Kevin Durant’s emotions after winning the NBA Finals showed why he made his choice

Kevin Durant heard the critics all season for leaving Oklahoma City for Golden State, but on Monday night he finally had his moment and won a title. After the game, he made it crystal clear why he did so.

It was an emotional moment for Durant, but he savored it — proving he had made the best decision for himself.

“It’s a team sport, and we want to achieve the highest honor in a team sport, which is winning a championship,” Durant said. “And to do it with these guys is amazing.”

This was Durant’s second go-around in the NBA Finals. He, along with James Harden and Russell Westbrook, took LeBron James and the Miami Heat to five games in 2012. He was emotional after the loss.

Durant hadn’t been back to the Finals since. Last year, he battled injuries with the Thunder before losing to the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals. Upon joining them, he fit right in, and knew his role immediately.

Draymond Green told reporters, “I told him earlier in the year, I said, ‘It’s cool that you’re here, but we really don’t need you for the regular season. We kinda gonna need you for these Finals.’ And he stepped up big and made plays for us.”

That’s exactly what Durant did in these NBA Finals, earning himself the MVP award.

The moments leading up to the end of the game helped capture, even just a glimpse, of how Durant and those close to him felt.

With Golden State up a dozen, KD with 39 points, and just over five minutes to go, Wanda Durant sensed that her son was about to become an NBA champion. Once the game got under three minutes, she was certain it was in hand. Durant’s brother, Tony, put his arm around their mother.

Durant and the Warriors seem to just be getting started. Their core of Durant, Green, Stephen Curry, and Klay Thompson seems to be in place for the near future. The only variable will be the bench, and the Warriors will undoubtedly attract quality players because of the near guarantee that they’ll be winning more titles.

For now, Durant will enjoy this one, just as he should.