The NBA and commissioner Adam Silver turned out to be big winners on Independence Day with Kevin Durant ditching small-market Oklahoma City Thunder for the big-market, extremely talented Golden State Warriors.
The financial system is set up for teams to retain their superstars and of course the league would have been content had Durant elected to re-sign in OKC as opposed to leaving the dust bowl in his dust. But although they’ll never admit it, the league loves the alternative: a super team that generates interest, which leads to huge television ratings, which translates into lots of money.
Last season, we tuned in to watch the Warriors chase 73 wins. Think about how many will tune in hoping they lose 73. They will be a polarizing team, for sure. And that’s also good for the league because Durant’s arrival in the Bay Area only enhances what has become the best rivalry in the sport: Golden State vs. LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Only now, it is Durant vs. LeBron with Stephen Curry, having been beaten down physically and mentally in the NBA Finals, taking on a more supporting role just as Dwyane Wade once did when LeBron took his talents to South Beach in 2010.
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