What Kevin Durant left behind in Oklahoma City

— -- Dwight Howard Magic -- all bottomed out upon losing their franchise players.

The Thunder are recovering on the fly, poised to remain in the playoff picture the season immediately after. Sure, the Thunder have an advantage all those other franchises didn't -- they didn't have to spend time looking for another franchise player. But that's kind of the point. Durant didn't just leave any team; he left Westbrook and a team able to absorb his loss and still remain in the playoff picture.

The city and franchise have rallied around Westbrook, his triple-doubles and MVP chase. The team isn't as good, and may never be, but Oklahoma City fans feel they have their hero. This is his town, his team.

But no matter what, Durant will forever be a part of their story. His jersey tucked away in the archives, his name in the state Hall of Fame, the culture he pioneered, the city he helped build. It's inescapable.

Like at Legacy Grill, where every trace of him was boxed and shipped away, but the phone number still ends in 3535.