Jae Crowder explains his ‘slap in the face’ comments about Kevin Durant
"I don’t like the decision, but I don’t hate him."
Boston headlines have been dominated by Tom Brady and the Patriots dealing with the fallout from Deflategate, the Red Sox sending off David Ortiz in style, and the Rio Olympics this summer. That makes it easy to forget that the Celtics almost pulled off the biggest free agent signing in their history when they met with Kevin Durant, who ended up choosing the Golden State Warriors instead.
For one Bostonian in particular, the KD saga wasn’t easily forgotten. Jae Crowder made headlines when he called Durant’s decision a “slap in the face” in July. He cited the inside information Durant gained from meeting with Boston as the main reason he was upset at the time, and has further clarified his statement in an interview with the Boston Globe.
“I’m a competitor, that’s what drove me to say what I said. “Of course, I got a chip on my shoulder. Of course [the Warriors] have a bull’s-eye on their back. It’s just the way it’s going to be.”
Crowder, who plays the same position as Durant, also said he looks forward to meeting on the court.
“I don’t hate him. I don’t like the decision, but I don’t hate him. It’s just an all-basketball-related thing. I don’t dislike him as a person, but I do want to compete against him. I’m eager to compete against him and I’m sure it will be fun.”
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