From Newsweek · Matthew Couden · · 1m 20s
Shumpert blames Durant for costing him NBA rings
A former Cavaliers guard says Kevin Durant's move to the Warriors prevented him from winning championships.
In brief
A former Cavaliers guard says Kevin Durant's move to the Warriors prevented him from winning championships. Iman Shumpert argues that Durant's decision to join an already dominant Golden State Warriors team in 2016 made it impossible for the Cleveland Cavaliers to win championships. Originally reported by Newsweek.
Shumpert calls out Durant's move
Former Cavaliers guard Iman Shumpert blamed Kevin Durant for costing him NBA championships by joining the Golden State Warriors in 2016.
“You the reason I missed out on two rings, dog.”
Durant's Warriors dynasty
Durant won back-to-back NBA Finals MVP awards in 2017 and 2018 after joining Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green in Golden State.
Warriors dominated Cavaliers twice
The Warriors beat the Cavaliers 8-1 across two NBA Finals matchups, with Shumpert on the Cavs roster alongside LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love.
Shumpert's complaint about balance
Shumpert argued Durant joined a team that didn't need him, creating an unfair competitive advantage that made it impossible for other contenders to win.
“They didn't need you.”
Durant now with Rockets
Durant currently plays for the Houston Rockets and will face stronger Western Conference competition from teams like the Thunder and Spurs.
Star players chasing rings elsewhere
The article notes that Durant's move reflects a broader trend of NBA stars joining new teams to pursue championships, similar to LeBron James joining the Philadelphia 76ers.
At a glance
Iman Shumpert argues that Durant's decision to join an already dominant Golden State Warriors team in 2016 made it impossible for the Cleveland Cavaliers to win championships.
