Just one day after Kobe Bryant’s retirement announcement, Kevin Durant held no punches when asked about his childhood idol.
Durant, 27, who acknowledged Kobe as his generation’s “Micheal [Jordan],” says that he is disappointed in the media’s treatment of the Laker’s star. “I’ve been disappointed this year because you guys [the media] treated him like s—. He’s a legend, and all I hear is about how bad he’s playing, how bad he’s shooting and it’s time for him to hang it up. You guys treated one of our legends like s—, and I didn’t really like it. So hopefully now you can start being nice to him now that he decided to retire after this year.” Durant went on to say that Kobe is some who he has/will always go to for advice on anything.
KD later clarified his comments regarding the media’s treatment of the 5-time champion. “This game saved my life, this game gave me a new life, this game taught me so much about life…hell yeah I’m sensitive about everything involving it.” KD continued, ” Every game he’s played on TV is about how terrible he looks, every article the next day is about how he should retire and give it up. Just killing him. I never hear about the Finals MVPs, the accolades. They did it for Derek Jeter, they will do it for Tim Duncan when he leaves even if he’s playing bad. I know you gotta report the games, but you’re going too in-depth about how bad he is. You’re almost kicking him out the league.”
The two have been on multiple All-Star teams together, and also played on the 2012 Olympic champion team together.
Sources: ESPN, Instagram (picture)
