Bob Myers Explains the Stress of Signing Kevin Durant and the Toll of Winning

In this clip, Bob Myers explains what it was like signing Kevin Durant to the Warriors and the physical and mental challenges of constant winning during Golden State's title runs.
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[@antonioandrademusic]

“You cannot ensure success but you can deserve it.” This hits deep.

[@jobunaga4178]

this entire interview is full of bangers. bob's talking about hating the losing but not being able to enoy the winning in a different segment was another deep hitting thought.

[@versatillion15]

How can you deserve it if you don’t earn it. Sounds good but it doesn’t make sense

[@AndresGarcia-so1hz]

@@versatillion15 Let me help you.. In team sports there are many factors that go into winning a championship. A lot of those factors are out of your control such as other teammates, injuries, coaches, refs, etc. However, a player who does everything in their power to give themselves the best chance to win is deserving of winning. Every day they maximized all the things that were in their control. But sometimes the things out of your control can lead you to not winning, which is why you can’t ensure success in team sports.

[@Lancelotxxx]

@@versatillion15 ever heard of nepo baby ?

[@collinknowles5333]

Absolute banger. And can be applied to many aspects of life where you put the work in but fall short because of factors outside the work you put in

[@Pigaroulettes]

For those who know about soccer, this reminds me of Herling Haaland commentd last year after winning champion's league. The guy just had one of the most successful individual and collective season ever, they won everything. And when asked what he feels he said : "relief". Because the team already won a lot without him, so with him you HAVE to win, or it's a failure.

[@thepimp31]

That guy disappeared in the final. Months later I realize he's a great striker but just a cone without his playmakers. He may become a liability in certain games if he doesn't develop

[@supwititproductionz3738]

@@thepimp31 his job isn't to create, his job is to finish, and he is the best in the world at it. He isn't a 10.

[@thepimp31]

@@supwititproductionz3738maybe, but he becomes a liability if he can’t get going when his team is not feeding him.

[@Notsureeh]

⁠@@thepimp31just my opinion. If he is not getting fed, then it’s either the managements fault in how they build their team, or it’s the players fault for not playing to their role. It’s not his role to create, it’s to finish.

[@ameliabedelia7018]

I hope when He gets his mental rest and his ultimately deserved flowers he comes back home to Golden State. Hopefully barefoot and celebrating another championship.

[@jamiebrown1491]

7 days later, I AGREE!❤

[@KitagumaIgen]

About that "not winning equals failure" - It is possible to control ones effort and process, but one cannot control the outcome.

[@JeffMiguel19]

Records are meant to be broken, but that 73-9 won’t be one of them.

[@troylee4196]

The thing with that year is that year wasn't bad Like the other teams in the league were great, the Spurs had an all time year too Only way that record could be broken is if other teams are just terrible, if it's a terrible NBA season where they look just better and no one else ever turns it in

[@CDXRolex]

It’s definitely gonna get broken eventually what your saying now is what people were saying back then about the 72-10 bulls

[@cornfedninja]

no title LOL

[@commodorezero]

@@CDXRolex Its only 1 win better but when we're talking a team going 74-8 thats an awful lot to ask.

[@CDXRolex]

@@commodorezero once again you don’t think before the 2016-2017 season they said 73-9 was a lot to ask

[@phillipparedes6444]

Everyone's mind operates different, but i kinda understand. I remember a job where i was performing in the top 5% of the team and i was offered a promotion where i didnt even take on too much more responsibility but the fact that i was getting more praise and more money i felt the pressure of doing my job at the best of my capabilities. I eventually left that job when my (main) boss transferred to a different state. Lol

[@freemoneyempire9745]

So basically he’s saying what we always knew, this is a Steve Kerr/Steph Curry operation and everything else is icing on the cake

[@msp5138]

If you think 2 people determine everything, you are an IDIOT. And so are the people who liked your DUMB comment.

[@Pswayze23]

Dray and Klay were integral lmao. Iggy too

[@Jane.Doe..]

@@Pswayze23They are integral but, let’s be honest, this is Kerr and Curry’s team. Neither are going anywhere, it’s not even in the conversation. Just look at where Curry sits when he’s on the bench - always RIGHT next to the coaching staff.

