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The Brooklyn Nets schedule permits for Kevin Durant to get to play each of his former groups in back-to-back video games. To start out issues out, Durant and James Harden traveled to Oklahoma Metropolis to tackle the Thunder for the primary time collectively since they left the franchise that drafted them. The 2 performed facet by facet in OKC from 2009-2012 earlier than Harden was traded to Houston previous to the beginning of the 2012-13 season.
Durant and Harden had zero indication that they’d later workforce up in New York Metropolis almost a decade later. KD remained with the Thunder by way of the 2015-16 season, however modified the course of NBA historical past after he signed with the Golden State Warriors in free company.
Durant did all that he may for a workforce that hadn’t been capable of make it to the Finals since Harden’s final season in Oklahoma. When you ask Thunder followers about Durant, they’re more likely to refer again to his “betrayal” somewhat than his 2014 MVP award and 4 scoring titles with the franchise.
Nonetheless, Durant admires the time he spent taking part in for Oklahoma Metropolis and it was good for him and Harden to get to workforce up once more in Paycom Heart. In a tragic flip of occasions, although, OKC followers didn’t fairly give both participant a heat reception of their homecoming.
Kevin Durant and James Harden obtain harsh welcome again to OKC.
They booed each Durant and Harden, which doesn’t actually make sense. Durant left the workforce after it was clear there was no path to taking down the Warriors, whereas Harden was traded. OK, wonderful. Booing Durant makes some sense. However Harden? What are they mad for? That he’s teamed up with KD once more?
The 9 seasons that Durant spent in Oklahoma had been his childhood. He’s now (and all-time) probably the greatest gamers within the NBA. By Brooklyn’s first 14 video games of the season, he’s averaging a league-high 29.6 factors, 8.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists per sport. His identify is on the high of the MVP dialog.
Harden hasn’t skilled almost as a lot success this season, however is climbing his way up the ladder after rehabbing his hamstring harm through the offseason.
And the way did Durant really feel about playing alongside Harden once again in OKC?
“It’s loopy how stuff occurs. You by no means thought when James bought traded — I didn’t know what the long run would maintain. For us to return again round on the identical workforce as we bought older is fairly candy … We helped construct this factor. It’s good to return in right here and see what it’s as we speak.”
Couldn’t we make the argument that Durant ought to’ve booed the Thunder for buying and selling Harden, who would’ve been a key piece in holding off the Warriors’ dynasty?
What issues is that the Nets beat the Thunder, 120-96. Durant led all scorers with 33 factors and shot 9-of-17 from the sphere. He threw in eight rebounds and 4 assists, too. Harden had a double-double with 16 factors and 13 assists. Although he went simply 5-of-13 from the sphere, he impacted the sport on his once-home courtroom by facilitating the offense.
It’s robust to swallow the truth that two high-caliber gamers had been as soon as operating the present in OKC however at the moment are elsewhere. That’s a duo that I wouldn’t be blissful about dropping both … but when the workforce would’ve saved Harden, who is aware of if the trio (together with Russell Westbrook) would’ve been capable of win a title collectively. In that case, would Durant have ever left the Thunder for the Warriors?
It appears as if the blame is being misdirected at Durant and Harden. What else is new relating to fandom, although?
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