Kevin Durant: Jay Williams' Story About Ripping Giannis Comparison 'a F--kin Lie'
Jun 8, 2021
Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) shoots as Milwaukee Bucks forward P.J. Tucker (17) defends during the second half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Monday, June 7, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Kevin Durant's latest online feud is with ESPN analyst Jay Williams over comments about Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Williams said on Get Up! that Durant told him a few years ago not to ever compare him to the Milwaukee Bucks star:
“Don’t you ever compare me to Giannis” - Kevin Durant told Jay Williams put some respek’ on his name.pic.twitter.com/Ed04jM0TLr
Durant took exception to Williams' entire story, calling it "a f--kin lie" and adding a message on Twitter (warning: contains strong language):
Mans will do anything to advance their careers in this media shit, wanting to be accepted by an industry that will dispose of you whenever they please. Keep me out all that corny ass talk about whos better and legacy and all that dumb ass shit. I don’t even talk like that
Durant isn't shy about calling out anyone who says anything that he doesn't like or disagrees with.
In 2019, Nick Schwartz of USA Today ran through a list of seven online feuds Durant has had with various people.
Earlier this season, Durant engaged in a feud over direct message on Twitter with Michael Rapaport that stemmed from the actor commenting about the Brooklyn Nets star's apparent lack of desire in doing a postgame interview on TNT.
After Rapaport posted some of the messages he received from Durant, which included homophobic and misogynstic language, the 11-time All-Star issued an apology for the words he used:
Kevin Durant on his social media messages that were recently made public:
"I'm sorry that people seen that language I used, that's not really what I want people to hear and see from me" pic.twitter.com/UIPRuPdH3B
The Nets and Milwaukee Bucks are playing in the semifinals of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Brooklyn has taken a 2-0 lead through the first two games of the series, including a 125-86 win on Monday night.
The superstar showdown between Durant and Antetokounmpo has been as lopsided as that Game 2 score. Durant is averaging 30.5 points on 55.8 percent shooting, 7.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists against Milwaukee.
Antetokounmpo has scored 52 points and grabbed 22 rebounds in two games, but the two-time NBA MVP is just 2-of-10 from the free-throw line.
Durant will look to lead the Nets to a 3-0 series lead over the Bucks when they play Game 3 on Thursday at Fiserv Forum at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Giannis Says He'll 'Keep Believing' Despite Bucks' 2-0 Series Deficit vs. Nets
Jun 8, 2021
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo warms up before Game 1 of the team's NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday, June 5, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo isn't throwing in the towel after his team's 125-86 defeat to the Brooklyn Nets on Monday.
The two-time MVP told reporters how he prefers to remain even-keeled and not overreact to good or bad performances:
I don't get too high, I don't get too low. After the Miami series, we were up 4-0, and coming to this series, I wasn't high. Now that we're down 2-0, I'm not low. I'm just going to keep doing what I'm doing, keep trusting my work, keep trusting my teammates, keep believing in the team, keep believing in the habits we've built all year, and hopefully in Game 3 we get a win.
The Nets' position isn't all that dissimilar from the one the Bucks occupied in the 2019 Eastern Conference Finals.
Milwaukee beat the Toronto Raptors by 22 points in Game 2 to take a 2-0 series lead. The path to the NBA Finals looked clear, except the Raptors reeled off four straight wins en route to a title.
But these aren't parallel scenarios. Toronto rode Kawhi Leonard's singular brilliance, and head coach Nick Nurse devised a defensive strategy to mitigate Antetokounmpo's impact.
Antetokounmpo isn't the same kind of scorer as Leonard, who shot 37.1 percent from three-point range during the 2019 postseason. The combined presence of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving—and possibly James Harden if he gets back from his hamstring injury—also make it difficult for head coach Mike Budenholzer to zero in on stopping just one star.
Along the same lines, Budenholzer can't flip a switch and make Khris Middleton perform better. Middleton has 30 points on 13-of-33 shooting through two games, and that's simply not good enough for a player who's making $33 million.
Among Bucks problems: Bruce Brown is only starting because James Harden is hurt and right now nobody who ever watched basketball would take Khris Middleton over him.
Milwaukee has two days to regroup for Game 3, which will allow Budenholzer and his staff with some time to make whatever adjustments they can.
Antetokounmpo may not be panicking now, but the Bucks will be a five-alarm fire if they fall behind 3-0.
Jrue Holiday on Bucks' Game 2 Performance vs. Nets: 'The Loss Sucks'
Jun 8, 2021
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 7: Jrue Holiday #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets during Round 2, Game 2 of the 2021 NBA Playoffs on June 7, 2021 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Milwaukee Bucks were blown out by the Brooklyn Nets in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series on Monday night, and guard Jrue Holiday wasn't pleased with the result.
"The loss sucks," Holiday told reporters following the 125-86 affair.
