The Suns held a press conference on Thursday (YouTube link via ESPN) introducing Kevin Durant, who was acquired last week from the Nets in a four-team blockbuster trade. With several thousand fans in attendance, the superstar forward confirmed that he requested a trade to Phoenix following Kyrie Irving‘s own surprise trade request and the subsequent deal that sent the guard to Dallas.
“I was upset that we couldn’t finish (the season),” Durant said, per Nick Friedell of ESPN. “I thought we had some good momentum. We were finally building a culture that we always wanted. I felt like every game we were building our chemistry, but I didn’t know what was going on with Kyrie and his situation with the organization, so I didn’t really focus on that. I only focused on what we were doing on the court, and it was a blow to our team. It just took away our identity. He was a huge, huge part to what we do. His game, he’s a Hall of Fame player, a great, great player, that can do everything on the floor and we relied on that.
“So without him we didn’t have a clear identity. So that was tough for me to stomach. I love playing with those guys throughout the year. I felt like we had dudes that were stepping up and doing stuff that they didn’t do on their previous teams. So I enjoyed everything about it — it was tough not finishing the season, but I just tried to move forward as quickly as I can and try to figure something out for myself, but also still focus on trying to rehab and get back. So it all happened so fast, but I’m glad it worked out this way.”
Durant got emotional discussing his time with Brooklyn, Friedell adds.
“It was a lot of ups and downs, but I loved the grind,” Durant said. “And everybody in Brooklyn loved the grind, too, so I built a family over there. They’re going to always be part of my journey. So we didn’t accomplish what we wanted to accomplish as far as winning a championship, but I enjoyed the grind. And everybody there, we tried our hardest every day, regardless of what was going on in the media, or what was going on with our teammates.
“I get emotional talking about them because that was a special four years in my career, coming off an Achilles (injury). They helped me through a lot, so I don’t have anything (bad to say).”
Here’s more from Durant’s press conference (quotes courtesy of Friedell, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic and Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports):
On the Nets’ “big three” he formed with Irving and James Harden:
“We just didn’t get on the court enough. I think when you seen James, Kyrie and myself, it was amazing basketball for (16) games, but in order for you to win a championship and be a great team, you just need more time on the floor. It’s another story about why we didn’t get on the floor together, but we just didn’t get enough time on the floor. And those are Hall of Fame players that I learned a lot from every day. I’m wishing them the best as well. It just didn’t work out.”
On why he wanted to join the Suns in particular:
“They experienced a lot the last couple of years. You see the growth of this team. When (head coach) Monty (Williams) took over, when (GM) James (Jones) came in, I saw the culture start to change. The way they played on the floor, the energy that they play with started to change. I always loved playing here in Phoenix. The fans always showed love to just good basketball in general. They always cheered their team on, but they always showed love to the opposing team as well. I knew this would be a great place to play and a great place to continue get better as a player.”
On Durant’s belief that the Suns have enough to bring Phoenix its first NBA championship:
“I think we got all the pieces to be successful. We got guys that have experienced what it’s like to play in that final round. We got a champion (Jones) already that’s overseeing us. Monty’s a champion as a coach. So we got guys that been there and that’s half the battle, just knowing what it takes.”
On playing with Devin Booker:
“He’s just such a quiet, efficient scorer, and he goes about his business on and off the court in just a mature manner. I wanted to be a part of his journey and see how good he can get from here. He’s just one of those players that I really admire, and people are gonna be doing classes on him once he’s done playing. You can learn so much from watching his game.”
On the support he’s received from Phoenix’s fans:
“While I appreciate it, I truly don’t think I deserve all this because I know I’ve done a lot of good things in basketball, but I haven’t done ‘em yet in a Suns jersey. I’m looking forward to doing it. I wanna go out there and do the most as I can and be the best that I can every day for you guys. So I appreciate the warm welcome, but I got more work to do.”
On when he might return to action from his MCL sprain:
“I’m going to follow the training staff and go on the schedule they got me on. So hopefully soon after the break.”
I don’t know about all this. I gave him a pass of course when he joined the Warriors because I thought he just wanted to play with a winner be part of a winning thing and if it was a 73 win team or not doesn’t matter, he wanted to join a winner and be happy for the rest of his career. Fine let’s do it. Play basketball the right way or whatever.
But then he wasn’t happy so he joined the Nets. Fine be your own man try to win something on your own with guys you want to play with. But then all this garbage about family and building something with guys that were laying it all out there and he goes and quits on them too? I don’t get it.
Just because Kyrie leaves means you run away also? Then you want to join potentially the best team in the West again? I don’t know I just think his loyalty is lacking and he’s always running. Once is fine maybe twice is fine but picking and choosing and joining the best team for the third time is maybe a bit much.
