Durant cheered by fans, says Suns have ‘all the pieces’

PHOENIX (AP) — Kevin Durant watched the Phoenix Suns from afar over the previous few years, admiring the budding nucleus of Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton.

Now he’s thrilled to be part of it.

“We’ve obtained all of the items to achieve success,” Durant mentioned.

The 13-time All-Star was launched Thursday on the ground at Footprint Area in entrance of about 3,000 followers, who confirmed up in the course of the afternoon simply to listen to the veteran ahead reply a number of questions.

Many have been already carrying his No. 35 jersey, which has been a sizzling vendor on the downtown fan retailer since GM James Jones pulled the blockbuster commerce with the Brooklyn Nets simply earlier than final week’s commerce deadline.

Practically each time Durant tried to talk on Thursday, he was interrupted by cheers from followers overjoyed by the largest famous person arrival in Phoenix for the reason that Suns traded for Charles Barkley in 1992.

The 2-time Finals MVP soaked within the applause, however mentioned he didn’t deserve it.

“I admire your heat welcome, however we’ve obtained work to do,” Durant mentioned.

He later added: “I really feel like I’ve nonetheless obtained to show myself. I wish to put great things on movie day by day. That’s the one factor I’m involved with at this level in my life, is placing great things on movie each night time. I’m wanting ahead to doing that for Suns followers and hopefully they settle for me after that.”

The 34-year-old Durant continues to be enjoying at an elite degree, averaging almost 30 factors per sport this season. He initially requested for a commerce final summer season and the Suns have been earlier than Durant patched issues up with Brooklyn. They lastly obtained him, lower than 24 hours earlier than the commerce deadline.

The Suns paid a hefty worth, sending Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, first-round picks in 2023, 2025, 2027 and 2029, and different draft compensation to the Nets. Bridges was a finalist for Defensive Participant of the 12 months whereas Johnson has developed into a flexible scorer.

Bridges, Johnson and Crowder have been all instrumental within the crew’s run to the Finals two years in the past, the place it misplaced to the Milwaukee Bucks in six video games.

Durant is recovering from a sprained knee ligament, and when he returns he’ll be a part of a Phoenix lineup that out of the blue may very well be the most effective within the Western Convention. He mentioned he hopes to be again quickly after the All-Star break.

Durant and Booker performed collectively on the U.S. crew that received the gold medal on the Tokyo Olympics final 12 months.

“I feel I’ve constructed my sport round being environment friendly, taking good photographs, making good performs on each ends of the ground,” Durant mentioned. “I feel my protection feeds my offense. I prefer to take photographs within the mid-range, I like to chop to the basket, I love to do the little issues all through the offense and I feel that’s what makes you a flexible participant and adapt to any offense.”

The Suns have been on the upswing even earlier than Durant’s arrival. They struggled with accidents for a lot of the first half of the 12 months, however have received 11 of their final 14 video games and entered Thursday fourth within the West at 32-27 — one-half sport forward of the Los Angeles Clippers, their opponent Thursday night time.

Booker (groin) and Paul (hip) have each not too long ago returned.

Now the Suns are including one of many sport’s most gifted scorers.

Phoenix has by no means received an NBA championship, shedding within the finals in 1976, 1993 and 2021.

“That’s why we play the sport of basketball,” Durant mentioned. “We perceive that. However I’m extra involved about what we do day by day as a crew, what you guys don’t see. I feel that’s what actually brings championships.”

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