Kevin Durant’s Twitter feed is the best thing about this Suns offseason

If these are Kevin Durant’s final days in Phoenix, at least it’s entertaining.

June. The mercury rises, the rumors swirl, and your notifications better be set to “on”. While the NBA Finals play out, it’s one of the most fascinating times of the year for the league’s other 30 teams. The NBA Draft is two weeks away, free agency follows close behind, and the reshaping of the Phoenix Suns is imminent. One month from today, this roster could look completely different.

At the center of it all is new general manager Brian Gregory and the massive decision looming over him: what to do with Kevin Durant. Since arriving in Phoenix in February 2023, Durant has averaged 26.8 points per game, but as his name churns through the trade rumor mill, it feels like we might be witnessing the final days of his time in the Valley.

As the days fall off the calendar and we inch closer to a possible deal sending Kevin Durant out of Phoenix, it feels worth taking a moment to appreciate one thing about his time here: his accessibility and social media presence.

Sure, I’ve caught a few strays myself.

But honestly? I respect it. The man’s been on his phone lately, scrolling through Twitter and firing back at anyone daring to question his legacy. And it’s hilarious. It’s rare to see a player of his stature so openly engage with fans, critics, and random avatars, and for better or worse, it’s been part of the Kevin Durant Experience in Phoenix.

Kevin Durant is a unique case study when it comes to social media and athletes. Think about it. He’s an NBA superstar whose career fell right in the sweet spot of the social media boom. LeBron James entered the league in 2003, back when you were still figuring out how to add Tom as a friend on MySpace. But by the time Durant was drafted in 2007, Facebook was exploding, Twitter had just been created in 2006, and the world of instant, unfiltered interaction was taking shape.

Durant didn’t just passively exist in that space. He dove in. His second tweet ever?

As he climbed the ranks to become one of the greatest scorers in NBA history, he also became one of the most active, unfiltered, and, at times, brash superstars online. Today’s players have grown up with smartphones in their hands, brand managers in their ear, and cautionary tales from those who came before them. But KD? His social media presence rose in parallel with his career, and that’s made for a relationship with fans — and critics — that’s one of a kind.

And sometimes? What he says rubs people the wrong way. But that’s part of the deal when you follow KD online. It’s raw, it’s honest, it’s occasionally petty. And it’s endlessly entertaining.

But then there is the serious side of basketball discourse.

Too often, we say we want real answers to real questions. We ask for honesty, for thoughtful responses from our stars, for them to speak their minds instead of offering canned, PR-polished quotes. But then, when someone like Kevin Durant actually does it — when he engages, defends himself, and speaks with raw honesty — some people get upset. And I’ve always wondered why.

Just because KD doesn’t say what you want him to say doesn’t mean you should be frustrated with him. Sure, you can disagree with his take, debate his perspective, or roll your eyes at his comebacks. But getting angry because he’s defending himself or his legacy on his terms feels misguided. It matters to him. The way he needles people, claps back, and toys with the discourse is half entertainment, half therapy session for a guy who’s been under the spotlight for nearly two decades.

His latest round of tweets is par for the course. KD is defending his legacy while reminding folks it’s a team sport. Whether you align with his views or not, I think it’s something to appreciate. Even as someone who’s caught a few strays over the years, I respect the candidness. How often do we get to see one of the greatest players in NBA history engage like this, unfiltered and in real time?

And if these are indeed his final days in Phoenix, I’ll keep watching from afar. And I’ll keep laughing. Because, for all the drama and debate, there’s something refreshing about a superstar who refuses to play by the script.

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