"I don't understand that" - Monty Williams is surprised that Kevin Durant is still booed in Oklahoma City for his controversial exit back in 2016
Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns secured their fifth straight victory on Sunday with a 128-118 win over the OKC Thunder.
Durant led Phoenix with 35 points, five rebounds, five assists and two blocks on 61.9% shooting. The game marked a homecoming for KD, who played eight seasons for the Thunder following the franchise’s relocation from Seattle to OKC in 2008.
The superstar forward infamously left them on bad terms in 2016 to form a super team in Golden State. Seven years later, Durant is still receiving boos from Thunder fans.
According to Suns coach Monty Williams, those boos are unjustified. Following Sunday’s game, Williams explained why Thunder fans should show their appreciation for what Durant helped them accomplish rather than boo him.
“I’m still surprised about why so many people boo him here. I don’t understand that,” he said.
“This fanbase is one that I have respected for a long time. I get it, you lose a guy like Kevin, but I think, at some point, you have to appreciate what he meant to this organization. … He loves this city. He knows what Sam (Presti) and this organization meant to him.
“I hope someday that they can appreciate him.”
"I'm still surprised at how many people, why they boo him here. I don't understand that."
Monty Williams on Kevin Durant getting booed during #Suns win in Durant's latest return to OKC. #Thunder https://t.co/A2AfxvVp6U
Kevin Durant led the OKC Thunder to the 2012 NBA Finals, where they lost in five games to the Miami Heat. He also won his lone regular-season MVP with the Thunder in 2014, among countless other accolades.
However, OKC has not won a single playoff series since Durant’s departure in 2016. So it appears that Thunder fans may still need some more time before they’re ready to forgive KD.
Suns remain perfect with Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant has only been able to play six games for the Phoenix Suns so far since he was acquired from Brooklyn on Feb. 9. Phoenix has been dominant with him in the lineup as following Sunday’s win and holds a perfect 6-0 record when Durant suits up.
During his postgame interview on Sunday, Monty Williams raved about KD's offensive impact on the team.
“There’s not a way that he can’t score,” Williams said.
“Those kind of players – they want those (clutch) shots. They’re so used to having the ball in their hands. I wouldn’t call it a luxury, because I don’t want to disrespect those moments.
“Guys work their tails off to be ready for those shots and he and [Devin] Booker are a case in point. That’s what Kevin does.”
Outside of Kevin Durant, Suns star shooting guard Devin Booker added 22 points, five rebounds and 10 assists on 57.1% shooting in Sunday’s win.
The Thunder were led by star point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who had 39 points, three rebounds, five assists and two steals on 50.0% shooting.
Despite the loss, OKC (38-41, 10th in the West) remains in the final play-in spot in the Western Conference. Phoenix (43-35), meanwhile, sits fourth in the West.
The Thunder will next play on Tuesday against the Golden State Warriors (41-38, sixth in the West). The Suns will take on the San Antonio Spurs (20-58, 14th in the West) in their next game on the same day.