Playing against his former team on Monday, Rockets forward Kevin Durant secured a victory for his current team by making a game-winning three-pointer with one second left in the fourth quarter. He admitted to reporters after the victory that being able to deliver that dagger against the Suns made the moment more meaningful, per Kristie Rieken of The Associated Press.
“Most definitely,” Durant said. “A place that I didn’t want to leave. My first time — I don’t want to sound too dramatic, but I will — to be kicked out of a place.
“It feels good to play against a team that booted you out of the building and scapegoated you for all the problems they had. And it hurt because I put all my effort and love and care towards the Suns and the Phoenix area and Arizona in general. But that’s just the business, that’s the name of the game. So, when you play against a (former) team, yeah you got a chip on your shoulder.”
The Suns, whose “big three” of Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal never meshed like they hoped, began discussing possible KD trades ahead of last season’s trade deadline, which was news to Durant. He helped nix those talks by making it clear he had no interest in returning to Golden State, then put Houston on his list of preferred destinations when the Suns renewed those trade efforts in the summer.
“It’s nothing but love for the players, but I want to beat that team,” he said on Monday. “I want to show them that I still got some juice in the tank. Even though I’m old, I still can play. I feel like every player has that mentality playing against their former team. I don’t think it’s malicious in any way towards them. But just as a competitor, you want to go out there and beat them.”
We have more from around the Pacific:
- Clippers rookie Kobe Sanders made his fourth career start on Monday with James Harden out due to shoulder stiffness and set or matched career highs in points (20), rebounds (seven), and minutes (36). Sanders, who has now been active for 29 games, has made a strong case for a promotion from his two-way contract to the standard roster and is earning praise from head coach Tyronn Lue in the process, writes Beth Harris of The Associated Press. “His poise, his ability to understand what we’re doing defensively and offensively, and just getting more and more confident,” Lue said of what has impressed him about the 2025 second-rounder.
- Monday’s one-point loss to the Clippers was a frustrating one for Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, who received two technical fouls and was ejected after disputing multiple referee decisions, including a no-call that crew chief Brian Forte acknowledged after the game should have been a goaltending violation, per Anthony Slater of ESPN. Veteran assistant Terry Stotts coached the team following Kerr’s ejection, then took Kerr’s place during the post-game media session. “I’m up here because I’m saving Steve some money,” Stotts explained.
- Monday’s game was the ninth in a row that Jonathan Kuminga didn’t play, including his seventh DNP-CD during that stretch. Asked after the game about whether he thinks Kuminga’s nonexistent role and uncertain future are weighing on his Warriors teammate, Jimmy Butler quickly replied, “Nope, not at all,” and referred to Kuminga as his “friend” and brother” (Twitter video link via Slater). “I tell JK, you be a pro of all pros,” Butler said. “Come here and get your work done. Smile and have a good time. Because you’re still an NBA player (and) one of the best people in the world. I’m not even talking about basketball. So you keep smiling and you keep being the great human being that you are.”
Kobe Colonel Sanders was amazing last night. Fantastic wing player, great offense, and stepped up when he needed to.
Great to see a small school kid rise to the occasion and raise eyebrows.
ok, snoop!
I saw him in the summer league and preseason play and you could tell he was special. Just surprised it took the Clippers this much time to start playing him.
Typical Steve Kerr not doing any research or planning on the opposition role players, who proceed to destroy him because he is playing 6’1″ guys on 6’10” guys and expecting the defense and rebounds to come. Kerr is just ragebaiting GSW fans at this point, its really gross how the game has turned into such a boys club with head coaches with lifetime gigs they do nothing at all to earn every year.
NBA referees are some of the most sensitive people in the world. It’s bad optics to have refs potentially affecting the outcome of games. Especially when Tim Donaghy and gambling scandals are a part of your league culture.
Warriors are not the only team this year to lose a game because of bad officials. Its a growing trend in sports now that gambling is so easy to do and not 1 sport league wants to admit it goes on because of bad PR.
Talking of bad optics, gambling on sports, etc., I just wonder if it’s true the recent announcement by the NBA of a great surge in viewing NBA games. Seems to me there might be less overall viewing since one now needs to pay for streaming services like PrimeVideo, Peacock, Apple TV and the like to see games which I could previously see for free on the networks.
Also it’s interesting to hear Kevin Durant say he was kicked out of Arizona where he wanted to stay and play there. I remember wondering why Phoenix wanted to trade him and the answer was Durant wanted out.
Warriors better have something seriously cooking with JK and even a few other guys. They are hurting the way they are and they need a minimum of two serious rotation guys plugged into that lineup.
A nice big man, a four man, whoever that may be, and then a wing or guard who can do what they hoped Dennis Schrader would provide last year but didn’t. Ball handler, scorer etc., team leader.
Remember Jarrett Jack on the championship teams 10 years ago? That kind of guy. Gets Curry off the ball a little more often and can handle the pressure.
The warriors need more than 1 player to turn around the season. They need a big back up center and a 3rd option scorer. face it after Curry and Butler there is no scorer you can count on. Too many inconsistent shooters on the team. Jan 15th will be huge for the warriors and the organization moving forward.
Jerami Grant and Rob Williams
Jarret Jack, heck of a player. Great PG with PG skills and could score.
How about MPJ?
Also turn the page on Kerr at the AS break.
Warriors need new voice new energy
the problem with MPJ is they would need to give up moody. I wouldn’t mind make it a bigger trade in Kuminga, Moody, Heild and 2026 1st round pick for MPJ and Thomas . Net’s might want to be rid of Thomas knowing he is a free agent next year with that expiring contract.
