The latest chapter of the Golden State Warriors versus Oklahoma City Thunder saga will take place on Monday in Oklahoma City but the matchup between Kevin Durant’s old and new teams will be missing one major part. Kevin Durant.
While it still will be an interesting matchup, given the recent statement Russell Westbrook made about Stephen Curry’s MVP pick, the Durant return to OKC narrative is not going to be there, possibly not until next season. But before we look ahead, the Warriors recently made a statement about their past matchup in Oklahoma City.
Durant returned to OKC and to put it nicely, he was ripped to shreds. The Thunder fans heckled him, booed his mother and even had a kid dress up as a Kevin Durant cupcake. It was quite the event but the Dubs came out on top with a win. But before their Monday matchup, there’s a new report stating that the Warriors were not pleased with how the Thunder handled Durant’s return to Oklahoma City. They wanted more than the unprecedented statement released by the Thunder once Durant made his decision to join the Warriors.
Following from Chris B. Haynes of ESPN.
The Golden State Warriors organization was furious and bewildered about the inactivity from Oklahoma City Thunder leadership leading up to that first Durant return contest on Feb. 11, league sources told ESPN.
Sources say the Warriors were of the mindset that someone from ownership or management should have addressed the media on Durant’s behalf to help ease the tension upon his return.
The feeling is that Durant should have been acknowledged or thanked, in a news conference setting, for his nine years of excellent service.
The Warriors’ belief, according to sources, is that the Thunder’s silence contributed to the raw emotions, outrage and indignation that created an unsettling, hostile atmosphere for a player many consider to be the franchise’s all-time best.
The Warriors felt, according to sources, that for a player who meant so much to a city — a small-market city at that — a courtesy greeting was in order from top brass, who should have issued their fans a reminder and proper perspective on Durant’s role in elevating the Thunder into a perennial championship-contending team.
There was no mention from the in-game operations staff about Durant’s return.
