In a revealing moment during Netflix’s latest season of “The Starting Five,” Kevin Durant unleashed his frustration regarding LeBron James and Dwyane Wade’s reactions to James Harden’s shocking trade to the Houston Rockets. This candid admission has sent ripples through the basketball community, reigniting old rivalries and showcasing the emotional undercurrents of the NBA.
Durant, reflecting on his early years with the Oklahoma City Thunder, recounted the heartbreak of losing three consecutive seasons to championship teams, including the Lakers, Mavericks, and Heat. With a steely resolve, he had entered the next season convinced that a championship was within reach. But the sudden trade of Harden, a key player and close friend, shattered that dream.
The trade, which occurred just before the season’s start, caught Durant off guard. “I didn’t know what was going on until right at the end,” he revealed, emphasizing his shock as negotiations unfolded without his knowledge. The loss of Harden, whom he regarded as a brother, left him feeling betrayed and despondent.
What stung even more for Durant was the reaction from his peers. LeBron and Wade, along with others in the league, publicly celebrated Harden’s move, seemingly relieved that the formidable Thunder trio was no more. “They were so happy that we weren’t together anymore,” Durant expressed, his voice tinged with bitterness. “They knew we were on the way.”
This raw honesty from Durant not only highlights the intense competition within the NBA but also sheds light on the personal stakes involved. As he grapples with the realities of team dynamics and friendships, the emotional weight of those early years in Oklahoma City continues to resonate. For Durant, the dream of winning together was abruptly extinguished, leaving a poignant reminder of what might have been.
