Kevin Durant has never been one to back down from a debate on social media, and on Sunday, he found himself at the center of another NBA Twitter storm. This time, the topic was the recent resurgence of the New York Knicks and whether Durant’s decision to choose the Brooklyn Nets in 2019 played an indirect role in it.
Durant responded sharply to a viral post by longtime Nets insider Anthony Puccio, who claimed, “The best thing that ever happened for the Knicks was KD and Kyrie choosing Brooklyn. It took time, but they were forced to restructure and build out organically.”
Durant wasn’t buying the narrative.
“I don’t think the Knicks’ success has anything to do with me or Kyrie. An organic NBA team, what does that even mean in professional sports?”
That one line mocking the idea of “organic” growth in a league driven by trades, contracts, and front office maneuvering sparked a wave of fan responses. One user, Rishabh B, tried to mediate the situation, explaining, “It doesn’t directly…but he’s suggesting that your choice of Brooklyn put the Knicks onto a path that made them what they are…that’s all.”
Durant didn’t let up, responding: “He’s just salty ‘cuz the Nets didn’t work out and he’s jealous that the Knicks fans are having fun while Nets fans aren’t, so you know they gonna blame me and Kai for taking their joy away lol.”
The tension continued to escalate when Puccio fired back: “Why do you always feel like Nets fans blame you? I’d say more blame is thrown at ownership, front office and the Mayor. But I’ll let you play victim if that’s how it’s gonna be.”
Durant replied with a mix of sarcasm and honesty: “Brother, you are the one who spoke my name up. You could explain the Knicks’ success without using my name right? I’m mad it didn’t work too Pooch, you know this.”
Puccio then tried to clarify that his statement wasn’t a personal shot: “The plan was to get you & Kyrie. They didn’t. Helped them get where they are now because it humbled them enough to reboot everything. It wasn’t a slight at you or Kai. You could’ve hit me up on the side for hoops talk.”
Durant, ever the social media sniper, responded: “YOU could’ve hit me on the side Pooch lol it’s just hoop talk, it’s not really that serious for a side convo. You dealing with stans? Imagine me brother haaaa enjoy your day.”
By the end of the exchange, even the fan Rishabh B chimed in with a fair assessment: “I think playing the blame game has become a mainstay of NBA Twitter… I’m just gonna enjoy this new era as you are.”
Durant agreed with a simple, “Exactly.”
Durant’s social media presence has always blurred the line between honesty and agitation, but on this occasion, his frustration seems more grounded than petty.
After all, his time in Brooklyn may not have ended with a title, but it certainly wasn’t a failure, four straight playoff appearances and a heartbeat away from a Finals run in 2021. Still, for some Nets fans, the bitter taste of what could’ve been continues to linger, and for better or worse, KD remains a lightning rod for their disappointment.
