Kevin Durant excelled on the court last night in the final game of the NBA’s Christmas Day, leading the Phoenix Suns to a 110-100 win over the Denver Nuggets. Shortly after the game, Durant went online to see how fans on social media responded to the NBA’s extremely successful night of hoops.
Durant was clearly upset to see fans be excessively negative about the state of the modern game, debating them on social media and making some fantastic points about how the game nowadays is still just as compelling as before.
Fan: “LOL I just tuned into this game because everyone in my mentions is saying it’s a quality game. I see Wemby brick a contested 3 then KAT takes a deep 3 and hits it then makes this face. 7 footers jacking up 3s and making faces. Back then they would dunk on each other and make faces.”
Kevin Durant: “Nostalgia got this man in every wrestling move u can think of, we all wish we could be a kid again and experience life with no responsibilities, everything seemed better back then. Then u grow up….“
Fan: “It’s not nostalgia my guy. When you were a rook on the Sonics you faced REAL physical defense and dudes weren’t taking 80 threes a game.. It’s a WACK product. Nobody wants to watch the best athletes in the world chuck nonstop 3s.”
Kevin Durant: “Ok so what is a good number of 3s to take? Seems like u not totally against the 3 it’s just that it seems excessive to you. What the right number because I agree, balance is key”
Fan: “Theres’ no set number, I think fans want to see games with a healthy mix of inside and outside scoring like back in the day. I don’t think fans are enjoying the NBA2K park games style where almost every point is a 3 but at the same time it is basketball and you got to do what you got to do to get the win.”
Kevin Durant: “I agree, there should be a balance. Players Should work on making shots on all 3 levels. Fans should also accept the new era of basketball a little more too.”
Fan: “Could you imagine trying to make players like rajon rondo or Derrick Rose into players that take 9 or 10 three-pointers a night? Do you think they would have still been special players?”
Kevin Durant: “I’m not advocating for players to shoot 10 threes a game but if it’s there, take it. Some nights u might see a few go in and now u hot and end up taking 12 3s. Just being open to utilizing the 3-point shot opens up everything else.”
Fan: “I think you missed the point I was trying to make.”
Kevin Durant: “I think Drose and Rondo could for sure make 3s at a nice clip if that was encouraged from the second they walked in the league. They are that talented and smart to make the adjustment.”
Fan: “Mfs just be complaining to complain at this point. A big man made a 3, so what?”
Kevin Durant: “They are complaining for engagement. They’re screaming for more middies now when they hated them a few years ago. They will never be happy…because they don’t really like basketball”
Fan: “I do not know who “they” is but Mike is my goat and he never shot 3s. Pure hoops always boils down to drive in/post-game/ middies that’s why close games with pressure and high-level defense you and anyone else goes back to the middy. That’s where all the greats went when a bucket was needed.”
Kevin Durant: “No doubt, when it’s money time, Middies are there. In today’s game tho, u set that up by utilizing the whole floor, spacing, knocking down 3,s and touching the paint… Defenses are too good to just sit in the midrange all day… You gotta diversify.”
Fan: “Facts. But you think defenses are better now than when you were a rook? I don’t see it, man. I don’t see the effort, I don’t see the physicality. Bunch of flopping and refs rewarding weak drives”
Kevin Durant: “It’s easier to play defense when you aren’t worried about somebody outside the paint. Defense is hard in this league when everybody on the floor can shoot and you on an island and your teammates are afraid to help off a sniper…”
Fan: “Fair, but what about the league rules and lack of physicality today? Guards were not babied back in 2007. Today you breathe on a guy and they on the line. Or the lack of effort, guys don’t go all out like they used to. Thoughts?”
Kevin Durant: “The paint was just clogged up, it always looks more physical from the tv when bodies are in a tight space…it’s inevitable that players are gonna push and shove in that circumstance.”
Fan: “It’s not about the 3s it’s about the poor advertising. U, LeBron, and Steph get all the pr meanwhile newer guys like Luka, SGA, and Jokic don’t. IDK if it’s because they aren’t American or because their respective teams aren’t in a big market but the NBA needs to do better!”
Kevin Durant: “That’s not true. I’ve seen an SGA billboard in Toronto, I know he’s from there but he plays in OKC. Everybody knows Shai. I saw a Jokic commercial air during a prime-time game, everybody knows Jokic. Luka is worldwide, everybody knows him on a first-name basis lol. Are u guys paying attention?”
Fan: “It’s not ratings it’s not marketing it’s the amount that television is watched nowadays.”
Kevin Durant: “I truly believe people consume content all day every day, by the time 7 pm hits they are drained and don’t want anymore.”
Fan: “C’mon bro people know who these guys are, but it isn’t on the level like you guys and Kobe, Shaq, etc.”
Kevin Durant: “They will be once u spend the next 10 years watching them play.”
This was a wonderful exchange where Durant actually explained the sport to his misguided fans rather than trolling them for their lack of knowledge. Fans complaining about watching big men and everyone shoot threes are telling on themselves, admitting they either love NBA for the nostalgia they feel when they watch or they’re weirdly opposed to the game becoming more successful.
Durant’s words are extremely compelling and fans should heed what he has to say to rediscover their love for the game. Basketball is in its most talent-rich era of all time and it’s best to enjoy the heroics we see on the court instead of incessantly cribbing about it, especially after a slate of five amazing Christmas Games yesterday.
