A top three NBA player leaving the only team he's known to go join a super team... Where have we seen that before? Oh yeah, LeBron James, after spending his first seven years in Cleveland, famously "took his talents to South Beach" in 2010. Though their are some similarities to the two situations, they are also very, very different. Here's why:
Well first, the similarities. LeBron and Durant had both taken their initial NBA franchises to one NBA Finals appearance, both which resulted in a loss (LeBron got swept by the Spurs and Durant lost to LeBron's Heat in five games). They were both on top of their games when they decided to leave and both were kind of expected to stay.
Now the differences.
LeBron had been basically taken for granted by the Cavs front office because they gave him very little help. He alone carried that team to the top of the East every year, and even one NBA Finals. Further proof? After LeBron left, they finished in the bottom five of the weak Eastern Conference until he came back. I guarantee you the Thunder will not be that bad with Russell Westbrook leading the charge and I'd bet my money that the Thunder still make the playoffs in that tough Western Conference.
Durant is a top three NBA player and has had a top five NBA player suit up with him for the entirety of his career with the Thunder. He also has a solid supporting cast of Steven Adams, Enes Kanter, and previously had guys like Serge Ibaka and James Harden for stretches in his time there. The Oklahoma City front office did a very formidable job.
Also tied with the front office, LeBron had Mike Brown as his coach. No disrespect, but it's Mike Brown.
Durant had Scott Brooks who was decent but then in his last year he got Billy Donovan, a coach that has been talked about as a young bright star by many around the league.
LeBron left Cleveland to go play with his already good friend Dwyane Wade. They had a great relationship from the time they were drafted together in 2003.
Durant is going to play with guys that I'm sure he's good friends with, but Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green aren't exactly his "best friends". They're a bunch of guys that are really good at basketball, like Durant.
Though LeBron formed a "super team" in Miami, it wasn't already there when he arrived. He brought Chris Bosh and other guys to that team.
Durant is going to a team that may be considered a "super team" even without Durant. Hell, they are coming off of back-to-back NBA Finals appearances and the most wins in a regular season in NBA history.
LeBron's decision didn't look like a can't-beat-em-join-em type thing. The four years before LeBron joined the Heat, Miami was either a first round exit or didn't even make the playoffs. If LeBron had went and joined the Boston Celtics, who he had trouble beating every year int he playoffs, then it would be similar to Durant.
Durant's situation can be argued as a can't-beat-em-join-em situation. The last time KD was on a basketball court, he had just blown a 3-1 lead in the Conference Finals to these exact Golden State Warriors.
LeBron joined a team that didn't have a championship core in Miami. Yes, the Heat had Dwyane Wade from that epic 2006 NBA Finals run but him and Udonis Haslem were the only carryover from that championship run. There was no Gary Payton, Antoine Walker, Shaquille O'Neal, James Posey, Jason Williams, etc. Even the head coach was different (Pat Riley in 2006, Erik Spoelstra when LeBron arrived in 2010).
The entire core from the Warriors last championship run is intact for Durant. Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Andre Iguodala are all there. They also have the same guy on top as head coach in Steve Kerr.
Lastly,
LeBron had "The Decision" and then the parade of "Not one, not two, not three, not four." LeBron had gone to South Beach to stay for a while.
Durant quietly announced his decision through the Player Tribune and is basically on a one-year deal (two year contract with player option for the second).
So yes, there were some similarities in LeBron leaving Cleveland for Miami and Durant leaving Oklahoma City for Golden State but there are far more differences in the two situations. And for what it's worth, I don't have a problem with either situation.
