Fans send in rib-tickling reactions as Phoenix Suns win on Kevin Durant's debut: "MJ or Kobe would never jump from team to team"
Kevin Durant played almost rust-free basketball on his debut for the Phoenix Suns tonight against the Charlotte Hornets. KD hasn’t played since Jan. 8 while recovering from a right MCL sprain but looked like his usual superb self in 27 minutes of action.
Following the Suns’ 105-91 road victory versus the Hornets, basketball fans quickly sent in their thoughts on Twitter:
“Mj or kobe would never jump from team to team”
@BleacherReport Mj or kobe would never jump from team to team
@NBA Beat a g league team we’re not moved
@NBA Beat the hornets without Lamelo
@BleacherReport no one is scared of this mid team
@BleacherReport Against the *flips thru pages* 20 and 44 Hornets….impressive #NBA
@KingJosiah54 And they still not going anywhere https://t.co/SFiALKZocx
@BleacherReport warriors bouncing them
@BleacherReport Not worried lakers in 4
Despite Durant just playing his first game in Phoenix, a few fans just couldn’t resist trolling the superstar and his new team:
“Another trade request on the way very soon”
@BleacherReport Another trade request on the way very🔜
@NBA This is like the never ending story. Which team will he play with next? And the KD saga continues.
The away crowd gave Kevin Durant a smattering of applause when he was introduced before the game. He showed why he was deserving of such recognition despite the long layoff. KD was again very efficient in his game.
The former MVP was content to let the game come to him, allowing Chris Paul and Devin Booker to dictate almost everything on offense. When he had a chance to put up buckets, he was just as deadly as pre-injury in Brooklyn.
Durant hit 10-15 shots, including 2-4 from behind the arc, to finish with 23 points. His presence on the floor kept Charlotte’s defense more honest, helping Booker to explode for a game-high 37 points.
When Book and “CP3” went to the bench, the Suns almost never missed a beat as they had KD and Deandre Ayton holding the fort. The Hornets’ defense was glued to him wherever he was on the floor and helped open up his teammates.
Kevin Durant had this to say about his performance tonight:
"Yea it was fun. And it’s the highest level [basket] ball in the world. So, I missed being out on the floor and going over strategy and just talking with the guys, the camaraderie, all that stuff."
He added:
"I’m glad I got to get back on the floor today and try to build toward something. I got good intentions and I want to do well out there."
"Yea it was fun...So I missed being out on the floor and going over strategy and just talking with the guys, the camaraderie, all that stuff...I got good intentions and I want to do well out there."
🗣️ KD speaks after his first game with the Phoenix Suns https://t.co/h6LIC0sm9U
The Phoenix Suns still have some pressing issues to work on despite Kevin Durant’s presence
The biggest uncertainty regarding the Phoenix Suns' title hopes after acquiring Kevin Durant was bench production. Charles Barkley refused to call them favorites as he didn’t like how Phoenix’s supporting cast was constructed.
Against the Hornets, the bench mob combined for a total of 23 points, the same output Durant delivered by himself in 27 minutes. They were able to get away with it in a regular-season game against the lowly host team, but it will be a different story in the playoffs.
“The West is so good now, you’re going to need a good bench. You can’t go to war with just KD, Booker, and Ayton.”
Charles reacts to KD’s move to Phoenix https://t.co/Tys0kfmQPA
Free throws could be another glaring issue that Monty Williams and his team will have to address. Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Chris Paul are three of the best mid-range scorers. Their unique skill set also limits their ability to get to the free-throw line.
The Suns had 15 free throw attempts compared to the Hornets’ 28. Against better and more disciplined defenses in the postseason, getting to the foul line could be the biggest difference-maker.
Monty Williams, though, likes his squad better than what they had before the trade deadline. His team has some issues to fix, but having Kevin Durant alongside Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton solves several of his problems.
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