Steve Kerr Says It’s "Absurd" for People to Call Kevin Durant a Villain

While many NBA fans have been quick to label the Warriors a "superteam" now that they have Kevin Durant in the mix, there have also been plenty of people—us included—who have called KD & Co. supervillains in light of the moves Golden State has made this summer. Yes, KD, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and the rest of the Warriors seem like a great group of guys, but they have such a talented team now that they've made it easy for people to root against them.

Golden State head coach Steve Kerr thinks this is "absurd."

On Sunday, Kerr took part in an interview on ESPN Radio’s TMI with Michelle Beadle and Ramona Shelburne and he was asked about the notion of his players being called "villains." He responded by saying that he doesn’t agree with it, and he took issue with the idea of KD of all people being labeled a villain despite the fact that he has been one of the most popular players in the league over the last 10 years. In Kerr’s eyes, KD shouldn’t be hated simply for signing with the Warriors this summer.

"To think of Kevin Durant or Steph Curry or any of our guys as villains, it’s kind of absurd," Kerr said. "Especially Kevin. This is one of the most likable people in this league. He’s just an awesome human being. What he did in Oklahoma City was just amazing for that community."

Kerr then explained that, while he understands some of the hate that’s being sent in KD’s direction right now, he thinks KD deserves more respect than he’s getting.

"Circumstances kind of dictate, I guess, that some people are going to see him as a villain," Kerr said. "But it’s only because he decided to go elsewhere to play. He wanted to change his scenery, he wanted a new challenge. More than anything, he wanted to play with our guys. He loves Draymond [Green] and Steph and Klay and Andre [Iguodala]. Seeing those guys in New York, he loved seeing the chemistry that exists and he wanted to be a part of it."

Fair enough. But something tells us Kerr’s words are going to fall on deaf ears when it comes to KD's haters. You can check out what else the coach had to say during his appearance on TMIhere.