Kevin Durant reiterates Warriors couldn't stop him from playing in Finals

Share

If you were hoping Kevin Durant would say disparaging things about the Warriors now that he plays for the Nets, you are going to be disappointed.

Back in early August, the two-time NBA Finals MVP was asked by Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports if the Dubs mishandled his injury during last year's playoffs.

"Hell, no," he declared. "How can you blame? Hell, no. I heard the Warriors pressured me into getting back. Nobody never said a word to me during rehab as I was coming back."

"Right when the series started, I targeted Game 5. Hell, nah. It just happened ... no matter what the series was, I was aiming for Game 5. That’s why I played when it was 3-1. No matter what, I just wanted to play in the Finals ... I really wanted to play in that series.”

On Monday morning, KD doubled down during an appearance on "Hot 97" radio in Brooklyn:

"I was excited. I was like a kid. I wanted to play. It was the Finals. You don't get the opportunity to try to win three in a row. I was working to get to that point.

"A lot of people said the Warriors might have pressured me. But they're probably saying that they (the Warriors) could have stopped me from myself -- put up a wall and say 'No, you're not playing.'

Golden State Warriors

Find the latest Golden State Warriors news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Bay Area and California.

KD brushes off NBA trade deadline drama as ‘just business'

Why Draymond vs. Portis is matchup to watch in Warriors-Bucks game

"But nobody would have stopped me at that point. I was gonna play no matter what ... I thought I was gonna go out there and cruise through the game ... s--t happens."

Remember, it wasn't just the Warriors who cleared KD to return for Game 5 in Toronto. Durant's outside doctor was a part of the process and gave the thumbs up, also.

Nobody thought the 10-time All-Star was at risk for tearing his Achilles. And at this point, nobody should be blaming Golden State.

But that's just wishful thinking.

Get well, KD.

Follow @DrewShiller on Twitter and Instagram

Contact Us