While he had opened the door a few years ago to the end of his career in Europe and in Barcelona in particular, Kevin Durant no longer seems so keen to cross the Atlantic. KD who plays the EuroLeague, will probably not count on it…
For those who don’t have the beginning of this thrilling story, we have to go back to 2019 and a certain TV show. Serge Ibaka makes us his cook in “How hungry are you” and as often he invited an NBA headliner to chat orange ball between two fries. The boyfriend of the day is a certain Kevin Durant. Seriously injured during the 2019 NBA Finals and in full recovery, the winger accepts the interview with his former Thunder comrade. On the program, questions regarding his departure from OKC, regarding the last Finals, regarding his life in general but also regarding his end of career. KD was then only 31 years old (he is now 34), and he opened the door wide for a final season at… Barcelona.
“I’ve accomplished so much so early on that I’m looking at how I can do more. I would really like to play abroad for my last season. In Barcelona. I would love one of those days. It is the second best league in the world. The EuroLeague looks cool. But it’s just a dream I have when I’m on the couch watching TV. I don’t know for sure if I will do it but it would be a good experience.”
The info is massive, one of the best players in the NBA who sees himself ending up on the Old Continent to smack us 50 points in each EuroLeague match, inevitably it made our mouths water on the other side of Atlantic. Small problem: water has flowed under the bridge since then and Durantula seems to have changed his plans. Asked at a press conference, the former MVP did not give Catalan fans much hope. Comments reported by Adam Laskaris of Daily Hive.
Kevin Durant to @Canyameridis71 on if he still wants to retire by playing his career out in Barcelona as he once told Serge Ibaka in 2019:
“I was thinking regarding the end a little bit. I’d said something crazy. I love watching the EuroLeague… but I really doubt that happens.” pic.twitter.com/TJXEBeCovG
– Adam Laskaris (@adam_la2karis) December 17, 2022
“We had just won a championship, I was playing well. I guess that makes you think regarding the end a little too much… when you reach the pinnacle of what it’s like to be an NBA player. I have a lot of respect for the EuroLeague, I have friends in the EuroLeague, I love watching the games, but I really doubt that will happen. It sounded good when I said it”.
Unless the situation turns around, our French clubs should not face Kevin Durant during European Cup matches. A misfortune for the fans of course, since we are still talking regarding a basketball monster, but no doubt a relief for some defenders who will avoid a few nightmares.
Source texte : Adam Laskaris / Daily Hive