Published 17:09 IST, September 11th 2020
Kevin Durant chose "chill" Brooklyn Nets over becoming the NY Knicks' "saviour"
On JJ Redick’s “Old Man and the Three” podcast, Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant revealed why he chose to sign with the Nets and not the New York Knicks.
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Last year, Kevin Durant signed with Brooklyn Nets in free ncy after completing three ultra-successful seasons with Golden State Warriors. However, his Achilles injury sidelined him for entire 2019-20 season. His recovery was furr delayed after he contracted COVID-19, putting all rumours of his return at NBA bubble in Orlando to rest. During a recent interview, Kevin Durant revealed why he chose to sign with Brooklyn Nets and t New York Knicks in what dampened hopes of everyone in Big Apple pining for Durant to be franchise's saviour.
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Kevin Durant on why he chose to sign with Nets and t NY Knicks
In January 2019, former NY Knicks president Steve Mills traded Kristaps Porzingis to Dallas Mavericks in an effort to clear cap for Durant and possibly ar partner. Durant (and Kyrie Irving), however, ended up signing with Nets. While talking to JJ Redick on Old Man and Three podcast, Durant revealed that in February 2019, he was thinking about how he did t want to be " saviour of Knicks or New York". 31-year-old star added that thought never moved him, he never cared about "being on Broadway" and was only re to "play ball and chill".
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“So I felt like that’s what Brooklyn embodied,’’ Durant said. two-time NBA champion has previously revealed that he has wanted to live in New York and he thought Nets were all he was bout – "chill, on low, all-black-everything". He furr explained that he and Nets are quiet and only focus on basketball. "We’re just going to hoop and build something new in Brooklyn.”
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Speaking about countless rumours about him going to Knicks, Durant clarified that he never planned to go to Knicks. "That was just media putting that out re," Durant said, speaking how he did t sign a three-year deal in 2018. According to Durant, rumours increased after his one-year deal. "Knicks being saviour, you kw how that goes. Every time a big free nt is up Knicks are going to get him. So it just took off.” Recent reports suggest that Knicks are interested in Toronto Raptors' Fred VanVleet, along with Carmelo Anthony. Melo spent seven seasons with NY Knicks and is still one of franchise's most successful players in history.
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Kevin Durant on Nets hiring Steve Nash
On same podcast, Durant stated that he is excited to play under Steve Nash, who Nets hired despite him t having any coaching experience. Durant believes NBA icon has insight and is looking forward to Nash teaching him some things. Durant and Nash go way back and shared a good bond during Durant's time with Warriors, where Nash was a consultant.
(Im credits: Brooklyn Nets Twitter)
17:09 IST, September 11th 2020