It’s safe to say the Warriors didn’t get the 2016-17 NBA season off to the start they were expecting. While some simulations pegged them to win an impossible 83 games during the regular season – that’s what happens when former MVP Kevin Durant joins a team fresh off of winning a record-breaking 73 games – they dropped Game 1 of 82 in embarrassing fashion at the hands of Kawhi Leonard and the Spurs to the tune of 29 points.
Because of it, people are already fleeing the Golden State bandwagon and turning the team into one big meme complete with trade rumor jokes and Crying Jordans. Many jokingly tweeted that Durant will soon ask for a trade to the Spurs (because, you know, he left the Thunder for the Warriors after losing to them in the Western Conference Finals last season) and ESPN’s First Take went as far as starting a poll asking fans if he has made the Warriors worse. There was plenty more where all that chatter came from, too.
BREAKING: After tonight’s loss, Kevin Durant demanded a trade, and was traded to the San Antonio Spurs. #NBATipOff pic.twitter.com/ZFCPbmD2It
— vitness (@vincelegend) October 26, 2016
#Warriors new court pic.twitter.com/vZOmB82VS9
— Tone Status (@SSmokewell) October 26, 2016
The Warriors haven’t won a game since they blew a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals.
— Ben Visser (@BenVisser43) October 26, 2016
POLL: Has Kevin Durant made the Warriors worse?
— First Take (@FirstTake) October 26, 2016
So there you have it. One regular season loss to the always steady and dominant Spurs, and the Warriors are doomed. If only there was an opportunity for them to work out their problems – because there certainly are a few – before the playoffs begin in April of next year…
Meanwhile, the Cavaliers celebrated opening night with banners, humongous rings and wrestling legend The Undertaker. Life sure is good when you’re NBA champs.