When Kevin Durant's departure led to 'Cupcake' meme from Russell Westbrook
Kevin Durant's departure from the OKC Thunder led to plenty of backlash. The 12-time All-Star still receives plenty of criticism from fans for signing with the Golden State Warriors, despite winning back-to-back NBA championships and NBA Finals MVP awards.
My next chapter theplayerstribune.com/kevin-durant-n… https://t.co/zi94ss9NWI
One notable reaction that followed the 2013-2014 NBA MVP's announcement came from Russell Westbrook, his Thunder teammate of eight seasons. Soon after Durant's announcement, Westbrook shared an image of a Fourth of July cupcake assortment.
Check out Russell Westbrook's reaction to Kevin Durant's departure below:
Russell Westbrook's first post-KD contact with the public: mini cupcake photo https://t.co/08BJ9WwMmY
Russell Westbrook's post was inspired by a nickname that former OKC Thunder center Kendrick Perkins would give to players that he deemed soft. The nickname became an inside joke of sorts between the two stars, which ultimately culminated with Westbrook labeling his former teammate as a cupcake for his decision to join the Golden State Warriors.
Inspired by Westbrook, fans showed up to Kevin Durant's first game back in Oklahoma City donning full cupcake outfits. They took things even further by chanting 'cupcake' at Durant throughout the game.
Check out footage of fans chanting 'cupcake' at Kevin Durant below:
Thunder fans chant 'cupcake' at Warriors' Kevin Durant as Russell Westbrook shoots free throw @SI_LeeJenkins https://t.co/s3UJUXh7rh
Durant would ultimately have the last laugh, however, as he led the Golden State Warriors to a 130-114 victory. KD finished with 34 points, nine rebounds, and three assists while shooting 57.1% from the field, 50.0% from three-point range, and 100.0% from the free-throw line.
Kevin Durant's departure to Golden State Warriors criticized
Kevin Durant's departure from the OKC Thunder to the Golden State Warriors remains a highly criticized move. From a basketball standpoint, however, the move made plenty of sense.
While the Thunder had likely reached their ceiling, it was clear that the Warriors needed an upgrade at the small forward position. While Harrison Barnes has become a consistent scoring threat, that was not the case over the final three games of the 2015-2016 NBA Finals.
Despite being left wide open for much of the three games, Barnes struggled mightily. He shot just 15.6% from the field, 20.0% from the three-point line, and 50.0% from the free-throw line.
With Durant in the fold, the Warriors would win the next two championships before losing the 2018-2019 NBA Finals as the ten-time All NBA selection was injured.
Over his three-year stretch with Golden State, the four-time scoring champion averaged 25.8 points per game, 7.1 rebounds per game, 5.4 assists per game, 0.8 steals per game, and 1.5 blocks per game. Additionally, he shot 52.4% from the field, 38.4% from three-point range, and 88.3% from the free-throw line.
More importantly, Durant consistently showed up on the biggest stage, and was awarded two NBA Finals MVP awards for his efforts.
In those two championship runs, he averaged 32.3 points per game, 9.3 rebounds per game, 6.3 assists per game, 0.9 steals per game, and 1.9 blocks per game while shooting 54.3% from the field, 45.0% from three-point range, and 94.1% from the free-throw line.
Kevin Durant's departure to Golden State wound up working out well for both the future Hall of Famer and the franchise.