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OAKLAND, Calif. -- Kevin Durant wanted to look MVP Stephen Curry in the eye, meet Klay Thompson face to face, and find out for himself whether they truly wanted him as a teammate.The All-Star shooting tandem made it clear during a meeting last weekend that he would be a perfect fit with the Warriors.When I met these guys, I felt as comfortable as Ive ever felt. It was organic, it was authentic, it was real, Durant said. It was feelings I couldnt ignore.Splash! Golden State had a superstar cast.The Warriors formally announced the signing of the seven-time All-Star and four-time scoring champion on Thursday and introduced him with fanfare during a news conference at the teams downtown Oakland practice facility, where screens read, WELCOME KD TO DUB NATION.So, whats next? Seventy-four wins and a title? Golden States record-setting season with the best wins total ever of 73 ended without back-to-back championships.I havent made the decision yet, but he might start, NBA Coach of the Year Steve Kerr joked, sitting next to a smiling Durant. We lost in the Finals. We want to get better. We want to be better. You cant do any better than adding KD to the current crew.Kerr wont change his teams style with the addition of KD, whom the coach will count on as a brilliant passer and someone who can cut and do it all.Weve got as many or more playmakers on the floor as anybody, said Kerr, already planning his training camp strategy on the court and how to prepare his players for even further scrutiny.Durant might be able to match his coachs wit, too.When asked about Thompson being part of the pitch meeting, Durant quipped about receiving a text message from him: I didnt know he had a phone.Of Warriors assistant coach and former member of the Thunder staff Ron Adams, he said, Ron Adams was the only reason I came. They shared a big hug before Thursdays festivities.Durant announced his decision Monday in a story on The Players Tribune, then Thursday marked the first day free agents could sign their deals. He joins the NBA runner-up Warriors -- who rallied from a 3-1 deficit to beat Durants former Oklahoma City Thunder in a thrilling seven-game Western Conference Finals before losing the finals in seven games to Cleveland -- on a two-year contract worth more than $54 million. There is a player option after the first year.Not that Durant plans to skip town after one season. Hes here to win a championship.You never expect to get this much better, general manager Bob Myers said. Ive admired Kevin as a basketball fan. ... Im just excited to watch you play. Im honored youre here, Im honored you chose us. Its a wonderful feeling.Durant even spoke to Hall of Famer Jerry West along the way to help him weigh his choice.I know its Jerry West and I know hes the `Logo, and youre expecting a sexier conversation, but it was more so about the team and how I could fit in and how great the coaching staff was, Durant said.Still, Durant went to bed Sunday torn and still uncertain about his choice, and he told his father and representatives he needed a night to sleep on it. Then he woke up first thing Monday with more clarity.He knew it would have been easy to go back to something youre comfortable with.This, he said, is the harder route -- It was time for me to try something new, try a new challenge. No better place to do it than here.Durant said former teammate Russell Westbrook took it hard.That call to Oklahoma City was the hardest thing Ive had to do in my life. Tears were shed. I trusted my gut, Durant said.We live in this superhero comic book world where either youre a villain or youre a superhero if youre in this position, and I know that, and I know I havent changed as a person. I dont treat people any differently because I made the decision to play basketball in another city. I understand the fans in Oklahoma City and basketball fans around the world are, I guess, upset. But like I said, I made the decision based upon what I wanted to do and how I felt, and its the best decision for me, so I cant really control how you feel.Ultimately for Durant, having fun for however many years he has left playing basketball is the plan.I just want to enjoy every single day of it. . Thousands of Southern California fans enveloped the Trojans to celebrate an improbable win secured by an interim coach, an inconsistent kicker and a thin defence that wouldnt break. .com) - Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Roger Federer were easy first-round winners Tuesday at the Australian Open. . Its an influence in football and a big part of the game. . LOUIS -- Mike Smith is used to facing plenty of shots, so this was nothing new. . Bryant, who signed a five-year, $34 million contract as a free agent with Cleveland in March, reported symptoms on Monday morning, a team spokesman said. SALVADOR, Brazil -- Diego Forlan celebrated his 100th appearance for Uruguay in style, setting up one goal then scoring the winner in a 2-1 victory over Nigeria on Thursday to move his team within sight of the Confederations Cup semifinals. Forlans decisive goal came in the 51st minute with a sweetly-struck left-footed drive, when he finished off a swift counterattack that involved all three of the South American champions forwards, starting with Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani. Malaga defender Diego Lugano put Uruguay ahead in the 19th following a cross from Forlan and Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel equalized for Nigeria in the 37th. "(Forlan) is a top striker with the way he uses both feet and the way he handles the ball," Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez said. "He showcased that talent tonight." Uruguay and Nigeria are level with three points each in Group B but Uruguay will be expected to win its next match against underdog Tahiti while Nigeria faces World Cup holder Spain. "Since the draw we knew that this was the huge match to play," Tabarez said. "We have taken a huge step toward the semifinals but were not there yet." Spain, which routed Tahiti 10-0 earlier Thursday, leads the group with a full six points, while Tahiti is last with none. However, Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi wasnt giving up yet. "Everything is achievable," he said. "It depends how bad you want it." At the Arena Fonte Nova on a warm and humid evening, the sparse crowd supported Nigeria, or rather rooted against Brazils southern neighbour Uruguay. Nigeria relied on long balls while Uruguay relied on a more deliberate approach. The 34-year-old Forlan won the Golden Ball trophy as the best player at the 2010 World Cup when Uruguay finished fourth and he rekindled some of thaat form in this match.dddddddddddd For the opening goal, Forlan crossed toward the centre of the area and Edinson Cavani fooled Nigerias defence by letting the ball pass through his legs to the waiting Lugano, who slotted it in from close range. However, Lugano struggled at the other end and Mikel dribbled by him to launch a powerful shot into the top of the net to draw Nigeria level. Suarez started off the action that led to the winner by taking the ball near midfield then passed it across to Cavani who flicked it on to Forlan for an angled shot inside the area. It was Forlans 34th goal for Uruguay, moving him one ahead of Suarez into the squads all-time lead. Tabarez had considered removing Forlan from the lineup for this match but he played from the start as the 1 in an offensive 3-4-1-2 lineup behind Cavani and Suarez. "We had never played with the three strikers this way," Tabarez said. "Our intention from the outset was very clear. We played in Nigerias half at the start but then Nigeria turned the tables. At halftime we decided we needed to take over supremacy again. It wasnt showy football. We had to work hard." Keshi cited a lapse in concentration on Forlans goal. "Im very impressed with what my boys did," he said. "The difference was that Uruguays team has been together for six years vs. ours has been together for a year and a half. So I hope we can sustain this performance and add a little bit of personality." Nigeria opened the tournament by beating Tahiti 6-1 while Spain beat Uruguay 2-1. In the final round of group matches Sunday, Nigeria faces Spain in Fortaleza and Uruguay meets Tahiti in Recife. Nigeria, which nearly didnt show up at the tournament after players threatened a strike last week over bonuses, risks going home early ' ' '
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