Kevin Durant has a long history of social media adventures. Not only for the famous case where it was discovered that he managed several accounts to protect himself from the most critical voices. Also because he is the NBA star that most interacts with ordinary fans. He likes to talk and express his opinions on X (formerly Twitter) and yesterday he was particularly enthusiastic.
On a sporting level the day was a complete success. All the matches were decided in the dying moments and there were great performances from some of the faces of the league. OKC’s loss and injuries to Kristaps Porzingis, Luka Doncic, Devin Booker and Anthony Davis didn’t dampen the night at all. But immersed in the debate of the hearings, there is not enough.
Heated debate
In recent weeks, the debate over the health of the NBA has increased on the networks and in the media amid a sharp decline in viewership. In raw numbers there are those who speak of drops up to 40%, although they may be qualified. And most of the reflections go to the current game and a kind of nostalgia for a time that was clearly better.
User @Jacobtheclipper, a Clippers fan who identifies himself as an NBA historian on his profile, he criticized that Victor Wembanyama and Karl-Anthony Towns traded 3-pointers instead of fighting each other in the zone. Durant saw this and couldn’t help himself:
Nostalgia replaced this man in every way. We all wish we could go back to childhood and live a life free of responsibilities. Everything seems better in retrospect. Then you grow up…
Professional tweeter Durant
This was not his only comment of the night, as he spent several hours exchanging messages with different people. In fact, he left many interesting ideas with the same user, who asked him about the loss of the mid-range and the strength of defenses today compared to when KD arrived in the league:
They complain because he gives points of view. They want more mid-range shots now that they hated them a few years ago. They will never be happy because they don’t like basketball very much.
[…]
Undoubtedly, when the hot moments come, there is the middle distance. But today we have to get there by using the whole field, getting space with three-pointers and touches in the area … The defenses are very good at living in the medium distance, we have to diversify .
[…]
It’s easier to defend when you don’t have to worry about someone outside the area. Defense is complicated when everyone can shoot, they leave you in a clearing and your teammates are afraid to help if they leave you alone.
The Phoenix Suns forward dedicated more than a dozen publications to his particular discussion desk. As always, it’s very interesting that someone like Durant takes the time to share these types of opinions. Not even talking about whether this or that is funnier than the other.
In the following days, the ratings on Christmas Day will be bright and will certainly show a new decline due to the competition represented by Netflix that broadcasts two NFL games. But it’s unthinkable that someone who loves basketball in one way or another won’t at least enjoy what they saw yesterday.
(Cover photo by Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images)