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NBA Throwback: Kevin Durant Recalls His Firey Debut at Rucker Park

Published 03/24/2020, 9:23 AM EDT

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The Brooklyn Nets’ power forward Kevin Durant seems to have had a few movie-like experiences in his life. Here’s looking back at one such New York City incidence.

Kevin Durant: The approach

 

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On August 1, 2011, Kevin Durant took a spontaneous decision. During the off-season, former NBA player Randy Gill, also known as White Chocolate, contacted Durant. Gill asked him whether he wanted to play at a street ball tournament at Rucker Park.

Rucker Park Court is named after Holcombe Rucker, a local teacher and playground director for the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. He started a basketball tournament in 1950 to help underprivileged kids stay off the streets and aim for college careers.

“I always wanted to play in Rucker Park all my life,” admitted Durant in a post-game interview with emcee Hannibal via The New York Post.

However, Durant was in Oklahoma when he was approached. He told Gill, “Let’s see if I can make it”.

And boy, did he make it in time.

“I remember I just put my shorts and jersey on and my shoes, then I look up and it’s packed all the way to the gate, playing music, and seeing people in the high-risers across the street turning lights on and opening windows,” Durant recalled. “It was like something out of a movie.”

 

Durant’s powerful NYC debut

 

Then 23 years old, Durant mentioned that competition is good at the mecca of basketball. However, players don’t have the height or talent level of an NBA player. Hence, they try to compensate by trash-talking their way into intimidating professionals like him.

 

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Durant scored a whopping 66 points in his debut playing at New York City’s legendary Rucker Park. It was the first time the OKC superstar had ever been to the court. His fire performance helped lead his team, DC Power, to victory over the Sean Bell All-Stars in the Entertainers Basketball Classic Monday night.

“I had one that back-rimmed in and then I ran down and then the second one just went straight in, so I’m like ‘I’m in a rhythm now,’” Durant recollected. “And then after that, just shooting from anywhere. I hit four threes in a row.”

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In the final quarter of that game, Durant hit five straight threes. He was 9-for-11 overall from three-point land. Durant summed his whole experience up.

“That much love from the crowd that one time was a lot,” he reminisced, “It was like a quick burst of joy like I haven’t felt in a basketball court before. It was amazing.”

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Written by:

Maitreyee Joshi

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