ESPN’s Chris Broussard broke down the phone conversation between West and Kevin Durant. If this is accurate I could see why Durant is leaning towards Warriors.
West spoke to Durant from the perspective of an all-time great player who kept falling short of winning an NBA championship. While West won a title with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1972, he lost his first 7 trips to the NBA Finals and finished 1-8 in the Finals overall. West, 78, told Durant those losses still eat at him to this day, according to sources.
West also told Durant that playing alongside the Warriors’ star trio of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green would make it much easier on him. West opined that in Oklahoma City, most of Durant’s shot attempts are difficult and contested.
He told Durant, a career 27.4 point scorer, that his points would come much easier in Golden State, suggesting it would take fewer shots to score the same amount of points he always has.
Finally, West pointed out to Durant how he believes his overall game is overlooked in Oklahoma City. While Durant is known as one of the greatest scorers of all-time, he does not receive much credit for his rebounding – he led the Thunder with 8.2 boards per game last season – and defense.
West went on to say if KD won with the Warriors his all-around game would be more recognized.
All good reasons to think KD might be leaning towards Warriors.