NBA Rumors: Is Kevin Durant the League’s Next Big Villain?

By Carlo Monzon
Kevin Durant
Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) drives to the basket as Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) defends during the second half in game four of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena.  Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo

Almost immediately after announcing his decision to join the Golden State Warriors, Kevin Durant faced a lot of criticism especially from fans of his former team, the Oklahoma City Thunder. For them, Durant is now the new villain of the NBA.

The story of a player leaving the team he's been with for so long to sign with a different franchise is not that uncommon in the NBA. And usually, those who do this become the subject of hateful rants from fans.

However, the case of Durant is a bit different. Aside from the fact that he left OKC, a team he has been with since 2008, he joined the Warriors, a team that many referred to as the bad guy during the 2016 NBA Finals.

In addition to the image of Golden State, Durant got a lot of hate from fans because of the Warriors' current standing. With Stephen Curry leading a strong team composed of Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, the Warriors are surely a force to be reckon with. And now that they have Durant, a lot of people are calling them the NBA's current super-team.

However, this doesn't automatically make Durant a villain. Sure, joining a team that has a great chance of taking the championship title next year may have strongly influenced his decision. But then again, isn't this the point of free agency? To allow players to choose which team they would like to play in?

Still, this didn't stop some fans and sports analysts from criticizing Durant. But, amidst all the hate, there were still some people who showed support for the athlete's decision. One of these is his friend DeAndre Jordan.

Jordan, who also found himself in the same situation in 2015 when he decided to return to the Los Angeles Clippers after agreeing to a deal offered by the Dallas Mavericks, said that Durant doesn't have to please anyone with his decision because he has already proven what he can do for the Thunder.

"When I found out he was going to the Warriors, I texted him, 'Man, I'm happy for you. This is going to be big. I can't wait to kick y'all a**,'" Jordan told ESPN.

"I'm happy for him," he added. "He gave those guys [in OKC] nine great years of MVP-level basketball, a Finals appearance. He played his heart out for that team. If they can't respect that, if other players can't respect it, that's their decision. At the end of the day, he's happy and that's the only person he has to satisfy."

  • [Exclusive Interview] A revelation within the brink of life and death — Meg Leung’s mission in Christian art

    Meg Leung (梁麗橋), an artist with a lifelong love for watercolor painting, sees her art as more than a means of expressing her inner world; it is a bridge connecting her to God. Her artistic journey has revealed God’s perfect plan and inspired her to communicate the power of faith through her wor

  • Transgenderism a fundamental human right? Hong Kong public disagrees, survey finds

    A 2024 survey from the Society for Truth and Light (明光社)'s Center for Life and Ethics Research reveals that respondents from various backgrounds prioritize personal safety and fairness when it comes to transgender issues. When laws involve moral judgments, most respondents believe courts should not make the decisions. The study also indicates that religious believers share similar views with non-religious respondents, reflecting that many churches may rarely address gender topics in depth.

  • Discipleship and Evangelism: Walking the Path of the Great Commission

    Like an ever-flowing spring, the gospel refreshes dry, parched lands and needs our unwavering passion and steadfast faith to transform lives and bring renewal. The "flame in our hearts" calls Christians to keep their faith and love for the Lord ablaze, representing the work and power of the Holy Spirit, driving us to proclaim God's glory boldly.

  • North America Chinese Evangelical Seminary year-end report highlights significant ministry progress

    As the year draws to a close, Rev. James Liu, President of the Chinese Evangelical Seminary North America (CESNA), reflected on the seminary’s remarkable growth and ministry development over the past year. Dedicated to providing theological education to Chinese Christians, CESNA continues to uphold its mission to remain faithful to the gospel and nurture believers. This year’s achievements span academic, ministerial, and outreach endeavors, fostering spiritual growth and advancing missionary wo