While it didn’t quite rival the backlash of LeBron James‘ "The Decision" when James left the Cavaliers for the Heat in 2010, Kevin Durant incurred some criticism for leaving the Thunder to join the ready-to-win Warriors last summer in free agency.
Jimmy Butler, who got to know Durant during their shared offseason on the U.S. Olympic team, calls that criticism unwarranted.
"Do what you want to do. Don’t let anyone influence what you do. You’re the one who has to live with that," Butler said. "Go where you think is best for you and your family, where you can win. Good for him. They’re playing great basketball, so it was a good move if you ask me."
Butler understands how the modern NBA works, which is why he helped recruit Dwyane Wade to the Bulls in Wade’s shocking free-agency choice to leave the Heat. Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green all were part of the Warriors’ pitch to Durant.
Butler also played with Thompson and Green at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
"We were all around each other a month-and-a-half straight. So you got a good grasp and good feel of who they were as people, their work ethic and what they like to do for fun," Butler said. "It’s cool to be around those guys.
"Everybody always had something to say to me because I’m always doing something out of the ordinary, wild, out of line, whatever you want to call it. A lot of fun went on there."
Familiar face: The Bulls practiced Tuesday and had Wednesday’s morning shootaround at the University of San Francisco’s War Memorial Gymnasium, where Bill Cartwright’s number is retired. The starting center on the first three-peat team and former Bulls assistant and head coach stopped by practice Tuesday and was greeted warmly by players and coach Fred Hoiberg, whom he coached.
Cartwright is in his first year as director of university initiatives at his alma mater, doing fundraising and community outreach projects. He brought Rev. Jesse Jackson to Wednesday’s game and the school as part of Black History Month.
"It has been fun, challenging," Cartwright said.
Shout it out: Warriors coach Steve Kerr laughed when asked about Durant and Green having heated exchanges as teammates during several games this season.
"It’s totally normal. You should have seen the Bulls back in the day. We had guys yelling all the time," Kerr said. "I equate it to if you have a lot of siblings, you’re in the house together every day and you love each other and would do anything for each other but you’re going to get into fights. That’s what it’s like to be on a team."
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