[外絮] KD談為何2019沒加入尼克：不夠酷

來源：https://bit.ly/3UPZK9Q

標題：Kevin Durant Reveals Why He Didn't Join The Knicks In 2019: 'The Knicks Weren’t Cool.'
By Nico Martinez

大略翻譯：

KD在podcast上回答他2019年加入籃網，而不是依他的經紀人的期許加入尼克。

KD認為在那個時候尼克隊不酷。
KD說：「雖然尼克隊是一個很酷的隊伍，像是現在，他們在近幾年突起，但在那之前我認為在那隊打球不酷，去看這隊也不酷，我可能必須要對他有所潤飾或撒點小謊。」
KD並補充：「但當然的，尼克隊是酷的，住在紐約讓我真正的了解這座城市的偉大。」

KD沒有再繼續補充，但當時尼克慘淡的成績，不難讓人理解KD當時的想法。
KD當時會想要加入有競爭力的球隊，而當時尼克成績不佳、管理不善，想當然不會加入這隊。

文章後段是在說尼克現在的陣容已經變得有競爭力，成績也出色，並可能在夏天時積極爭取巨星的加入。

原文：
In a chat with his agent, Rich Kleiman, on 'the Boardroom' podcast, Suns star Kevin Durant finally shed some light on his decision to join the Nets in 2019. Despite pressure from his agent, who wanted him to sign there, Durant spurned the orange and blue in favor of a partnership with his friend, Kyrie Irving, on the Nets. The reasoning, according to Durant, had to do with the state of the franchise at the time.

“At that time they weren’t. The Knicks weren’t cool. But they are a cool brand…Like right now, they poppin…last few years. But before that..the brand was cool but…I was looking at the team," said Durant. "And the team was not cool toplay for. The team was not cool to watch…I might have embellished or lied a little bit about the brand, I might’ve thrown the brand in there too. But of course, the Knicks brand, like—living in New York made me truly realize how it’s the greatest city in the world…”

Durant didn't elaborate further on what made the Knicks so uncool at the time, but it doesn't take a genius to guess what he could have meant. Back in 2019, the Knicks were not nearly in the state they're in now. In the aftermath of the Carmelo Anthony era, the team was in a full rebuild and had just finished the previous season dead last in the East with a 17-65 record.

After three straight trips to the NBA Finals, Kevin Durant would only go somewhere where he could compete for a championship without the unnecessary drama. As a struggling, mismanaged team in the heart of New York City, that kind of lifestyle was never going to happen with the Knicks even if they have become a much better team today.

The New York Knicks Are Hunting For A Star

Today, the New York Knicks are one of the best teams in the East with Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, OG Anunboby, and Mitchell Robinson leading the way. Injuries aside, they've been pretty impressive all season long and look better than ever after the deal for Anunoby earlier this month. Currently, they rank 4th in the East with a 33-22 record overall.

Even so, there are some questions about the team's potential this season. Without a true superstar (someone like Kevin Durant) leading the team, the Knicks areat a major disadvantage against any top-level contenders in the postseason, especially against a team like the Bucks and Celtics who are rich with high-level stars.

This summer, with assets to spare and flexibility in the cap, the Knicks will have their chance to make a big move. Whether it's LeBron James, Joel Embiid, or some other big-name player, the Knicks are long overdue to sign a marquee player, and the moment that they do could break the NBA completely.

Today, unlike in 2019, the Knicks are on the right track and the vibes both in and around the locker room are healthier than ever before. If they can make a deep playoff run this year, or even advance to the Finals, it might be enough to convince the next superstar to force his way to Madison Square Garden.

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