During an interview with The Undefeated, Kevin Durant speaks on the tragic passing of George Floyd, contracting covid-19, and this upcoming season.
Durant spoke on seeing the viral video of George’s killing, “It made me think about all the previous videos we’ve seen involving police brutality,” Durant said, remembering the video. “At that point, you get tired of seeing it or wondering if things are going to change or whether we will see this again in the future. Will people’s hearts change? There are just so many questions going through my mind when you see a black man getting slaughtered on TV and on camera like that.”
He continued, “It’s damaging to see another life being taken away from us. Someone with a family. Someone who was a father. A son. A friend. It was just horrible to see, especially coming from people who are supposed to be protecting us. We’re really supposed to feel like we are safe all around. It’s a weird time we are in now.” Just like the rest of us, Durant is hoping all four of the officers involved, are charged.
News broke that Durant had contracted COVID-19 back in March, but since recovering he says he “feels good.” Yet, he still won’t be playing this season, he revealed.
“My season is over,” Durant said. “I don’t plan on playing at all. We decided last summer when it first happened that I was just going to wait until the following season. I had no plans of playing at all this season.”
Although he still wants to play, he believes it’s in his best interest to prepare for the next season instead. “It’s just best for me to wait. I don’t think I’m ready to play that type of intensity right now in the next month. It gives me more time to get ready for next season and the rest of my career.”
The NBA season is set to resume on July 31.