Kevin Durant blasts Barstool host amid debate on Buccaneers RB Giovani Bernard’s botched fake punt

Kevin Durant is one of the best players in the NBA today and of his generation. The Brooklyn Nets star was recently in the middle of a highly-contested debate on Twitter regarding Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Giovani Bernard. Durant posted a video of Bernard being interviewed after the Buccaneers lost to the Cincinnati Bengals 34 - 23.

It looked as though reporters were hounding the Buccaneers running back about a failed botched punt. The 12-time NBA All-Star tweeted that he liked the way Bernard handled the media. Barstool host Big Cat tweeted that fans are responsible for pro sports, and Durant quickly fired back at the Barstool host.

Here's a brief exchange between the two:

Big Cat

@BarstoolBigCat

@KDTrey5 @SinaiNot Well said! Everyone knows it’s the fans who are responsible for pro sports

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@KDTrey5 @SinaiNot Well said! Everyone knows it’s the fans who are responsible for pro sports

Kevin Durant

@KDTrey5

@BarstoolBigCat @SinaiNot Fans and playas. Don’t be disrespectful ya prick

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@BarstoolBigCat @SinaiNot Fans and playas. Don’t be disrespectful ya prick

In the third quarter, Bernard was supposed to get the snap on a direct snap on a fake punt and run it for a first down. However, the running back had the ball hit him, and it was recovered by the Bengals as a result.

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Giovani Bernard's postgame interview that led to Kevin Durant's reaction

When asked by reporters about what happened regarding the fake punt, Giovani Bernard took full responsibility for its failure.

Bernard said:

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“Miscommunication. That’s all it was on my part. I take complete fault for that. It was a complete fault — my fault, that’s it. It’s on me, all me, something I did wrong. It was all on me. No. 25 out there, that’s me. I was the one who did it. It was just me. I messed up. I messed up. Thank you, guys.”

Durant initially tweeted about how he loved the response given by Bernard:

Kevin Durant

@KDTrey5

Giovani handled this like a true pro. twitter.com/jennalaineespn…

JennaLaineESPN

@JennaLaineESPN

Bucs running back Giovani Bernard didn’t want to talk to the media about what happened on the botched fake punt. Here’s that interaction.

Note: As reporters, it is our job to seek clarity on what happened, especially on the most pivotal play of a game.

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Bucs running back Giovani Bernard didn’t want to talk to the media about what happened on the botched fake punt. Here’s that interaction.

Note: As reporters, it is our job to seek clarity on what happened, especially on the most pivotal play of a game. https://t.co/snQSvLE5mA

Giovani handled this like a true pro. twitter.com/jennalaineespn…

The two-time NBA Finals champion followed it up with his thoughts on the media and their reporting:

Kevin Durant

@KDTrey5

@SinaiNot Entitlement in this world has gone to another level. Media believes they are responsible for the popularity of the game

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@SinaiNot Entitlement in this world has gone to another level. Media believes they are responsible for the popularity of the game

Kevin Durant was defending Bernard as Big Cat seemed to side with fans in making professional sports what it is. Either way, Bernard handled the reporters with class as Kevin Durant showed solidarity in Bernard's response.

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If you use any of the above quotes, please credit Pro Football Talk and H/T Sportskeeda.

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