Kevin Durant still on tangent over his OKC Thunder departure
Former OKC Thunder superstar Kevin Durant is clinging to his dismay over the fan’s reactions to his departure in 2016 for the superteam Warriors.
If I use the adage beating a dead horse here it’s because this is starting to feel like overkill. Kevin Durant is once again tossing shade at the fanbase he spent his first nine seasons (counting the year in Seattle) with. Granted, Durant is also being questioned about his time with the OKC Thunder, but can’t he just let it go?
It sure feels like the secret to all this going away lies with Durant and either his acceptance of the fact or choosing to move on. In an interview with EBRO In The Morning on HOT 97, Durant was asked if he misses anything about Oklahoma City. His initial and speedy response was NO. He then backtracked to say he misses some of the times they (the team) had on the court.
Durant went on to say he was surprised by how people reacted and he must be a darn (he used an NSFW word) good basketball player if people are going to react like that. When probed to compare how the Warriors fans reacted the two-time Finals MVP said it wasn’t at all the same.
Hello Kevin – you won two championships in Golden State — of course, the fans in the Bay weren’t going to feel the same way. If you had gone there and lost to the Cavaliers and switched teams the following summer to join LeBron in Cleveland odds are Dubs fans would’ve felt precisely the same way OKC Thunder fans did.
Likewise, if Durant had been able to bring two championships (or even one) to OKC the reaction wouldn’t have been the same either.
Just ask Toronto Raptors fans who for the most part aren’t begrudging of Kawhi Leonard who spent just a single season in the 6ix.
What Durant is missing here despite his protestations is how his departure occurred with the Thunder. There was never any indication he wouldn’t re-sign. And then when he did leave it was to join the team who took out the Thunder after they led the Western Conference Finals 3 games to 1. Of course, there was going to be hard feelings.
Factor in the apparent disconnect with Russell Westbrook who was also blindsided by the move. Or Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala telling everyone this was an ongoing discussion during the 2015-16 season making it seem like this was a long planned defection. Add everything up and the angst of the fanbase becomes much more understandable.
More from Thunderous Intentions
- Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
- Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
- 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
- Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
- Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder
The crazy part of this entire situation is just as OKC Thunder fans begin to forgive and forget Durant ends up making a statement that rubs more salt in the wounds. Eventually, this may dissipate and the fanbase will move on. But, as long as Durant keeps making statements and trashing the franchise, city, and fans who treated him like the golden child for his entire tenure in OKC it won’t.
It’s obvious Durant is a person and player who responds to situations without holding back and his statements reflect someone who was hurt. These comments all stem back to that, otherwise, he wouldn’t bother. It’s the same as him getting into twitter beefs with someone who questions his ability or talent.
In spite of the continued OKC commentary, the interview is a worthwhile listen with some interesting hot takes by K.D. One of the funniest is his opinion on why players aren’t signing with the Knicks. He cites the Warriors, Lakers, and Nets and the “cool teams” players want to join. Interesting he includes Brooklyn which speaks to his belief (and buddy Kyrie) make the Nets a cool destination. Hey, no one said superstars don’t have egos.
Next. Roundtable sessions – How trades can reshape the franchise. dark
Moving forward, place your bets on how long it will be before Durant takes his next shot at his former team and city. Odds are you won’t have to wait long. Let’s hope that assertion is wrong because it sure would be nice to finally put this narrative to rest once and for all.