Kendrick Perkins believes Kevin Durant has to send a message to the OKC Thunder after their NBA championship win.
Ever since Kevin Durant controversially left the OKC Thunder in 2016, the fanbase has had a complicated relationship with him.
Durant was beloved by the fans, but when he left to join the Golden State Warriors, he became the villain in their eyes.
Since then, Durant has found championship success in the NBA. And this past June, the Oklahoma City Thunder also won a championship.
The franchise’s first-ever championship banner will go up on opening night. In a brilliant twist of fate, Durant will be facing the Thunder after their ring ceremony.
Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesKendrick Perkins says Kevin Durant should send a message to OKC Thunder
Kendrick Perkins spoke on NBA Today about the NBA’s opening night fixture between the OKC Thunder and Houston Rockets.
He believes that Kevin Durant, as a former Thunder great, shouldn’t enjoy seeing their championship ceremony and should put up a strong performance to ruin their night and send a message to the fans.
“[Kevin Durant] in OKC, the fans have yet to give him a round of applause for returning. The great KD has to walk into that building and watch not only the franchise he left raise their first banner.
“But also watch the best franchise player ever [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander] get his ring. It’s going to be smoke in the city.
“If I’m KD, I’m going in the back. I don’t want to watch it. If I’m KD, I come with the mindset that I want to upset them and spoil their big ring ceremony night.”
OKC Thunder fans must let go of animosity
For all the anger that Thunder fans have towards Kevin Durant, it doesn’t make much sense for them to keep harping on his exit.
Durant spoke positively about the current Thunder squad, saying that they were better than the 2012 squad he took to the NBA Finals.
Whether they like it or not, Durant is one of the most important players in the history of their franchise. Without him, they wouldn’t get to where they are today in the NBA.
Jeff Teague said recently that Durant’s Thunder jersey should be retired. And given how much he did for the team, that isn’t a controversial statement.
Hopefully, the Thunder fans can find it in themselves to forgive Kevin Durant before the legendary star ends his NBA career.