I've been around sports my entire life. I've followed everything imaginable, from soccer, to basketball, football to hockey. I've seen major milestones be accomplished. The moment Peyton Manning finally won the elusive championship, the heartbreak that Cleveland fans felt last year after losing to the Warriors in the NBA finals, then the sweet redemption, as it was turned around and Cleveland captured the elusive title in Game 7 of this years Finals.
In 2010, I watched as a city came undone, burning jerseys, rioting in the streets, cursing at their once "Beloved King." A mural was torn down, and chants resounded through the streets of Cleveland as LeBron had made his decision and had decided to move to Miami to join the Heat in hopes of winning an NBA Championship -- every NBA players dream. For years I heard everything in the book, from how "weak" LeBron's move was, to how much Cleveland hated him and would never forgive him. The fans were brutal, absolutely doing everything in their power to bring him down.
All this being said, the same rings true with Kevin Durant and his latest move to the Golden State Warriors. The people hammered LeBron while he was in Cleveland, and the same with Durant in Oklahoma City, criticizing them both for not winning a championship, and then when they leave to go win one, they hop on their back and make them villains for leaving. It's something we need to learn to stop doing; we hammer athletes because "they're not good enough" or say they'll never be considered a great player without the rings. We then hammer them more when they leave to go complete their dream. This is something that I have watched sports media constantly do.
In 2010, when LeBron left, the media called him weak; the fans butchered him. And then he returned, and everyone became silent. LeBron came back to Cleveland and everyone forgave him, acting as if they never burned his jerseys and booed him every time he touched the ball while playing in Cleveland. I watched as "fans" left the Cavaliers in the bad years, and came back after Lebron re-signed with the Cavs, suddenly hopping back on the bandwagon as if they were there the whole time. I'm afraid the same will happen with Kevin Durant. Durant has long been one of my favorite players. I've never been critical of him simply because in Oklahoma City he has never had enough support to win the title he wants so badly. Durant did more for the franchise that drafted him than anyone before him and could have left many years ago, but decided to stay and keep trying. He should be counted as a hero for his franchise and for the game, not the villain that he is being made out to be.
After the news yesterday, I've heard Kevin Durant called everything in the book. Someone even called it "the weakest move by a superstar ever." This is a false statement. In 2010, LeBron moved to Miami and the same was said about him. No matter who you play with or what team you're on, it is never easy to win a championship in anything. It will still take hard work and team chemistry.
Personally, I'm excited to see a new chapter: a chapter in Durant's life to see him have the chance to hold an NBA trophy in his hands and fulfill his dream that he's had since he was a kid. Golden State gave Durant the best chance to win, and he decided to take the opportunity and run with it. Good for him. I'm happy Durant moved; I'm happy for him, his family, and his fans. I'm especially happy for the fans that have stuck with him. I hope Durant gets the thrill of holding the championship trophy and the thrill of silencing the media and the critics and being labeled Kevin Durant: NBA Champion.
