Eager to play again, Kevin Durant struggled to sleep

” The city is waiting for this moment, we will postpone the party “, had promised Devin Booker to his audience, on March 8th. That night Kevin Durant, who arrived from the Nets already a month earlier, was to make his debut in Phoenix. It took Phoenix fans almost another month to see their new star, who injured his ankle in warm-ups, hit the floor of the Footprint Center. It was tonight against Wolves.

A moment eagerly awaited by the local public, who hailed as it must have arrived during its introduction, and by the player himself. ” It was difficult to fall asleep today, to stop thinking about the game. Sometimes we want to do too well and we start to rush and not be as usual », loose Kevin Durant who actually showed nervousness for his debut.

Evidenced by his first six missed shots to start his match badly. Home fans had to wait until the middle of the second quarter to see him convert his first shot in the game. A baseline fadeaway past the plague Jaden McDaniels who remained in his shorts for much of the evening.

“ It’s frustrating but I’ve experienced that before, complicated early matches. On some of those shots, I was really in a rush trying to get it all back together. I sometimes get in the way of thinking too much “, continues Kevin Durant on his failed start to the match, despite his characteristic mid-range shots which he rarely misses.

Work the cardio

After his 1/8 in the first period, he did better in the second, notably with two consecutive award-winning baskets at the start of the fourth quarter, on two services from Cameron Payne.

“ I’m happy to be back, to play again and to be with these guys. We will build from there. […] I know everyone’s been waiting for this moment since the time I took to the court to warm up (smile). Every home game is positive for our camaraderie, our chemistry, we want to protect our floor “, Displays the 34-year-old player.

Mission accomplished last night against the Minnesota team and despite Kevin Durant, who has not yet lost in his new colors (4 wins), very clumsy: 16 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists with a very modest 5/ 18 on shots (28%), his smallest skill night of the season.

“ We look at the numbers and we think it’s not Kevin. But the way he stayed in the game, with his 3-pointers (note: in the fourth quarter), it’s Kevin. He’s not going to deny those kinds of shots. He fought on both sides of the field. I think his cardio needs to come back to the level he wants. Once he gets to that level, we’ll see the Kevin we all know predicts Monty Williams.