Kevin Durant hasn’t gotten used to the villain role yet, but he’s working on it

Kevin Durant knows he’s seen as a villain.

The former Oklahoma City star told China’s Sina Sports that “it’s difficult” dealing with the backlash he’s receiving from his decision earlier this month to leave the Thunder and join an already star-studded lineup in Golden State.

“Obviously, people don’t like me right now, but it is what it is,” Durant said. “I can’t please them all. I’ve got to still go out there and handle my business.”

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban characterized the Warriors — the 2015 NBA champs with two-time reigning MVP Stephen Curry with fellow superstars Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, and now 2014 MVP Durant — as the villain of the league.

“They become the villain,” Cuban told ESPN on Wednesday. “Just like when LeBron James went to Miami, I loved that there was a villain. They become the villain. I’m fine with that. Everybody’s going to root for them to lose.”

Also on Wednesday, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said of Durant’s move to the Warriors: “I don’t think it’s good for the league.”

Durant sounds like he’s accepted that there’s nothing he can do about his image at this point.

“I can’t worry about people on the outside,” he said. “I’ve got to go to sleep at night, I’ve got to get up and I’ve got to perform. I’ve got to do all that stuff.

He added: “Once we start playing the games, I’ll feel a little bit more better. Right now, it’s definitely a change. There’s a different vibe going around, but I’ll get used to it.”

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