Kevin Durant’s Online Battle After Team USA’s Close Call in the Paris Olympics

Kevin Durant stands out not just for his unparalleled scoring ability but also for his unique dedication to engaging in online battles. Mere hours after Team USA managed a dramatic 17-point comeback to edge out Serbia in the semifinals of the Paris Olympics, the Phoenix Suns superstar was back in action—not on the court, but on X (formerly Twitter).

Durant zeroed in on a Denver Nuggets supporter who had been celebrating Serbia’s performance, particularly that of Nuggets star Nikola Jokić. Interestingly, this fan hadn’t even mentioned Durant, but that didn’t stop the NBA star from finding and responding to the post.

Kevin Durant lobs comebacks on social media at 5 a.m. hours after come-from-behind win over Serbia https://t.co/lCox8FZSwQ

— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) August 9, 2024

Durant appeared to take issue with Nuggets fans who were cheering for Serbia and Jokić, particularly when it meant rooting against their own country’s team. In a follow-up tweet at 11:40 a.m. Paris time, Durant clarified his stance:

“We can only wonder when Durant actually slept that night,” one observer noted, given that Team USA didn’t make it back to their hotel until 1 a.m. local time. While Durant’s engagement with fans and other online personalities is nothing new, his commitment to doing so after one of the most stressful games of the tournament is a testament to his unique presence on social media.

Durant’s night saw him post nine points on 4-of-8 shooting, along with three rebounds in Team USA’s narrow 95-91 win. However, it was his former Golden State Warriors teammate, Stephen Curry, who led the team to victory, scoring 36 points and orchestrating the comeback.

Kevin Durant Calls Out Toxic Fan Culture with Viral Posts on Social Media https://t.co/znDZUzWXL6

— Athlon Sports (@AthlonSports) August 9, 2024

Now, with Team USA advancing to the final against France, Durant must brace himself for what is sure to be an intense and possibly hostile atmosphere at Bercy Arena, as French fans have been fervently supporting their team throughout the Games.

Key Points:

i. Durant’s Online Response: Just hours after Team USA’s tense 17-point comeback victory over Serbia in the Paris Olympics, Kevin Durant took to social media to address a Denver Nuggets fan celebrating Nikola Jokić’s performance for Serbia.

ii. Durant’s Target: The Nuggets fan in question did not mention Durant by name, but Durant found and responded to the post, expressing frustration over American fans supporting Serbia over Team USA.

iii. Durant’s Clarification: Durant emphasized that while players respect Jokić, they don’t “worship him” like some fans do. His comments highlighted the competitive spirit and rivalry present even in online interactions.

iv. Durant’s Late-Night Activity: Despite the late finish of the game, Durant’s activity on social media shortly after the match reflects his well-known habit of engaging with fans and critics online.

v. Team USA’s Journey: Durant’s focus now shifts back to the Olympics, where Team USA will face France in the final, with Durant likely anticipating a hostile environment from the local crowd.

Al Santana – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News