Nets address KD’s social media feud
From burner accounts to Twitter beefs with random unverified trolls, Kevin Durant has never seen a social media fight he didn’t love. But his latest has forced the Nets to have a long talk with their superstar player, and could even land him in hot water with the NBA.
After actor Michael Rapaport made public a number of social media private messages that Durant had sent him — some of which were misogynistic, homophobic and threatening — the league is aware of the situation and assessing the next move. It’s unclear whether Durant will face any fines.
Meanwhile, a team source told The Post that the Nets, who beat the Rockets 120-108 Wednesday night, reached out and spoke to the All-Star forward. The source declined to say who specifically spoke with Durant, and said the tenor of the conversation would be kept “in-house.”
Durant wishes his comments to Rapaport had stayed that way, too.
“Me and mike talk CRAZIER than this on the regular and today he’s pissed,” Durant tweeted. “My bad mike, damn!!”
The two have clearly known each other for years, with Durant even providing the New York native with tickets to the NBA Finals while he was playing with Golden State. Rapaport actually shared a video in which he complains to Durant about the location of his seats.
But their recent feud appeared to start in December when Rapaport weighed in on an interview that the Nets forward did with Charles Barkley and the “NBA on TNT” crew, in the wake of Barkley’s criticism of Durant.
“KD seemed deeply in his feelings with the [NBA on TNT] crew after the game,” Rapoport tweeted. “DAMNIT he’s super sensitive about everything. Don’t do the interview.”
That seems to have set Durant off, and the two proceeded to have a months-long argument in which he calls Rapaport a “b---h” and a “d---head.” The actor pushed back, telling the Brooklyn star to “go help the kids in Brownsville, Brooklyn and stop being a f---ing p----.”
In the messages, Durant also mentioned he eventually told Rapaport “all u do is c--- suck other men for attention,” referred to him as a “piece of s--t,” and told him to “suck a d--k.”
He also mocked Rapaport’s unsuccessful attempt to sue Barstool founder David Portnoy — which prompted Portnoy to praise Durant for going after Rapaport — and even suggested the actor’s wife didn’t respect him and threatened to “spit in your face.” He challenged Rapoport to meet him on West 17th St. at 10 a.m., or provide his own address.
Now Durant — who hasn’t played since Feb. 13, sidelined by a hamstring strain — has to worry about more than just his rehab, explaining himself to his team.