Kevin Durant may have requested a trade out of Brooklyn, but he definitely does not take his time there for granted.
In his introductory press conference with the Phoenix Suns, Durant was emotional in discussing his four years in the New York borough.
A reporter asked Durant about his time with the Nets, which was met with boos from fans. The Durant/Kyrie Irving era will go down as one of the biggest failures in NBA history, but Durant says his time there will always have a special place in his heart.
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FILE – Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant reacts to a referee’s call during the first half of the team’s NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat, Thursday, March 3, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)
“It was a lot of ups and downs, but I love the grind. Everybody in Brooklyn loves the grind, too. I built a family over there,” Durant said. “They’re gonna always be a part of my journey. We didn’t accomplish what we wanted to accomplish as far as winning a championship, but I enjoy the grind. And everybody there, we tried our hardest every day regardless of what was going on in the media, what was going on with our teammates, everybody that was in that gym, we grinded. I love those guys.”
“I get emotional talking about it because that was a special four years of my career, coming off an Achilles. They helped me through a lot. It was terrible how some stuff went down, but at the end of the day, I love the grind, we all love the grind there in Brooklyn, and I wish them the best going forward. They got a bright future.”
Kyrie Irving #11 (L) and Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets look on against the Los Angeles Lakers at Barclays Center on January 30, 2023 in New York City. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
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Durant and Irving went to the Nets in the offseason before the 2019-20 season, obviously with high expectations that grew even larger when they acquired James Harden.
However, from the start of that season through Irving’s trade to the Mavericks, they played in just 74 games together thanks to injuries and Irving’s constant leaves of absences. Harden played with the duo in just 16 games.
(L-R) Owner Mat Ishbia, Kevin Durant and general manager James Jones of the Phoenix Suns pose for a photo at a press conference at Footprint Center on February 16, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
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The Nets traded Durant for Mikal Bridges, Dorian Finney-Smith and four first-round picks.
