# 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.
- Title: Shumpert blames Durant for costing him NBA rings · Newsweek
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: kevin durant, iman shumpert, golden state warriors, cleveland cavaliers, nba championships, 2016 free agency, nba finals, lebron james, kyrie irving, stephen curry, Shumpert, blames
- Source: Newsweek — https://newsweek.com/sports/nba/former-knicks-star-calls-out-kevin-durant-for-costing-him-nba-championships-12451392
- Author: Matthew Couden
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: kevin durant, iman shumpert, golden state warriors, cleveland cavaliers, nba championships, 2016 free agency, nba finals, lebron james, kyrie irving, stephen curry
## 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.
## Key takeaway

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.