Heading into Sunday’s game against the Phoenix Suns, the safe bet was for Kevin Durant to get a mix of cheers and boos in his first game in OKC since Nov. 2021.
With more than six years passing and the Thunder entering a new phase of their franchise centered around the young core of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and Josh Giddey, it felt like enough time had passed to turn wounds into scars.
Welp, that theory was quickly proven wrong. Durant received heavy boos from the crowd during starting lineup introductions. A juxtaposition to Chris Paul’s friendly cheers.
The disdain was amplified throughout the entire game, as the crowd loudly booed in unison every time the basketball touched Durant’s hands. It was the most passion the Thunder faithful has shown this season.
After nearly seven years since Durant left the Oklahoma City Thunder to join the Golden State Warriors, it’s evident time still has some work to do to heal this wound.
That is confusing for Suns head coach Monty Williams, who spent the 2015-16 season in OKC as an assistant.
Following the Suns’ win, Williams spoke about how he thinks it’s time for fans to move on from Durant’s departure all these years later.
“I’m still surprised about (why) so many people boo him here. I don’t understand that. This fan base is one that I respected for a long time. I get it, you lose a guy like Kevin, but I think, at some point, you have to appreciate what he meant to this organization. I know how tough it is to lose players because I’ve been in that position before when (the New Orleans Hornets) lost Chris (Paul). He loves this city. He knows what Sam (Presti) and this organization meant to him. I hope someday that they can appreciate him. I know it’s not everybody, but when you hear that, it’s like, man — I know it’s the environment that we’re in today but I just feel for him. I know these people. I lived here and I know what they meant to me and my family. I just feel for him because I know he’s got nothing but love for these people. He just made a decision.”
Perhaps Williams is right. But the majority of Thunder fans disagree with the sentiment. At this point, it’s hard to see fans fully embrace Durant again, but perhaps there could be a middle ground where his contributions — both on and off the court — can be appreciated it.
For now though, as long as Durant is an active player, I think it’s fair to assume he’ll be greeted with boos whenever he plays in OKC. Just like it’s fair to assume the No. 35 will hang in the rafters one day.
