A comprehensive exploration of the talented, multifaceted, and relatable Phoenix Suns player Kevin Durant
The star player for the Phoenix Suns spoke with The Republic on a number of subjects, beginning with his need to express that he is not interested in being dealt following rumors of his dissatisfaction with the team.
Kevin Durant exudes a level of self-assurance that Bradley Beal has seldom witnessed in a superstar athlete.
He’s really grounded, Beal remarked. He doesn’t regard himself as superior to other people. Perhaps he is a (expletive). “I’m 17 years old, I got two rings, MVP,” he would say. Though he isn’t, he could be that way if he so desired. That, in my opinion, sets him apart from many other individuals.
Durant was raised in the game in this manner.
Durant remarked, “My parents and coaches always instilled that it’s bigger than me.” “Always. It really is that easy. We’re all important, but I understand my role and how vital I am to the overall situation even if I don’t know how important I am to mine.
Without a doubt, Durant is among the greatest players to have ever played. Despite having an evolving skill set that essentially makes him a 7-footer with limitless potential to score on all three levels, the two-time Finals MVP has come under intense scrutiny for switching teams during his 17 NBA seasons.
In his first full season with the Phoenix Suns (23–18), Durant, a 13-time All-Star, is not only having an MVP-caliber season at age 35, despite criticism about his sensitive nature and leadership abilities. He has also made an impression on his teammates both on and off the court.
Guard Eric Gordon of the Suns, who joined Phoenix as a free agency in the offseason, said of the team, “He’s definitely one of the reasons I’m here.”
‘Prove to them I’m trustworthy,’ Durant said.
In a recent one-on-one interview with The Republic, Durant talked about a variety of subjects. To start, he explained why he felt compelled to state that he doesn’t want to be traded in a Fox Sports interview. That was in response to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reporting on Christmas that he was irritated in part because Beal had missed multiple periods of time this season due to back problems and an ankle sprain.
It was not only a matter of cleansing the air. The Valley was to be reassured that everything is well here.
“Woj’s statement was genuinely believed by Suns supporters,” Durant stated to The Republic. “My ear is on the pulse.” For starters, these new teams don’t trust me when I show up. Every day I have to show them that I am a reliable member of the team. I’ve relocated numerous times. I am aware that the fans don’t think highly of me or are anxious about my possible departure.
Critics have the right to criticize Durant for even the smallest scowl on the court because he left Oklahoma City, Golden State, and requested a trade out of Brooklyn last summer, but that has always been a part of Durant’s career.
Every action he does is analyzed. All a part of being a celebrity, but Durant’s stardom is considerably more apparent.
“There has always been a ‘what if?’ since I left OKC.” during the one-on-one, Durant stated. After leaving the Thunder to play for Golden State, he won two consecutive NBA championships (in 2017 and 2018) as well as finals MVP honors. However, his choice to join Golden State was met with harsh criticism, as OKC had just lost the 2016 Western Conference finals to the Warriors after blowing a 3-1 lead.
“He knows what’s going on,” said Mike Brown.
Durant’s most recent move occurred just before the trade deadline of the previous season, having requested to play in Phoenix in the offseason.
Shortly after Mat Ishbia’s first press conference at Footprint Center as the new team owner in February of last year, the Suns dealt Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four first-round selections, and a pick swap to Brooklyn in exchange for Durant and T.J. Warren.
Phoenix was a title candidate right away after the blockbuster trade, but they were defeated in six games in the 2023 Western Conference playoffs by the Denver Nuggets, who went on to win the NBA.
The Suns assembled their new-look group by firing Monty Williams and hiring Frank Vogel shortly after being eliminated, trading Chris Paul in exchange for Bradley Beal, moving Deandre Ayton just before training camp, and signing a number of players on senior minimum contracts.
The only members of the squad from the previous season that are back are Durant, Devin Booker, Josh Okogie, Damion Lee, and Saban Lee.
Despite the Suns having a Big 3, opponents still focus most of their attention on Durant.
As an assistant at Golden State during Durant’s tenure, Sacramento coach Mike Brown stated of the player, “I love him, he’s one of the smartest guys I ever coached.”
