Fans react hilariously to Kevin Durant’s tweet on Shaquille O’Neal butchering Rui Hachimura's name: “Don’t get him started, Kevin”
Shaquille O'Neal has found himself roasted by Kevin Durant twice in recent weeks now. The back-and-forth between O'Neal and Durant started when the LA Lakers traded for Rui Hachimura from the Washington Wizards in late January. At the time, O'Neal said that he had no clue who Hachumira was.
That caught the attention of the former MVP, who questioned whether or not the Hall of Famer truly knows ball on Twitter. O'Neal's defense was that he doesn't pay attention to every team around the league. When Hachimura was on the Wizards, O'Neal wasn't familiar with him.
Once Hachimura got traded to the LA Lakers, then he had O'Neal's attention. This week, O'Neal circled back around to his previous comments during an episode of "The Big Show":
“Let me apologize to Rudy Hachimura. I didn’t know who he was, because I never watch the bull play, but he’s a fine role-player … So, Rudy Hachimura, I apologize. I didn’t know who you were. I know (who) you are now, and I wish you well”
(His comments begin after the 28:30 mark)
That prompted another response from Kevin Durant, who corrected Shaq, sparking plenty of hilarious reactions from fans.
Rui* twitter.com/legionhoops/st…
@KDTrey5 let him breathe kevin
@KDTrey5 Don’t get him started, Kevin.
🤣 KD funny Dog@KDTrey5 🤣😂🤣 KD funny Dog
@KDTrey5 OWN HIM KD. HE CANT DISRESPECT MY BOY LIKE THAT
@KDTrey5 Thanks for fighting the good fight, Mr Durant.
@KDTrey5 https://t.co/3xYEoytHjw
@KDTrey5 TALK TO EM KEVIN https://t.co/tsZdv5fNoP
@KDTrey5 W KD 🤝
Shaquille O'Neal's controversial comments
So, what was it that the Hall of Famer said about Hachimura in the first place that drew so much criticism? On an episode of "The Big Podcast" following the trade, O'Neal said:
“I don’t know who the f**k that is. Who the f**k is that?! Excuse my French, like, come on, (Lakers general manager) Rob (Pelinka)! We’re trying to win championships. Who is that, seriously? Can he play? I ain’t even heard of him. … My Lakers, we are all about winning them championships.”
Shaquille O'Neal's son explains Hall of Famer's comments
After Shaquille O'Neal said he didn't know who Rui Hachimura was last month, his son, Shareef O'Neal, spoke up. The G League Ignite player both explained why his dad made such comments and shed light on the situation in a since-deleted Tweet:
“He just says stuff like this to make the player wanna shut him up. He just wants dudes to prove him wrong. That's his way of doing it,"
Of course, O'Neal's response to Kevin Durant at the time was much more confrontational. The Hall of Famer took aim at Durant's thinning hair, saying that while he may not apparently know ball, he knew when he was going bald.
The LA Lakers with Rui Hachimura
As the LA Lakers look to the stretch run of the season, Rui Hachimura's play will undoubtedly be instrumental. As a prominent defender, Hachimura is expected to give the team big minutes as the season goes on.
Of course, with the LA Lakers (27-32) in 13th place in the West, they're going to need more than just Hachimura to make the playoffs. Fortunately for the team and its fans, the addition of D'Angelo Russell should give them a much-needed scoring boost.