Kevin Durant makes his much-anticipated return to Oklahoma City for the first time as a member of the Golden State Warriors Saturday. Extra security has been called in, the tensions are high and it's going to be an emotional scene. Golden State is riding high, playing their best basketball of the season despite a slip vs. the Kings last week, and the Thunder just keep plugging along behind Russell Westbrook's triple-doubles,
This is a "distraction game," for Durant and the Thunder. The Warriors will likely take the same approach they took in the first two meetings in Oracle Arena, where they pumped up K.D. and sought to run the score up and humiliate OKC.
Durant, in his career, has never faced the kind of outpouring of negativity he's set to face Saturday night. He may respond to it with a flawless performance, he might struggle. That alone is worth watching for. Meanwhile, the Thunder should have the most emotion of any game they've played with this year. Will it be enough?