Durant speaks out
A string of messages came from Kevin Durant’s @ KDTrey5 Twitter account that offered explanation as to why he left the Oklahoma City Thunder for Golden State. But there’s debate as to whether or not the messages came from Durant directly or someone controlling his account.
A year removed from Kevin Durant leaving for Golden State in free agency, the Thunder’s preseason will center around the team this time.
Russell Westbrook’s contract situation. How Westbrook and Paul George will mesh. How and if the Thunder’s depth has improved.
Until media day Sept. 25, however, you knew something would pop up to remind those who follow the NBA that the Durant-Thunder topic is never far away.
A string of messages came from Durant’s @ KDTrey5 Twitter account this weekend that offered explanation as to why he left the Thunder for Golden State. There’s debate as to whether or not the messages came from Durant directly or someone controlling his account. Multiple Twitter users said Durant has secret accounts on Twitter and Instagram the former Thunder star uses to defend himself.
A user named @ColeCashwell asked Durant on Twitter “man I respect the hell outta you but give me one legitimate reason for leaving okc other than getting a championship.”
The response from Durant’s account, two tweets which have since been deleted:
“he didn’t like the organization or playing for Billy Donovan. His roster wasn’t that good, it was just him and russ.
“imagine taking russ off that team, see how bad they were. Kd can’t win a championship with those cats.”
It’s unclear whether or not it was Durant or someone else who tweeted from his account, but Durant hasn’t directly denied what was posted or claimed his account was hacked. He’s seemingly owned the statements ... aside from deleting them.
When Durant was asked by a Twitter user if he “thought he was slick” for quickly deleting the tweets, Durant’s account — now speaking in first person — replied “no, I just deleted it.”
A year after losing in the Western Conference finals to Golden State with the Thunder, Durant was named Most Valuable Player of the NBA Finals, leading the Warriors to a 4-1 series win over Cleveland.
In 2016, the Thunder had a 3-1 lead on the Warriors in the Western Conference finals before Golden State won three consecutive games, which proved to be Durant’s final series in Oklahoma City.
Last summer, someone close to Durant told Bleacher Report the 2014 league MVP was frustrated with Westbrook. This time around, the reasons for leaving have expanded and appear to exclude Westbrook.
Abrines, Patterson back
Alex Abrines is back in Oklahoma City. Patrick Patterson has been here.
The Thunder doesn’t have timeline updates on its two injured players, but both are progressing toward returns to the court.
Abrines is back in Oklahoma City after sitting all but one game in the FIBA EuroBasket Tournament, where he played with his native Spain. Abrines had an apparent knee injury that is not considered serious, but it’s unclear the extent of the injury or the length of time he might be limited.
Patterson had arthroscopic surgery performed on his left knee on Aug. 10. The Thunder called the procedure “proactive” and said there was no structural damage to the knee. He has been rehabilitating the knee primarily in Oklahoma City.
There’s no update on a timetable for Patterson’s return. He was to be reevaluated four to six weeks after the surgery, and this is the sixth week since the procedure. His rehab has been progressing well, a Thunder official said.
Oklahoma City will hold its preseason media day next Monday. Training camp opens the following day.
Quotable
Enes Kanter on what it was like to play pickup against Durant: “Of course the first time you walk in the gym, it’s pretty awkward. Outside the court, I’ve got no problem with him. You’ve gotta understand it’s a business. He thought that was best for him, he did that. He came to shake my hand and say ‘hi.’ He asked if I was going to L.A. with my teammates or not. He’s a chill guy, nice guy, but on the court I’ll do anything to get in his mind. On the court is totally different. But outside of the court I’ve got no problem with that guy.”