[@jamiebrown1491]

I sure miss KEVIN DURANT tho!❤

[@Pswayze23]

@@Jane.Doe.. What do you mean by "Steph and Kerr's team? To me what that means is without that person, the ship sinks. And without draymond, they would have 0 rings, and that's a guarantee, and without Klay and Iggy's perimeter defense, IQ and shooting, they would also have 0 rings.

[@stgoku]

That 2017 chip almost didn't happen. I remember when KD went down with a MCL sprain I believe, I thought oh man he's gone for the year. The basketball gods were kind and luckily it wasn't serious and they were able to finish off that season. Really wish they got to complete the 3 peat but the injuries to KD and Klay were too much to overcome.

[@elanzankman4399]

Warriors probably woulda won without him anyway

[@Pswayze23]

Warriors would have 0 rings if Kyrie, love, kawhi and cp3 didn't get injured

[@dfilipino4443]

@@Pswayze23stop it

[@JohnnyYeet123-sr8xk]

@@elanzankman4399 No. Kawhi and the Spurs were too good in 2017. Then Harden and the Rockets in 2018. Obviously Curry was great but they don't beat either team without KD.

[@Scootypuff17]

KD to the warriors ruined basketball. Only way the West could beat LeBron and the cavs was by going NBA MyGM mode

[@cabugs]

Too real! This clip's a favorite ngl.

[@raystroman4473]

Stop it , they knew from the moment he signed it was an instant championship everyone knew. The cavs barely beat the team from the previous year so adding Durant just gave the overwhelming advantage over not just Cleveland but everyone

[@troylee4196]

Isn't that what he said He could've gone to Hawaii

[@itsjoekent]

This is a phenomenal interview

[@PatGoBlessEm]

Great explanation for a healthy perspective. Thanks for sharing.

[@gelchi8174]

"sometimes you gotta walk into a stephen curry" OMG that line gave me chills

[@Daivd1111]

'Sometimes you got walked into a Steph Curry' nice quote

[@MaxPotentialGreatness]

The story of the championship ups and downs and how he went home and had different feelings after every chip was fascinating

[@demareatunes]

That bit about the whiskey and grilled cheese got me feeling bad man

[@samarahmad3976]

So good 💯

[@steve13191]

being a gm in nba is the hardest gm job in sports. it is indivudual sports played 5vs5. everyone wants their own narrative, lining up their own pocket, massive ego, everyone is primadona. in other team sports, there is a team spirit and dressing room that sort themselves out. nba took the personality and characteristics of a big profit driven corporation and guaranteed contract is a big part of it

[@nollyvon]

I like this take for the most part. I’d say NFL is getting more and more of those type of egos these days too.

[@itay6262]

Imagine trading that number 2 pick for like a Jarret allen and another nice piece, they could've really kept it going.

[@bumshka21]

lol dunno that would've happened, it would've been like $80m extra year in taxes alone

[@elolololololol]

warriors owners dont care about paying tax if the teams is good

[@bumshka21]

@@elolololololol whyd they let gp2 and otto leave after their title run? money for players only key to the title run and not the season weren't prioritized

[@keepitahundo3655]

Love everything they said towards the end about Giannis and failure

[@sandaliovirenees6991]

I’m the biggest LeBron fan you’ll ever meet but till this day I always tell people to not sleep on the warriors as long as they have that 4 headed beast there. Kerr, Draymond, Thompson and Curry. I freaking hate that team but I also respect them.

[@anthonysanelias9699]

The crazy thing is if JJ would've signed with the Rockets in 2018 he could've pushed them over the hump. Those Rockets series were so close and all Harden needed was one more shooter...

[@williestyle35]

It is still so ... weird that I saw J J Redick's only trip to the NBA Finals when he was with the Magic. Watching him battle to get playing time under Stan van Gundy, I thought for sure he would land on a championship level team at some point in his career. Maybe one day he will be the GM / executive of a championship team.

