The biggest news preceding this year's NBA Regular Season was that Kevin Durant, the Thunder's franchise player and who people thought would help bring a title to OKC, would leave and join the Golden State Warriors. This news was met with mixed emotions from fans and players alike, with most feeling animosity towards the former MVP.
Despite having the odds being overly one-sided, the games between the Thunder and the Warriors were highly anticipated since it would feature Durant going against his former team of 10 years. Going against a former team, especially one that you spent what will most likely be half your professional career in, will never be a simple task as emotions are sure to run high. Kevin Durant will even be the first person to admit this.
"It's never going to be a regular game for me," Durant told ESPN's Chris Haynes. "I'm sure it will [be emotional]. It's people I've been with for so long and to see them again, yeah, they'll be some emotions." He added when asked about the upcoming game when the Warrior host the Thunder for the second time this season.
In their first outing, emotions did not seem to bother Kevin Durant as he simply destroyed his former team. The Warriors won the game 122-96 with Durant scoring a game-high 39 points.
Thunder reserve, Enes Kanter, seemed to take Durant's performance a little too emotionally as he could be seen jawing with Durant from the bench during a stoppage of play. This is something you can expect when facing a former team, and Durant is a player who is aware and accepting of it.
"Trash-talking is a part of it [the game]." Durant told Mercury News' Tim Kawakami. "As long as we're in between the lines, everything's good with me."
Durant will look to repeat his performance when they host the Thunder again today, but the real test of emotions will come later on in the season. The Warriors will still have to visit Oklahoma twice this season, on February 11 and March 20 as per Bleacher Report.
Having played there for 10 years, Durant may already be used to how loud the fans can get inside the Chesapeake Arena (appropriately called Thunder Alley because it is the loudest arena to play in). However, he will most likely be met with hostility rather than appreciation when he returns to face the Thunder on their home court in a what is sure to be an emotional game to everyone involved.
