Love for KD, along with what-ifs, still remain for Warriors fans

[ad_1]

Love for KD, along with what-ifs, still remain for Warriors fans originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – The image of Kevin Durant’s first look at the future home of the Warriors before Chase Center ever opened will forever live on infamy.

The hard hat. The safety goggles. The bright yellow construction vest. The Nike socks hiked up nearly to his knees, and his black boots with the tongue flapping around.

Before what wound up being Durant’s third and final season with the Warriors, the franchise’s recruitment pitch to make him wear a Golden State jersey the rest of his NBA career included that now infamous tour of Chase Center. The images can’t go away, just like the reality that Durant has played at Chase Center five times but never as a Warrior.

Sunday night’s 2025 NBA All-Star Game at Chase Center was the closest Durant has ever been to playing on the Warriors’ home court as a member of his former team, again sharing the floor with Steph Curry, only this time for Shaq’s OGs in the event’s revamped format.

When Durant was introduced Saturday at Oakland Arena for media day, one player ahead of Curry, he was greeted by a massive ovation that brought a huge grin across his face. No surprise for someone who went to three consecutive NBA Finals and won two championships and two Finals MVPs in his three years representing the Bay Area.

The cheers only continued the next day in San Francisco.

Whatever jersey he’s wearing, Durant never questioned the region’s continued love for him and wasn’t shocked one bit by the reception he received throughout the weekend.

“I always feel the love from the fans in the Bay Area,” Durant said Sunday night after his team secured the All-Star Game win. “I never thought for a second I ain’t get no love here. I heard people saying I might not feel this much love and I didn’t know it was this much love, but everywhere I go all around the world and the country there’s Warriors fans and they always show me love. Of course I heard it.

“Especially Oracle, that’s my home. A lot of great memories in the Bay Area. I got a tight relationship…

[ad_2]
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/love-kd-along-ifs-still-225239366.html

Author : NBC Sports BayArea

Publish date : 2025-02-16 22:52:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.