Holiday had 13 points, four rebounds and three assists in the loss, but no Bucks player reached the 20-point mark. Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds, but it was no match for a Nets squad that boasted a combined 54 points between Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
While the final score doesn't suggest it, the Bucks might have gotten off easy, considering James Harden and Jeff Green were both sidelined for the game.
Harden was dealing with right hamstring tightness, while Green hasn't played in more than a week due to a foot strain.
"Whether you get beat by a point or by 40, you have to be ready for Game 3," head coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters after the loss. "You gotta have a short-term memory. You gotta get yourself ready, understand what we need to do to go home and win Game 3."
Game 3 is Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Kevin Durant: Nets 'Still Have a Long Way to Go' After Game 2 Blowout vs. Bucks'
Jun 8, 2021
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) defends against Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) during the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Monday, June 7, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
The Brooklyn Nets looked downright unstoppable during Monday's 125-86 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks to take a 2-0 series lead, but Kevin Durant knows there is still work to be done.
"We still have a long way to go," he said during a postgame interview on TNT (h/t ESPN's Rachel Nichols).
In the sense of the championship-or-bust mode Brooklyn's roster is in, he is correct. After all, the Nets have six of the 16 necessary postseason wins to take home that championship and technically only held serve at home in the first two games of the second-round series with the Bucks.
But it seems like just a matter of time until they are lifting the Larry O'Brien Trophy if Durant remains as efficient and dangerous as he was while putting up 32 points on 12-of-18 shooting from the field and 4-of-6 shooting from deep.
He was the best player on the floor in a game that also featured Giannis Antetokounmpo and carried Brooklyn even with James Harden sidelined by a hamstring injury.
They may still need 10 wins to achieve their goal, but it would be surprising at this point if the Nets didn't get there with Durant leading the way.
Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, Nets Beat Giannis, Bucks in Game 1 Despite Harden Injury
Jun 6, 2021
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 5: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets shoots the ball during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks during Round 2, Game 1 of the 2021 NBA Playoffs on June 5, 2021 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
In the most-anticipated playoff series of the season, the Brooklyn Nets topped the Milwaukee Bucks 115-107in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Saturday.
After disposing of the Boston Celtics in five games in the first round, the Nets looked ready for a much more difficult opponent in Round 2.
Milwaukee looked to have a lot of momentum coming off a four-game sweep of the Miami Heat in which it had a plus-20 scoring average in the series.
Things didn't start well for the Nets when James Harden left in the first minute of the game. He didn't return with a hamstring injury.
Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving picked up the slack without the third member of their main trio available. They combined for 54 points on 23-of-51 shooting. Durant and Blake Griffin both had double-doubles.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had his best game of the playoffs with 34 points and 11 rebounds, but the rest of the Bucks struggled to find a rhythm on offense. Khris Middleton really disappointed with 13 points on 6-of-23 shooting.
Harden's Injury Doesn't Slow Down Nets' Potent Offense
One of the major talking points for the Nets coming into the playoffs was how little time their big three had been able to play together.
Harden, Irving and Durant shared the court only eight times during the regular season. They looked fantastic during the opening round against the Celtics, averaging 85.2 points per game in the five-game series.
A hamstring injury for Harden is going to be particularly concerning because he dealt with the same issue during the regular season. The nine-time All-Star missed 20 of 21 games from April 1-May 11 with a strained right hamstring.
Despite not having Harden available for essentially the entire game, Brooklyn's offense didn't seem to slow down. It scored at least 30 points in each of the first two quarters.
One reason the Nets remained so successful without Harden was the effort of their role players.
Griffin, in particular, continues to look like one of the best in-season signings for any team. He had his highest-scoring game of the playoffs thanks to three three-pointers and had a season-high 14 rebounds.
Durant was held in check in the first half matched up with P.J. Tucker. He had 12 points on 5-of-12 shooting and missed both of his three-point attempts.
The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor highlighted one defensive sequence in the first quarter where Durant was disrupting Milwaukee's attempts at driving to the basket.
Irving was the engine of Brooklyn's success in the first two quarters. The 29-year-old had 20 points and was 9-of-16 from the floor to give the Nets a 63-61 lead at the intermission.
The third quarter turned out to be the difference in the game. The Nets outscored the Bucks 35-23 to open up a 14 point lead.
Durant scored 13 points and made five of his eight attempts from the field.
End of 3rd QTR: Nets 98, Bucks 84 Kyrie Irving (25 PTS), Kevin Durant (25 PTS), Blake Griffin (15 PTS) & the Nets are showing out when it matters. Brooklyn is shooting 52% from the field and 39% from three. They’re holding Milwaukee to 44% shooting and 17% shooting from three.
This was reminiscent of what the Warriors teams that had Durant were capable of doing at their peak.
