The Warriors lost by one point to the Cavaliers on Christmas Day of 2016, but things began to click after that. It was Durant’s first season with the team, and both Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant were still learning how to play well together.

Winning 10 of their next 11 games, 16 of 18, and 18 of 22 overall after the two superstars got more confident in shooting their shots and making the most of their opportunities without caring about the other’s ego or individual performances on any given night.

On Golden State’s season opener Tuesday night at Chase Center, Durant will be on the opposing team, giving Warriors fans their first chance to show their appreciation for his contributions to the team.

Kerr is aware of how much it will mean to the sellout crowd and to Durant personally.

“Kevin was the perfect addition to our team, and his presence made us into one of the best teams in history. Kevin could get along with just about everyone. But he blended in so well with the rest of us.

In February 2021, during the pandemic-delayed season, when no spectators were allowed, Durant played here for Brooklyn; in March 2021, when the Suns last came, he was injured with a sprained left ankle.

When Kevin is around, we all feel at ease. Kerr said on Monday that this would be the tenth or twelfth time they had seen the player in a new outfit. This time we get to say hello, and that’s fantastic, but things will be different for the fans. I believe our audience will show Kevin the adoration he merits. Two championships, and he’s dedicating his body to the cause to help us win a third. He will go down in history as one of the greatest players in the franchise’s illustrious past.

Draymond Green, who has been out since injuring his left ankle during preseason, will miss the Warriors’ on-court homecoming. He has recently resumed scrimmaging.

From 2017 to 2019, Durant had a phenomenal three years with the Warriors, during which he won two titles and the NBA Finals MVP award both times. As a result of injuries to Kevin Durant (Game 5) and Klay Thompson (Game 6), Golden State was swept by Toronto in the 2019 NBA Finals.

As Warriors center Kevon Looney put it, “it’s always different seeing somebody in a different uniform, but just to know what he did in our jersey, he did for our team and this city, for the Bay Area.” Durant is a 13-time All-Star. He spent many memorable years in this place. He played despite pain and risked seriously hurting himself. He will always be held in high regard by everyone here at our company, on our team, and throughout the Bay Area.

Chris Paul, who is starting his 19th NBA season and first with the Warriors (his sixth franchise), is no stranger to playing in front of nostalgic crowds in past arenas. Paul’s most recent ex-team is the Phoenix Suns.

Paul predicted that the crowd will go wild for Durant’s entrance. Whatever the circumstances of a person’s departure, “I’m sure there will always be, regardless when somebody leaves, an emotional connection to the things that they were able to do while he was here.”