Kevin Durant’s surprising decision to sign with the Golden State Warriors set off a sea of explosive reactions, most appropriately on July Fourth. What a way to exercise freedom on Independence Day. Durant broke the news about the tough decision to leave the OKC Thunder by writing about the experience in The Players’ Tribune with a post titled, “My Next Chapter”.
In the essay, Durant described the emotional journey writing in the opening line, “This has been by far the most challenging few weeks in my professional life.”
“I will miss Oklahoma City, and the role I have had in building this remarkable team. I will forever cherish the relationships within the organization — the friends and teammates that I went to war with on the court for nine years, and all the fans and people of the community. They have always had my back unconditionally, and I cannot be more grateful for what they have meant to my family and to me.”
-Kevin Durant
The deal becomes official Thursday when free agents sign their new contracts.
Kevin Durant agrees to 2-year, $54.3M deal with @warriors (2nd year – player option) pic.twitter.com/jbcuR5BuEJ
— NBA TV (@NBATV) July 4, 2016
Pretty classy, Kev. He opted for the transparent route out of respect for his teammates and longtime fans. Seriously, KD could have easily let the ink dry and not said a word publicly until preseason workouts. Through his authentic message, you would think the public would leave well enough alone.
Nope.
OKC fans resorted to arson because that solves problems.
honestly… the jerseys are so ugly you don’t need an excuse to burn them. https://t.co/rnNLFsK61j
— Casey Campbell (@caseybannerman) July 4, 2016
@KDTrey5 smh made me burn my only jersey.😢 pic.twitter.com/aylN2fA1dC
— Ty (@tmed22) July 4, 2016
Y’all dumb asf if you think I’m about to burn a jersey. 😤 pic.twitter.com/8JARnZ8qwf
— Keith Drapeau (@KDTrey00) July 4, 2016
There was also the passive-aggressive route.
OKC fans ain’t playing with KD no more…they ain’t even burn his jersey fam jus gave it back🙃🙃 pic.twitter.com/uSEEo1fOAp
— Respek My Name (@papajudah_) July 4, 2016
Fans weren’t the only ones disappointed. Stephen A. Smith executed the best Stephen A. Smith temper tantrum to date.
Don’t give a damn what anyone says: weak move by KD. You go to GSW, the team who beat you, when you’re already on a title contender? Please!
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) July 4, 2016
Stephen A Smith has the answers. pic.twitter.com/ELVrH8VVPQ
— Nick (@NickTheBullsFan) July 4, 2016
But…
I heard my friend @stephenasmith call it the weakest move ever by a superstar. FWIW, I never disrespected SA when he left Philly Inquirer.
— Mike Wise (@MikeWiseguy) July 4, 2016
Ouch.
.@KDTrey5 winning a title with GSW would be like losing your virginity to a hooker. Congrats! #legacy
— Andrew Heaney (@Heandog8) July 4, 2016
This means the Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant love story is over.
LMAO 😂😂😂😂 #kevindurant #russellwestbrook pic.twitter.com/hQMEJKid9j
— TheColi.com (@THE_COLI) July 4, 2016
Why are ya’ll like this?
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook have broken up.https://t.co/KV7Sz6ovfS
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 4, 2016
I’m out.
OKC 😂 pic.twitter.com/jFs7PdZi8Y
— Josh (@Dynamitejimi) July 4, 2016
As of now, GSW fans seem to be the only people not complaining…for now.
The Bay LIT af right now 😂 pic.twitter.com/vWGaha6u5Q
— TheColi.com (@THE_COLI) July 4, 2016
