Kevin Durant has been dealing with a left ankle sprain for the past three games and while he is nearing a return to the court, that hasn’t stopped him from clapping back at people on social media who call him out.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!A day before the Suns will face the Utah Jazz on the road, Durant took to X/Twitter after multiple users questioned his career path. He was drafted by the Seattle Supersonic (now the Oklahoma City Thunder), joined the Golden State Warriors, signed with the Brooklyn Nets and is now in Phoenix via trade.
One user called it a “weak move” when Durant left the Thunder in 2016 after they were eliminated in the playoffs by a historic 73-9 Warriors team only to sign with Golden State in the offseason. Durant would go on to become a two-time NBA champion with the Warriors as a result, sparking endless debates over him “ring chasing” after joining the team who beat his.
“Jealousy will get you nowhere,” Durant said in response.
Jealousy gets you nowhere.
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) December 12, 2024
Another user wanted an answer about if there was any way Durant can see why some fans question his career choices.
Defending himself, Durant thinks emotions overrule the truth of people’s feelings about where he has gone and who he has played for because their opinions could cause misconseptions of why he came up with the decisions he made.
“I tend to think people’s assessment of my journey comes from an emotional place more than a truthful place,” Durant said.
I tend to think people’s assessment of my journey comes from an emotional place more than a truthful place.
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) December 12, 2024
Durant replied with “U welcome” to a Nets fan on the social media platform who brought up the trade between Phoenix in Brooklyn and added at the end, “An all-time haul.” While the user said there were 12 first round picks involved in the deal, the actual trade was Durant and T.J. Warren to the Suns for Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Jae Crowder, four unprotected first-round picks and a 2028 first-round pick swap.
He then was told he is “legitimately going out with the worst legacy of any all time great in any sport” before responding with calling this statement “dramatic.”
As one of his final interactions on Thursday, a user asked him if he reached acceptance with what path he has decided to go down and Durant gave an honest answer to call out the people criticizing him.
“I’ve accepted that most people will die haters,” Durant said.
I’ve accepted that most people will die haters.
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) December 12, 2024
Durant has been involved in drama on social media multiple times this season, and hasn’t shied away from getting involved online. He made his feelings felt by calling ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith a “clown” when Smith questioned his leadership, has defended himself for a NBA parody account, “NBA Centel,” making clickbait posts about his personal life and has been in interactions with random users occassionally.
This season, Durant was off to a impressive start to the season, averaging 25.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists. He was ruled out indefinitely with a left calf strain from Nov. 9 until returning on Nov. 26 vs. the New York Knicks, played four games and sustained a left ankle sprain against the San Antonio Spurs on Dec. 3.
Proving how vital he is to the Suns, Phoenix is 11-2 with him in the lineup and 1-9 without. Phoenix began the season 8-1 and one of the top teams in the Western Conference before slipping down to No. 10 with a 12-11 record currently.
With three games in a row coming down to second half collapses, the Suns are in desperate need of a spark to turn things around as the season is past a quarter of the way done and Durant is close to returning. There is a possibility he could play as soon as Friday in Utah or Sunday against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Even though he will hope to get the Suns back into winning ways, one thing that will not stop for the forseeable future is him interacting with critics on social media and the reaction that comes out the encounters.
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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers the Phoenix Suns, ASU Athletics and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
