NBA: Durant’s mom hurt over ‘vicious’ treatment son got in OKC return
‘The Real MVP’ Wanda Durant did not appreciate OKC fans’ harsh treatment of her son on Sunday. AP file photo
Amid a sea of jeers and boos from his former fan base, Kevin Durant and the Golden State Warriors left the Chesapeake Arena with a victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday.
READ: Durant leads Warriors over Thunder in return to OKC
Following news that the one-time league MVP hired extra security for his first return to Oklahoma since bolting for the Dubs this summer, Durant poured in 34 points on 12-of-21 shooting and led the defending Western Conference Champions to a 130-114 win.
Despite the apparent disdain he got from the home court fans, the 28-year-old seemed unfazed by the hate and even told reporters after the game that he thought the boos “would be a little louder.”
But unfortunately for Kevin, his mother Wanda Durant could not muster the same composure and admitted to have been hurt by the harsh treatment his son received.
Just basketball, not whether or not you’re going to heaven
“The most vicious things you could say, they said about my son tonight. It’s hurtful,” the loving matriarch admitted to ESPN after the heated game.
“We poured our heart into this place. Not just him. Our family. This is basketball. This is not whether or not you’re going to make it into heaven.”
The 49-year-old mother, who was famously referred to by Durant as “The Real MVP” during his Most Valuable Player acceptance speech back in 2014, could not hide her grief after some fans approached her during the game and uttered obscenities about her son.
“They called him a snake, a sellout, a b**ch,” she said. “It’s just a sad day. I understand that they loved him. I do understand it. But the name-calling…It didn’t have to be like this.”
Apart from Durant’s emotional return to the city where he spent his first eight seasons, pundits and fans alike were thrilled to see how he’d react against former teammate and fellow All-Star Russell Westbrook.
The match-up did not disappoint, as Westbrook brought in an unparalleled intensity and finished the game with a game-high 47 points and 11 rebounds, albeit in a losing effort.
At one point, the once dynamic duo were seen jawing at each other in a heated exchange in the fourth quarter.
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook👀😤 pic.twitter.com/xZkxT2keHv
— NBA Inside Stuff (@NBAInside_Stuff) February 12, 2017
In a separate report from USA Today, famed Oklahoma City restaurant Mahogany Prime Steakhouse reportedly turned down Durant’s offer to rent out the entire place after the game.
The eight-time All-Star was eventually given a table on the restaurant, even though Westbrook was also sighted in the same establishment after the game.
Kevin Durant is eating dinner at Mahogany after all. pic.twitter.com/c6zeZECEjd
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) February 12, 2017
The fiery point guard was reportedly seated in a different area and did not interact with Durant. Khristian Ibarrola
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