NBA2 hours ago1 minute read

Kevin Durant reflects on his eight years with the Thunder

Kevin Durant spoke about his time in Oklahoma City, the crowd support, and his connection to the community.

The EagleEyeOdds deskWritten from the match data, checked against our model before it goes out

Early days in Oklahoma City

Kevin Durant arrived in Oklahoma City in July 2008 as a 19 year old player. He had been drafted second overall in 2007 by the Seattle SuperSonics before the franchise moved. He spent eight seasons with the team.

Durant remembered the fans welcoming the roster with open arms. Even though the team started in rebuilding mode, the energy in the city was high from day one.

Building a deep connection

Team leadership introduced the players to the local history, including visits to the site of the Oklahoma City bombing. Durant explained that learning about the community gave the players a stronger sense of pride whenever they wore the jersey.

He also noted how unique the home crowd was compared to other cities. Fans were packed in the building and standing during warmups, creating a family environment for the team.

Finals runs and moving on

Durant helped lead the Thunder to the 2012 NBA Finals in his fourth year, playing alongside Russell Westbrook and James Harden. They lost to the Miami Heat in five games. Durant later signed with Golden State in 2016, winning two championships.

Now a 19 year veteran in his second season with the Houston Rockets, Durant praised the Thunder after they won the 2025 title. He said he remains grateful to be an alumnus of the franchise.

What it means for the next game

Houston Rockets at Dallas Mavericks (NBA, Sat, 31 Oct): Dallas Mavericks win 31%, Houston Rockets win 69%; projected score Dallas Mavericks 110, Houston Rockets 117. Our safest pick: Rockets to win.

Oklahoma City Thunder at Houston Rockets (NBA, Sun, 01 Nov): Houston Rockets win 47%, Oklahoma City Thunder win 53%; projected score Houston Rockets 110, Oklahoma City Thunder 110. Our safest pick: Thunder +8.5.