[@megatron3437]

Was he never a free agent???I honestly don't understand why players don't become free agents...Free agency exists so u can collect rings in ur peak 😂😂😂

[@angelloramirez7177]

@@megatron3437 If the team you're on offers you a big bag extension, it's difficult to just think and say let's hit free agency and go for a championship team a get paid for the minimum

[@supwititproductionz3738]

the Sixers were a champion level team in 2019. They would have given the Warriors a run for their money in the finals, and probably would have won if KD went down still

[@williestyle35]

@@megatron3437 JJ signed an extension with the Magic after his rookie contract, despite the trouble he initially had getting minutes then was traded to the Bucks in deal for a package of players that included Tobias Harris - he didn't fit the Bucks and was part of a sign and trade package that sent him to the Clippers. He finally entered total free agency in 2017 and signed a one year contract with the 76ers, and re-signed another one year deal in 2018. He signed another free agent contract with the Pelicans in 2019 (because the 76ers would not guarantee him a contract spot), reuniting with Stan van Gundy in his second year in New Orleans - they traded him to Dallas late in 2021 and he retired the following season. JJ signed a total of 3 true "free agent" contracts on his own, but towards the end of his career. Thems the breaks, sometimes you get stuck with the contracts you need but don't get a lot of say in where you end up.

[@williestyle35]

@@megatron3437 well, I had replied that JJ had become a free agent after his time with the Clippers, but apparently something happened..

[@casualgamerreed]

73-9 no chip 😢

[@kevinrhule2255]

Wow

[@carlosiverson3857]

But yall complain about kd for join the 73-9 that lost.😮 no way they beat bron without kd. Watch the play in😅

[@X02Overdose]

They got cheated

[@dansangel4369]

​@@carlosiverson3857 no way? Healthy warrioirs without suspensions was dominating Cavs. NBA had to intervene for their glorious baby to win. Then warriors were never healthy after game 5.

[@carlosiverson3857]

@@dansangel4369 nah

[@420evaday7]

Not over yet I feel like Warriors got one more left in them man !!!!!!

[@realbossman810]

Warriors get so much hate these days all because they were successful that’s another aspect of the cost of winning I’m with them until i’m in the dirt though and I’m not even from Frisco or California

[@davidramos4707]

5:43 this was a very long winded question. Maybe I have adhd but I had trouble following it

[@zonzore]

73-9 is a greater and more difficult accomplishment then a championship. Every year someone will win a championship. But chances of someone breaking 73-9 is extremely slim.

[@TheGreatestJediOfAllTime]

Lmao nah. If they went 70-12 and won the chip they’d be more revered. No one cares since they choked. That’s just the facts.

[@WorldConflictsTV]

​@@TheGreatestJediOfAllTime"Nah" it's a statistical fact going 73-9 is harder than winning a championship.

[@jowoshy2691]

@@WorldConflictsTV I gotta agree with you here. I personally would take 73-9 over a chip anyday 🤷‍♀

[@zonzore]

@@TheGreatestJediOfAllTime dude if you think winning a championship is more of an accomplishment and more difficult than 73-9, you are stupid.

[@noelhidalgo9827]

@@jowoshy2691cap you just say that cause the warriors got that record and lost the finals the same year 😂

[@tomasvenegas9600]

Realizing warriors could’ve won 2 more chips and having 15-16-17-18-19 in a row…. Deamn

[@christiancantu3413]

Damn, that was some wisdom dropped right there 👌🏼

[@thatfatguy7591]

I think KD had a good shot at winning titles had he gone to the San Antonio Spurs instead of the GsW. Kawhi/KD would have been lethal. GOAT coach Pop who knows how to beat a Lebron lead team. A cohesive team with vets that had been winning together for years. GsW was clearly on the decline and could not beat Lebron without additional help. Since this is a what if scenario I take into account Kawhis future injury and ask perhaps he doesn't get injured in the series v GsW.

[@besratg9207]

A lot of people get this wrong I believe. GSW could beat lebron. GSW in 2016 went 3-1 up then draymond got suspended. Mind you, a 73-9 season wore them out mentally and physically, curry getting injured in the start of the playoffs pulled them back, and not to mention the coming back from 3-1 against an OKC team that was the second best team in the league at that time. GSW were just at 0 stamina and energy after 3-1 with the workhorse of the team getting suspended. It was the cavs that were on the downfall infact. GSW is a system, they could have added anyone outside of KD and they could easily win another chip. Spurs was not a system that anyone could integrate into. KD would not have won 2 final mVPS let alone titles if he went to the spurs.

