Kevin Durant was in the middle of the media attention today along with Harrison Barnes’ trade to the Sacramento Kings.
Though KD’s situation has nothing to do with trade talks, but more of a media speculations about his upcoming free agency intentions.
The former MVP, and two-time NBA Finals MVP was very mad on the reporters today during the press conference, saying that they are deliberately twisting his words, taking them out of context and create some unreal picture about him and his plans.
Durant was particularly angry because of the rumors and headlines which were saying that he wants to go to New York, and how that is almost a closed deal. And really, over the recent days, we witnessed many news which are tying him and the Knicks in one way or another.
The reason for such a thing was Kristaps Poriznigs’ trade to Dallas, which immediately caused for many insiders to speculate about him joining the franchise from the Big Apple.
“I have nothing to do with the Knicks, I don’t know who traded Porzingis. They got nothing to do with me. I’m trying to play basketball.” Durant said and started his telling his way of seeing things after the win against the Spurs, 141-102.
This is the full 2:50 of Kevin Durant addressing why he hasn't been talking to the media lately: "I just don't trust none of y'all." pic.twitter.com/MtftOpa3e4
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 7, 2019
One of the best players in the last decade was very upset, and he was trying to explain to the media why he doesn’t want to talk to them, stating that when he says something it immediately gets the wrong interpretation. On the other hand, if he is silent, then again, he is hiding something.
The point is, that he doesn’t trust the reporters anymore.
“I just don’t trust none of y’all,” Durant said. “Every time I say something it’s getting twisted up and thrown out and in so any different publications, trying to tear me down with my words that I say. So when I don’t say nothing, it’s a problem.”
According to the player, the main person to blame is Ethan Strauss, whose column in The Athletic’s mentioned Durant in the context of moving to New York. GSW’s forward openly criticized his behavior towards him, saying that Strauss creates the impression much different than it really is.
“You got a dude, Ethan Strauss, who comes in here and just gives his whole opinion on stuff and makes it seem like it’s coming from me. ”
The player feels that whatever he does or says, will be presented the way media wants, and that they already have a picture of him which isn’t realistic.
He is frustrated that most of the headlines and talks surrounding his name are not about the game itself. Warriors are doing a great job, and KD is very good this season, but he feels that nobody cares about that.
The pressure about the upcoming free agency is getting just bigger and bigger, and when seeing the names involved, it is easy to understand all that hype — Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler etc.
Now, the Warriors are in the middle of it. Three of their starting five players might leave Oakland. Besides KD, Klay Thompson and DeMarcus Cousins are also free agents, and along with the fact that they are the reigning champions and the ruling force in the league that is something which caught everybody’s attention.
Meanwhile, several teams are already clearing the cap space and the rosters for the upcoming summer. Knicks, Clippers, Mavericks and several others want to land some superstars, and furthermore, create superteams, and the speculations like in Durant’s case are inevitable. And not just in his, just look Klay Thompson and the Lakers, or Kyrie and the Knicks.
But one thing KD says is true.
“Let us play basketball.”
After all, that is why we are all here.
Nikola Velickovic is a sports journalist who loves to write and read on all sports. Nikola contributes both news updates and functions as a sports breaking news writer at WagerBop.
Email: nikola@wagerbop.com
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