Golden State Warriors: NWO of Basketball

Kevin Durant made this Fourth of July one to remember for quite some time. He sparked fireworks all across the Sports world and news in general when he made his decision to join the Golden State Warriors. Kevin's move caused a widespread mix of emotions and reviews. On one end, you had fans that were irate and furious about his decision to join the Warriors. So much so to the point that they started to burn his jerseys and shoot them. On the other hand, there were fans that were fine with his decision to leave, even if it was to join the team that just beat his team in the Western Conference Finals. It is the "If you can't beat them, join them" approach and mindset. Then, you had those fans that were just glad that he left Oklahoma City, but did not like the team that he joined. It was reminiscent of LeBron James and "The Decision" when he left the Cavaliers for the Miami Heat. I am glad that KD left OKC, but I am in the middle of "why did he join the Warriors?" and "I understand because it is all about business".

I have seen this before with LBJ and I have come to realize that this is the climate that we live in with the NBA. Whether you like it or not, that is the way things roll. The circumstances seem very similar. Both players left teams that they help to build from the ground up. The only differences are:

• LeBron TELEVISED his "Decision" while Kevin did not. 
• The Warriors came off of back to back Finals Appearances and an historic 73 win Season.

Other than that, the concept is still the same. Although Miami was not in the same position that Golden State is in now, they still had the championship resume from Wade's Finals win in 2006. They were in more of a building process than the Warriors are today. Still, LeBron opened the floodgates for the Super teams where star players flock together for the sake of winning rings. 

I say all of that to say that these Super team situations with LeBron James in 2010 and Kevin Durant this year remind me of when wrestling icon Hulk Hogan joined Kevin Nash and Scott Hall to form the "New World Order" better known as the "NWO" in 1996. For years, Hogan was the beloved hero that inspired fans to "Train, Eat their Vitamins, and Say their Prayers". Soon, times changed and he was forced to change his scenery. On July 7, 1996, Hogan shocked the world by becoming a villain and turning on fans all over the world by forming the NWO with two men that were stars in their own right. Hogan was the face of the group and added greater value to the formation of the group. He repackaged his image and became "Hollywood" Hogan. This is what I call the "NWO Factor". Soon after, Hogan was villified, but he still had success. 

In 2010, LeBron James was the first player to use the "NWO Factor" when he left the Cleveland Cavaliers in a way that made him the ultimate villain of Basketball. For 7 years, LeBron James was the "Babyface" to use wrestling terms. He was the Hero of the the NBA. When he announced his "Decision" on live TV and joined Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami, he turned "Heel" or became the Bad Guy or Villain. Wade was Scott Hall and Bosh was Kevin Nash. When that happened, I immediately thought about Hogan joining the NWO. From that point, the Miami Heat became the "NWO of Basketball". Fans burned LeBron's jersey in Cleveland, just like they have done with Kevin Durant today. 

History has repeat itself. On July 4th, Kevin Durant became the Hollywood Hogan of Basketball and joined Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson to form the NWO in Golden State. KD is another victim of the "NWO Factor". When Durant left Oklahoma City and longtime teammate Russell Westbrook, it reminded me of when Hogan gave "Macho Man" Randy Savage the Leg Drop to signify his change of allegiance. LeBron leg dropped Cleveland six years ago. 

Plain and simple, the Golden State Warriors have become the "NWO of Basketball". 

Social Media has made the same comparison. In the words of my friend Mike Pearman aka "Mike Knoxxx" "Wrestling Is Storyline". I would also like to say that "Basketball Is Storyline" because the NBA is also Storyline driven. Much like Hogan and LeBron, Kevin Durant has become Public Enemy number 1.