Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant recently addressed social media speculation suggesting he operated “burner” accounts to criticize both teammates and coaches past and present. After practice on Wednesday, Durant dismissed these claims, stating, “I’m not here to get into Twitter nonsense.”
The controversy erupted during the NBA All-Star Game when screenshots surfaced on the social media platform X, allegedly depicting private messages containing disparaging remarks about prominent figures such as Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker, former Suns coach Frank Vogel, Golden State’s Steph Curry, and coach Steve Kerr. Additionally, the messages included negative comments regarding Rockets players Alperen Şengün and Jabari Smith Jr.
While Durant has a significant social media presence—nearly 20 million followers on X and around 14 million on Instagram—he has faced accusations of using anonymous accounts since 2017. This came to light when he tweeted in the third person, sharing his reasoning for leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder. After that incident, he expressed regret for those tweets, labeling them as “stupid.”
In a 2019 interview, Durant revealed that he had utilized anonymous accounts to express himself without the restrictions of his celebrity status, allowing him a more candid platform. He also faced repercussions for social media disputes, including a $50,000 fine from the NBA in April 2021 after using offensive language towards actor Michael Rapaport in an Instagram conversation.
Despite his controversial relationship with social media, Durant emphasized the importance of team cohesion, remarking that he and his teammates were focused on their game. The Rockets are currently positioned fourth in the Western Conference with a record of 33-20. Durant, who is enjoying a solid season averaging 25.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists, was traded to Houston last summer after three seasons with the Suns.
Injuries to key players have hampered the Rockets’ performance. Veteran point guard Fred VanVleet suffered a season-ending ACL tear, while backup center Steven Adams has missed time due to ankle surgery. Other forwards, Tari Eason and Dorian Finney-Smith, have also faced inconsistent availability as the Rockets navigate these challenges.
Given that Durant has appeared in 50 of 53 games this season, his health stands out amidst the injury struggles of his teammates. However, the team has a mixed record of 11-9 over the last 20 games, leading head coach Ime Udoka to express concerns about the team’s competitive spirit following disappointing losses.
As the Rockets continue their campaign, the chemistry within the team will be crucial in their pursuit of playoff positioning. With only 29 games left, they have the opportunity to either solidify their standing or potentially slip into the precarious confines of the Play-In Tournament, emphasizing the need for unity as they face these distractions. The situation presents a reminder that while individual talent is vital, teamwork may ultimately determine the team’s success as they strive for a playoff berth.