Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant. Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Durant responds to Draymond Green’s anger at him

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Darryn Albert | Last updated 1/9/24

Another chapter is being written on the love-hate relationship between Kevin Durant and Draymond Green.

The Phoenix Suns star Durant made some notable comments about his old teammate Green last month after Green hit Jusuf Nurkic, Durant’s current teammate, in the head. Green was handed an indefinite suspension by the NBA over the incident and ultimately served a 12-game ban.

At the time, Durant said that he hoped Green would get “the help that he needs.” Durant also mentioned that Green was not “that way when I was around him.” You can read Durant’s full remarks from last month here.

Speaking out this week for the first time since he was reinstated from his suspension, Green addressed Durant’s comments. Green said that he was initially angry and “pissed” about what Durant had said about him. But Green added that he eventually reflected further on the remarks from Durant and was able to view them from a different perspective.

Here is the full clip from Green’s podcast.

Draymond Green initially felt upset when Kevin Durant said, “I hope Draymond gets the help he needs.”

However, upon reconsidering from a different perspective, he realized that KD was right, and seeking help isn’t a negative thing.

pic.twitter.com/fCS54M8LSa

— Episodes (@episodesent) January 9, 2024

After a loss to the LA Clippers on Monday, Durant responded to Green’s anger at him.

“Well you gotta look at it from my perspective,” said Durant, per Melissa Rohlin of Fox Sports. “Before I had made those comments, they saying Draymond going to therapy and s–t. What I’m supposed to think. They say somebody going to therapy. I hope he get better from that. I hope he learn from it.

“I didn’t mean no ill will about what I said,” Durant added. “I know some people look at me like I’m malicious, a snake, passive-aggressive, I know how people feel about me sometimes. So when I say s–t, I don’t mean no harm to nobody. I didn’t mean to disrespect him or his family. I’m just glad he’s back on the court.”

Durant and Green will always have a complicated relationship. They were teammates in Golden State for four years, making four Finals appearances together and winning two championships. But a very high-profile feud between the two helped lead to Durant leaving the Warriors in 2019.

Though Durant and Green reunited as USA Basketball teammates during a gold-medal win at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, they still sometimes go back and forth at each other in the public eye. Green at least seems to have grown thanks to Durant’s December comments about him though, so hopefully whatever resentment they may still have towards each other is fading.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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