The Players' Tribune is a two-year-old online publication run exclusively by professional athletes, all of whom typically share heartfelt, touching pieces with their fans. The pieces are often introspective explorations into the reasoning behind key decisions they make or pivotal moments that define their careers. The likes of David Ortiz, Ken Griffey Jr., Mike Conley, and Clay Matthews have all contributed impressive articles, offering intimate takes on their careers. Pau Gasol, a two-time NBA champion who recently moved from the Chicago Bulls to the San Antonio Spurs, wrote in a recent addition to the Tribune, "Winning on the court takes precedence over anything else, and obviously, this continues to be the case..."

In the midst of so much anger and hostility towards Kevin Durant for his shocking decision to leave his beloved, loyal fan base in Oklahoma City for the very team that eliminated him in this past year's playoffs (after Durant and Co. surrendered a commanding 3-1 lead in the Western Conference Finals, blowing 4th quarter leads in Games 6 & 7), nobody seems to understand why the seemingly loyal, humble offensive superstar would betray his franchise in such a way.

He didn't seem to have any problem taking a jab in at LeBron James' infamous decision to leave his lowly Cleveland Cavaliers for the Hollywood, title-hungry Miami Heat.

But Pau Gasol puts it perfectly. "Winning on the court takes precedence over anything else..." Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, and a host of other Hall of Fame NBA legends have all taken shots at Durant's decision to desert the small-market Oklahoma City fans and join an already stacked team that just set the NBA record for total wins in a season. Jordan said he would have never called up Magic Johnson from the Los Angeles Lakers or Larry Bird from the Boston Celtics in order to create an easier route to winning a championship. Bird said he couldn't even imagine the notion of teaming up with Magic, adding, "I'd rather try to beat him."

Yet it all comes back to winning, like Pau Gasol said. Kevin Durant is, in my opinion, the most underrated superstar of all time. He has the third highest average of points per game in the history of the National Basketball Association at 27.4 PPG. He has won only one MVP award, but has finished second in the voting three times, a defeat that he has publicly stated is a major annoyance. He lost in the 2012 NBA Finals to LeBron James and his flashy Miami Heat squad and hasn't returned to the Finals since. For a perennial superstar who has been named to the All-NBA First Team five times and won the NBA scoring title four times, it is about damn time he wins a championship.The Golden State Warriors clearly presented the most advantageous road for Durant. He just wants to win; once you have dominated the league to that extent for so many years, nothing else really matters. Durant is 27 years old with a $120 million dollar net worth. Money isn't an issue. And he doesn't seem to have an issue abandoning those who depend on him. Durant quoted in a 2015 interview following a broken engagement with WNBA player Monica Wright, "I had a fiancée but... I really didn't know how to, like, love her, you know what I'm saying? We just went our separate ways."

So what is left? Why should everyone point fingers at a guy who has been coming in second throughout his whole career? From the very beginning, he has been second. He was selected second in the 2007 NBA Draft behind infamous bust Greg Oden. He has finished second in the Most Valuable Player voting three times. And he has lost in three Western Conference Finals in addition to one NBA Finals. He is always finding himself coming up short with the Thunder despite achieving some of the best statistical seasons in NBA history. He has the money, the personal fans, and the numbers. He will never be a superstar like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, or LeBron James. But he doesn't care; he just wants to win. "Winning on the court takes precedence over anything else..."

I was stunned at Durant's decision and I still wish he wouldn't have left. The NBA front office and commissioner Adam Silver are undoubtedly thrilled with the circumstances; "KD" moving from such a small market in Oklahoma City to the much more affluent and populated Bay Area means more money. Warriors fans and even fans from opposing teams will be thrilled to tune in and watch four of the top 11 vote getters for the All-NBA teams last year team up and chase a ring. The most fluid, dynamic offense in the NBA just got even more versatile. Opposing teams will struggle mightily to guard the Warriors starters.

But don't give up hope. The Warriors have lost several key bench players in the off-season in Leandro Barbosa, Festus Ezeli, Marreese Speights, and Harrison Barnes. Durant and Curry are offensive superstars, obviously, but have shown to be vulnerable on defense against heavier, more athletic opposing players. Sharing just one basketball, as silly as it sounds, will be extremely tough for a starting lineup with three players who each possess "shoot first" styles of play. So don't be mad at Durant for "stacking" or "cheating," as Hall of Famer Charles Barkley likes to call it. The Warriors have a long way to go before KD can capture that ever-elusive ring. This was clearly the easiest route to it, but there is still a chance he may never win one NBA title. Nonetheless, he has been finishing second throughout his whole career. Keeping this in mind; the least we can all do is understand why he left.

To see Kevin Durant's piece in the Players' Tribune, click here.