No loyalty and all that family stuff he’s talking about is BS when he walks out the door. I don’t know about you but you don’t walk out on “family.”
Excellent post.
I was also rooting for KD in Brooklyn but lost all the respect for him. Nets bent backwards and did everything for him, but he did not honor his side of the bargain. He ruined his image and legacy for good.
You both sound like salty warrior fans. KD didn’t do anything wrong, quit crying
That’s your opinion. My opinion as stated above is that he’s walking away from people or teammates that he is so calling “family.” You don’t walk away from family.
We gave him a pass but three times? We’re just calling it out.
And how could a warrior fan be “salty” about it? Seriously? He brought two rings to the Bay Area that the Warriors would not have won without him. Myself, can’t speak for anyone else, but I’m grateful he came. Super glad and if he was unhappy in Oakland, fine. Fly Away bird, spread your wings young man.
But the sore spot is that he ditched the Nets and left them high and dry to join a championship contender.., again. Not cool and just my opinion.
Harden & Kyrie left first. KD would still be in Brooklyn if they had stayed.
Don’t forget the burner accounts, where he got into arguments with random people trying to defend himself.
Whether it’s due to being an entitled brat or extreme insecurity, it’s sad to see how far KD’s off-the-court stock has fallen. Like you, I was fine with his decision to join the Warriors after having to put up with Westbrook’s antics for years. But at this point, you just have to look at him and shake your head.
I completely lose all respect for any player that makes demands of his team. Clearly KD had no confidence in the rest of his team! Seems he only cares when his team actually has multiple star players.
As for KI, same thing for purely personal reasons. They wouldn’t commit to his future, so he leaves his teammates behind.
I would NEVER sign either of these two totally selfish players! NEVER!!
Yes and if you think about it James Harden is the same as these two guys. He quit again on a team like he did in Houston and said, I want out. These three guys are special I tell you.
Lol, you must have an incredible team to say you’d never sign KD (if he wanted to come).
Kyrie? I actually like what he did, it was clear that an extension or new contract (what Nets wanted to offer) wasn’t gonna cut it for him so he told them to trade him or they would likely lose him for nothing. That’s the best way he’s left a team yet.
You almost have a good point but he asked them to trade him because I think he would have sat out and not played for the Nets the rest of the year if they did not trade him.
I like what you’re saying that he let them know he was not going to re-sign with the Nets in the summer so he’s letting them know. But it’s not cool cuz he forced their hand by hinting he would not suit up again the rest of the year.
He quit on the Nets when they had a good thing going they could have come out of the East if everything fell together properly. They were rolling.
Yeah, but he’s KD…any team would sign him if they had the chance.
And with Kyrie, the negotiations broke down in a way where he knew he wasn’t gonna get what he wanted on his next deal so he wanted to go elsewhere. Nets treated him horribly during the vax mandate thing, it was ludicrous even before they finally allowed him to come back because too many vaccinated players were out with Covid.
Kyrie a HOF player? I know they ley in just about anyone with a ring, but Kyrie ain’t no HOF player…
As a Nets’ fan, I disagree with that. He may not be an HOF person, but the things he can do on the court are amazing.
Oh as a player he’s absolutely amazing. Last year or the year before I was so bold as to call him the best closer in the entire league. He is super talented and can do anything he wants on the basketball court. He’s deadly inside and deadly outside, out to the three-point line and beyond. Remarkable player.
Kyrie is 100% a HOF player. The Basketball Hall of Fame has the weakest standards to make the Hall of Fame out of the big sports. Bill Bradley is in the Hall, for example.
Most guys have a signature shoe, KD will get a signature microphone because he loves to talk talk talk. Enough already. Exceptional basketball player but you’re not that interesting.
Cupcake
This type of behaviour makes me respect guys like Giannis even more
I see what you’re saying but it’s such a tough critique. For instance fans are calling out Damian Lillard and Bradley Beale for being loyal and NOT jumping teams. I guess it all depends on how the Player handles the whole thing.
Some people say LeBron quit on Cleveland the first time. I say no way, he gave them seven years !! He didn’t quit on Cleveland.
And then you have Kevin Garnett Who later said he regretted staying with the team that drafted him for 12 years. He wishes he would have left A little earlier Instead of sticking it out.
Whether KD wins more rings or not his legacy will be that of an elite player who lacks leadership skills/qualities.
Nah, his legacy will be elite scorer w 2 rings and mvps. 2, 3 years out of the league no one will care about his “leadership” and he hasn’t done anything controversial enough otherwise.
“Time heals all wounds” – Jeffrey Probst