24 October 2023 , 19:27
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NBA star Kevin Durant has made a bold request to the Golden State Warriors about retiring his jersey.
In 2016, the 13-time All-Star made one of the most controversial moves in NBA history when he signed for the Warriors, shortly after they eliminated his Oklahoma City Thunder team from the Playoffs. He was heavily criticised for chasing a championship as he joined an already very strong team and made them arguably the best team the NBA has ever seen.
During his three seasons with the Warriors, Durant won two championships, claimed the Finals MVP award on both occasions and was named in the All-NBA first team in 2018. Now a member of the Phoenix Suns, the four-time NBA scoring champion is preparing to face his old team on the opening night of the new season.
Ahead of the game, given what he achieved with the Warriors, Durant believes the No. 35 jersey he wore while with the team should hang in the rafters with the rest of the team’s retired uniforms. "Look at the résumé," Durant said. "That would warrant me to get a jersey retirement, right? Do I want to be honored by a franchise I put work in for? Of course, I would love that.
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“I had some great moments there. I built some solid relationships there. Yeah, man. Hell yeah, that would be sweet. I love that organization, man. I love my time there, seriously. Me leaving, people shouldn't doubt that, because I left there.” He added: "I've played there without the fans and I played against them in an arena where they were [the visiting team].
“But definitely, Bay Area fans are one of a kind. So, I know they're going to show love, but I'm not expecting nothing extra, to be honest." Durant, who played in 208 games for the Warriors, averaged 25.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, 5.4 assists and shot 52.4% from the field during his tenure in the Bay Area.
Tonight's game will be just the second time that Durant will play against the Warriors since he left the team in 2019. The first appearance came in February 2021, while fans were not allowed into arenas due to COVID-19 precautions.
Durant is set to begin his first full season with the Phoenix Suns (Alika Jenner/Getty Images)The new season begins with Durant and Devin Booker alongside new teammate Bradley Beal, bolstering a Phoenix offense that serves to be one of the most dangerous in the league. "It will be a change for everybody," Beal said. "None of us have played on the floor with three guys who can score the ball anytime.
"It will have to be a little sacrifice for everybody." Durant will not play against Draymond Green though, as the Warriors' power forward is still recovering from a sprained left ankle that kept him out of the entire preseason.
"He's doing really well but we don't feel like it would be wise to throw him out with so little scrimmage time on the floor," Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters. "We'll reassess as the days go."