NBA Preseason: Kevin Durant Rocks Shawn Kemp Jersey in Seattle

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Golden State Warriors superstar Kevin Durant rocked a Shawn Kemp Sonics jersey before their NBA Preseason game in Seattle.

The NBA returned to Seattle on Friday night for a preseason game between the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings. It was a huge deal, complete with a national ESPN broadcast and several prominent Seattle figures showing their face. On top of that, however, the coolest thing may have been Kevin Durant showing up in warm-ups rocking a vintage Shawn Kemp Sonics jersey.

The game is still going on as I write this but the Warriors, as expected, are throttling the Kings.

Durant is one of the few NBA players currently playing who actually played for the Sonics. Jeff Green, who we wrote about earlier in the week, is another notable former Sonic currently playing in the NBA.

It wasn’t just Durant showing love for the Sonics, though. According to ESPN, Golden State’s head coach, Steve Kerr, showed up to his press conference in a green Sonics t-shirt.

And both Durant and Kerr made it clear that they believe it’s time for Seattle to get an NBA team back in town.

Per ESPN:

“I think every NBA player at this point knows that Seattle needs a basketball team,” Durant said before the game. “It’s obviously over the top of our heads, but [we’ll] continue to show support for the city of Seattle. I think that’s what everybody wants to do.”

….

“I’ve always loved the Sonics brand, I’ve loved the city,” Kerr said. “The fan base was always an incredible place to play. It reminded me a lot of Oracle actually, coming to KeyArena when I played. Just kind of organic. The fans here love basketball, it’s a hot bed with a lot of great players who come from Seattle. So I’m hoping the Sonics return some day. I guess this is my way of supporting that cause.”

Some of the folks in attendance include Sonics’ legends Gary Payton and Detlef Schrempf, and some notable Seattle Seahawks stars, quarterback Russell Wilson and head coach Pete Carroll. Seattle’s WNBA team showed out as well with Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart sitting courtside, per ESPN.

READ: FORMER HOYA JEFF GREEN RETURNS TO D.C. AFTER A LONG JOURNEY

It should be noted that Durant addressed the Seattle fans while wearing the Kemp jersey.

Durant played his rookie season in the Pacific Northwest, averaging 20.3 points in 80 games.

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CATEGORY: NBA