Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant posted a photo of himself with Bob Myers as a sign of respect after the Golden State Warriors general manager announced his decision to step down.
Myers joined the Warriors front office in 2011 and the 48-year-old - who grew up in the Bay Area as a fan of the team - is referred to as t he architect behind the Warriors dynasty, which spanned four championships and six NBA Finals appearances between 2015 and 2022. Myers was named NBA Executive of the Year in both 2015 and 2017.
Myers developed strong working relationships with the pillars of the Warriors dynasty, namely Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and head coach Steve Kerr. He was also heavily involved in the acquisition of Durant after the 2014 MVP left the Oklahoma City Thunder for free agency in 2016, with his signing serving as the catalyst for two championships.
The signing of Durant was arguably the biggest move of Myers’ tenure with the Warriors, as it helped to establish the dynasty. The two-time Finals MVP took to social media to post a touching photo highlighting the relationship between the pair, while Myers revealed at his press conference on Tuesday that he had spoken to Durant earlier that day.
“Durant called me today. He was in Monaco,” Myers told reporters. "What he did for us, showing up here, knowing what he would hear about when he made that decision; for him to have that courage - I remember Joe and I were on the phone with him right before he decided, and you could tell he knew what might be coming down his road if he came to us.
“For him to do it, and completely deliver on everything you would want - two Finals MVPs, taking us to three Finals appearances, two championships - what a talent. If you like basketball, watching him and Steph and these guys play, I'd do that for free.”
Myers was clearly aware of the impact Durant's decision to join the Warriors would have on the NBA world and the criticism he would receive. Warriors owner Joe Lacob praised Myers and heaped praise on the instrumental signing of Durant.
“The next one I remember, the great moment was Kevin Durant,” Lacob recalled. “You know, we lost that horrible series in 2016, up 3-1. Hard to even think about or talk about it, to be honest with you. I won't say a lot other than Bob Myers was on the job pretty fast. It all worked out; it would not have happened.
“We would not have had those next two championships if Bob had not done what he did and work an incredibly difficult - he was the key guy. It was his idea and his execution.”
Myers was hired as an assistant general manager in 2011 before he was promoted to GM in 2012. He has overseen the drafts, trades and signings that helped forge one of the league's modern dynasties and greatest teams.
If he decides to continue working in basketball and the NBA, Myers - a former UCLA forward - will certainly become the one of the most pursued executives in modern North American professional sports history. His impressive resume and combination of leadership and talent evaluation means he is an attractive proposition for any teams in the league.
