Page 2 ~ THE VILLAGER/July 8, 2016 THE COMMUNIQUÉ www.theaustinvillager.com The 2014 MVP and four-time scoring champion led the Thunder to the NBA Finals in 2012 continued from page 1 bution and personal But the Warriors will growth. With this in mind, have to move players to I have decided that I am make room for Durant. going to join the Golden Golden State and State Warriors.” Dallas have agreed on a And the 2015 cham- deal to send center An- pion Warriors, who squan- drew Bogut to the Maver- dered a 3-1 NBA Finals icks, a person with knowl- lead to lose to LeBron edge of the deal told the James and the Cavaliers AP. The person said other last month, know how details of the trade are tough Durant is in any still being worked out, lineup: They rallied from speaking on condition of down 3-1 to beat Durant anonymity because the and the Thunder in a deal cannot be finalized seven-game Western Con- until Thursday. Before ference Finals. Durant announced his Golden State applied move, Bogut removed all a full-court press to land references to the Warriors Durant. On Friday in the from his Twitter page, Hamptons, the Warriors which then featured a sent owner , gen- photo of the 7-footer in an eral manager Bob Myers, Australia jersey. coach of the year Steve OKC also will have to Kerr, Curry and Thompson make a decision on the fu- to meet with the 6-foot-9 at the House of Hoops in-Harlem, NYC on 125th Street. Photo courtesy Alexis Marcou ture of restricted free superstar. With the addition of man,” Durant said. “There He should be a good Western Conference finals agent Harrison Barnes. The 2014 MVP and Durant, the Warriors be- are no words to express fit in Golden State’s vary- and dropped a career-high Losing Durant to a top four-time scoring champion come the league’s latest what the organization and ing lineups and gives All- 54 points on them in 2014. rival will sting for the led the Thunder to the NBA team to add a superstar the community mean to Star Draymond Green an- Adding Durant will Thunder. Finals in 2012, and to the chasing a championship me, and what they will other physical body and give the Warriors another “Kevin’s contributions Western Conference finals to a lineup of All-Stars. represent in my life and in rebounding presence to chance to chase a title af- to our organization during in four of the past six years LeBron James made the my heart forever. The complement 3-point aces ter the bitter feeling that his nine years were pro- — and he’s only 27. He re- move from Cleveland to memories and friendships Curry and Thompson. was this season — a found, on and off the covered from a broken bone Miami in 2010, joining a are something that go far The Warriors topped record-setting year that court,” Thunder Chairman in his right foot that cost lineup that featured beyond the game. Those the 1995-96 ’ ended without the team’s Clayton I. Bennett said in him much of last season to Dwyane Wade and Chris invaluable relationships mark and set the NBA biggest goal being a statement. “He helped post one of the best years Bosh. They reached four are what made this delib- regular-season wins reached. Durant has had to the Thunder grow and suc- of his career. NBA Finals as a group and eration so challenging. record with 73 victories carry much of the scoring ceed in immeasurable Durant met with the won two championships. “It really pains me to and led the league in scor- load for the Thunder over ways and impacted the Thunder, Warriors, Los An- “I’m from Washing- know that I will disappoint ing. the years, but having community just the same. geles Clippers, Boston ton, D.C. originally, but so many people with this Durant has been a Curry, Green and Thomp- “We thank him for his Celtics, Oklahoma City truly raised choice, but I believe I am difficult opponent for the son on the floor with him leadership, his play, and and once me. It taught me so much doing what I feel is the right Warriors __ he averaged should open up space he how he represented Okla- teams could begin negoti- about family as well as thing at this point in my life 30 points per game hasn’t had during his ten- homa City and the entire ating with free agents. what it means to be a and my playing career.” against them in this year’s ure in Oklahoma City. state of Oklahoma.”