Kevin Durant Gets Real On Kyrie Irving

BYAlexander Cole20.4K Views
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Indiana Pacers v Brooklyn Nets
Kyrie Irving #11 and Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets talk during a break in the action during the fourth quarter of the game against the Indiana Pacers at Barclays Center on October 31, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
Kevin Durant isn't interested in telling people what to do.

Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving have been two of the biggest stories in the NBA to start the season. Of course, a lot of this has to do with the fact that the Nets are a disaster. Kyrie was suspended for antisemitic rhetoric, while Durant has essentially had to fend for himself.

In a recent interview with Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report, Durant made a whole slew of eye-opening statements. He started off by claiming that his starting five is not good enough to win. Furthermore, he took a shot at Steve Nash and his practicing regimens.

Kevin Durant #7 and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets embrace after defeating the Indiana Pacers 116-109 in the game at Barclays Center on October 31, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)

Kevin Durant Speaks On Kyrie

On the topic of being a leader, Durant was particularly blunt. As you will read, Durant took offense to the idea that he was supposed to tell Kyrie to get vaccinated. He feels as though everyone on the team is a grown man, and that they should be left to their own decisions.

“I’m not a leader? What the fuck does that mean?” Durant said. “A lot of people say I’m not a leader because I didn’t tell Kyrie to get vaccinated. Come on. Or I didn’t condemn Kyrie for leaving the team, going out and living his life. I’m not about to tell a grown-ass man what he can and can’t do with his own life and dissect his views or how he thinks about shit.”

As for Irving's more recent actions, Kevin Durant isn't trying to get involved. He admits that a dialogue can be had, but it should ultimately remain behind closed doors.

Kevin Durant #7 and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets look on in the final seconds of their 109-103 loss against the Boston Celtics during Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center on April 23, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images).

“We can have a conversation and exchange perspectives on how I feel about the topic and you feel about the topic, but everybody else don’t need to know or hear about our conversations because we’re grown-ass men. I don’t operate like that,” Durant explained.

Clearly, Durant is tired of having to answer for his teammates. It is understandable, as he didn't ask for these issues to come up. Regardless, he has yet to show himself to be a true leader, and his recent comments exacerbate that.

[Via]

About The Author
Alexander Cole is the current Managing Editor of HotNewHipHop. He started at HotNewHipHop back in 2018 where he began as a Sports and Sneakers writer. During this time, he has shown an expertise in Air Jordans, Yeezys, and all things that have to do with Nike. His favorite kicks are the Air Jordan 1 High OG, the Air Jordan 4, the Air Jordan 6, and the Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 in the "Beluga 2.0" colorway. Although his collection might not be the biggest, he is always looking to add new styles to it. When it comes to sports, Alex has a particular interest in the NBA and the NFL. His favorite teams are anywhere LeBron goes, and the Kansas City Chiefs. As a Montrealer, the Montreal Canadiens hold a special place in his heart, even if they haven't won the Stanley Cup in his lifetime. Alex also works for the Concordia Stingers, where he provides play-by-play and color commentary for the football, hockey, and basketball teams His favorite hip-hop artists are Kendrick Lamar, Playboi Carti, Travis Scott, and Lil Uzi Vert.
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