Durant on 2014-15 season: 'Toughest year ever playing basketball'

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant upset with injury-plagued season, vows strong return

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant says this past season was "the toughest year I've ever had playing basketball" and that he is ready to move forward to the 2015-16 season.

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Durant had surgery in October to repair a Jones fracture in his right foot and was originally supposed to miss six weeks. He missed the season’s first 17 games and played in just 27 games overall before being shut down for the season after having bone graft surgery on the fifth metatarsal of his right foot last month. He also missed time with ankle and toe injuries.

The Thunder missed the playoffs for the first time since 2008-09.

"I'm definitely pissed. I heard a lot of stuff during this time I've been injured from everybody. From different people. Definitely pissed," Durant said, according to The Oklahoman. "Can't wait until the first game."

"Every day I tell myself we're going to look back on this and smile and laugh at it and recognize this is just an obstacle we had to climb over to get to where we want to get to," Durant added.

Durant, the NBA’s reigning Most Valuable Player and a six-time All-Star, averaged 25.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists.

• SI.com's 2014-15 NBA season awards

"But I know for sure I'll be back. I know I'll put the work in. I know that I'm never going to just quit on anything, so I'm going to keep working until I get back right."

Durant can opt out of a five-year, $89 million deal he signed in 2010.  He is set to make $20.2 million next season.

- Scooby Axson