Former NBA small forward Matt Barnes believes Golden State Warriors superstar Kevin Durant is “probably the most hated player” in the NBA right now.
Matt Barnes, who played with Durant on the Warriors during the 2016-17 season, says people still haven't forgiven KD for leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder and joining the Dubs in the summer of 2016 in free agency.
“What Kevin Durant has proven is he's probably the most hated player in the game,” Barnes said on FS1's Undisputed. “KD is in his prime right now — he's probably the most efficient scorer the league has ever seen. Father Time is undefeated, and you can see LeBron is slowing down.”
I'm with Skip. What Kevin Durant has proven is he's probably the most hated player in the game. KD is in his prime right now — he's probably the most efficient scorer the league has ever seen. Father Time is undefeated, and you can see LeBron is slowing down.
via @Matt_Barnes22 pic.twitter.com/BQf5MxdYvY
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) February 18, 2019
Since joining the Warriors, Kevin Durant has won two straight NBA championships and Finals MVPs. Some believe he has surpassed Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James as the best player in the game, while others won't give KD credit since he joined a Golden State team which went 73-9 the season before Durant signed with them.
When LeBron left the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2010 to create the Big Three with the Miami Heat, he was the most hated player in the NBA at the time. The King got booed in every road arena and his popularity went down.
James won two championships in four seasons with the Heat before going back to Cleveland in 2014. The four-time MVP saw his popularity go back up when he signed with the Cavs. So, does that mean Kevin Durant has to go back to the Thunder to regain his popularity? Also, if he signs with the New York Knicks, will that be enough for fans to forgive him for joining the Warriors?
Only time will tell.
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