[@Jovaughnbey123]

@@besratg9207saying the spurs dont have a system just null and voids everything you wrote lmaooo

[@blackout6519]

GSW was on the decline???? Was Heat on the decline after Bron choked against Dirk?????? Dumbass comment

[@yelir4]

thats not what they said

[@skatertrix411]

@@Jovaughnbey123you didn’t even read that one sentence properly and then discount the whole thing. Alright.

[@marvinsanders3847]

Kyrie don’t get hurt talk don’t get that first one

[@maroonprince]

0:20

[@MaxPotentialGreatness]

When you think of 2016 you think of the warriors and the dunk contest.

[@lintahpius1112]

Get this man to Lakers, please Jeanie

[@zachhamilton8024]

Don’t mean a thing without the ring 🤷🏽

[@devonlewis8737]

If you close your eyes and listen, dude sounds like Joe Rogan

[@majesty8009]

That’s why we need to respect lebron when he won those chips, he did it as both the gm and player so since his stint in Cleveland, he technically has 6 rings as leGM

[@keepscrolling6042]

to me lebron is 4-4 in finals, those loses against Warriors superteam don't count

[@likewhaa22]

all lebrons ever had was a super team to win his championships lol and then there was the Mickey Mouse ring

[@Zerocyxone9]

@@keepscrolling6042lol but when lebron makes superteam with wade bosh and ray allen you count it. 😂

[@keepscrolling6042]

@@Zerocyxone9 that heat team was good, but you can't compare them against the warriors with KD, they literally broke basketball for 2 year

[@michaelkirschner6009]

​@@likewhaa22 the 2020 championship counts if Kobe Dr. J etc won in the bubble you would've been saying that it counts.

[@rockurworld8694]

😂😂😂 KD was the ultimate cheat code

[@bonganimkhwanazi2081]

This guy dissed KD at the parade for going back to back. LMAO I knew then he wasnt coming back.

[@0809EZ]

Bron stacks his teams everywhere he's gone too. KD made the best decision for himself and his game by going to GS! He should've stayed and played out the dynasty. But bowing to stans in social media, sports media stans who hated to see Bron lose and peer pressure...he messed up his career by leaving. And lo and behold BOSTON looks just like KD and the Warriors... go figure... the league caught up🫤 The same would've happened with the league had KD stayed with his first mind. Let's take a REAL look at those Cav vs GSW squads; Klay vs JR - Klay Kyrie vs Steph - 50/50 (arguably) Green vs Tristan - Green (arguable) Iggy vs Love - 50/50 (arguably) KD vs Bron... who you taking?? Your king got his azz busted twice in a head to head match up with KD on a team that actually suited his game! But this is your "king" though🤣😂🤣😂 and clowns don't respect KD... but act like the bubble is legit 🤡 🤡🤡🤡

[@joeyfrong1666]

Damn bro u salty or what 😂😂😂

[@stardestroyer44]

"i'm a loser, im a loser, im a loesr"

[@brooklynblack9015]

Stress? SMH 🤦🏿‍♂️ you can’t be real…kD save the warriors from kyrie

[@basketballboygenius2034]

Warriors are far from done winning chips. Steph isnt declining anytime soon. If you think Brons longevity is great wait until you see Steph’s 💯

[@AaronMich90]

Steph is already fading chill out

[@msp5138]

Please tell me how much you wanna bet they aren't done winning championships....

[@basketballboygenius2034]

@@AaronMich90 how is he fading out? Bcuz he’s having a season below his standards? He’s been carrying a team that has no 2nd scoring option. Defenses are throwing the kitchen sink at him and you still expect him to avg 30 on 50%😂 Steph is still in prime kiddo

[@WorldConflictsTV]

​@@basketballboygenius2034No 2nd scoring option, efficiency is down, and his points are down. Your points are supposed to go up with no 2nd option, not down. He should be averaging 30 regardless of efficiency. Prime steph is averaging 30 under these circumstances. The decline has started.

