Kevin Durant Phoenix Suns

Kevin Durant was formally introduced by the Suns on Thursday and spoke about his confidence in the team's title hopes as well as the "ups and downs" of his ...

And I wanted to be part of that, so I'm excited I'm here." The energy they played with started to change, and I always loved playing here in Phoenix. "It was a lot of ups and downs, but I loved the grind," Durant said. "I was upset that we couldn't finish," Durant said. "They experienced a lot the last couple years," Durant said of his decision to push for a deal to Phoenix. When Monty took over, when James came here, I see the culture start to change, the way they played on the floor. "And everybody in Brooklyn loved the grind, too, so I built a family over there. "It's another story about why we didn't get on the floor together, but we just didn't get enough time on the floor. "We just didn't get on the court enough," Durant said. Warren](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/2982334/tj-warren) for a package that included [Mikal Bridges](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3147657/mikal-bridges), [Cam Johnson](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3138196/cameron-johnson) and multiple future draft picks. So we got guys that been there and that's half the battle, just knowing what it takes." "We got guys that have experienced what it's like to play in that final round.

All-Star forward Kevin Durant is a perfect match for the Phoenix Suns not only on the court but off it as well.

… I’ve been to a couple of practices already and the attention to detail is something that I love and if we continue to stay on that path every day we’ll see good things.” I know what’s on our backs and we understand that and we want to do the most. “They’re the leaders of the team. “I’m more concerned about what we do every day as a team, the stuff that you guys don’t see,” Durant said, followed by a huge cheer from the crowd. You always keep an eye out on organizations and teams throughout the league, throughout your career and this is one of the teams and one of the cities I always respected and I was glad I was bale to come full circle and I’m here now.” We want to get the most out of this opportunity.” And I think one of the best teams since I’ve been in the league was that team that didn’t make the playoffs. “He’s just one of those players I really admire. I just wanted to be a part of it, I wanted to be a part of his journey and see how good he can get from here. “He’s just such a quiet, efficient scorer and he goes about his business on and off the court in a mature manner. Chris Paul saw the Suns grinding in the bubble to an 8-0 record and he mentioned them upon his arrival too. Durant has praised Booker from afar for years, and Durant gravitated here because of him just as much as anything else.

The Phoenix Suns formally introduced the all-star forward following a blockbuster trade with the Brooklyn Nets.

The way they played and the energy they played with started to change. “It’s always pressure because I’m one of the best players to ever play the game,” Durant said. We want to get the most out of this opportunity.” For all of Paul’s culture-changing and Booker’s growth, the Suns now face a tight deadline, with roughly two months to reconfigure around Durant before the playoffs begin. He’s got to at least get to the Finals. [James Harden’s 2022 trade deadline move](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/02/10/nba-trades/?itid=lk_inline_manual_27) to the Philadelphia 76ers and a disappointing first-round exit, he opted to return to Brooklyn this season because the Nets were unable to find a suitable trade. He’s sensitive about it but he don’t get to change the narrative.”— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) We’ve got to put it together and I’m looking forward to doing the work.” Durant and Booker give the Suns perhaps the NBA’s best one-two scoring punch, and Durant’s pairing with center Deandre Ayton will make for a long and athletic frontcourt combination on defense. The 13-time all-star forward has the potential to make the Suns the team to beat in a Western Conference that has been marked by parity this season. “We’ve got guys that have experienced what it’s like to play in the final round,” Durant said. 35 jersey, a return to the number he wore with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden State Warriors before donning No.