NBA player Kevin Durant has never been afraid to tell it like it is, and he did just that in a recent “Boardroom” podcast episode. During a panel discussion with Anthony Edwards and Jalen Rose, Durant gained notoriety for disclosing his recent admission of distaste for the New York Knicks.
Durant remarked, “I had a Patrick Ewing jersey.” “And that’s crazy because I hated the Knicks growing up; even people who played for Brooklyn eventually hated the Knicks.”
“I had a Patrick Ewing jersey. And that’s crazy because I ended up growing up hating the Knicks; playing for Brooklyn end up hating the Knicks“
— Kevin Durant pic.twitter.com/qohZlE74po
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) August 24, 2024
One of the key figures in the current NBA is Kevin Durant, a two-time champion, 14-time All-Star, and former MVP. He has been a top player under LeBron James for more than ten years, and his stats reflect this, averaging 27.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game on 50.1% shooting.
The New York Knicks are a dream destination for most players. In addition to symbolizing the nation’s most famous metropolis, the franchise enjoys international recognition and has millions of fans. The Knicks also play at Madison Square Garden, the most renowned arena in the world.
According to his own admission, 35-year-old Kevin Durant was a fan of the Knicks in the past and even wore a Patrick Ewing jersey while he was at his best in the 1980s and 1990s. But eventually, Durant’s hatred for the Knicks grew stronger. Kevin Durant has never had any affection for the Orange and Blue, and his tenure with the Nets was the clearest indication of this, perhaps because of the pervasive media culture around their history of missteps.
In 2019, Durant, a free agency after two titles with the Warriors in 2017 and 2018, has the chance to establish himself as the King of New York City. Durant’s father allegedly “begged” him to join the Knicks rather than the Nets, and the team had the resources and the desire to pursue Durant. However, he signed with their fiercest rivals instead, despite their best efforts to recruit him that summer and give the Knicks the opportunity to become a dominant force in the East.
Durant commanded the court during his three seasons as an active player for the Nets, leading them to success. At every opportunity, he was trash-talking the supporters and overshadowing the Knicks in their own hometown.
Durant eventually forced his way out of Brooklyn after having a falling out with management, and he has been playing for the Phoenix Suns ever since. The Nets faded into oblivion in the East without Durant or Kyrie, while the Knicks—who now have Julius Randle, Jalen Brunson, and Mikal Bridges—have emerged as heavy favorites to advance to the Finals.
Although Durant’s decision to reject the New York Knicks that summer was widely viewed as a blunder, he has no regrets about the outcome. Kevin Durant, a sports superstar and inspiration to millions of young athletes, is happy with the way his career has turned out, despite his ongoing spat with the Knicks.
