honors both times. The Warriors were a spectacle—an unstoppable blend of shooting, defense, and star power that left opponents scrambling and fans marveling. That 154-54 record over 208 games is a testament to their dominance, a run that redefined what a superteam could be.

But the move wasn’t without its costs. Durant faced relentless criticism, with many arguing he took the “easy road” to a ring. The narrative followed him, casting a shadow over his achievements. When he left Golden State in 2019 for the Brooklyn Nets, and later joined the Phoenix Suns, the stakes felt higher. Without the Warriors’ stacked roster, Durant’s teams have struggled to replicate that success, with no deep playoff runs to show for it. The contrast only underscores how special those Golden State years were—a perfect storm of talent, timing, and chemistry that may never be matched.

Nine years later, the “betrayal” still stings for some, while others celebrate the unforgettable basketball it produced. The Warriors’ dynasty with Durant wasn’t just a chapter in NBA inedible; it was a revolution that forced the NBA to confront the power of superteams. As the debates rage on, one thing is clear: Kevin Durant’s move to Golden State remains one of the most electrifying and controversial moments in sports history, a decision that continues to divide, dazzle, and define his legacy.