“Go on YouTube and Watch”: Kevin Durant Humiliates Rockets Fan for Mid-game Request

The Houston Rockets are doing everything they can to keep leading the Western Conference, and securing a 109-93 win over the Boston Celtics on Monday night elevated them to 7-1. But this smooth sailing didn’t keep Rockets star Kevin Durant away from heated, passive exchanges. Not even with a Rockets fan.

It started with the comparatively cold night the 38-year-old forward had against the Celtics, scoring just 12 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and a team-high 4 turnovers in 33 minutes of action. An online video circulated on social media where a Rockets fan said to him mid-game, “KD, you gotta just keep shooting, man. Doesn’t matter if they got two on you; they can’t hold you. You gotta shoot. You’re the best player on the floor.”

Imagine paying to watch your favorite team play, and the big name isn’t really playing big for the night. But your attempt at cheering him up turns into something else. KD replied to that fan, saying, “Go watch me work out then if you want to see that. Go on YouTube and watch me work out.”

This left the fan actually searching for a workout video of KD. But the feelings were clear as he said, “It's not the same, bro,” to his seatmate and the camera. Adding, “I’m trying to see you right now, KD. You got 8 points in the third; just shoot the ball.”

Now, a lackluster game now and then, even for those of KD’s caliber, is understandable. The Rockets star is averaging 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists this season, a pretty remarkable feat considering his age. However, what grabs attention is how he reacts to any remark that even remotely feels like a criticism. And the fan wasn’t the only one catching the heat.

During the postgame media availability, a reporter asked Durant about his unusual performance. And he didn’t take that well, either.

“We won the game? Why are you singling me out?… Jabari had 30 last game. He only had 14 tonight. You wanna talk about his variety?” he retorted.

But things escalated further when the reporter said Smith wasn't the 5th-highest scorer in NBA history, unlike KD.

“What does that have to do with anything? Are you just watching me all game? Do you have a solo cam on me? We won a basketball game, bro,” a frustrated KD said. When the reporter stated that his question wasn’t a criticism, the Rockets star replied, “Yes, you do. Yes, you do.”

Frustration over a bad game is inevitable. But when you’ve long shone over 19 seasons and had the cameras and spotlights following you, maybe there are better ways to articulate that frustration.