KD Returns Gets Video Tribute Torches Nets
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Samori Benjamin
Kevin Durant returned to Barclays Center on Wednesday night for the first time since he was traded to the Phoenix Suns last February, which preceded months of him trying to get traded behind the scenes. The Nets provided little resistance against Durant and his All-Star teammates and were beaten 136-120. Durant was the star of the night with a game high 33 points, center Jusuf Nurkic provided 28 points, and guard Devin Booker finished with 22 points for Phoenix. Every Nets starter scored in double figures and a sixth, Lonnie Walker, had 19 points off the bench. It wasn’t enough as the Nets record fell to 19-28 while Phoenix moves to 28-20.
The vibes were immaculate pregame with the stands busier than usual an hour before tipoff as fans arrived early to watch Durant go through his on-court routine. Many in attendance were wearing some form of KD jersey whether it was from his time in Brooklyn, OKC, or his current Suns jersey. During introductions right before tipoff the Nets organization presented Durant with a tribute video. “It was good to see everybody man. It was a fun night. They beat us at our place last time, so we were focused on that,” Durant said after the game, referring to the Nets victory over the Suns in Phoenix on December 13th.
The Brooklyn crowd was generous towards Durant and did not give him the type of nasty reception seen over the years in other cities directed for star players who ran out on their franchise. “I can’t control what other people feel, and think, and do. That wasn’t going to stop me from doing my job regardless of how I was honored. But there are classy people here, they appreciate everybody who donned a jersey on, and that shows a great organization when you can appreciate everybody who stepped foot and put their blood, sweat and tears into your organization so I respect that.”
Let’s call it like it is, the Brooklyn Nets fan base is a lot more gracious and understanding than many across the league, particularly the one across the river at Madison Square, where under similar circumstances it’s hard to believe would have been as kind to Durant during his homecoming. Along with his poor leadership in Brooklyn, saying nothing while his co-stars Kyrie Irving and James Harden ran amuck and quit on the team, Durant talks about putting his blood, sweat, and tears into the franchise but he only played 129 of a possible 280 games while in Brooklyn and couldn’t wait to get out of town.
Not exactly their money’s worth for a fanbase who really must work hard and shed blood, sweat, and tears to afford the costly tickets to see a game at Barclays Center. Only to show up half the time during his Nets career and Durant wasn’t on the court anyway. Any Nets fan looking at the situation objectively can see that his parts of four seasons spent in Brooklyn was an abject failure.
The Nets travel to Philadelphia Saturday night and there is a good chance they won’t have to face center and front runner for the MVP Joel Embiid who is battling a left knee problem. They come back home to face Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors Monday night.
Sports Editor Andrew Rosario contributed to this article.
