Durant ready for rowdy OKC fans: 'Not going to be the friendliest welcome'
After spending eight years playing in front of raucous Oklahoma City crowds, Kevin Durant knows exactly what to expect when he takes the court at Chesapeake Energy Arena for the first time as a visitor Saturday night.
"I know they're going to be rowdy in there, man," Durant told ESPN's Marc Stein in a "SportsCenter" interview set to air Wednesday.
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"I've been a part of some of the loudest nights in that arena. So I know it's not going to be the friendliest welcome," Durant said, though he added that he looks forward to seeing people he had built relationships with. "Even though they might not cheer for me out loud, I'll give 'em a wink and they know what we had deep down inside."
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Following the team's move from Seattle to Oklahoma City after his rookie season, the Thunder enjoyed annual success and nightly sellouts, as Durant, Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka, and for a time, James Harden led OKC to deep postseason runs that included a finals appearance in 2012.
However, in the aftermath of Durant's free-agency decision to join the Warriors, who eliminated the Thunder in the Western Conference final last season, some Oklahoma City fans responded with pure vitriol.
In two games against the Thunder this season - both at Oracle Arena - Durant has averaged 39.5 points on 70 percent shooting to go along with 9.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and two blocks. Golden State has won both meetings by a combined margin of 47 points.