This season, the spotlight will shine brightest upon Kevin Durant. The former MVP and All-NBA player will be at the center of scrutiny for the entire season and into next summer, when he’s set to become arguably the biggest free agent since LeBron James in 2010. That impending free agency, combined with questions about Durant’s health, will produce a never-ending cycle of analysis and questions.
One could forgive Durant for being a bit weary of the impending rumor-mongering, but as he told Bleacher Report’s Ethan Skolnick, he’s ready to face it head on.
“Oh, I’m looking forward to that,” Durant said, smiling. “I can’t wait. I can’t wait. Boo me. Call me any type of name in the book. Talk about my family. It is what it is. I’m ready for it.”
Skolnick’s feature portrays a Durant noticeably less surly with the media than last season, laughing and smiling with reporters. Part of that may be due to the fact that he’s finally healthy and back on the court playing the game he loves.
“I’m feeling great, man,” Durant said. “This is about my fourth week really getting after it. I feel good. Good to be back in a team setting. I can go 100 percent. I’m not going to play five-on-five just yet. But everything else is no restrictions.”
This is great news, not just for Durant or for Oklahoma City Thunder fans, but for basketball fans everywhere. Durant is one of the best and most entertaining players in the game today, and the season was distinctly less fun in his absence. Now Durant must re-integrate with his teammates while simultaneously learning new coach Billy Donovan’s system. It will be yet another challenge in a season sure to be full of them for Durant, and he can’t wait to get started.
(Via Bleacher Report)
