Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns works in opposition to Tari Eason #17 of the Houston Rockets throughout the second half at Toyota Middle on February 12, 2025 in Houston, Texas. | Alex Slitz/Getty Pictures/AFP
SAN FRANCISCO — Earlier than making his option to the bus after video games, Kevin Durant at all times takes a couple of further moments to say his goodbyes to all of the particular acquainted faces and outdated pals as he leaves San Francisco once more.
The Phoenix star cherishes each return go to to Chase Middle, and enjoying the All-Star Recreation this weekend in entrance of so many Bay Space followers who nonetheless love and recognize all he completed for the Warriors will imply the world.
“For positive, that is my residence, I acquired murals up within the concourse, whatcha imply?” Durant stated with a smile. “I’ve been saying this since I left right here, that is at all times going to be part of my DNA, that is in my blood. Lastly someone’s listening to me nevertheless it at all times felt like residence. Since I left right here it’s at all times been that.”
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Certain, Durant needs Suns teammate Devin Booker had been chosen to affix him in San Francisco for the All-Star festivities in his fifteenth profession choice.
Contemporary off reaching 30,000 profession factors Tuesday night time, the 36-year-old Durant can have loads of causes to have fun. He grew to become the eighth participant in NBA historical past to attain 30,000, becoming a member of LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Dirk Nowitzki and Wilt Chamberlain. Julius Erving additionally hit the mark when combining his factors scored within the NBA and ABA.
“He’s most likely probably the most unimaginable shot maker I’ve ever been round,” Suns coach Mike Budenholzer stated after Durant’s milestone. “Gone in opposition to him quite a lot of nights, too, so it’s good to be on his aspect. The way in which he can stand up and shoot over folks, his peak, his ballhandling, he’s simply, if not probably the most unimaginable shot maker, I’m unsure who’s. It’s simply nice to be round him day by day.”
And Durant actually will discover a option to dazzle the gang. He spent a number of the finest days of his profession enjoying for these passionate followers. Durant owns a 3-2 file at Chase Middle, the place he’s averaging 22.4 factors and capturing 39.8%. His scoring excessive was 31 factors in a 109-105 loss Dec. 28.
His most up-to-date go to, Jan. 31, featured a good-natured and entertaining back-and-forth of trash speak with former Seattle SuperSonics star Gary Payton. Payton was in a seat simply past courtside reverse Golden State’s bench whereas watching son Gary Payton II.
They gestured, they debated about their respective NBA eras and scoring skills — to which GP reminded KD, “I used to be some extent guard, you’re a scorer.”
“I used to be like, ‘verify my footage, man, I do all of it,” Durant stated of his retort.
It began final summer season with Group USA when Durant advised Payton he was too small to protect the two-time Finals MVP.
“It’s at all times good once I run into an older participant, particularly the 90s,” Durant stated. “Should you play within the 90s they really feel like that’s the golden years of the NBA so I attempt to allow them to know, particularly GP, I attempt to allow them to know what it could have been like for those who’d have been on the courtroom with me as a result of they have a tendency to speak down on the mentality of our period of gamers. GP is a superb sport about it, one among my favourite gamers, someone I look as much as and have main respect for.”
These are the sorts of light-hearted moments Durant counts on to assist him get by the harder stretches, resembling fixed hypothesis on whether or not Phoenix would commerce him forward of final week’s deadline.
Even with out Payton there to maintain issues fascinating, Durant will see loads of folks within the seats nonetheless deeply grateful for all of the veteran ahead helped Golden State accomplish.
He spent three seasons on the Warriors from 2016 by ’19 and guided them to a pair of championships starring alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Inexperienced.
Coach Steve Kerr had the prospect to educate Curry, Durant and the U.S. crew to an Olympic gold medal final summer season in Paris — a particular run for all of them being again collectively.
“Simply his potential to get his shot off in opposition to any protection, any defender, no one’s ever had that sort of talent at that dimension,” Kerr stated of Durant. “So, extremely distinctive bundle and I believe he likes to play basketball greater than something, he simply loves the sport. He works so exhausting at it. That’s what I loved probably the most once we had him right here was watching him after apply simply undergo his routine, and it’s mesmerizing.”
In order KD comes again by city this time, rely on him soaking all of it in with the world watching.
Albeit temporary reunions, they’re significant and memorable nonetheless — similar to his brash change with Payton.
“Hell yeah it’s going to be a homecoming,” Durant stated. “It’s like I’m coming again residence. Three years right here it was an enormous a part of my life, so yeah, it’s a homecoming.”
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