Kevin Durant is one of the most polarizing characters in the NBA, thanks much in part to the fact that he left the Oklahoma City Thunder to join the Golden State Warriors back in 2016.
If you ask former Miami Heat All-Star Chris Bosh, Durant’s decision to leave for Golden State was because of the success the Heat enjoyed during the Big 3 era. More specifically, LeBron James’ decision to sign with Miami in 2010 encouraged Durant to make a similar career move.
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“That put pressure on him,” Bosh told NBC Sports’ Tom Haberstroh in a recent interview.
In the interview, Bosh also reflected on the blood clots that cut his career short while he was still very much in his prime. If he had been able to play out the rest of his past contract with the Heat, he would have been a part of this summer’s loaded free agency class.
Bosh admitted to Haberstroh that he does still think about what could have been, but is also grateful for the impact he managed to have during his time in the NBA.
“If Bosh’s blood clots hadn’t forced him out of the league, he could’ve entered this summer as a free agent, alongside the likes of Durant, [Kyrie] Irving, [Kawhi] Leonard and [Jimmy] Butler—the same players he unknowingly helped all those years ago,” wrote Haberstroh. “It’s a fact that has haunted him to this day.
“It still hurts, but Bosh isn’t afraid to talk about that now. This is about being himself.
“‘I’m happy for the guys,’ Bosh says. ‘I’m happy to look back and even if people don’t know, to say, hey, you know what, I had a little bit to do with changing the league.'”
There’s no doubt that a move to join forces with fellow All-Stars became much more acceptable after James and Bosh decided to join forces with Wade in Miami. The decision was later proven to be a good one as the Heat won two championships in four years.
As for Durant, he and the Warriors are now looking to win three straight championships.
With rumors swirling that Durant is planning on leaving for another team this offseason, it will be interesting to see if the current super team in Golden State lasts longer than the Big 3 era lasted in Miami.
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