Kevin Durant reportedly left the Warriors partially because of fans not 'appreciating' him

Golden State Warriors' Kevin Durant fist bumps a fan after being fouled while hitting a 3-pointer in 2nd quarter against Los Angeles Clippers during NBA game at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, January 10, 2018. less Golden State Warriors' Kevin Durant fist bumps a fan after being fouled while hitting a 3-pointer in 2nd quarter against Los Angeles Clippers during NBA game at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, ... more Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 18 Caption Close Kevin Durant reportedly left the Warriors partially because of fans not 'appreciating' him 1 / 18 Back to Gallery

Kevin Durant has officially left the Golden State Warriors, and according to one report, fans of the team may have played a role in his departure.

The Undefeated's Marc J. Spears spoke to Durant's former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate Kendrick Perkins and another unnamed "source close to Durant," both of whom said Durant felt "under-appreciated" during his time in the Bay Area.

Perkins told Spears that Durant had "one foot out the door" during the season, and the unnamed source said "several things that took place over the past year that caused the star to leave."

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Spears writes, "There was always the sense that the 10-time All-Star felt like a distant second fiddle to Stephen Curry. The love for Curry in the Bay Area certainly was understandable as he was a homegrown draft pick in 2009 and the face of the franchise. But perhaps it would have helped the Warriors' cause if their fans showed more love and appreciation for Durant's elite achievements."

Spears cites two events in particular that may have rubbed Durant the wrong way: Fans at Oracle Arena chanting "M-V-P" for Curry and not for Durant during free throws, and a joke from general manager Bob Myers during the team's championship parade in 2018.

After Myers said Durant could have whatever contract he wanted in free agency, play-by-play announcer Bob Fitzgerald pointed out that Myers said the same thing about Curry in 2017.

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"That was different," Myers said. "[Curry's] been here since the way before days. ... He earned it."

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According to The Athletic, Curry learned the news of Durant's decision while he was on the way to meet with Durant in New York.

Curry still met with his former teammate, and expressed his "support" for Durant's decision.

Eric Ting is an SFGATE staff writer. Email: eric.ting@sfgate.com | Twitter:@_ericting

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