We are going to be discussing KD to the Warriors for the foreseeable future. This is an unprecedented move on a number of levels, a top 3 player, former MVP, joins the team he lost to in the playoffs (after taking a 3-1 series lead). As the days and weeks continue, stories will continue to leak out about what went into KD’s decision and about his time in OKC.
We all know about the KD Jerry West phone call, according to Sports Illustrated’s Lee Jenkins, another former player had a role in “recruiting” Durant. A Warriors executive said:
Without Steve Nash, I’m not sure if we get Kevin Durant.
Steve Nash, now the Warriors player development consultant, and KD connected back in 2014 for a conversation on Vice Sports and the two discussed basketball and their philosophies and preferred style of play. Nash thrived and became a 2X MVP in Phoenix playing in an up tempo pace and space offense. And we now know KD has been longing to play in a more free flowing system predicated on spacing and ball movement. Warriors assistant Bruce Fraser spoke of Nash’s role:
Steve knows us—our culture and our guys—so well. He doesn’t sell anybody on anything. He’s just a great sounding board.
Fraser and Nash were in close contact during the KD recruitment process and no doubt they were able to share notes and present what they thought would appeal to KD. As Durant was mulling his decision he was able to visualize all of the possibilities within the Warriors system and hopes to fully maximize his game and win a championship.