Basketball: 'Adams tough to leave behind' - Durant

Kevin Durant in action for the USA national basketball side in an Olympic warm-up match. Photo / Getty Images

New Golden State Warriors signing Kevin Durant has revealed he found it difficult leaving behind Steven Adams when weighing up the decision of whether or not to move away from the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Speaking to Newshub during a Team USA Olympic press conference, Durant, who is looking to win his second Olympic gold medal with the USA basketball team, spoke of how he is going to miss the Kiwi centre while he plies his trade with the NBA runners-up in the upcoming season.

"I am, that's what made the decision so hard," Durant said on leaving Adams.

"Steven is going to be great, man. He works hard, he loves the game, and he just had that pure fun and joy.

"He's going to be great for them."

The small forward also spoke about Steven's sister Valerie Adams, and how he would be keen to see her attempt to win her third consecutive Olympic shot put gold medal while in Rio.

Durant admitted he used to wind Steven up about Valerie's past successes, claiming she was the top athlete in the family.

"I always used to tell Steven that she's the best athlete in the family.

"Hopefully I get to see her, I don't know the schedule, but it would be cool to see."