Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns head to Brooklyn on Wednesday, which will mark the first time that the former MVP steps foot in Barclays Center since being traded in February of 2023. The Nets likely have a video tribute already prepared to honor the 13x All-Star, but Durant apparently doesn’t want them to bother. In a post on X, he pleaded with the Nets not to make a tribute, citing that his night would be “better without it.”
Durant did not accomplish much in Brooklyn and he wasn’t there for a terribly long time. Even so, he’s arguably the best player to ever don the jersey and he’s got them closer to a title than they’ve ever been in modern NBA history. But with the way he left the team and the way that he rubbed shoulders with everyone on the way out, not everyone thinks fondly of Durant’s time there and it seems not even Durant thinks too highly of his tenure with the franchise. Nevertheless, there will be pressure for the Nets to show some kind of tribute to Kevin tonight and things could get really awkward if/when they do.
A Messy Divorce In Brooklyn
When the Nets signed Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in 2019, it was seen as the moment that changed the franchise forever. While Durant would miss his first season to maintain his healing Achilles, the Nets were dominant when he returned to the fold and looked to be a major force in the East with a lot of wins under their belt. But when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the situation turned into a tragedy for Brooklyn. Kyrie Irving protested the vaccine and his disqualification from action completely dismantled the team’s chemistry and cohesion.
By the end of the 2021-22 campaign, both Kyrie and Kevin were done with the Nets as their relationship with team owner Joe Tsai had fractured beyond repair. It would take a few months before the players were gone, thanks to stalling from the team, but Durant moved on and hasn’t looked back since. Right now, Durant’s only focus is on helping his new team rather than igniting the flames of a chapter he’s long since closed. As for the fans, we will see soon enough what kind of greeting they give to their former franchise player.
Prosperity In Phoenix
Even at 35 years old, Kevin Durant remains one of the best scorers in the league with averages of 28.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game on 53.1% shooting. He was voted to his 14th All-Star game this past week, marking yet another milestone for the 2x champion. This season has really been one of the best from Durant, who is helping to lead the Suns out of a rough stretch of play.
Alongside Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and a veteran cast of role-players, the chances haven’t been this high in a long time for Durant and his championship pursuit. But if he can turn in a healthy season and keep up his performance through the final months of play, it could be enough to net the Suns home court advantage in the first round. Beyond that, only time will tell how far they can go, but the Suns cannot be ignored given all the talent they have on the roster.
