If you're about to fall for Kevin Durant, you better be prepared to face the wrath of his Twitter fingers.
On Thursday, the Brooklyn Nets superstar took to his keyboard to do what he does best besides hooping: clap back. This time his provocateur was just six-time NBA champion Scottie Pippen.
In an extensive interview with GQ to promote his new bourbon and memoir, Pippen commented on Durant's performance in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. On the off chance that you need a refresher about that terrible night, allow me to recap with you "Sparknotes" version: KD put on a perfect clinch (48 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists) , setting an NBA record for most points in Game 7 - but he accidentally steps over the line, which would have been Game 3 winning and the Nets lose in overtime.
Now, before Durant has had enough time to lick his wounds, Pippen comes out of the woodwork to criticize his game and - gasp - explain why he's not LeBron James. Pippen's argument? LeBron plays better team basketball.
"KD, as great as his offense was, turned out to be his worst enemy because he didn't know how to play team basketball," Pippen said. "He kept trying to punch for punch."
The Chicago Bulls veteran insisted that James would not have been in that position and would have found a way to win. "Have you ever seen LeBron take a shot like this? He's not going to take that shot. He's going to be smart. ... LeBron must have figured out how to beat them and he wouldn't get tired and could That he doesn't have to. Last shot taken. LeBron is not KD, and KD is not LeBron."
As far as Durant - who is set to head the Tokyo roster for Team USA in their third Olympics this summer - was concerned, they are fighting (read: social media controversy-inducing) words.
The 2014 MVP sought to draw attention to the stains on Pippen's resume by questioning the infamous "last shot" incident and rejecting Pippen's claim that he, not Michael Jordan, was the true leader of the Bulls dynasty. It was early
This guy Scott also wanted to enjoy his summer so he chose to rehab during the season lol yo @ScottiePippen THEY FOLLOWED PHIL, NOT YOU!!!
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) June 24, 2021