Video: Kevin Durant Talks NBA All-Star Game in Bay Area After Warriors Trade Rumors
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant knows he's not viewed favorably in the Bay Area due to his complicated relationship with the Golden State Warriors, but he's hoping that fans can put their feelings aside during All-Star Weekend in San Francisco.
While speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Durant was asked about how he expects fans to react to him during the All-Star Game and he said he's "hoping people can look at the big picture and see I got a couple of murals in that arena, in that concourse."
Durant played three seasons for the Warriors and led the team to three straight trips to the NBA Finals and two championships. Unfortunately, he departed Golden State on a sour note to team with star point guard Kyrie Irving with the Brooklyn Nets.
To further muddy the waters, Durant reportedly blocked a trade that would've sent him from Phoenix back to Golden State at last week's trade deadline. The Warriors pivoted by acquiring star forward Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat.
Still, Durant said he hopes fans can look past his personal choices and embrace the joy of All-Star Weekend.
"For a couple of days, I know it's going to be hard," he added. "But for a couple of days, you can forget about how I left the Warriors or how I came to the Warriors or me not wanting to go back to the Warriors and just appreciate the weekend. Appreciate the players that's there and hopefully people can get off that s--t and just appreciate basketball."
