Quinn Cook wasn’t just a former teammate of Kevin Durant; they both have a long history that dates back to their early days. Hooping since their AAU days in Maryland, KD has greatly impacted the 31-year-old. And it’s only years later that the duo reunited during their Golden State Warriors era. Durant was instrumental during his 3 years stay, as the Dubs were in contention for a three-peat. But, that couldn’t transpire as the 2x Finals MVP suffered a gruesome injury.

During Durant’s 3 years spell, Quinn Cook was alongside him for the last 2 years. So, when the Warriors #35 suffered the injury, he had words of encouragement for his long-time friend. “He’s going to come back 10 times better,” Cook told the media before the game 6 finals. Before injuring his Achilles, Durant had already missed the Warriors’ previous nine games with a calf injury sustained during the Western Conference semifinals.

Since that day, Cook revealed how KD was working out with the therapist two times a day. Not traveling with the team, Durant focused more of his time rehabbing on his injury. Owing to a better season record, Toronto had the home-court advantage. And there was uncertainty looming over Durant’s return, something that Cook had also pointed out. “But when he came back game five, it was like, dang! Like, we got our big brother back.” However, seeing his brother down again broke his heart.

“Just to see him go down like that was just it broke my heart, man it broke my heart because he literally put his body on the line, you know, for his guys, for us man, and I don’t think that gets talked about enough,” Quinn Cook spoke on Jefe Island’s YouTube channel. In 2019, Durant scored 11 points in 12 minutes before exiting in the second quarter, grabbing his right Achilles tendon as he collapsed after making a move on the Raptors’ Serge Ibaka.

At the game, Kevin Durant’s other close friend was in attendance and he was cheering for the Raptors. But, seeing the way KD fell, even Drake couldn’t hide his emotional side. Before the finals, the Dub Nation was the heavy favorite against the Houston Rockets. However, the injury to KD did spoil the three-peat party.

Quinn Cook couldn’t stop appreciating Kevin Durant

The Warriors had reached yet another final and were facing the team that made it to the finals for the only time in their franchise history. It turned out to be the last appearance for Durant, and his 3-year stint ended on an emotional note. Yet, Quinn Cook claimed that the Warriors dynasty period was enjoyable for KD.

Speaking to his former teammate Draymond Green on his podcast, Cook said, “He (Durant) was here for three years, he enjoyed it. He had the time of his life.” Cook spoke to Green four years ago, but during that time too, he maintained the hype about what a team player KD was. “And one thing I appreciated about him, man, he gave everything. He gave it all, he gave us everything every single day. He’s all about the team, he’s all about winning.”

In 2022, Green too highlighted the influence of Kevin Durant on the team. And winning back-to-back Finals MVP is the proof of that. Earlier this year, KD questioned his critics for not including him in the GOAT debate. He alluded that his joining GSW could be the reason, as some felt it was an easier task due to the roster of the Warriors. However, Quinn Cook’s story reminds everyone that it wasn’t easy as KD worked through multiple injuries to prove his stature.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.