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<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "SEATTLE (AP) – Kevin Durant He got off the bus inside KeyArena's loading dock about two hours before the switchover and took a quick look at the short, visible tunnel through. "data-reactid =" 14 ">SEATTLE (AP) – Kevin Durant got off the bus inside KeyArena's loading dock about two hours before departure and took a quick look at the short, visible tunnel.
He was back where his NBA career began more than a decade ago.
"A really different feeling, that fits in the arena and goes down the ramp, just like when I was playing here," Durant said. "Bring back memories."
Durant was back in Seattle on Friday night with his Golden State Warriors for a pre-season game against the Sacramento Kings for the city's first NBA game since SuperSonics left for Oklahoma City after the 2007-08 season. The Seattle basketball community had the opportunity to get together again before KeyArena became a construction site later this fall as part of a $ 700 million renovation that should allow the city to become a part of the city. an expanding NHL team.
But that night, it was again an NBA building with the same energy, the same excitement and the same sound that bounced on its walls at the Sonics' glory age, when they were part of the franchise. elite of the NBA. The game is sold in a few hours and the lower bowl has been filled with fans more than an hour before the start.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "And all the focus was on Durant, with who Jeff Green are the only players in the league to have played for the Sonics in Seattle. When he was billed as the last member of the starting training for Golden State, Durant completed his training by revealing a Shawn Kemp SuperSonics jersey of the 1996 season, the last time Seattle participated in the NBA Finals. . The crowd broke, as if Durant needed to be more loved in the city of Emerald. "Data-reactid =" 19 "> And all the emphasis was on Durant, who with Jeff Green is the only player in the league to have played for the Sonics in Seattle. When he was billed as the last member of the starting training for Golden State, Durant completed his training by revealing a Shawn Kemp SuperSonics jersey of the 1996 season, the last time Seattle participated in the NBA Finals. . The crowd broke out, as if Durant needed to be more loved in the Emerald City.
Durant also took the tipoff microphone before transmitting a message to fans that turned out.
"First of all, I want to congratulate the Seattle Storm for stopping it from winning a championship," Durant said, pointing to Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart sitting in court. "On behalf of myself, the NBA, our organization, my teammates, we want to thank you for coming to support us. I know that the last 10 years have been difficult. The NBA is back in Seattle for tonight. Let's hope he comes back forever. "
The stands were a mix of green and gold SuperSonics and blue and yellow Warriors. And although there were jerseys of Kemp and Gary Payton in green Sonics, and Stephen Curry in white Warriors, the No. 35 with "Durant" in the back seemed to be the jersey of choice par excellence.
"Kevin, he's sort of representing the last season of the Sonics and hopefully a comeback, whatever it is," Warrior coach Steve Kerr said while wearing a vintage shirt. SuperSonics.
The Seattle Hoop personalities were present: Bird and Stewart, Payton, Jamal Crawford, Jack Sikma, Detlef Schrempf and Slick Watts, as well as Hall of Famers Lenny Wilkens and Bill Russell.
Durant has released personalized green shoes with golden accents to wear during the match. More personal still was the white Nike that he wore in the building with "KD" and the old Sonics logo with the Seattle skyline in the back.
"I thought it was very appropriate to have come here to represent the entire city," Durant said.
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