Fk Kerr. Stotts as interim. Trade for mpj or any big name asap. Move on. New energy and no more Kerr dictatorship, lol.
Kerr leaves at the end of the season. You can tell he is burned out and not enjoying it anymore. I highly doubt Lacob would fire Kerr.
They could even hire Mullin as interim just to get new excitement.
Andre is a great idea too. Maybe even try and talk Draymond into retiring now and taking the gig.
I repeat that Nick Richards is a great cost-effective option that can help. Can be obtained by almost nothing, makes just above the minimum (and I even think his contract is expiring). The skillset they need to help down low.
I would like to retain GPII, but one of bench players has to be included in a trade. Him, or Buddy, or some other.
Though it seems unsalvageable as of now, I don’t think trading Kuminga with a market below its value (or even far below), is the best choice.
I’d rather stick with a disgruntled Kuminga, than give him away for spare parts.
It has to be a real needle mover that puts them in real contention, and, as of know, there doesn’t seem to be a realistic trade that’s out there.
Rather send out Buddy and one or two seconds to bring Looney back again.
Nick Richards is tricky because by himself, the only trade options are:
1) Horford (defeats the purpose)
2) Podz and GP2 (Kerrs fave two players)
I think trading the much maligned (by many here) GPII would be a mistake. He does a lot of the little things that a team needs through out a game. While he’s by no means an all star. He’s often brought in to defend and try to cool off a hot shooter and is one of the better rebounders (he’s 2nd) for this team. I suggest looking at the Warrior stats per minutes played.
I agree he is one of the biright spots so far this year. Just like Kerr needs to play Post and Santos more. TJD, Spencer, and Heild should be the ones offered in trade if the warriors need to match payroll. None of those 3 are playing well enough to be missed.
I think the fact that Kuminga, Hield and Spencer keep getting DNPs is because a trade is coming with those 3 in it.
Kerr’s tantrum and the resulting free throws lost the game as much as the outrageous missed call on the obvious goal tending did.
Exactly. Steve Kerr is a massive handicap to the Golden State Warriors at this stage of his career.
Giannis (too ball centric) isn’t the answer for GSW. Frankly, I’m not sure what the answer is besides that and NOT getting rid of Kerr.
Obviously, Kuminga is already out the door. I’d also add Podz as another player I would trade. He too often gets caught in the air with very fewer options and simply isn’t as good as he thinks he is other than drawing the occasional charge. While I wouldn’t move Post unless it brings back some size. For a guy his size he’s a poor on the boards and defensively imo. Would two of those three bring something back of greater help and value? Saying all that, I don’t see much value in what this team would receive or trade away other than draft picks. Unless there’s a team that thinks Kuminga is a stud and worth as much as many here think he is. Based on this past summer, I don’t see that happening for a player(s) that actually helps this current team.
From what has been reported teh warriors will not bring on future payroll for Kuminga is the reason they refused the Monk deal. They want 2 way wing players. There are rumors that the warriors already has a trade deal in place. AD, Lebron, and Giannis are not on the market so those rumors are false.
Don’t want refs to affect games? Win by 20.
Refs can turn around a 20 point deficit in three minutes
I think the Warriors have too many cooks, they need to shorten the roster. Stop trying to fit in all 15 actives in every game. Kerr must go. The roster itself is currently 19-18 in the loaded Western Conference on Jan 6…that’s nowhere near as the disaster many are making it out to be. That’s 11 losses by Kerr’s bad coaching and nothing else. That Clippers game was lost when Kerr went with 4 guards at once, and the Clips lead went from 2 to 14. Kerr just has to play normal basketball lineups, just play a PG, a SG, a SF, a PF and a C. You know, like how almost every other team does? GSW has the pieces, Kerr just refuses to use them.
Trade:
Draymond Green $25.8M
Jonathan Kuminga $22.5
Buddy Hield $9.2
Brandin Podziemski $3.7
Gary Payton II $2.3
Get:
Literally anyone good and healthy. Even mid guys are fine, Curry will make them better. Or get as many good players as possible, but it is not crucial to trade 5 for 5 here. 5 for 2 or 3 makes this less confusing the head moron in charge. DNPing $32M of players every game is insane work by Kerr.
i would keep GP2 because he has been playing very well and for that low amount of money you can’t replace him. Bradin is also a keper for now because his low cost. I am hoping the other 3 are traded.
Here is my list of the 10 players the warriors will trade for On Jan 15th. No order but random names that make sense
Zion
McCollum
Gafford
Williams/Grant
Calxton/MPJ
mathurin/Jackson
Aldama
Turner
Not counting how I have a feeling thetre will be a big trade of 3 or 4 players coming and going. With Will Richards play coming along they may add moody to trade him since he has value that the others do not have. Unfortunately i doubt Green gets traded even though they should trade him.
I’m shocked that 2.0 didn’t blame Kerr for Durant making the game winner! “Get anyone good and healthy.” If the Warriors need a new GM, here’s your guy, 2.0 What an amazing strategist, ‘good and healthy’. Doesn’t matter as to position, age, or any other metric, ANYONE GOOD AND HEALTH. Talk about moronic.
Hearing little Jimmy Butler say, “Be a pro of all pros” and “Come here and get your work done. Smile and have a good time” when he bitched his way out of, what FOUR teams, is the funniest thing I’ll hear today!
What does Jimmy know about being a pro?!?!?
What do YOU know about it???