Suns HC Monty Williams left AMAZED by fans ‘booing’ Kevin Durant on his return to Oklahoma City
Kevin Durant gets booed in Oklahoma City but Suns coach Monty Williams defends him
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Kevin Durant made his first appearance in Oklahoma City since joining the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday night, and he was greeted with a chorus of boos from the fans who used to adore him. The former Thunder star was jeered every time he touched the ball, and the crowd taunted him with chants of “cupcake” and “traitor” throughout the game.
However, one person who was stunned by the fans’ reaction was Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams, who was an assistant coach for the Thunder from 2015 to 2016 and worked closely with Durant. Williams said he was shocked by how loud and passionate the fans were, and how they booed Durant even though he helped put Oklahoma City on the map.
“I was shocked,” Williams said. “I mean, this guy did so much for this city and this franchise. He’s one of the best players ever to play here. He’s a Hall of Famer. He’s a champion. He’s a great person. He’s a great teammate. He’s a great leader. He’s everything you want in a player.“
“I don’t get why they would boo him like that. I mean, he gave them nine years of his prime. He gave them everything he had. He made them relevant. He made them contenders. He made them proud. He should be celebrated here, not booed.“
Kevin Durant, who played nine seasons for the Thunder and won four scoring titles and an MVP award, left the team in 2016 to join the Golden State Warriors, where he won two rings and two Finals MVPs. He then signed with the Nets, but missed all of last season due to an Achilles injury.
He did not seem fazed by the boos and said after the game that he still loves Oklahoma City and respects the fans. “I‘ve been through that before,” Durant said. “I know how to tune that stuff out. I still love playing here. The fans are amazing. They come out and support no matter who’s on the floor. They’re knowledgeable about the game. They respect what we do. I’ve got nothing but love for them.“
The reason behind Kevin Durant’s departure
Durant‘s decision to leave Oklahoma City in 2016 was one of the most shocking moves in NBA history, as he joined a team that had just defeated him in the Western Conference Finals after being up 3-1. Durant said he left because he wanted to grow as a player and a person, and because he felt a connection with the Warriors’ culture and style of play.
However, many fans and analysts slammed him for taking the easy way out, and for betraying his former teammate Russell Westbrook, who had been his partner in crime for eight years. Durant also faced backlash from some of his former teammates and coaches, who felt he did not communicate his intentions well enough or show enough loyalty to the organization.
Durant has since admitted that he did not handle his departure well and that he regrets some of the things he said and did. He has also tried to mend fences with Westbrook, who was traded to Houston in 2019 and then to Washington in 2020. The two have exchanged pleasantries on the court and praised each other in interviews, but they have not spoken much off the court.
Durant said he still considers Westbrook a friend, but he understands that their relationship will never be the same. “I think we’re both at peace with it,” Durant said. “We both respect each other as players and as people. We both know what we meant to each other and to this franchise. We both have moved on with our careers and our lives. We’re both happy where we are.“
Durant said he hopes that one day, he will be able to return to Oklahoma City as a visitor and receive a warm reception from the fans.
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Ankush Singh
(616 Articles Published)