[@basketballboygenius2034]

@@WorldConflictsTV so averaging less points automatically means your decline has started? That’s a dumb logic. 1 season can’t determine that. You’re just hoping the decline has started because you’re tired of seeing him raise that 🏆. I hate to break it to you but he’s far from finished

[@Bandanna-keyring-hardcore]

F those cheaters

[@vladimirsempio2134]

Why so much of a big deal when KD teamed up with Steph. Yes they are 2 stars in one team but there are many teams with 2 or more stars in their roster. Lebron went to different teams and they were considered superteams but nobody cares because it's Lebron? Wowwwww. And when KD was in OKC there were 3 stars then. KD, Westbrook, and Harden but they didn't win any chip. It only means that Steph is really good in bringing out the best in others and motivates others to reach a common goal. Steph is the bus driver of the team, no question about it.

[@xkid.darkskin5178]

stop it harden wasn’t even the same player on okc

[@tommyfu9271]

LeBron didn't go to a 73 win team.

[@naodakagiannis6876]

Bucks in 6

[@CoolTy23]

That’s why I can never respect KD! Dude went to a 73-9 team and basically preordered his rings

[@srdepr9186]

go cry

[@bedstuy4_l895]

@@srdepr9186you can keep glazing, those rings count as all rings do but will never be nearly as valuable as a lot of other rings

[@Acebanditoooo]

🎻

[@CeoZee]

Imagine the finals between those 2016 Cavs & Warriors teams back to back to back to back. Woulda been so competitive without durant

[@Richxwolf]

cry bro🤧

[@lukacostanza5793]

Wow 1st one time

[@jalendashaun3352]

yooooooooooooooooooo

[@RedRoseBull]

Foist

[@manumalia]

The warriors won the first one because Love and Kyree went down. And then won the other two because of KD. Let’s be real.

[@BeyourselfeverytimeG]

Yah and why did the Cavs with the next year ??

[@waltg86_19]

I agree. I'm not a lebron fan at all. But if kyrie and love was healthy I do think the cavs would have won the first one. The warriors was not beating a healthy cavs team without KD.

[@r7a127]

It’s all speculation anyway lol, we could say that bout damn near every championship ever. People get injured every year

[@Josh86_559]

All speculation. Warriors could say Cavs only won in 2016 becuz Dray was getting suspended Game 5, and then during game 5, Bogut & Igoudala get hurt. Iggy minutes were limited & playing hurt the rest of series

[@malakaijacobs8033]

SUPRISE SUPRISE! the team that was able to stay healthy won! Welcome to sports my friend. Mf it’s a team sport and they did what they could to have the best team😂

[@lordofbathurst]

JJ please stop crying about your ringless career, you're shooting wasn't good enough to get over the hump.

[@SHOWMEREAL]

Yea imagine having curry, Durant, Thompson, prime draymond and "stressing" about losing. You weren't gonna lose that's the whole point of the move, you stacked the deck lmao.

[@sgrey9181]

Lebron stacked the deck and lost. Winning isn’t automatic, even if you have the most talented team of all time on paper. Chemistry issues, injuries, bench depth, you name it. There are a ton of problems with superteams. The fact is, usually they don’t work. There are more superteams that haven’t worked than those that have

[@n0follow]

and if they hadn't they would've been the most clowned team in existence, that's where the "stress" comes from

[@williestyle35]

​@@sgrey9181 this is the truth. Miami and the KD Warriors were the exception of "superteams" - they lose the championship more often than they win the championship.

[@keepitahundo3655]

The fear is what if tho.

[@thekid8832]

They did lose the following year. Injuries, personalities, some other team stacking the deck even more and a million other things outside his control can happen

[@wawa258]

oh wow he was stressed having the best team ever possibly, oh wow, we feel for him? no bro what😭😭 and curry now that he struggles w his teams? no bro they made a huge despair in the league for years bro not one but should feel bad for him stressing with that team

[@noinfo1978]

That was such an immature response. He wasn't asking for your sympathy or your pity, He was being honest. All of us human beings put the most pressure on ourselves. It seemed the most normal response in the world.

