"That don't mean s**t"- Kevin Durant downplays beating idol and '5-time champ' Kobe Bryant in playoffs
In an interview with Yahoo Sports on Saturday following Team USA's first practice ahead of the 2024 Olympics, it was suggested that Kevin Durant has "taken the torch from Kobe." Coming up with this statement, the interviewer cited Durant's 2012 NBA playoff win against the late Kobe Bryant.
For context, the Durant-led OKC Thunder defeated the Bryant-led LA Lakers 4-1 in the second round of the 2012 NBA Playoffs.
Durant dismissed the idea and said that he didn't take anything from the Lakers legend. The two-time NBA champion further downplayed beating his idol who was a five-time champion.
"That don't mean sh*t cuz he got five championships," Durant said. "That mean nothing, we lost that year. So you want me to celebrate a second-round win because it's Kobe Bryant?"
"I have him on the pedestal like that. Once we on the same court playing against each other it's just another win. It's cool when y'all say it like, 'Damn you beat Kobe Bryant', but I dont even think about sh*t like that... I know how tough it is and the only win that matters is the last one."
He then pointed out that Anthony Edwards probably had the same approach when the Minnesota Timberwolves swept him and the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs. They were later eliminated by the Dallas Mavericks in the western conference finals.
Watch the segment here:
"You could just make up lies": Kevin Durant blasts media fabrication over trade rumors
In the same interview, Durant slammed the media fabrication amidst rumors surrounding his trade from the Phoenix Suns. The 14x NBA All-Star said that the media was making up lies about his supposed trade to get attention from the audience.
"It's hard not to hear what they got to say about you ... especially when you could just make up lies. You can press the 'KD wanna leave' button anytime you want some attention," he said at the beginning of his rant against the media.
"There's for sure a button ... what else will get people going around this time?" Durant added. "The journeyman is leaving again. That story will always hit."
The Phoenix Suns star also repeatedly called the claims "lies" and mentioned that he's been in regular contact with the Suns' front office, coaching staff and players.
Watch the complete interview here:
Durant concluded another efficient season where he averaged 27.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.2 blocks in 75 games played for the Suns last year. He will now suit up to represent Team USA in the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics. This will be his fourth time competing in the Olympics.