Photo By Tech. Sgt. Charles Taylor | Master Sgt. Christopher Webb, NCO in-charge of vehicle operations, discuss the...... read more read more
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SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany (July 14, 2016) – By now, we have all heard about Kevin Durant leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder to join the Golden State Warriors via free agency.
Durant’s decision leaves the Thunder, who were a victory away from reaching the NBA Finals last season, virtually in limbo for the foreseeable future as they try to deal with the aftermath from losing the 2013-14 NBA’s Most Valuable Player.
Word of Durant’s departure not only impacted the citizens of Oklahoma City, it also drew reactions from members of the 507th Logistics Readiness Squadron from Tinker Air Force Base, who are completing annual tour requirements overseas. On both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, the news wasn’t exactly welcomed.
“If Durant would have returned, I think the Thunder would have went a little bit deeper than the Western Conference Finals next year,” said Master Sgt. Christopher Webb, NCO in-charge of vehicle operations in the 507th LRS. “Now, this puts OKC in a precarious situation because they made moves thinking he would come back.”
Tech. Sgt. Latece Christmon, who is a vehicle operations specialist at the 507th LRS, was also not a fan of the choice Durant made to join the Warriors.
“He took the easy way out,” said Christmon. “I would have been fine if he went to any other team, but he joined a team that was better than the team he was on.
“If I lose to someone, I’m not going to join them. As a matter fact, I want to beat them.”
Fans of the Thunder share many of the feelings Webb and Christmon have, but as is the case with many things in life, there is a business aspect. This is something Staff Sgt. Terry Cooper, also a vehicle operations specialist in the 507th LRS, figures into the equation.
“I understand people are upset, but at the end of the day, he is a free agent,” said Cooper. “He didn’t cut out of his contract, and he’s grown. His decision is for him, not everybody else.”
Durant signed a two-year, $54.3 million contract with Golden State, in which he can opt out after next season. This means there could be room for a return to the Thunder, and the same conversation could be held this time next year.
As of July 12, the schedule for the 2016-17 regular season has not been released, but all indications say it won’t be a nice return to OKC when Durant pays a visit with his new team.
| Date Taken: | 07.14.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 08.10.2016 16:48 |
| Story ID: | 203921 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 46 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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