Anybody remember that D’Angelo Russell and Ben Simmons commercial where Russell threw Simmons phone out the window, saying that he wouldn’t need that once he begins his NBA career. It was funny, but truly a testament to what some players do to avoid the criticism they receive on social media. Now a days, Social Media can be brutal for athletes or celebrities or anything meme worthy really. So you would expect Kevin Durant’s decision to sign with the Golden State Warriors to cause a little bit of turmoil on social media. It would be safe to tell Kevin Durant not to go on the internet for the next couple of weeks, but according to ESPN’s Royce Young, Durant pays attention… to everything:
One thing I should’ve included in my piece yesterday: KD reads EVERYTHING. He pays attention to media narratives. Talking heads bug him.
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) July 6, 2016
That’s one of the reasons he’d lash out at the media: because he paid so close attention to everything people said. Especially the bad stuff
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) July 6, 2016
After one playoff game, Durant was at his locker reading tweets (as he would after most games). One from Skip Bayless really irked him.
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) July 6, 2016
It bugged him so much he sent a text to a reporter asking to be asked a question about Bayless at the podium so he could tee off about it.
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) July 6, 2016
So when people wonder why Durant would possibly make the move, a lot of it is on fans and media for creating this RINGZZZ culture.
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) July 6, 2016
Royce Young makes a good point in the last tweet, it is really the culture that us as fans and people in the media promote that helped Kevin Durant’s decision. The culture of championships and winning at all costs has ultimately left the Oklahoma City Thunder in the dust. With Russell Westbrook leading the way for the time being, the Thunder need to put every resource they have into convincing Russell Westbrook to stay in Oklahoma or else the franchise could suffer greatly.
