Durant says 'pure hate' will deny him awards

OAKLAND, California - Kevin Durant believes his days of winning any of the NBA's regular-season awards likely are over.

"You know they're not gonna give me anything," the former league MVP said during an interview with a San Francisco radio station on Wednesday.

Durant said his decision to leave Oklahoma City and join the Golden State Warriors before the 2016-17 season has caused award voters to both overlook and dislike him.

"Even if it's on the fence, I have to be clear-cut better than everybody for me to even get a look," Durant said. "I mean, it's just pure hate for me obviously, and no appreciation for my real skill for the game.

"But I get it. I understand where we're (the Warriors) coming from. I understand what we have here in this building that scares everybody."

Golden State has won three of the past four NBA championships, with Durant winning the last two Finals MVP trophies.

Durant, who turns 30 on Saturday, also was voted NBA Rookie of the Year following the 2007-08 season.

The NBA's regular-season awards are voted on by approximately 100 members of the media. The league's players association began voting for its own awards in 2015.

"You know, accolades, that stuff is kind of long gone for me unless it's like Finals or something like that where it's probably pretty even," Durant said. "But regular-season awards, I mean I'm never gonna get a look when it comes to that, especially playing here for the Warriors."

Sale by quarter

Meanwhile, the league announced on Thursday that fans can buy any part of out-of-market games as part of the pay-per-view League Pass package this season.

The NBA and Turner Broadcasting are making the fourth quarter of games available at the start of the season, which begins Oct 16.

It will be available for purchase once the third quarter ends for $1.99, which is the first step in a multi-pronged approach to what commissioner Adam Silver terms "micro-transactions."

"Instead of waiting to watch highlights after a game, fans will be able to enjoy a portion of a game in real-time," Silver said.

"It's a big moment, but it's also a small first step. There are limitations in the technology right now, but we're working as quickly as possible so that, at some point in the near future, fans can choose to buy any part of any game."

Despite Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor's reported insistence to trade disgruntled star Jimmy Butler, the asking price is said to be too high.

ESPN reported on Thursday that the Timberwolves want a package of both prospects and veterans for Butler, who wants to be traded. Teams are skeptical about Minnesota head coach Tom Thibodeau's willingness to make a deal, Wojnarowski tweeted.

On Wednesday, the New York Times reported that Butler prefers a trade to Miami, and while the Heat are interested in acquiring Butler, they have found trade talks difficult.

According to reports, the Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings also have expressed interest.

In July, Butler reportedly turned down Minnesota's four-year extension offer worth $110 million.

The San Antonio Spurs announced they have exercised their fourth-year team option on point guard Dejounte Murray through the 2019-20 season.

The Spurs' first-round pick in 2016, Murray became the youngest player in NBA history to make an All-Defensive Team and set a franchise record for rebounds by a point guard (459).

Reuters

(China Daily 09/29/2018 page11)