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Durant: People will 'look at me as a pioneer for Oklahoma City basketball'

Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Durant has already come out on the winning side against his former Oklahoma City Thunder teammates twice this season, but he's yet to return to play a game at Chesapeake Arena. That comes on Feb. 11, and after the Warriors' 121-100 win Wednesday in Oakland, Durant admitted that he's not expecting a fond welcoming committee.

"I don't expect any warm welcomes," Durant told The Undefeated's Marc J. Spears. "I just go out there and play another road game. I've played against these guys twice. Seeing that jersey won't feel as weird as the first time. I'll be going back to a place I've called home for eight years."

With the strain between Durant and longtime teammate Russell Westbrook still evident, the superstar understands that time tends to heal wounds with some jilted fans. After all, ask many Toronto Raptors fans how their views of Vince Carter have moderated over the years.

Related: Durant downplays Westbrook rivalry

"I'm sure (Thunder fans) won’t (cheer) right now because it's still fresh and new," Durant said. "But at some point, maybe when my career is over and with the impact I had with that community, team, and organization, I'm sure people will look back on it when the dust settles and look at me as a pioneer for Oklahoma City basketball."

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