That’s what Kevin Durant, the two-time NBA Finals MVP, said when questioned about recent media claims that he’s unhappy with the Phoenix Suns.
The 35-year-old had already turned to Instagram on Dec. 25 to address an ESPN article that suggested some in the Suns organization shared Durant’s unhappiness with “an underwhelming supporting cast” and Bradley Beal missing games.
Durant grabbed another opportunity to clear the air after the Suns were defeated by the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night.
“I don’t want to get traded,” Durant told Fox Sports’ Melissa Rohlin. “I’m not upset because [Bradley Beal] was hurt. I wasn’t frustrated because of the team’s role players. That S was incredibly ignorant to me, you know what I mean?”
Durant is averaging 29.6 points per game this season on 52.3 percent shooting from the field, 47.3 percent from 3-point range, 6.4 rebounds, and 6.0 assists. However, the report marked the beginning of what Durant described as a period of unwarranted criticism. In her tale, Rohlin mentioned comments made by Stephen A. Smith on Christmas morning that she said criticized Durant’s leadership abilities. Already upset by the media’s suspicions, Durant’s subsequent performance added fuel to the fire. He recorded 16 points and six turnovers in the Suns’ 128-114 Christmas loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
“You think I’m supposed to be happy after we lose a game?” Durant inquired of Rohlin. “I’m not upset about the whole thing. I might be frustrated right now because of a terrible play or a difficult stretch. But no, I like the grind.”