KEVIN Durant hit two birds with one stone on Sunday night by not only making his Filipino fans happy but also sneaking in a quick workout – apparently his first since the NBA Finals.
The Golden State superstar, who’s in town to promote his newest Nike signature shoe, laced up his KD 11s and suited up for the Hypercourt team against the Nike All-Stars in an exhibition at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
After gracing a media session in Makati where he discussed his new shoe in his second visit in the country, Durant headed to the Big Dome to take part in the friendly featuring some of the country’s top college cagers.
Durant, who turns 30 on September 29, flashed most of his repertoire – silky-smooth long-range shooting, slam dunks he makes look easy, and 6-foot-11 forward’s handles like that of a small guard.
Still, his Hypercourt team, led by Lyceum star CJ Perez and University of the Philippines standouts Javi and Juan Gomez de Liano, lost to the All-Stars team composed of mostly Ateneo Blue Eagles as well as another UP Maroons star in Paul Desiderio, 85-82.
Durant had a chance to force a draw in the friendly, but his last-gasp heave from near halfcourt went short.
“It was my first time back on the court. I’m too tired,” Durant addressed the crowd after the game – a month after leading the Warriors to a second straight NBA title at the expense of LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers to win back-to-back Finals MVPs.
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