When the Golden State Warriors meet the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night, they will be bringing back a well-known figure.
In his first game back in the Bay Area since his departure from Golden State, Kevin Durant will make his Chase Center debut for the Dubs against the Suns on opening night.
The CEO and co-executive chairman of the Warriors, Joe Lacob, is in support of retiring Durant’s No. 35, and Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics is on board.
Tatum went on to say that the numbers of the Warriors’ primary players from their string of victories ought to be recognized.
“No question. [Durant, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala] all going in the rafters,” Tatum posted on X.
From 2015 to 2019, Golden State was the only team to have five straight NBA Finals appearances, only surpassed by the Celtics who competed on the biggest stage of the NBA from 1957 to 1966.
In the 77-year history of the team, the Warriors have retired six numbers: Wilt Chamberlain (number 13), Tom Meschery (number 14), Al Attles (number 16), Chris Mullin (number 17), Rick Barry (number 24), and Nate Thurmond (number 42).
During his three seasons with the Warriors, Durant won back-to-back NBA Finals MVP awards and lifted the Larry O’Brien trophy. Before moving to the Brooklyn Nets, he averaged 25.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in his stint with Golden State.
“… Look at the résumé. That would warrant me to get a jersey retirement, right? Do I want to be honored by a franchise I put work in for? Of course, I would love that,” Durant said to Andscape’s Marc J. Spears.