[@l_owkeyl_egend]

Life must be so easy when all you have to worry about is being good at bouncing a ball

[@Yeah_you_cant_guard_me]

Over powered azz team

[@nateseal2084]

No kyrie no love felt like a miracle ? 😂😂

[@katiecraig4206]

The fact that GSW had never been a contender and to win made it feel like a miracle.

[@nateseal2084]

@@katiecraig4206 they were 67-15 with an 11 game lead in their conference that year best record in the league by 7 games I just feel like miracle isn’t the right word

[@basketballboygenius2034]

Yes miracle. Warriors hadn’t been to the finals in 50 years. Context matters

[@WorldConflictsTV]

I bet that was factored into the equation. They were also down 2-1 at Clevland for game 4. It could've gotten ugly real quick.

[@isaiahthomas4444]

Selling after blowing a 3-1 lead during a 73-9 szn IS and will forever be a FAILURE. If it wasn't you wouldn't have gotten KD

[@bogusphone8000]

League orchestrated. So, the Warriors made it so, that even with the league's meddling, they would still win.

[@noelhidalgo9827]

You literally pointed out the obvious

[@jameswilliams3310]

This man trying to act like Kevin Durant coming to a 72 win team was stressful sounds like Celebrities complaing during Covid that they are stuck inside a million dollar mansion and feel bad lol

[@jimbobfisher8904]

Lol warriors the most bailed out franchise ever 😅

[@noc9472]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGWYd4WZZrB7sMUsi=S_-GLo2UlvszTlgO

[@Jarekthegamingdragon]

Suffering from success. Oh boo hoo lmao

[@sebthelobster]

Steph single handedly kept lebron from being the undisputed goat

[@kerian8122]

Not steph, Kevin Durant did

[@CampaignerSC]

@@kerian8122 Durant only has 2 rings. 😂

[@kerian8122]

@CampaignerSC it's not about rings, without Durant golden state were never winning that Cavs team.

[@kingquestOZ]

No Bron did that forming super teams

[@orionsimerl6539]

I wish he wouldn't have brought that Giannis quote up. That was the worst thing he's ever said. It is a failure. And if you dont win a championship you did it for a check. Bad culture to look for silver linings. Weak. Dishonest. Soft.

[@kyedouglas482]

So everything in life is a failure if you don’t meet the goal?

[@orionsimerl6539]

@@kyedouglas482 Yes that's the definition of failure. In this example specifically, where Giannis attempts to claim there are steps to success this is especially true. In 2019 when they lost to Toronto in the ECF this was a learning experience and a failure that was a step to success. After winning in 2021 there are no more steps, because you've done it. The following year Middleton is injured the Bucks lose 2nd round to Boston after Giannis has a historic series becoming the only player in league history to have 200 100 and 50 in a series. Last year, Giannis finished top 3 in MVP voting, Lopez top 3 in DPOY, Portis top 3 in 6th man, and the Bucks have the best record in the league and they're bounced 1st round. That is a failure. This season for the Bucks will be a failure. Can't blame the organization outside the AG hiring. Just the players. It begins with the idea that it's okay to lose. Not achieving your goal is the definition of failure. JJ likes this idea that success can come in the absence of winning because he's never won anything.

[@supwititproductionz3738]

You have some growing up to do

[@orionsimerl6539]

@@supwititproductionz3738 That's you. Grown folks don't provide opinions without providing an explanation. Best record in the league, top 3 finishers in MVP, DPOY, and 6th man. Lose to a team that almost lost in the play-in, in 5 games. After already winning a title. That is a failure. Especially for Giannis who can be a top 10 player if he wins 3 chips. That's a failure. If you have an argument provide it, otherwise stfu.

[@supwititproductionz3738]

@@orionsimerl6539 The Heat went to the finals and were shooting out of their mind for 3 rounds. Shhhhhhhh.

[@ruben4869]

That is why Curry is not top10 all time

[@dfilipino4443]

You stupid and the queen is right your f stupid

[@CampaignerSC]

Magic and Kareem played together for 10 seasons. Are they in your top 10? And I guess Shaq and Kobe can't be in your top 10 either because they were together for 8 years. Oh and of course Lebron and Wade won two rings together... I guess they can't be your top 10 either.

[@moistdaddy451]

❤