Kevin Durant remains one of the most reviled figures in Oklahoma City due to the way he left the Thunder in free agency back in 2016. While the Thunder’s recent championship triumph has softened some of the heartbreak lingering from Durant’s departure, there is clearly no love lost whenever he visits Paycom Center.
Durant made his official debut for the Houston Rockets on the opening night of the 2025-26 NBA season, and during the lineup introductions, Thunder fans in attendance made their feelings known. Despite the jeers, the Rockets star—now 37 years old—is no longer fazed by the boos. In fact, he has long embraced the role of the villain, often responding humorously to the crowd, even going as far as booing back the Thunder fans on social media.
Many Thunder supporters still believe that their team would have won a championship much sooner had Durant decided to stay in 2016, instead of leaving for their then-greatest rival, the Golden State Warriors. In 2016, the Thunder were just one win away from making the NBA Finals and would likely have remained strong contenders in 2017 alongside Russell Westbrook and the rest of the squad.
However, nearly a decade has passed since that pivotal moment, and both Durant and the Thunder appear to have moved on and prospered. It’s akin to a typical breakup—like a couple who were engaged but called off their wedding at the last second—only to discover they weren’t each other’s greatest love anyway. Today, both Durant and the Thunder franchise have won NBA titles and are better off nine years after parting ways.
### Kevin Durant’s Fresh Start with the Rockets
Durant’s previous two stops didn’t end well. The Brooklyn Nets dismantled their roster in 2023 despite a strong season, and the Phoenix Suns experienced a steady decline during Durant’s two-and-a-half seasons with the team. Now, with the Rockets, Durant seems to have found the perfect fit.
He can bond with and mentor the young players on the roster while showcasing his skills by taking defenders one-on-one, particularly from the midrange. Though he’s no longer the defensive force he once was, the Rockets have plenty of athletic, long defenders to make up for any shortcomings on that end.
This Rockets team has a real opportunity to win big, and they demonstrated that promise on opening night by building a double-digit lead over the Thunder in the second half. With Durant leading the way, Houston fans have plenty to be excited about this season.
https://clutchpoints.com/nba/houston-rockets/rockets-news-kevin-durant-fires-back-okc-crowd-thunderous-boos
