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Initially, when considering the difference of playing professional sports in a big market compared to a small city, you might imagine the lifestyle being more relaxed in the latter, and much more hectic in the former.
That actually might not be the case. In massive metropolitan areas like New York and Los Angeles, a professional athlete doesn't receive same kind of spotlight that they'll find somewhere like Oklahoma City. They can go about their lives without generating a buzz and getting stopped everywhere they go
This phenomenon appears to have played a role in Kevin Durant‘s decision to bolt OKC and the Thunder for the Bay Area and the Warriors. As reported by ESPN's Royce Young, Durant grew tired of the constant attention that he received in Oklahoma City.
From Young:
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Durant always appeared to be the perfect fit with Oklahoma City, with his humble nature and down-home demeanor. But he also was drawn to a bigger city, not necessarily for the brighter lights, but for the ability to blend. In Oklahoma City, Durant carried a larger-than-life burden everywhere he went. He'd privately lamented to friends an inability to be in public.
Sure, there will still be Warriors and basketball fans in general bothering KD for his autograph and photos in San Francisco, but it won't be as constant as it was in OKC.
Of course, this is far from the primary reason that Durant chose the Dubs. He did so for “basketball reasons,” to win multiple titles, to play in an offense perfectly fit for his game, and to have fun playing with some of the best basketball players in the world, among other factors. It's just funny to imagine moving from OKC to the Bay Area to live a more relaxed life (even though it makes perfect sense with how Royce Young described it).
