Kevin Durant. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Kevin Durant, the Golden State Warriors superstar, couldn’t wipe the smile off his face while talking about his newest All-Star teammate DeMarcus Cousins.
Durant was surprised the Warriors, who are already overflowing with star power, were still able to upgrade their roster by adding Cousins in another wild year in NBA free agency.
“Around July 2nd, things kind of change for us but adding somebody like DeMarcus, whom I’m very excited about working with. I think it’s going to be a fun year for us,” Durant told Filipino media in a press conference on Sunday at Whitespace Manila in Makati.
“I don’t see how everybody let him fall to us but I guess we ruined it,” the two-time NBA champion and two-time Finals MVP said, grinning from ear-to-ear.
Cousins, one of the best big men in the NBA today, shocked the basketball world after reportedly agreeing to sign a one-year deal worth $5.3 million to join the Warriors.
The 27-year-old Cousins is a four-time All-Star and is coming off a season where he averaged 25.2 points and career-bests 12.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game for the New Orleans Pelicans.
Cousins, however, played in only 48 games last season after tearing his left Achilles.
Durant feels Cousins would give the Warriors a boost of energy.
“Last year was just the same and we needed an injection of energy and I think DeMarcus is going to provide that.”
The 29-year-old Durant arrived in the Philippines from China Saturday for his Manila Tour with Nike a month after leading the Warriors to their second straight title. He is scheduled to leave Monday afternoon.
After sharing his thoughts with the media, Durant gave his Filipino fans a show at Smart Araneta Coliseum where he joined select ballers and some of the country’s top collegiate stars in a scrimmage.
It wasn’t the first time Durant had visited the Philippines.
In 2011, Durant took part in the Ultimate All-Star Weekend where he teamed up with his fellow NBA stars like Chris Paul and Derrick Rose in an exhibition game against the Philippine national team at Araneta Coliseum.