Steve Nash Explains Why Durant Left Warriors
Steve Nash had a challenging experience with Kevin Durant. He tried to defeat the superstar for seven years. This rivalry was brought to an end at the very same moment Durant arrived in the Golden State.
The Warriors brought Nash, a Hall of Fame point guard and two-time NBA MVP, to be their player development consultant prior to the 2015-16 season. Durant became a Warrior next season.
Durant left the team in free agency this summer. Nash was surprised, but Durant’s move didn’t shock him.
“I think I would have thought he would have had such a great experience there that he wouldn’t want to leave,” Nash said on the most recent episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast. “That would be the surprise.”
Nash and Durant used to work one-on-one at the Warriors practice facility. Why did Durant leave the team?
“Kevin’s a thoughtful — I don’t want to say complicated — sophisticated, he’s continually pushing himself and searching for whatever it is that’s out there that’s going to fulfill him and excite him,” Nash said. “I think maybe that part of it was underestimated that he would leave in three years, because that’s what led him there in the first place.
“He wanted something higher, bigger. He wanted to experience something different where he would be pushed in new ways, and it’s kind of the same thing that’s happening now.”
Let’s not forget all the speculation about Durant’s attitude towards Stephen Curry. Some say he didn’t like the way fans praised Curry as if he is the leader of the team. According to Nash, Durant wants more than just having his own team.
“I think that plays a role [in him leaving], but I don’t think it’s everything for Kevin,” he said. “I think it’s probably overplayed by the media. I think in some ways, Kevin just wanted a change. … I think him constantly seeking a new challenge and new opportunity and new experience, there’s a lot of layers to him.
“I think he loves to explore.”
Well, this explains a lot. How will Durant fit in his new team? Let’s wait and find out.