Kevin Durant disrespected by Washington’s recruiting
By Andrew Fine
Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant feels disrespected by the Washington Wizards, who are aggressive recruiting Durant to come home next season.
Much to the chagrin of Kevin Durant, Tuesday’s contest between his Oklahoma City Thunder and the opposing Washington Wizards is not just any other game. Oklahoma City’s lone regular season trip to Washington D.C. will be difficult on Durant, who will be surrounded by thousands of Washington fans who want him to play for their team next season.
In an interview with Sam Amick of USA Today, Durant said that he felt disrespected by the overwhelming amount of recruitment pitches by the Washington community, especially in the Thunder’s previous trip to Washington D.C. on January 22nd, 2015:
"(The Jan. 22 visit) was kind of disrespectful, in my opinion, because you’ve got a great team there already that deserves your full 100% support,” said Durant, who — in addition to being surrounded by “KD2DC” signs — was featured on the Wizards’ jumbotron wearing his Oklahoma City jersey with ‘Washington’ photoshopped on the front and the headline, “Come Home KD” during a sponsored weather update in the fourth quarter of the Thunder’s 105-103 overtime win. “I wouldn’t like that if I was on that team. I didn’t like that, but it comes with it nowadays."
The Wizards are on the cusp of contending for an Eastern Conference title, but adding Durant immediately pencils the team in as championship contenders.
Washington is maintaining plenty of cap room, so that the team could afford Durant, who won’t come cheap. Part of the reason the team did not extend guard Bradley Beal is so they could save money for Durant. Ideally the Wizards would like to keep Beal, but may have to move on from the guard if he is seeking more money than the team can afford (presuming Washington signs Durant).
In spite of all the attention he is receiving from Wizards fans, Durant remains focused improving his game and picking up where he left off before he suffered his foot injury last season. He said in the same interview with Amick, “I’m trying to learn more about myself as a person, as a leader, as a basketball player. I’m just trying to grow and get better.”
In the Thunder’s seven games this season, Durant has demonstrated that he’s ready to reenter the MVP conversation and lead the team to another trip to the finals. Thus far, Durant has put up numbers that nearly mimic his 2013-2014 campaign (the same season he won MVP). He is averaging 30.1 points on 50.3% shooting and 6.9 rebounds, while connecting on 42.2% of his three pointers.