After the Golden State Warriors' free-agency pitch to Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry apparently sent a text message, the contents of which arguably changed the NBA forever.
Here's The Undefeated's Marc J. Spears with the lowdown:
Even so, Curry apparently felt it necessary to send Durant a message hours after the meeting Friday night to reassure him about his commitment to “Strength In Numbers” and unselfishness.
According to a person who saw the text messages, Curry told Durant in a text message that he could care less about who is the face of the franchise, who gets the most recognition or who sells the most shoes (Curry is with Under Armor, Durant with Nike). The two-time NBA MVP also told Durant that if Durant won the MVP award again he would be in the front row of the press conference clapping for him. In closing, Curry’s message to Durant was that all he truly cared about was winning championships and he’d like to do that as his teammate.
This is why Curry is the real MVP.
No, seriously, he’s actually the MVP.
That he sent such a text message probably swayed Durant, who was clearly grappling over whether to sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder or Warriors. To hear Golden State’s Big Three of Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson talk about selflessness is one thing; to get a message like this, from the reigning MVP, after your initial meeting was already over, is another thing entirely. It shows a special brand of commitment, of voluntary concession, that helps put Durant’s decision to join the Warriors both at ease and in perspective.
Of course, texting Durant and actually ceding control of the franchise are two very different things. The Warriors, specifically Curry and Durant, must make wholesale adjustments to the way they play. There could be growing pains. This formation could take time to dominate. It may not even work if everyone involved isn’t willing to make the requisite sacrifices.
Still, as of now, knowing what we know, having heard what we’ve heard, it sounds like Durant’s transition into on-court life with the Warriors is more likely to be basketball poetry than anything else.
