Durant: LeBron to the Lakers was 'the perfect move'

LeBron James has always marched to the beat of his own drum, not allowing outside influence or critics dictate the decisions he makes.

Golden State Warriors superstar Kevin Durant, perhaps James' biggest rival in the Association, has a great deal of respect and admiration for the King. When James announced he was leaving the Eastern Conference to join the Los Angeles Lakers, Durant knew it was the correct call.

"I loved it. I absolutely loved it," Durant told ESPN's Marc J. Spears. "I thought it was the perfect decision. The perfect move. He did everything he was supposed to do in Cleveland. I think this is the perfect next step for him. He's kind of breaking down the barriers of what an NBA superstar is supposed to be.

"You feel like you're supposed to just play it out in one spot. I think he did a good job of giving you different chapters, and it's going to make his book even more interesting when it's done."

James returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014 after four years in South Beach to fulfill a promise he made of bringing both the city and franchise an NBA title - which he did in 2016 by knocking off the 73-win Warriors.

Durant's own career has followed a similar path. He remained with the Oklahoma City Thunder for nine seasons (2007-16) before heading to the Bay Area in an effort to capture a title, as was the case with James when he signed with the Miami Heat.