Kevin Durant said Friday that his "emotions and passion for the game" have fueled a spike in technical fouls this season, according to Chris Haynes of ESPN.com.
"After winning that championship, I learned that much hadn't changed," Durant added. "I thought it would fill a certain [void]. It didn't. That's when I realized in the offseason that the only thing that matters is this game and how much work you put into it. Everything else off the court, social media, perception, isn't important. What people say, how they view you, it's not important."
Durant also said his more heated disposition has been the product of the Golden State Warriors' quest to become the first team to repeat as champion since the Miami Heat did so in 2012 and 2013.