VIDEO: Oracle Arena Crowd Warmly Welcomes Kevin Durant to Golden State
By Kyle Koster
Warriors' Kevin Durant gets extended ovation before USA vs. China at Oracle Arena pic.twitter.com/TqyslF5yZY
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) July 27, 2016
USA Basketball is playing an exhibition game against China tonight at Oracle Arena. It’s the first time Kevin Durant has taken the court in the Bay Area since joining the Golden State Warriors.
Not surprisingly, he was given a warm welcome in the form of a standing ovation during pregame introductions. Compare this reception with the one he and Draymond Green received in Los Angeles on Sunday.
Much has been made over Durant’s psyche since he decided to join Stephen Curry & Co. The prolonged bed rest and gigantic Tupac tattoo provided ample fodder.
How Durant responds to his new role on a super team remains to be seen. What’s clearer is that the Warriors are no longer the beloved aspiring juggernaut. They are the loathed Death Star, destined to be hated.
Their successes will not be as widely celebrated like they were last season, not with Durant. He and Green should get used to the booing away from home. It’s not going anywhere.