Kevin Durant finally opened up about his decision to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder. He spoke with reporters after team USA practice in Las Vegas about Russell Westbrook, the aftermath of his decision, OKC and other stuff. Sam Amich of USA TODAY Sports provides the quotes.
“I didn’t leave my bed, because I was like, ‘Man, if I walk outside somebody might just try to hit me with their car or say anything negative to me,’” Durant said. “I just stayed in. I was trying to process it all. I wanted to be around family, and positive support. It felt different.
“I mean I’ve been somewhere for so long and then to make a change like that (which) nobody knew was coming, that nobody didn’t think I would do, of course I didn’t know how it would be received afterwards. But at some point, I just said, ‘Look man, life goes on. Life moves on, and I can’t hide forever,’ so I just had to face it.”
Durant made his decision on July 4 through The Players Tribune and the aftermath was ugly. People in Oklahoma City burnt his jersey and even returned their jerseys to Durant’s house. Durant also spoke about the criticisms of Charles Barkley and Reggie Miller.
“Those are two guys, you know?” he said of Barkley and Miller. “They’ve got a voice in our game, and a lot of people probably felt the same way but they don’t have a voice so obviously what they say is translated through a megaphone so it feels like everybody else (thinks that). If Charles Barkley said it, it must be true. If Reggie Miller says it, it must be true.
“It just feels like it’s bigger than what it is. But for the most part, I got the support around me. I’ve got the family that supports me no matter what, that love me no matter what I do. I could be playing tennis right now, and I could retire from the game of basketball and they’re still going to love me. If I think about that, I’ll be fine.”
Kevin Durant also addressed the Russell Westbrook component.
“Nah, it wasn’t (a factor in him leaving),” Durant said. “I mean obviously (that alleged subplot is) coming out now (that) I’m gone, all these reports are going to come out. I can’t really control it, but I just made a decision based on where I wanted to go, man. It was as simple as that. We can think about all the reasons and the factors and what factored in, but it was simple. That’s where I wanted to play basketball.”
Westbrook was criticized a lot while playing with Durant for being out of control, taking bad shots and not passing the ball enough to Durant in crunch time. Durant shouldn’t have that problem with the Warriors and their pass happy offense.
Durant admitted that he hasn’t spoken to Westbrook since his decision. Durant also revealed that Westbrook and himself did not discuss Westbrook’s future in Oklahoma throughout his decision-making process.
“No, we didn’t talk about (Westbrook’s free agency future),” said Durant, who had gone to dinner with Westbrook and Thunder forward Nick Collison in the days leading up to free agency. “I mean we didn’t really talk about anything at all. I wish him nothing but the best, man.”
Durant also reflected on his time in OKC.
“Having a chance to play in Oklahoma City for eight years, to see the city come together to support the team, I understand (why they’re upset),” he said. “I understand where they’re coming from. It hurt me. I was hurt for a few days because I know that 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 is emotional, and I understand that … I can’t really say anything to make them feel any different, but just still go out there and be who I am as a basketball player and as a person, and like I said, life moves on.”
Durant also had some thoughts on the Lakers and meeting Tom Brady.
On not meeting with the Lakers.
“I just didn’t. Nothing against the Lakers, but I already had my eyes set on who I wanted to talk to. It wasn’t nothing against the Lakers. I really respect their team, but I just felt like they were a couple of years away from where I wanted to be.”
And on the Celtics and Tom Brady.
“I was ready to just say, ‘Alright let’s go. I’m ready to go,’ seeing Tom Brady there. Seeing someone so successful at his craft, and just a great ambassador for the game of football and the city of Boston, it was great to be in the presence of greatness. But at the same time, I knew I couldn’t let that distract me. (But) he was great. It was great to see him.”
Much more will come out about Durants decision to leave the Thunder as the year moves along but as of now Durant seems focused on Team USA and the Rio Olympics.
