Suns' Durant: `We've got all the pieces to be successful'
Kevin Durant watched the Phoenix Suns from afar over the past few years, admiring the budding nucleus of Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton.
Now he's thrilled to be a part of it.
“We've got all the pieces to be successful,” Durant said.
The 13-time All-Star was introduced Thursday on the floor at Footprint Arena in front of about 3,000 fans, who showed up in the middle of the afternoon just to hear the veteran forward answer a few questions.
Many were already wearing his No. 35 jersey, which has been a hot seller at the downtown fan store since GM James Jones pulled the blockbuster trade with the Brooklyn Nets just before last week's trade deadline.
Nearly every time Durant tried to speak on Thursday, he was interrupted by cheers from fans overjoyed by the biggest superstar arrival in Phoenix since the Suns traded for Charles Barkley in 1992.
The two-time Finals MVP soaked in the applause, but said he didn't deserve it.
“I appreciate your warm welcome, but we've got work to do,” Durant said.
He later added: “I feel like I've still got to prove myself. I want to put good stuff on film every day. That's the only thing I'm concerned with at this point in my life, is putting good stuff on film every night. I'm looking forward to doing that for Suns fans and hopefully they accept me after that.”
Durant, 34, is averaging nearly 30 points per game this season. Durant is recovering from a sprained knee ligament. He said he hopes to be back soon after the All-Star break. INTERNATIONAL GREATS HALL OF FAME FINALISTS >>
Pau Gasol, Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker and Gregg Popovich are all one step closer to basketball immortality. The three international greats — Gasol, Nowitzki and Parker — were among the list of Class of 2023 finalists unveiled Friday by the Basketball Hall of Fame, putting them on the doorstep of enshrinement this summer.
Also on that list: Popovich, the winningest coach in NBA history with the San Antonio Spurs, and Dwyane Wade, part of three championship teams with the Miami Heat.
Also making the finalist cut were four selections from the Women's Committee — 1990 national player of the year, Olympic champion and world champion Jennifer Azzi; six-time WNBA All-Star and WNBA championship-winning coach Becky Hammon; and longtime coaches Gary Blair and Marian Washington.
The other finalists from the North American Committee include Gene Bess, believed to be the all-time collegiate coaching wins leader with 1,300 to his credit; two-time Division III national champion David Hixon; and seven-time Big Ten coach of the year Gene Keady.
SPEARS HONORED >> Marc Spears of ESPN won the Curt Gowdy Award for print media. Spears, a graduate of San Jose State and Andrew Hill High School, will be honored during Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinement weekend Aug. 11-12 in Springfield, Mass.