Opponents could keep the game close for a short period of time, but eventually the offensive firepower would become too great for them to overcome.
The Nets are the most dangerous team in the NBA because they don't have to play at their best to win games. If Durant and Irving are playing well, this series could be over sooner than expected, regardless of when Harden might return.
Sloppy Shooting Leaves Bucks Searching for Answers
All of the understandable hype around Brooklyn's offense seemed to ignore the fact that it was the Bucks who led the NBA in scoring during the regular season (120.1 points per game).
Milwaukee also ranked third in field-goal percentage and fifth in three-point percentage.
If the Bucks are going to get past the Nets, it would stand to reason their offense would rise to the occasion against a defense that can be prone to lackluster efforts.
Unfortunately, three-point shooting was missing for Milwaukee. It finished 6-of-30 from behind the arc. This has been an ongoing problem in the playoffs. It only made 32.7 percent of its attempts from three against Miami.
It wasn't totally clear how the Nets would handle the size that Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer could put on the floor against them.
It turns out, the response by Brooklyn was essentially to disrupt Milwaukee's guards. Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez were getting buckets by attacking the rim.
Middleton's performance was particularly disappointing coming off an excellent series against Miami. He averaged 21.5 points per game and shot 40.7 percent from three in the first round.
I mean, also, Milwaukee is basically going to lose every game where Blake Griffin outplays Khris Middleton. Just kinda is what it is on that.
Scoring trends didn't favor the Bucks in this game. They stormed out of the gate with a 32-point first quarter, but saw their scoring decrease in each of the next two quarters (29 in the second, 23 in the third).
On the other hand, the Nets scoring increased from 30 in the first to 33 in the second and 35 in the third. Joe Harris almost made as many threes on his own (five) as the entire Bucks team (six).
This is just one loss and it's widely expected that this will be a long series, but Milwaukee has a lot of things to fix from Game 1 if it wants to pose a real threat to the Nets.
What's Next?
The Bucks and Nets will play Game 2 at Barclays Center on Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Pat Riley on Bucks Trolling Heat on Twitter After Sweep: I Wouldn't Have Done That
Jun 3, 2021
MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 28: President Pat Riley of the Miami Heat looks on during the second quarter between the Miami Heat and the LA Clippers at American Airlines Arena on January 28, 2021 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Pat Riley once wanted to wear a white suit and shamrock tie to troll the Boston Celtics in the 1985 NBA Finals.
Apparently, now a Twitter post is one step too far for Riley.
The Heat president responded to a tweet sent out by the Bucks social media team after Milwaukee completed a four-game sweep of Miami in Round 1, telling reporters he "would have never tweeted out something like that."
Now, we're not saying that Riley has gone full "Old Man Yells at Cloud," but he's certainly giving that cloud a stern talking to.
The Bucks' Twitter post was the epitome of harmless fun. Miami eliminated a heavily favored Milwaukee team in the second round last season on its way to a surprise Finals run, with players understandably puffing their chest out along the way.
The Bucks got one back. They should have some fun with things. There wasn't anything rude or disrespectful; it was the kind of all-in-good-fun trash talk we should embrace rather than browbeat.
Giannis on Bucks Sweeping Heat: 'We Didn't Want to Play with Our Food'
May 29, 2021
MIAMI, FL - MAY 29: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks dunks the ball against Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat during Round One Game Four of the Eastern Conference Playoffs on May 29, 2021 at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
If it looked like the Milwaukee Bucks were taking their first-round series against the Miami Heat rather personally, Giannis Antetokounmpo made it clear that was indeed the case after finishing off a four-game sweep Saturday.
"There's a saying, don't play with your food," Antetokounmpo told the TNT broadcast. "We didn't want to play with our food."
"There's a saying, don't play with your food. We didn't want to play with our food."
After the Heat defeated Milwaukee 4-1 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals last summer, the Bucks were ready to return the favor, eliminating the Heat in front of their home fans Saturday.
Antetokounmpo led the way once again with his first career triple-double in the postseason, posting 20 points, 15 assists and 12 rebounds in the series' clincher.
But it wasn't just Antetokounmpo's efforts that doomed the Heat—it was an entire team effort from Milwaukee. Consider guard Bryn Forbes notched more points (60) coming off the bench than Miami star Jimmy Butler poured in as a starter in all four games (58).
Saturday's win showed just how badly the Bucks wanted to close out the Heat and how much the team was willing to share the ball to make it happen. Every Bucks starter except Pat Connaughton (two points) scored at least 11 points in Game 4. That included a 22-point outing from Forbes, who went 7-of-14 from three-point range.
That gave way to a 120-103 blowout win to send Miami back to the drawing board for the 2021-22 season.
As Antetokounmpo and the Bucks prepare to face the winner of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal between the Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics, the Greek Freak made clear that while he may have feasted on Miami, he's still hungry for more.
