"I'm looking forward to seeing everybody" - Kevin Durant admits excitement in his upcoming return to Brooklyn

Despite being clueless in fans’ reception, KD appreciates his moments as a Net.

© Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Durant recently made headlines when he made it known that he doesn't want to take any part in the Brooklyn Nets' probable video tribute honoring that they'll display. As it is, he also couldn't offer his initial expectations on how the fans will greet him.

“It just depends on how the people wake up that morning. A lot of people don’t know what to say or how to feel about me. So it’s up in the air on what may happen,” Durant said via New York Post's Brian Lewis. “So I’m excited that people will come and watch the game can support the game.

“I never know how people are going to react. I don’t expect anything from anyone. I just want them to do whatever they do that’s going to allow them to have some fun that night.”

Still a special run amid the generally lopsided experience

Wednesday marks the very first time that Durant will step foot on the hardwood of the Barclays Center since the franchise shipped him in a blockbuster trade with the Phoenix Suns in the midseason of 2022-23.

It just feels like yesterday with how things have transpired toward the bitter split-up. After forming a spectacular one-two punch tandem with Kyrie Irving and eventually forging a formidable superteam with James Harden, the Nets were poised to conquer the Association. But it turned out to be a disaster and a furious roller coaster ride, their lofty dreams of a championship for the borough were crushed to dust, and swarming off-court dramas and scandals have massively marred their partnership.

With Durant at the helm, the Nets only qualified for the playoffs twice, winning one postseason seven-game series.

But above all these embattled, lopsided, and disappointing experiences they saw, KD is keenly hoping in his return that the Nets fanbase can at least take a rewind on the plenty of good times that they've shared.

BASKETBALL IS MAGIC!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/hN16MoEVUC

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) May 17, 2021

Kevin Durant had a HISTORIC performance against the Bucks in Game 5 🔥

49 point triple-double in 48 minutes. pic.twitter.com/aUwBnNHcyt

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 16, 2021

“I know people won’t believe it, but it was some fun, fun times playing there. We had some adversity, but getting to know other players who had to step up in those moments throughout that adversity … and we all had fun in the process. Last season was some of the funniest basketball I ever played,” said Durant.

“I enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to seeing everybody, and hopefully, people can look at some of the great moments we had there. I know it was just a couple of regular-season games, but people that followed the Brooklyn Nets, they understood what we went through and those little moments that we had and shared as a team that the fans rallied around. So hopefully, they can remember that stuff.”

A highly anticipated return

While he is truly unaware of what will unfold once he enters the court and as he is set to feel the full 48 minutes of the upcoming matchup with his former team, KD openly admitted that he is thrilled about what lies ahead of him.

“I’m excited,” Durant said. “It’s always fun playing in Brooklyn. It’s always fun playing in New York. I can’t wait to see some of the people that I worked with, that I got to know over the last four years. New York City has become my favorite city in the world, just from me living there for four years, and I miss it a lot.

“I grew a lot of bonds and relationships with the people that actually work in the organization and still talk to this day. So, yeah, I can’t wait to play in front of that crowd again, and see all my friends and family out there.”

Cam Thomas rejects Kevin Durant's hesitancy to have a Nets video tribute: "He just be trolling"