The Golden State Warriors rocked the NBA world this summer when they signed former-MVP Kevin Durant, adding him to a roster that already includes unanimous MVP Stephen Curry and All-Stars Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. The move not only arguably gives the Warriors the most talented team in NBA history, but it also eliminates one of their chief rivals, the Oklahoma City Thunder, by taking away half of their dynamic duo of Durant and Russell Westbrook.
Some have argued that Durant’s move is disappointing, as it creates a league where the Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers are all but guaranteed to meet in the Finals. However, the newly-retired Kobe Bryant isn’t one of them. The former superstar guard for the Los Angeles Lakers shared his take on the Jim Rome Show:
“I would have thought less about myself if I looked at that move and said, ‘That’s unfair. If you’re a real competitor, you look at that and say, ‘OK, lace ’em up. Let’s go. I don’t care how many players you have over there; we’re still going to take you down.”
For those who have followed Bryant during his career, his comments are not surprising. He was always one to accept a challenge regardless of how daunting it was. He also has tremendous confidence in his own abilities, and undoubtedly could see himself emerging victorious against the Warriors.
It’s understandable why so many around the league would be frustrated with Durant’s decision, but Bryant’s attitude is still refreshing. The Warriors will certainly not be easy to beat, but Lakers fans know better than most that super teams don’t always work out.
After all, it wasn’t that long ago that many consider the Lakers lineup featuring Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Dwight Howard, and Steve Nash to be all but unbeatable, and we all know that turned out.