Kevin Durant fires back at Keyshawn Johnson after outlandish claim

Kevin Durant has been swirling around social media recently, and he’s starting to fire back.

On Monday, Keyshawn Johnson – the former NFL first overall pick – took a jab at Durant’s decision to join a superstar-laden Warriors team in 2016 while appearing as a guest on “Undisputed Live.”

Kevin Durant, United States guard, with a towel around his neck, after a basketball game against Serbia at the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games 3
Kevin Durant has been swirling around social media John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Johnson belittled Durant’s importance to the dynasty by saying Golden State could have been just as successful with a lesser player in Paul Piece.

If I put Paul Pierce on the Golden State Warriors with Klay Thompson and Draymond and Steph Curry, you don’t think he could do the same s–t?” Johnson said.

Keyshawn Johnson, ESPN analyst, on the set of Monday Night Football before a game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons 3
Keyshawn Johnson takes a jab at Kevin Durant’s choice to join the Golden State Warriors AP

The news was anything but music to the 14-time NBA All-Star’s ears.

In response, Durant took to social media, where he listed four Hall of Famers who would’ve served as better candidates for the No. 1 overall pick in the 1996 NFL Draft.

“If the jets would’ve took Jonathan Ogden, Marvin Harrison, ray lewis or Eddie George number 1 they would’ve been better off,” he wrote on X.

Durant helped the Warriors win back-to-back titles and reach three straight NBA Finals during his time with the team from 2017-19, and the Warriors may have three-peated if he had not ruptured his Achilles during the 2019 Finals against the Raptors.

He averaged 25.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 5.4 assists with the franchise.

As he engages in battles on X, Durant is also in the headlines for seemingly snatching Jayson Tatum’s deserved minutes on Sunday for Team USA.

Kevin Durant, in a blue Team USA jersey, warming up on a basketball court before the match against Serbia at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, with fans in the background.
Kevin Durant plays over Jayson Tatum in Team USA’s opening game Getty Images

The 35-year-old was absent for all of the Americans exhibition games yet got the spotlight over Tatum – who ended with a DNP – in their 110-84 opening win.

Although Durant finished with 23 points while shooting at an efficient 8-of-9 clip, he caught the eye of Kendrick Perkins.

“The last time Team USA won the gold, Kevin Durant was the best player,” Perkins said on “First Take.”

“You know who was the second-best player? It was Jayson Tatum!”

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