He is aware of his intelligence and the current situation. “What’s up with all these double teams?” he said. I told KD, “You know you can answer that question on your own,” during the Suns-Kings second game in Sacramento. We’ll double team one guy less if you sit down.”
Call Jordan Goodwin if you need anything.
Durant isn’t regarded as an outspoken type, thus talk about his leadership has always been prevalent.
Although Durant freely admits that he would prefer to lead by example, he has no trouble confronting teammates.
A guy like me needs that, so he’ll hold you accountable, said backup point guard Jordan Goodwin of the Suns. “We need you to be aggressive. Early in the season, if I made a mistake or wasn’t forceful, he would get on me. You must put this play on.
As demonstrated by his instruction to Booker to be aggressive early in the lead-up to last week’s away game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Durant is aware of the consequences of his comments.
In response, Booker scored 16 of his 31 points in the opening frame, leading to a 127-109 victory.
Before the game, KD approached me and said, “I want you aggressive.” Do not be concerned about involving me. I’ll take an active role. Following the game, Booker stated.
Whether it’s a congrats to Gordon after two massive three-pointers knotted the game late in a thrilling comeback against the Kings on Tuesday, or going too far on the court to celebrate two-way big Udoka Azubuike’s slam at Sacramento, Durant also shows his passion for teammates after major plays.
“He wants challenges,” says Grayson Allen.
Upon hearing the leadership concerns, Durant is left wondering how someone could even think such a thing.
Durant told The Republic, “I think those people are stupid because they’ve never been to a practice or shootaround, they’ve never been in the locker room, and they’ve never been on a team I played on.” “So how are you able to analyze something that you haven’t seen or heard of?”
Durant, though, will always be remembered as the all-time bucket leader.
Durant, who is ranked 10th on the NBA all-time scoring list and is expected to rise to ninth by the conclusion of the regular season, is arguably the purest scorer in the history of the game. At eighth place, Durant is 723 points behind Shaquille O’Neal and just 416 points behind Carmelo Anthony.
Durant will catch both in less than 26 games if he keeps up his current scoring average of 28.9 points per contest. With their victory over New Orleans on Friday, the Suns advanced to the halfway point of their 82-game regular season.
But in recent games, Durant—who has a history of injuries, including an Achilles that ended the season—has been defending the primary offensive players of the opposition, including Domantas Sabonis of the Kings, Brandon Ingram of the Pelicans, LeBron James of the Lakers, Anfernee Simons of the Blazers, and Kawhi Leonard of the Clippers.
Guard Grayson Allen of the Suns stated, “He wants challenges.” “It’s unexpected that he wants those defensive assignments for a guy who plays so offensively, but he’s also getting older (laughs).”
Frank Vogel: “That’s fantastic.”
In his news conference after Vogel was named the Suns’ new head coach, he mentioned discussing a defensive meeting he had with Durant.
Vogel recalled in June, “He said, ‘I can’t wait to guard in your system.'” “I love that he wants to go hard on both ends of the ball and feels like that’s what really gets him going on the other end.”
Durant is only honoring his pledge to play to the best of his abilities to both himself and his defensive-minded coach.
When asked what motivates him to be a good defender, Durant responded, “My calling and my purpose as a human being is to be the greatest basketball player I can be,” following Tuesday’s victory.
That’s the reason I am still here today. I was able to focus on every facet of the game and excel at it. I continue to work.
Bradley Beal: “He’s a person.”
Durant’s social media contacts have also helped him build a reputation.
Superstars typically don’t pay attention to social media, but Durant replies and gives a clap in return.
Beal grinned and continued, “Maybe fans just don’t like how he interacts on Twitter.” “He is an individual. He is free to act anyway he pleases.
merely posting about the barbershop on social media.
I adore my fans, Durant declared. “I love to play basketball, and I participate because I would talk to you if I were there in person during a game. I don’t see any issues with discussing basketball with basketball aficionados.
The fact that I do that has always been perceived negatively, but in reality, the fact that one of your biggest stars—quote—is engaging with the fans in all capacities is only benefiting the game. At games, I autograph autographs. Fans and I converse on Twitter. I converse with anyone about basketball in a barbershop. What makes this such an issue?
