When Kevin Durant announced his intentions to sign with the Golden State Warriors, he was hated because basketball fans and analysts perceived his move negatively.
When he has his debut game on Saturday for the Warriors, Durant game did not live up to the expectations of basketball analysts and fans. Moreover, the team stated that they need him to be aggressive with his shot selection.
ESPN reported that Durant only made two out of nine field goals during the preseason game hosted by the Toronto Raptors at Rogers Arena, Vancouver, Canada.
The former Oklahoma City Thunder star played 19 minutes, scored 9 points, and had to make it to his ninth attempt in order to make a 3-point shot.
The reactions from the fans were overwhelming, and it can't be avoided that Durant got booed on this game too. When Warriors' star player Stephen Curry was asked about it, this is what he has to say, according to NBA.com's Scott Howard-Copper:
"It's just funny, I highly doubt anybody in this arena was affected by Durant's free-agent decision. It's just funny kind of buying into a narrative that doesn't really make sense. It probably won't be the last time. But he handles it well and at the end of the day it's just about playing basketball."
Moreover, Durant has stated that the Warriors wants him to be more aggressive. Draymond Green was reportedly one of the teammates who encouraged him and told him he wasn't aggressive enough, but he basically meant that he just wants him to shoot more. Durant, however, vowed he will as aggressive as the team wants him to be next time.
Sportsnet reported that Durant was untroubled by the reaction he received from the crowd during the game, saying that it was just because they were supporting the Raptors that time. He added that he has become unbothered by the situation he is in right now and that it is unlikely to diminish soon.
