Kevin Durant played his first game in Oklahoma City in well over a year on Sunday and got quite a predictable reception.
He was showered with boos by the fans, who still hold a grudge against him for leaving in 2016. After the game, which the Phoenix Suns won 128-118, Devin Booker said he is surprised that Durant still gets booed by the fans.
“Yeah. What is it, 7, 8 years now, my rookie year,” Booker said when asked about the boos. “People just want to be heard. I don’t know what it is. He did a lot for this organization.”
Q: You surprised he's still getting booed like he was booed here?
"Yeah. What is it, 7, 8 years now, my rookie year. People just want to be heard. I don't know what it is. He did a lot for this organization."
Devin Booker on Kevin Durant getting booed in return to OKC. #Suns pic.twitter.com/wuP8MsUR6J
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) April 3, 2023
Durant did lead the franchise to the NBA Finals in 2012 and won MVP in 2014. In eight seasons with the Thunder (excluding the year in Seattle), he averaged 28.4 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.2 SPG, and 1.0 BPG. He did a lot for the franchise, but his departure left too bitter of a taste in their mouths.
The fact that he left for the Golden State Warriors really made it a lot worse, and the ill feelings will probably last until the day he retires. Durant didn’t let the boos bother him at all, as he finished with 35 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists to lead the Suns to victory. He is now a perfect 6-0 with his new team.
Kevin Durant Spoke On Getting Booed By Thunder Fans
As for KD himself, he understands why the fans still boo him. Durant said he didn’t get it at first but has since then realized just how much the teams mean to their communities. Also, when the player is so great, the fans get more attached to them, so the departure stings that much more. He did say, though, that he did get some more love this time than in his previous visits, so he just focused on that.
With this win, the Suns improved to 43-35, and they look set to finish with the fourth seed in the Western Conference now. They might have considered resting some of their stars for a game or two, but with Durant having played just six games with this group, they’ll be needing all the game time they can get before the playoffs start.
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