Durant made a controversial move when he first joined the Golden State Warriors back in 2016. After three eventful years where he helped lead the team to two championships and was proclaimed a two time final MVP, Durant decided it was time to depart. The small forward left the Warriors for the Brooklyn Nets in 2019, only to return to the Bay Area to play against his old team this past Saturday. 

The sidelines were all smiles and hugs as Durant took his time to have lengthy discussions with assistant coaches Ron Adams and Chris DeMarco, then running into the Warrior's head of security and moving on to banter and exchange laughs with Stephen Curry. Durant and Curry were once one of the most deadly duos in the game, but it was always evident that his move back in 2016 was one that most were left scratching their heads behind. 

The hosts left no room for complaint as they paid tribute to Durant with a video of his most sensational moments at the Golden State Warriors played during a timeout. However, Durant paid no attention and did not throw it a second glance while being involved in an intense team huddle. 

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"Tribute video was cool," Durant said after the game. 

"I think about those moments daily. Every single moment I have in this league, I think about it and try to analyze it and get better from it. My time here in Golden State was so much fun, such a big learning experience, especially learning the game of basketball different, a different philosophy. I'm going to take that with me for the rest of my life. The tribute video was cool, but I'm always replaying those moments in my head."

Durant ended with five rebounds, six assists, and 20 points, leading his team to a 134-117 victory against the Warriors. The event that Durant returns to play for the Warriors is unlikely, but his trip back home was a good reminder of everything Durant had done for the Warriors to fans watching. 

For more sports news and trends, learn more about Jared Goff's trade to the Detroit Lions for Matthew Stafford.

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