Last night, the Golden State Warriors graced the TNT screen and handed a blowout to the Los Angeles Clippers. It was LA’s 10th straight loss to the Dubs and a third quarter 50 point explosion propelled the Warriors to a big win. Following the late night game, the Inside the NBA team took over the late night programming, and it also means it was time for the annual ribbing of NBA players.
On this night, McGee was the subject of a Shaquille O’Neal joke once again, something that has upset JaVale in the past. But it apparently upset the two-time “Shaqtin’ a Fool” MVP so much that he took to Twitter and sent some offensive shots and threats at the Hall of Fame big man turned NBA analyst. The two exchanged some late-night jabs on twitter and after shootaround today, those around the Warriors back JaVale. former NBA MVP Kevin Durant was the loudest critic.
Listen to what Kevin Durant said the following, according to Anthony Slater of the Mercury News.
Kevin Durant comes to JaVale McGee's defense vs Shaq: "I didn't know cops could threaten civilians like that" pic.twitter.com/gsx79h04c8
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) February 24, 2017
Here are some more additional comments, according to Slater.
Durant part 2, asked whether it’s affected McGee’s career: “It has. It has. Shaq wants to make a joke about it. But if it was him in that position, he’d feel the same way. We wouldn’t call him a bum and all this because he’s such a great player obviously. But still, everybody can’t be Shaq. He’s trying to make his money and enjoy the game of basketball and the perception of him now is that he’s a dumb player because he makes mistakes out there on the court. Shaq was a sh**** free throw shooter, he missed dunks, he airballed free throws, he couldn’t shoot outside the paint. He was bigger than everyone, didn’t have no skill, bigger and stronger than everyone. Still a great player, but you had your flaws as a player and you played on five or six teams, too. So it’s not like he’s just some perfect center. You had your flaws, too. I didn’t know cops could go on Twitter and threaten civilians like that. I’m glad JaVale challenged him.”
Durant part 3 on McGee: “You don’t see when he dunks on somebody, when he blocks a shot in the stands, when he catches a lob, when he beats another big man down the court and gets a reverse layup. Because they don’t put that on Twitter. The perception of him is that he’s dumb. And once you get labeled something in this league, it’s hard to shake it. But I’m sure he’s changing some people’s minds about what he’s doing as a player because he’s playing so well. It’s not just because he’s on a good team. You still got to put the work in. He’s out there catching those lobs, getting double-doubles, changing the game for us. He’s doing that because he put the work in, so respect that man.”
And then Shaq responded to Kevin Durant’s comments.
@KDTrey5 mind yo business this ain't for you,
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) February 24, 2017
@KDTrey5 I understand u sticking up for your teammate that's cool but your boy @JaValeMcGee34 is still a bum, he started it I'm a finish it
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) February 24, 2017
