Kevin Durant cheered by fans, says Suns have ‘all the pieces’

PHOENIX (AP) — Kevin Durant watched the PhoenixSuns from afar over the past few years, admiring the buddingnucleus of Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton.

Now he’s thrilled to be a part of it.

“We’ve got all the pieces to be successful,” Durant said.

The 13-time All-Star was introduced Thursday on the floor atFootprint Arena in front of about 3,000 fans, who showed up in themiddle of the afternoon just to hear the veteran forward answer afew questions.

Many were already wearing his No. 35 jersey, which has been ahot seller at the downtown fan store since GM James Jones pulledthe blockbuster trade with the Brooklyn Nets just before lastweek’s trade deadline.

Nearly every time Durant tried to speak on Thursday, he wasinterrupted by cheers from fans overjoyed by the biggest superstararrival in Phoenix since the Suns traded for Charles Barkley in1992.

The two-time Finals MVP soaked in the applause, but said hedidn’t deserve it.

“I appreciate your warm welcome, but we’ve got work to do,”Durant said.

He later added: “I feel like I’ve still got to prove myself. Iwant to put good stuff on film every day. That’s the only thing I’mconcerned with at this point in my life, is putting good stuff onfilm every night. I’m looking forward to doing that for Suns fansand hopefully they accept me after that.”

The 34-year-old Durant is still playing at an elite level,averaging nearly 30 points per game this season. He initially askedfor a trade last summer and the Suns were interested before Durantpatched things up with Brooklyn. They finally got him, less than 24hours before the trade deadline.

The Suns paid a hefty price, sending Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson,Jae Crowder, first-round picks in 2023, 2025, 2027 and 2029, andother draft compensation to the Nets. Bridges was a finalist forDefensive Player of the Year while Johnson has evolved into aversatile scorer.

Bridges, Johnson and Crowder were all instrumental in the team’srun to the Finals two years ago, where it lost to the MilwaukeeBucks in six games.

Durant is recovering from a sprained knee ligament, and when hereturns he will join a Phoenix lineup that suddenly could be one ofthe best in the Western Conference. He said he hopes to be backsoon after the All-Star break.

Durant and Booker played together on the U.S. team that won thegold medal at the Tokyo Olympics last year.

“I think I’ve built my game around being efficient, taking goodshots, making good plays on both ends of the floor,” Durant said.“I think my defense feeds my offense. I like to take shots in themid-range, I like to cut to the basket, I like to do the littlethings throughout the offense and I think that’s what makes you aversatile player and adapt to any offense.”

The Suns were on the upswing even before Durant’s arrival. Theystruggled with injuries for most of the first half of the year, buthave won 11 of their last 14 games and entered Thursday fourth inthe West at 32-27 — one-half game ahead of the Los AngelesClippers, their opponent Thursday night.

Booker (groin) and Paul (hip) have both recently returned.

Now the Suns are adding one of the game’s most giftedscorers.

Phoenix has never won an NBA championship, losing in the finalsin 1976, 1993 and 2021.

“That’s why we play the game of basketball,” Durant said. “Weunderstand that. But I’m more concerned about what we do every dayas a team, what you guys don’t see. I think that’s what reallybrings championships.”