It's Time for Suns Fans to Officially Welcome Kevin Durant
PHOENIX -- Let's try this again, Phoenix Suns fans.
Just weeks ago yours truly was courtside enjoying Kevin Durant go through warmups ahead of what was supposed to be his home debut against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The buzz in the arena was nothing short of electric. The wait for Durant during pregame with music blasting was a unique environment to be in, though I disappointed plenty of young kids hoping to set their eyes on Durant for the first time on his home court when I walked out of the tunnel.
When Durant finally arrived, nonstop chants of his name flowed through the Footprint Center. I wasn't there when the Beatles finally came to America, but perhaps I got a micro dose of that weeks ago.
Yet that all came crashing down when Durant slipped and ultimately sprained his ankle. Media were notified very shortly before opening tip, and over 17,000 fans (some surely paid a premium price) were disappointed.
Such is life: Things happen and we as people must move on.
Now, three weeks later, Durant is healed and reportedly will play tonight when the Minnesota Timberwolves come to town.
Tonight brings a fresh opportunity to again give Durant the same hospitality, if not bigger. We've seen what he was capable of doing during the initial three-game stint he played in.
With Deandre Ayton back in the fold, the Suns are likely to trot out a fully healthy lineup tonight. With under 10 games left in the regular season, tonight is hopefully the first building block in hitting their stride ahead of the postseason.
It's a big moment for basketball in the Valley.
Durant received quite the welcome during his introductory press conference here. The energy was great during pregame warmups, but we've yet to see what next level could be hit during starting lineup introductions, his first basket, whatever it may be.
Tonight, Suns fans will receive a renewed opportunity to make their voices heard in a different way. They're known to be some of the best in the league when it comes to making noise. Nearly everybody in the organization can back that up.
Though Durant has been on the opposite side of it, the Footprint Center will officially become his home tonight. Suns fans will undoubtedly make him feel welcome in a proper manner.
