Kevin Durant returned back to the Brooklyn building today. The Slim Reaper spent two and a half seasons as a part of the Brooklyn Nets. He was traded to the Phoenix Suns only last season, joining hands with Devin Booker. For the first time since then, KD stepped foot in the Barclays Center. The atmosphere was intense. The crowd hadn’t lost its love for KD.

He has led them to a conference finals appearance. Additionally, Durant never turned his back, even when KAI and Harden weren’t available. He also found a protege in his Brooklyn. A young rookie at the time, Cam Thomas instantly went under the wings of one of the greatest offensive players of all time.

Tonight, they faced off for the first time. Durant got the last laugh, but he doesn’t hold any resentment toward Thomas. In fact, he sees big things coming.

Kevin Durant appreciates Cam Thomas

The Phoenix Suns and Nets game just had a different energy to it. Durant was back in Brooklyn. Mikal Bridges and Cam Thomas were also facing off against the Suns. It was a matchup tied with history. Undoubtedly, the energy was surreal. Durant tapped into his inner ‘Reaper’ and demolished the young Nets.

He scored 33, leading both teams. His highlight moment came against Thomas, someone he was mentoring back when he was a Net.

Demanding an isolation against the 22-year-old scoring guard, Durant charged relentlessly toward the rim. He overpowered Thomas, forcing a foul. Finding the perfect window, Durant raised up swiftly and knocked down a floater. He deeply stared down the crowd and then snapped his fingers.

“He’s mini,” he mocked Cam Thomas.

After securing the win, the media was growing hungry to find out about their dynamic after the trade. Was the relationship scarred? Turns out it wasn’t. Kevin Durant was simply competing, a mark of respect for Thomas. When speaking about his potential, Durant spoke with excitement in his voice.

“He’s only going to get better. What is he only 22 years old? Around the league, it’s already on the scouting report that he’s one of the hardest people to guard in the league. He keeps it up, the sky is the limit for him,” he told the media.