David West: Durant isn’t only player to join Golden State in pursuit of elusive ring.
Kevin Durant isn’t the only player to join the Warriors in pursuit of that elusive championship ring.
So, too, did David West. Again.
But while Durant will pocket more than $26 million this season, West will earn $1.5 million.
“I just want to be a part of this run,” West said. “Be as productive as I can possibly be when I’m on the floor. Positivity. Impact the game when I’m out there.
“Obviously remain healthy and wherever the chips fall after that, just let ’em fall.”
The 13-year veteran has been here before, having gone to the playoffs with the then-New Orleans Hornets, the Pacers and the Spurs.
He joined the Spurs for the 2015-16 season for the same reason he signed with the Warriors: Both were considered championship favorites.
In a move that was widely mocked, West rejected a $12 million contract with Indiana and signed with San Antonio for the veteran-minimum $1.49 million, not the greatest return for his sweat equity.
His run for a ring was derailed when the Spurs were knocked out in the second round of the playoffs by Oklahoma City.
“This is a free-market system, so you can make business decisions based on your ability to be successful,” he said. “So I just made a business decision that I felt, more than anything, mentally and emotionally I need it.
“I wasn’t going to take money or just be getting paid to be getting paid. I don’t necessarily operate like that.”
In addition to his pursuit of a title, West cites the need to be in a “good basketball culture.”
He said the Spurs and Warriors both have it.
“The amount of information that is available to soak up and learn is at a high, high level,” he said of the Warriors.
For the first time in his career, West — a two-time All-Star who scored at least 11.7 points per game for 10 consecutive seasons — didn’t start a game. He averaged only 4.6 points (lowest since his 2003-04 rookie season) while playing a career-low 12.6 minutes per game.
It took him a while to find his niche, but he eventually did mesh with the Warriors’ second unit, emerging as a quality passer and efficient shooter (53.6 percent). He and teammates Andre Iguodala, Shaun Livingston and Matt Barnes have developed a particularly good rapport.
“It’s just a lot of experience — we try to rely on that,” West said. “We try to rely on our decision-making. And the things that have sustained us throughout our careers.”
West, 36, has also been a leader in a locker room.
“He doesn’t speak much, but when he does speak it means a lot,” said starting forward Draymond Green, who added that West has helped him channel his emotions during the game. “Knowing how not to let it work against me. He’s helped me a ton.”