Kevin Durant made the All-Star team despite missing a majority of the season with injuries and other people feeling like there were other more deserving players.
Durant on Friday spoke about being elected to the All-Star Game by the coaches and said he was extremely grateful for the selection. The former MVP also offered up a great response to those questioning whether he is worthy of an All-Star spot this year.
“I don’t want anything to ever be given to me because a lot of guys deserve it in this league,” Durant said via The Oklahoman. “But the coaches have to prepare for me a different way I guess when I’m in the lineup. So I guess that respect got me in the game. But every year someone is going to get snubbed, every year someone is going to make it that you think shouldn’t make it. But that’s part of the game.”
Durant then paused and gave a wry smile: “Whoever want my spot can play me one-on-one for it.”
Are there other players who are more deserving of the spot this season? Sure. Playing in all of your team’s games compared to less than half is a huge difference. But Durant is arguably the best player in the league. As long as he is healthy, I want him there. And so do the coaches.
