Why I Love The Warriors Is Why I Hate Them

PHOTO: EZRA SHAW/GETTY IMAGES

I'm incredulous.

I'm outraged that the 2014 MVP and Future Hall of Famer, Kevin Durant, has left the Oklahoma City Thunder. And not because he deserted the side that he led to the Western Conference Finals four times in the past six years as well as the 2012 NBA Finals.

It's not that he left the Thunder high and dry - it's that he left to join the very team that defeated him.

It makes ZERO sense that after relinquishing a commanding 3-1 series lead, Durant would then join that very same team that beat him. It's not as if the Thunder were swept and Durant was ineffective. 

Durant was stunning in returning from season-long injury and was a revelation defensively which lead to the Thunder deciding to trade their defensive stud Serge Ibaka away.

The Thunder were on the brink of championship greatness. 

But Durant abandoned that glory of bringing a coveted championship to the working town of Oklahoma. The same city that he called "the perfect place for me".

He deflected responsibility after a long track record of being a leader, made even more sour when he claimed greatness isn't all about rings.

For the first time ever, I actually agree with Stephen A. Smith of ESPN. It's not even that he left the Thunder. That's understandable.

But Durant decided to jump on the Warriors bandwagon and take a massive shortcut to claiming a championship ring.

And the reasons for why he left for Golden State is exactly why I'm pounding this keyboard furiously.

You see, I'm plagued by Durant's decision to join the Warriors who broke the NBA record books with a magical historic 73-win season.

I'm plagued because all the things I loved about the Warriors is what makes me hate them now.

And more than Klay Thompson, Steph Curry, Andre Iguodala or Draymond Green, I might hate Zaza Pachoulia even more (and not just for this clip because nothing will ever be more easy now).

Durant is going to love it in Golden State for the same reasons I came to admire the Warriors. They're humble, unselfish, love sharing the ball in offence, are committed and focused defensively, thrive on having fun on and off the court and possess absolutely no ego on the team. 

The Warriors are the opposite of what the Thunder are. Durant and Russell Westbrook were constantly engaged in who was the alpha-male of the team, while team mates bickered and argued in an environment that fostered drama. 

How much fun is it watching Westbrook mindlessly dribble the ball into oblivion?

And like all the girls, Durant just wants to have fun. 

I mean, if you thought it was the Line Up of Death before, it's the Line Up of the Apocalypse now. Just take a look.

Durant will love it with the all-preaching Christian line-up consisting of Thompson, Curry, Green, Iguodala and himself. This is the Christian rock-band of the NBA now.

But for a team that took no shortcuts in patiently building its championship core through the draft, their relentless pursuit of Durant will leave a sour and spoiled taste in many mouths.

Especially mine.