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“Just Shut Up and Watch the Game Tonight”: Kevin Durant Makes Big Admission About “Entitled” Fans Despite Leading the East in All-Star Votes

Published 01/07/2023, 4:50 AM EST

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USA Today via Reuters

In a recent interview with ESPN, Kevin Durant shared his two cents on all things basketball, including trade requests and the fandom that comes with being part of the NBA. Durant, who leads the Brooklyn Nets, has been fodder for much of the social media narrative this season. Like any other popular player, he has been trolled and criticized. His moves have been dissected and looked at it under a microscope. But he also has been getting a lot of love. If the voting for the NBA All-Star game is any indication, Kevin Durant has been numero uno for the fans.

However, it appears that this love may be a one-sided affair. In the interview, Kevin Durant demanded the fans, “Just shut up and watch the game tonight.

Kevin Durant slams NBA fans

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He said that the fans were only privy to the games and the games alone. They don’t see the behind-the-scenes that include travel and practices and shootarounds. “We go as hard as we want to go. We go as hard as our bodies allow us to go at this point“, Durant justified his team’s performances. He added that fans have become entitled, especially in their line of questioning.

Kevin Durant also advised the fans to stop putting pressure on athletes “to live up to their standards”. He also said the fans needed to “appreciate the grind” instead of being exacting on the team. Durant believed that this would help in changing a “tense, narrative-driven” dialogue.

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The forward also believed that the fans have been taking the NBA “for granted”.

But Durant leads in voting…

According to Bleacher Report, the league announced its first returns on fan voting for the 2023 NBA All-Star game. Early voting has suggested Kevin Durant and LeBron James leading their respective Conferences.

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USA Today via Reuters

Durant is a generational superstar who will earn the 13th All-Star nod of his career if this voting pattern continues“, the report noted. He has been averaging 29.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game so far this season.

Watch This Story: The Highest 1st Half Point Totals in NBA History After Kevin Durant’s Nets Embarrassed Warriors Without Stephen Curry

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Recently, a 12-year-old girl wearing a Nets jersey put up a poster on a game night stating, “KD is my GOAT pick, Sorry MJ, I am only 12.” He is definitely a crowd favorite, but Durant’s recent statements suggest that he is mostly annoyed with many of the NBA fans.

What do you make of KD’s comments? Let us know in the comments below.

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Written by:

Rekha Joly

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Rekha Joly is an NBA writer for EssentiallySports. She earned a triple major in English, Journalism, and Psychology from St. Joseph's College, Bangalore.
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Edited by:

Veer Badani