Skip to content

Durant on criticism: Michael Jordan did not go through this

Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Kevin Durant continued a season-long media blitz Thursday, this time courtesy of Bleacher Report's Ric Bucher. The NBA champion - who has dealt with his fair share of criticism in the wake of departing the Oklahoma City Thunder for the Golden State Warriors - said he's had it harder than previous generational stars like Michael Jordan.

Durant explained the abuse he's received after deciding to move on:

I'm a person. I've got real feelings and I'm not afraid to be vulnerable in front of people who watch us play or that follow the league. It's f---ed up that you're saying that stuff about me, because just a couple months before, I was the greatest thing since sliced bread because I was playing for your team. Your team is on TV every day, playing late into the playoffs and you get to brag about how good your city is to some other people around the country. It was all good when I was doing something for you. It was all good when I was representing you. Now I decided to take my career in my hands and I'm a 'b----'? That's confusing ... because some people that I'd seen that cheered for me, people that I actually talked to, the faces they were giving me, the tone they had when they looked at me, it was weird.

If I (respond), it's: 'No, you're sensitive. Shut up. You're supposed to take it. Everybody did it. Michael went through it.' I'm like, hold up. Michael Jordan did not go through this. You know what Michael Jordan went through? Reading the paper and it says, 'Oh, Michael Jordan was 7-for-33 the night before, how the f--- is he going to bounce back?' That's criticism. Criticism is not, '(blank), you moved to (blank), you're a b----, a coward.' That's not criticism. Criticism is calling me Mr. Unreliable and bouncing back the next night."

Durant is referring to a May 1, 2014, Oklahoman front page that eviscerated the then-Thunder star after a rough playoff loss.

Criticism from fans and media aside, the 29-year-old also shed some light on his relationships with various members of the Thunder - including Russell Westbrook.

"Those people really mean a lot to me to this day. No matter if they talk to me or they're mad at me," Durant said. "Whether it's Sam Presti or Troy Weaver or Russell Westbrook or Nick Collison. Whether it's Wilson Taylor or Clay Bennett and his family, I love them from the bottom of my heart."

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox