LOS ANGELES — Kevin Durant was emotional but didn’t let his emotions get the best of him when he called Chris Bosh a “fake tough guy” last month. The Oklahoma City All-Star knew exactly what he was doing after the 108-103 home loss to Miami.
If presented with the same situation, Durant would say it again.
“I don’t regret it at all,” Durant told NBA.com. “I said it. I knew what I was doing. Nobody influenced me to say it. I knew what I was doing. At the same time, I’m not the type of person that lets emotions get to me. I was so upset about the loss.
“I wanted to win that game so bad. We were up one with a couple seconds to go, we made them miss and we didn’t get the rebound. I was more upset with how we didn’t finish the game. I guess people want to say I was a sore loser, but I’ll take that, too.”
The two All-Star forwards exchanged words and picked up technicals in the first quarter of that nationally-televised game on Jan. 30. There’s a good chance Bosh and Durant run into each other before Sunday’s All-Star Game.
And if not, there is no avoiding the other once Sunday night rolls around at Staples Center. Bosh is a reserve for the Eastern Conference team and Durant is making his first career start for the West.
“If I happen to walk past him,” Durant said, “I’ll give him a head nod or say, ‘What’s up?’ But I’m not going to go out of my way to talk to him about the situation because I’m sure that’s not the first time he’s gotten into it with somebody and it’s not the first time I got into it with somebody. It’s a part of this league and competitive nature comes out of everybody.
“Hopefully, people understand.”
As for Durant’s experience this weekend, he’s enjoying his second All-Star trip with a smile on his face.
“Last year I was kind of like a deer in headlights not knowing what to expect,” he said. “This year I know what to expect. To be an All-Star starter is such a blessing for me. I’m very thankful for the people that voted for me. I’m just trying to go out there and represent as much as I can.”
