National Basketball Association players react to Kevin Durant signing with Golden State Warriors

Now everybody wants to play for Golden State. Many are understanding. Many more are critical. Like I said, I went with my gut, my instincts.

Even before Durant came aboard, Golden State had a trio of stars in Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.

The Warriors not only brought their core four players, but coach Steve Kerr, general manager Bob Myers, owner Joe Lacob and assistant general manager Kirk Lacob, too, to talk to Durant. I think that, first of all for Kevin personally, he made the move that was best for him.

Kevin Durant: “We live in a comic book world where either you’re a villian or a superhero if you’re in this position”. And let’s be realistic. “I’ve admired Kevin as a basketball fan….”

“That call to Oklahoma City was the hardest thing I’ve had to do in my life”.

He said that he went back and forth on the decision to leave the Thunder for the Warriors for a few days before announcing his move. “But just disappointed with the fact that he weakened another team and he’s gonna kind of gravy train on a terrific Warriors team”.

“Everybody wants to win”, Barkley said.

“I will miss Oklahoma City, and the role I have had in building this remarkable team”. He deserves the right to make his own decision and do what makes him happiest. They’ll be the only team in history to have two players from the 50/40/90 club and oh by the way, they just happen to have the reigning back-to-back MVP and former MVP on the same squad. Like, ‘I don’t care. He said it will be the most fun that you’ll ever have in your life”, Durant said, adding earlier, “Those guys, they came in and felt like they were hand-in-hand … I didn’t win it. I’ve got to take some responsibility for that. And it’s going to be bad for everyone else in the league.

After six All-Star appearances but no trips to the NBA Finals in eight seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers, the team traded him to Phoenix.

Barkley, however, demanded to be traded twice during his career to contenders.

He will turn 28 years old in September.

“I have no problem with a guy at the end of his career like Karl Malone, or Gary Payton I think did it, something like that”. I think that’s enough time to be “loyal” to an organization.

Last season, the Warriors finished the regular season with 73 wins heading into the NBA Playoffs. I can’t beat the Pistons. Maybe not with Pau Gasol going to the Spurs. You can’t find a better embodiment of that than the guy sitting next to me. He does a fantastic job. I mean, that’s where we’re going. “It’s safe to say Kevin would fit into any style”. Oladipo, that’s an upgrade over (Andre) Roberson at the 2 spot.

But not everyone is anointing them next year’s champions.