Minutes after Kevin Durant’s season ended with another closing-time loss to the Dallas Mavericks, ESPN’s Mark Schwarz seemed to be asking him if seeing Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki return to the NBA Finals offered any consolation. The implication: Be happy for Dirk because he’s suffered more disappointment.

"Um, not happy at all (chuckles, followed by a wide smile and laughter in the room)," said Durant.

"I’m a competitor, man. You know, I really didn’t care about what he went through the last four years. I know it’s been tough for him, you know. He lost three of the .. four years in the first round. I’m sure he’s happy now he’s going back to the Finals, but I’m not happy for him at all because I wanted to be there. But it happens like that.”