"It's a great moment for us, winning 4-0, and beating the team that beat us last year," Antetokounmpo said. "But at the end of the day, we have a long way to go."
Bucks Shade Heat on Twitter After 1st-Round Sweep: 'This Ain't the Bubble'
May 29, 2021
MIAMI, FL - MAY 29: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball during Round 1, Game 4 of the 2021 NBA Playoffs on May 29, 2021 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Milwaukee Bucks enjoyed getting revenge on the Miami Heat on Saturday with a 120-103 win to sweep the defending Eastern Conference champions in the first round of the playoffs.
It marked a huge turnaround for the Bucks from last season when Miami beat Milwaukee in five games in the second round.
The Bucks' official Twitter account referenced that loss by tweeting "This ain't the bubble" after Milwaukee completed the sweep:
Milwaukee was heavily favored to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals last season. The Bucks posted the best record during the regular season and had two-time reigning MVP in Giannis Antetokounmpo on their roster.
While Milwaukee looked listless in a series loss to Miami, it turned the tables this year.
Miami had an up-and-down season but was still viewed as a threat to upset the Bucks with the star duo of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo along with offensive catalysts Tyler Herro, Kendrick Nunn and Duncan Robinson.
The Heat never found an offensive rhythm in the series, however, and the Bucks took advantage.
Milwaukee overcame a seven-point halftime deficit in Saturday's Game 4 to finish the sweep with a complete offensive effort that saw Giannis, Khris Middleton, Bryn Forbes and Brook Lopez all score at least 20 points.
Antetokounmpo posted a triple-double with 20 points, 15 assists and 12 rebounds.
It remains to be seen who will oppose the Bucks in the next round. If the Brooklyn Nets turn their 2-1 lead over the Boston Celtics into a series win, Milwaukee will face Brooklyn in perhaps the most compelling series of the second round.
Video: Udonis Haslem Throws Chair in Heat Huddle During 2nd Half of Game 4 vs. Bucks
May 29, 2021
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 24: Udonis Haslem #40 of the Miami Heat looks on before the game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Miami Heat during Game Two of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Miami Heat at Fiserv Forum on May 24, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
A strong start for the Miami Heat in Game 4 of their playoff series against the Milwaukee Bucks faded away after halftime, but Udonis Haslem is doing everything he can to keep the team playing hard.
During a timeout in the third quarter, Haslem was seen tossing aside a chair while speaking to the team.
Having lost the first three games of the series, the Heat are in desperation mode as they try to keep their season alive. They came out of the gate strong and led by as many as 12 points in the second quarter.
The Bucks turned things around in the third quarter, though. They outscored Miami 34-21 to take a six-point lead as they look to close out the series.
Bucks' Donte DiVincenzo Will Miss Rest of Playoffs with Ankle Injury
May 28, 2021
Milwaukee Bucks' Donte DiVincenzo runs during the second half of Game 1 of their NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat Saturday, May 22, 2021, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Milwaukee Bucks guard Donte DiVincenzo will miss the remainder of the playoffs after being diagnosed with a torn ligament in his left ankle.
DiVincenzo suffered the injury during the second quarter of Milwaukee's Game 3 113-84 win over the Miami Heat on Thursday in their first-round playoff series. DiVincenzo came up hurt after getting fouled by Heat guard Goran Dragic and did not return to the game.
While DiVincenzo's contributions are overshadowed at times by the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez, he is undoubtedly a key player for the Bucks.
The 24-year-old put up career-best numbers during the 2020-21 regular season, averaging 10.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.0 three-pointers made per game. He also flexed his defensive muscle with 1.1 steals per contest and improved as a three-point shooter, hitting 37.9 percent of his attempts from long range compared to 33.6 percent the previous year.
DiVincenzo primarily came off the bench during his first two seasons, but he started all 66 games he appeared in this season and averaged a career-high 27.5 minutes per game.
The Bucks are in prime position to advance to the second round of the playoffs with a 3-0 series lead on Miami, but playing without DiVincenzo in the second round could be a major blow to their chances.
Since each of the top three seeds in the East have commanding leads in their respective series, it is likely the top-seeded Philadelphia 76ers will face the winner of the New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks series, while the No. 2 Brooklyn Nets and No. 3 Bucks will clash.
Milwaukee is capable of winning the series with or without DiVincenzo, but the depth he provided would have been helpful against a Nets team that boasts a "Big Three" of Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving.
After DiVincenzo exited Thursday's game, the shooting guard minutes were split between Bryn Forbes and Pat Connaughton.
Forbes finished with 11 points in 20 minutes, and Connaughton had nine points in 18 minutes. They made three three-pointers each as well.
While neither Forbes nor Connaughton bring everything to the table that DiVincenzo does, their skill set is fairly complete as a pair, and they figure to get plenty of run for the remainder of Milwaukee's time in the playoffs.
