KD felt 'scapegoated' for Suns' issues last season

Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant took extra pleasure in sinking his former team with a late go-ahead triple in Monday's 100-97 victory over the Phoenix Suns.

"I don't want to sound too dramatic, but I will. To be kicked out of a place, it felt like I've been scapegoated for the issues we had as a team last year," Durant told reporters postgame, including Lachard Binkley of Sports Illustrated. "Yeah, it felt good to beat them and hit a game-winning shot."

"You play with a little a chip on your shoulder against your former team, especially when they trade you," Durant admitted.

Durant spent parts of three seasons with the Suns, averaging 26.8 points, 6.3 boards, 4.6 assists, and 1.2 blocks across 145 appearances. He earned two All-Star selections and an All-NBA second-team nod during his tenure.

However, Phoenix didn't enjoy much playoff success. The Suns lost in six games to the eventual champion Denver Nuggets in the second round of the playoffs during Durant's first season. They were then swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the opening round of the following postseason.

Phoenix failed to crack the play-in tournament during Durant's final campaign in the desert largely due to its 28th-ranked defense. The Suns reportedly shopped Durant at the trade deadline that season but were unable to strike a deal.

Houston eventually acquired Durant from the Suns last July as part of a historic seven-team trade. He later signed a two-year, $90-million contract extension with the Rockets.

"It feels good to play against a team that booted you out of the building and scapegoated you for all the problems that they had, and it hurt because I put all my effort, love, and care towards the Suns and the Phoenix area, Arizona in general," Durant said, per Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic.