Kevin Durant has been a key contributor to the Phoenix Suns, yet the team struggles in the West. On Sunday, critic Skip Bayless went to X (formerly Twitter) to claim Durant’s game has long declined, prompting a confronting response from the NBA superstar.
Durant is in his 17th season at the NBA, winning two championships alongside numerous accolades. At 36, his elite play continues, averaging 26.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 52.9% field goal.
However, the Suns find themselves in a precarious spot, sitting 11th in the West with a 30-34 record. Despite Durant’s strong play, he and his team could miss the Playoffs if they fail to recover in their remaining games.
In one of his X posts, Bayless claimed that Kevin Durant’s performance wasn’t as consistent as he was back then, significantly contributing to the Suns’ precarious standing this season.
“The more I watch him at age 36 the more he looks mentally semi-retired to me,”Bayless said.
“The more I watch him at age 36, the more he [KD] looks mentally semi-retired to me.” pic.twitter.com/YmlIM6hNhe
— The Skip Bayless Show (@SkipBaylessShow) March 8, 2025
“He’s participating in a documentary that’s being made about his life and times, and it just feels to me like he’s winding down his basketball [career], and it’s reflecting in the Suns’ won-lost record because they started off eight and one this year. Since then they’ve gone 20 and 31.”
Kevin Durant didn’t take Bayless’ words lightly. “F**k it, We’re both washed, it was a great run @RealSkipBayless,” hefired back.
Fuck it, We’re both washed, it was a a great run @RealSkipBayless https://t.co/CVjqPSWWHH
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) March 9, 2025
“Mentally semi-retired. Once u skip Stan’s, explain what that means like I’m in 3rd grade please,” Durant added in another deleted post.
Kevin Durant is notable for his controversial presence in X, frequently engaging with public criticisms. Although he has been less active since, he never hesitates to respond to criticisms like he did with Bayless.
Kevin Durant reacts to Nikola Jokic’s performance in showdown
Kevin Durant addressed Nikola Jokic’s record-breaking performance against him and the Phoenix Suns last Friday. During an interview, Durant dismissed the belief of Jokic as an underdog, arguing that the Denver Nuggets star is a clear MVP contender this season.
Jokic scored 31 points, 21 rebounds, and 22 assists in the Suns game, making him the first NBA player to achieve such stats. Averaging 28.9 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.6 assists, the Serbian center made it clear he’s continuing his pursuit for his fourth MVP title.
Witnessing the 2023 NBA Finals MVP’s impressive performance, Kevin Durant has his praises for him:
“Jokic is never an underdog any situation, stop,” Durant said. “I’m just saying he’s not an underdog, I don’t know who it should be, both of them playing great ball, but Jokic should never be an underdog again.”
“That ____’s out the window after his first MVP.”
The Nuggets are currently third in the West with 41-23. They’ll have their rematch against the Oklahoma City Thunder this Monday after losing to them Sunday night, 127-103.
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