Kevin Durant's decision to join the Brooklyn Nets in free agency could be boiled down in part to his failure to fit into the Golden State Warriors “social group,” according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.
The known Los Angeles-based reporter joined colleague Adrian Wojnarowski on The Woj Pod (h/t BeingAwesomeInstead from Reddit), telling the host that Durant never really fit with his core teammates outside of the basketball court, nor aligned with them at any point in life.
“I actually think this trip to Brooklyn, I think [Kevin Durant's] decision to go play with his friends — I know this is going to sound a little bit reductionist — but it's kind of age appropriate, right? Like the Warrior guys, they're all kind of older and they're a little more — they're in a different stage of life. Like, you know, Draymond has a kid now, and he's engaged, and Steph's married, obviously, with three kids, and Klay is… on Planet Klay. [laughs] I guess that's kind of the right way to put that. Andre's older, and you know, family. Kevin didn't really fit into that social group there. And I really do think that's kind of part of it. He's just still kind of on his journey, finding himself.”
Durant is virtually facing the same issue he had during his days in Oklahoma City — it's the same narrative.
Russell Westbrook was also married with kids by the time Durant left OKC and the former dynamic duo didn't hang out off the court as other one-two punches in the NBA have.
Matter of fact, not many NBA superstars hang out together as often as fans think. The Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan bromances, the endearing bestfriendship of Tobias Harris and Boban Marjanovic — they're not the standard, but rather a unique part of the NBA.
Regardless, Kyrie Irving and DeAndre Jordan should serve as a nice support system for Durant, though who knows if the two will be walking through the streets of Brooklyn together or having post-game meals at late hours of the day on the road together.
At 30 years old, Durant's bachelor-like lifestyle is unlikely to line up with many of his veteran contingents, no matter what team he's on.
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