Subscribe
Follow Us
The skirmish between Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Carmelo Anthony put the fire into a game that had the makings of a night of fireworks.
Yet Durant said upon his arrival in New York that there is nothing but love and respect for his former Team USA running mate.
“Nothing will happen after off the court,” said Durant. “He's not meeting me by the bus, I'm not meeting him by the bus.”
“He's a physical offensive player, that's what happens when you play ball. So there is nothing intentional. I got nothing but love and respect for Melo. In the heat of battle, that's what happens.”
At Warriors practice in New York, Kevin Durant says he has nothing but love and respect for Carmelo Anthony after the two got into it briefly last night. "He's not meeting me by the bus, I'm not meeting him by the bus," Durant jokes. pic.twitter.com/zLHAtCMUZx
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) February 26, 2018
Anthony was called for an offensive foul after trying to jostle for position with the lankier Durant, who received his 12th technical foul of the season at the 2:07 mark of the second quarter after receiving a shove from Anthony.
Durant hasn't been shy to any physical altercations, even if it is against a player he respects — as proved by his back-and-forth with Melo.
Games between the Thunder and the Warriors have packed a little extra heat, as expected, and Oklahoma City's struggles shooting from the field didn't contribute to their frustration level, as Anthony threw his headband to the floor after getting his shot blocked by Draymond Green and Paul George swung his arm in response to a call by an official in the third quarter.
Emotions are high at this point of the season and Durant seems to understand that, noting the two will be fine despite the on-court incident.
