"How you think I got so great?" — Kevin Durant torches trolls in blistering online showdown over his legacy
Kevin Durant. Image via: Getty Images
Kevin Durant is having his offseason fun in his own unique way, as he was found defending his legacy against fans on social media. The Phoenix Suns star ignited a fiery back-and-forth online this week, defending his legacy in response to a flood of criticism about his postseason record since leaving the Golden State Warriors.
Though the 36-year-old has come up short in the playoffs in recent years, Durant clarified that his greatness is not up for debate.
Kevin Durant reminds critics why he's still elite
It all started when a fan revisited Durant's rocky playoff run with the Brooklyn Nets, questioning his performance in the 2022 first-round sweep against Boston. Durant's quick-fire comebacks online sparked attention. 'It's a team sport, I'm not playing tennis,' Durant wrote on X. 'Of course not, ima perfectionist, how u think I got so great?? Did u use those 4 games as a declaration of my talent?' he snapped back.
The criticism kept coming, this time aimed at his decision to leave the Warriors and how little success he's had since. Another fan claimed Durant's career has taken a nosedive post-Golden State. That lit the fuse. 'Saying I haven't done much is just an opinion without facts,' Durant fired off. 'If you want to talk about me as an individual, fine, but you can't separate my story from my teammates and the teams I've been part of.
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Those things are connected.'
Despite a few tough playoff exits, Durant laid out a résumé few could touch. 'All-Stars, 50/40/90 club, All-NBA honors, efficient scoring, a career-high in assists one season, over 30,000 career points, Olympic gold medals, MVP awards — what a career, and I'm still going strong,' he declared.
When fans mocked him for replying at all, Durant stayed defiant. 'I'm minding my business, a guy sends a random tweet about how he doesn't like my career.
I respond, saying I disagree, but I'm the insecure one?' he wrote. 'To me, the person who started it is the insecure one.'
He added, 'Well this script been primetime tv since 2007 brother. Interpret it however u want, that's what ART is!! Enjoy'
When another fan asked about not winning championship after his Warriors run, he again asserted that it has never been his fault, 'We couldn't get it done brother, WE. He asked about ME specifically brother, ME.'
Also Read:
NBA Trade Rumors: New York Knicks could land $194,219,320 Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant in shock move after Tom Thibodeau firing
The former MVP hasn't advanced past the second round since 2019, falling short with both Brooklyn and Phoenix. Still, averaging 26.6 points last season, Durant is still in his elite level in the sport.
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