Kevin Durant and head coach Mike Budenholzer didn’t always see eye to eye in their time with the Phoenix Suns.
A dismal 36-46 season has ushered in a new era in Arizona.
Coach Bud grabbed KD’s arm as he headed to the benchX@BleacherReportBudenholzer went 8-1 to begin the campaign but was brutally sacked a day after the season ended — less than a year after he took the job.
And Durant has headed for the Houston Rockets in exchange for Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks as part of an eight-player trade.
While trying to mount a late playoff charge, the superstar and Budenholzer were involved in a frosty exchange during the first quarter of a 119-117 comeback win over thew Los Angeles Clippers in March.
Budenholzer appeared to grab Durant’s left forearm during a timeout to stop the four-time Olympic gold medalist heading to the bench so he could discuss a botched offensive play with him.
However, KD seemingly didn’t want to continue the chat, yanking his arm away in a forceful manner before continuing to the bench, turning around and barking some words at Budenholzer.
“I don’t want to be a hypocrite because I was that guy, I was tough to coach,” NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal said on Inside the NBA about the moment.
“When you’re the leader of the team, it sets a bad example.”
After the game, Durant spoke with reporters, playing down the incident and expressing dismay that it had been made into such a big deal by the media.
“That’s what happens when you don’t know the dynamics of the relationship,” Durant said postgame. “You catch something on TV and you get a quote and then you’re pushing that narrative as if me and Bud don’t do that (expletive) all the time. We’re competitive as two individuals who want to see things done the right way.
“And sometimes my way ain’t the way that Bud wants to do it and vice versa and he allows me as a player on the team, a veteran on the team to voice my opinion. If we both didn’t care, we’d never have stuff like that.”
Durant yanked his arm away and continued walkingX@BleacherReport He spun around and had a few choice words for his coachX@BleacherReport“I’m glad that the win is going to sweep all that stupid stuff under the rug because people couldn’t wait, even some people in Phoenix in here couldn’t wait to run with that and say this is the reason the team ain’t playing well because that specific thing,” Durant added.
“But come on, man. That shows me and Bud really care about trying to right this ship and trying to win basketball games. So he understands where I’m coming from, I understand exactly where he’s coming from.
“It’s just the people on the outside don’t know the dynamics of the relationship so in order for them to get some attention they’re going to run stuff like that.
Durant played 41 minutes and finished with 34 points on 10-for-22 shooting, seven rebounds, four assists, a steal and two blocks. He had 19 of his 34 points in the fourth quarter and sparked a rally from a 23-point deficit.
“He and I are like old friends whenever we’re on the spot grabbing and talking to each other,” Budenholzer said after the game.
“I thought his energy and his voice tonight was great. I think there was some kind of play, offensive play, he wanted something, I wanted something and that’s the beauty of basketball.”
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A video later showed Durant tapping Budenholzer to talk things out when players were returning to the court after the same timeout.
“I wish they’d cut to that and slow-mo that when me and him are trying to come to a solution together and we’re smiling on the bench and tapping each other on the chest and slapping hands hard,” Durant added.
“I wish they would post that on Instagram and Twitter and say, ‘Wow, this is leadership right here.’
“But when we do that other (expletive), that gets attention and that’s just the nature of the world we’re in. That’s the nature of content and the NBA in general, so it’s frustrating when you see (expletive) like that.
“And you see the reaction to it, but I know deep down what it is between Bud and I, and he knows it too, and this ain’t the first time we got into it, not even got into it but had a quick disagreement and moved right on right after the last play.
“So it’s not gonna be the last either. And Bud knows that, and he knows and respects how much I care, and I respect how much he cares.”
Durant will now try to add to the two NBA titles he won with the Green Bay Warriors in Houston.
“Being part of the Houston Rockets, I’m looking forward to it,” he told presenter Kay Adams after finding out about the trade at Fanatics Fest.
“Crazy, crazy last couple weeks, but I’m glad it’s over with.
“They had a great season last year. Love their leadership. I felt like I’d be a good addition.”
Durant played the incident with Bud down after the gameGetty Both have left Phoenix months after the exchangeDurant explained that Houston was one of his preferred desinations when it became apparent that it wasn’t working out in Phoenix.
“I had an idea, but I didn’t know exactly when it was gonna happen,” he added “I’m glad we kind of did this onstage, it worked out.
“You know when people can just hang your career in the balance like and just choose what they wanna do with your career is a nerve-wracking feeling, but being able to kind of dictate what you wanna do, and being with a team that values you, I’m looking forward to it.”
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