Golden State Warriors furious with Oklahoma City’s treatment of Kevin Durant

The Warriors were frustrated with a perceived lack of professionalism by the Thunder for Kevin Durant’s return.

The return of Kevin Durant to the Thunder was one of the more brutal showings in recent memory. Not since LeBron James returning to Cleveland in 2010 has a player been subject to a more hostile environment. Durant and his current team, the Warriors parlayed the hostility to a 130-114 win that Feb. 11 night. Durant, who was booed throughout, poured in 34 points in a battle with his former teammate, Russell Westbrook.

Although the Warriors got the win, the organization was not pleased with the Thunder’s approach to Durant’s return. According to the Warriors via ESPN, the Thunder should have acknowledged Durant’s nine-year service to the team. Instead, they believe the Thunder organization set the tone for the hostile environment Durant stepped into.

"The Warriors’ belief, according to sources, is that the Thunder’s silence contributed to the raw emotions, outrage and indignation that created an unsettling, hostile atmosphere for a player many consider to be the franchise’s all-time best.The Warriors felt, according to sources, that for a player who meant so much to a city — a small-market city at that — a courtesy greeting was in order from top brass, who should have issued their fans a reminder and proper perspective on Durant’s role in elevating the Thunder into a perennial championship-contending team.There was no mention from the in-game operations staff about Durant’s return."

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The Warriors will play the Thunder for the fourth and final time tonight in Oklahoma City, without Durant this time. On one hand, Durant probably deserves some recognition from the Thunder for his lengthy service to the team. Still, the first game back after he left in the offseason for a hated rival was probably not the right venue for that recognition.