Following a championship season, Kevin Durant is now a different player coming into his second year at training camp with the Golden State Warriors. The 2016-17 camp and season served much as an introduction to the system, one he quickly picked up on, but still needed to pick up on different aspects of his game.

Coach Steve Kerr noted the difference between last year and this year's KD.

“Last year he was trying to figure out what the hell we were doing and this year he’s totally dialed in,” Kerr told reporters, according to Chris Biderman of WarriorsWire. “He understands the concepts. He’s comfortable within his surroundings, not only on the floor but off. He’s a different guy this year.”

“I’m more comfortable in this training camp, Zaza’s more comfortable, D-West, all the guys that weren’t here a couple years ago, they’re just more comfortable now and I think that’s only going to help us.”

Durant insists it's those early-season moments that help create that bond between returners and new arrivals, jelling from the get go and embracing the long journey ahead.

The Warriors are slated to head to China for a couple of preseason games against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Oct. 5 and 8 before coming back to tip-off the season against the new-look Houston Rockets on Oct. 17.

“Going over to China, going on that long flight, it reminds me of that AAU trip with your guys,” Durant said. “So I’m looking forward to that journey over there, looking forward to that week over there. I’m sure that will help us out as a group. But having the vets and guys that we had here last year is making things easier.”