Kevin Durant addressed his departure from the Oklahoma City Thunder after his first practice with Team USA in Las Vegas on Monday, and he said he didn't have any hard feelings toward Oklahomans who are upset with him. Durant told reporters he was not surprised at the negative reaction he received after deciding to join the Golden State Warriors as a free agent.
"Nah, it's sports," Durant said, via The Oklahoman. "Having a chance to play in Oklahoma City for eight years and see the city come together and support the team, I understand. I understand where they're coming from. And it hurt me. I was hurt for a few days 'cause I know I hurt so many people in Oklahoma City by changing teams. Of course they're going to say what they have to say because everybody's emotional. I understand that. Sports, like I said, it's a way to get away from a real world for a second. We provide that crowd with that experience for 'em, and I understand how they feel. I can't really say anything to make 'em feel any different, but I'll still go out there and be who I am as a basketball player and as a person."
Durant obviously is not going to broadcast anything even slightly negative about the Thunder organization, and he said that Russell Westbrook's style of play had nothing to do with him leaving. Asked how his Oklahoma City teams would be remembered, he said that time will tell.
"We had some great years," Durant said. "There were some great players that came in. We had two great coaches. The arena was great, the fans were great. Nothing is going to change about Thunder basketball. What they stand on, what the organization stands on, it's not going to change. That wasn't built by just me. That was the whole community, that was the whole team, that was the whole organization that built what they have."
There is nothing that Durant, who said he does not know how he will be received when he visits Oklahoma City, can do or say to smooth things over. When you're a franchise player and you switch teams in free agency, a lot of fans will hate you. That said, Durant is doing a good job of not making it worse.
In all of the superstar's comments about his decision, he has made it clear that it was about what the Warriors offered him, not what the Thunder didn't. When it comes to the criticism that came with the move, he has not been defensive, only saying that he knew it was coming and he can't please everybody. Durant said in his introductory press conference that the Fourth of July was the toughest day of his life, and the call to Oklahoma City was the hardest thing he ever had to do. It's hard not to empathize with this, even though most of us will never face a professional choice that millions of people are interested in.
Durant hurt Oklahoma City precisely because he embraced the community so much. He used to say he wanted to finish his career there, and he meant it. Leaving the Thunder doesn't mean that he doesn't care about the fans or the people in the organization anymore; it just meant that he wanted to play for another team. Unfortunately for him, this decision will define his relationship with Oklahoma City for now, but perhaps that will change eventually.
Growing up, Durant's favorite team was the Toronto Raptors because he loved Vince Carter. After leaving the Raptors and receiving some of the loudest boos in NBA history at the Air Canada Centre year after year, Carter received a standing ovation in 2014 and has been cheered there ever since. Reconciliation is possible with Durant, too, but it will take some time.
