Around this time last summer, the Spurs were vanquishing the Miami Heat, the world was abuzz about LeBron James’ next destination, and Kevin Durant was the man.
Whether it was conversations about USA Basketball, a $300 million bidding war between Nike and Under Armour, or his status as the NBAs best, Kevin Durant was the man.
One-year later, and KD is somewhat of an afterthought to the hardcore NBA fan. Now it’s about LeBron heroics in the Finals, Stephen Curry as the MVP, and your typical Anthony Davis or James Harden conversation as well.
That’s pissing Durant off, as shared with ESPN.com, what’s truly motivating him.
But after three surgeries to repair a fracture in his right foot that caused him to miss 55 games last season, the 2014 MVP understands why his name has slipped from a lot of minds as fans marvel at James’ and Stephen Curry’s electrifying performances in the NBA Finals.
“It used to piss me off but I love it now,” Durant told ESPN.com. “Just gotta show and prove. I don’t deserve to be up there with them this year. Next year is a different story.”
It’s not all bad, as Durant finished eight in an ESPN.com poll, but he wants his title as the baddest back.
“Sometimes you gotta remind people what you do,” Durant said last season. “They tend to forget.”
Durant is hoping to be cleared for full basketball activities by August, and would probably benefit from a subtle apology to you know who!