“I was scared, nervous. I imagined this moment for so long. It felt great to be there again.”
The words Kevin Durant chose after playing a basketball game for the first time in 552 days were telling. The 32-year-old missed his sport.
Test DAZN for free and experience sports highlights live & on demand | DISPLAY
“I spent nine, ten months thinking about what this next phase of my career would look like. Above all, I was completely unsure when it started with COVID. So it felt particularly good today.”
Durant makes his debut for the Nets
In the preseason game against the Washington Wizards, the NBA superstar made his comeback after a long time, and not only that. At the same time, the game was also his debut for his new team, the Brooklyn Nets.
Durant has not played an NBA game since the 2019 NBA Finals. Back then he tore his Achilles tendon in game five, one of the worst possible injuries.
The previously omnipresent star disappeared from the scene for a year and could not help his team.
Curry broke his hand
And he wasn’t alone in that. It was similar to an ex-colleague from Durant. Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry shares a similar story.
Because he broke his hand at the start of last season, he only played five measly games. After five finals in a row, the failure of Curry, combined with the injury of Klay Thompson, meant the title of “worst team in the NBA”. And that for the successful dubs.
In 2018 Durant and Curry were at the peak of their work. Both stood together on the floor at the finals for the Warriors. After a sweep against the Cavaliers, they celebrated the title.
New NBA stars present
Just a year later, the final series was lost to the Raptors. Durant injured himself and migrated to Brooklyn, Curry broke his hand at the beginning of the season. The superstars and top 10 players that were once everywhere almost disappeared from the scene.
Discover the game world of SPORT1 now – Right this way!
Instead, players like Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo were the focus. That should change this season.
Even if Durant and Curry no longer play in the same team, they both have one thing in common: the sporting resurrection.
Thompson injured again at Warriors
The project could be much more difficult for curry. The team of coach Steve Kerr had great ambitions after the messed up last season, but with the renewed injury of Klay Thompson, the team suffered a major setback before the start of the season.
Of course, it doesn’t change anything for curry. He finally wants to prove himself on the basketball court again – and that for a long time.
“I can’t predict the future, but I want to play as long as I can. Hopefully I’ll be in a position to determine which team I can end my career with. I hope I can hold out until 40,” said the 32 -Year-old recently.
The same old Durant, unlike his ex-colleague, has already played for several teams. With his new team, hopes for great success are inevitable. And that’s mainly due to Kyrie Irving. The former Celtics professional was signed with Durant as the new star duo, but also struggled with injuries last year.
Nash excited about Durant’s return
Both are currently fit, which is a great pleasure for Nets coach Steve Nash. The return of Durant in particular made the coach rave after the game against the Wizards.
“When you’ve got an injury like that, it’s really amazing to see what level he’s at. It’s incredible. It’s an injury that not many players have put up with. It’s wonderful to see him back on the court . I think the world missed him – at least I did. “
Now Durant is back in the action and wants to attack with colleague Irving in the east. Master colleague Curry tries to prove in the West that he can be reckoned with again.
Both superstars can start their new start in the best basketball league in the world together. On December 23, the Nets receive the Warriors for the first game of the regular season.
