He’s only played one game as a member of the Golden State Warriors, but Kevin Durant is already trying to use criticism from Tuesday’s shocking opening night loss to San Antonio to fuel himself.
As first reported by ESPN’s Ethan Strauss, Durant stayed late after practice in an empty Smoothie King Center on Thursday night ahead of Friday’s clash with the New Orleans Pelicans, and yelled at himself and critics as he conducted shooting drills with Warriors assistant Chris DeMarco.
Durant was reportedly heard yelling, “They say I ain’t hungry!” and “I’m out here!” as he put up shots.
The video below took place after Durant’s voice echoed around the arena. Here he’s shown giving himself a motivational speech while finishing his drills saying, “They told me I ain’t have no drive! I’m out here. They called me a coward! Putting in work.”
Durant also had a media session with reporters afterwards, and commented at length when asked about his shouting of criticisms.
“That’s what I say to myself when I’m working. I hear it all the time. You hear the noise. You hear what they say about you. Everybody hears it. So it’s a little extra motivation when you hear it.”
“Nobody in this arena right now, and that’s when you get better. Nobody sees you when you’re doing this stuff right here, but luckily y’all was in here watching.”
As he left the arena, Durant turned to reporters and said with a chuckle, “It’s one game of 82 and you f—ing guys make me feel like the world’s going to end.”