Kevin Durant has looked back on the Oklahoma City Thunder’s early years, recalling how a young group of teammates built a strong connection both on and off the basketball court.
Now with the Houston Rockets, Durant spoke to ESPN about the unusual road-trip routine that saw several Thunder players exploring shopping malls together while wearing matching team clothing.
Oklahoma City was still finding its feet as an NBA franchise when Durant and his teammates began developing the relationships that would shape the team’s identity.
Kevin Durant recalls how the young Oklahoma City Thunder stuck together
Durant remembered how the group would spend time together after arriving in different cities during road trips.
“I can remember early on, our first few years, every time we went on a road trip, we would land and six or seven of us would go through to the mall in every city together, it’s crazy to think about it, with Oklahoma City Thunder sweats on,” Durant said.
The image of several NBA players walking around a shopping centre in matching Thunder clothing offers a glimpse into how close the group became during its early years.
For Durant, those moments represented more than simply spending time together away from basketball. They reflected the shared identity that was developing within the team.
“But we moved as a unit, and people understood that about us,” Durant said. “We were young and energetic. And that matched the franchise in Oklahoma City itself.”
Durant also reflected on the welcome the franchise received when it arrived in Oklahoma City in 2008.
Despite being a rebuilding team, the Thunder found a passionate fanbase that embraced the players before they had established themselves as contenders.
“With open arms. The excitement, the energy level was high,” Durant said. “We weren’t a great team. We were a young team in rebuilding mode. But you wouldn’t have thought that from listening and hearing the fans around the city once we got there.”
He added: “You could tell that region was waiting for a professional team to come. And I felt right at home early.”
Durant’s recollections highlight the connection between the players and the city during the franchise’s formative years. Before the team’s biggest achievements, a sense of togetherness was already taking shape, both inside the locker room and throughout Oklahoma City.
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