Kevin Durant criticizes Nikola Jokić's "worship" by Nuggets fans: "Nobody gives a shit" | News, results, highlights, stats and rumors

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Phoenix Suns and US basketball star Kevin Durant took to social media on Friday morning to comment on the story surrounding the Denver Nuggets and Serbian center Nikola Jokić following the USA's thrilling 95-91 victory at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris on Thursday.

In response to an X-user who accused American fans of having “double standards” and not recognizing Jokić as the best player in the world, Durant wrote that while most players respect and “revere” Jokić, they don’t “worship” him like the fans do:

Kevin Durant @KDTrey5

To all Nuggets fans: Nobody cares which of you idiots is the best player in the league. The players have a lot of respect for Jok. We don't idolize him like you do, but most are impressed by his brilliance. Getting mad at you idiots for being against us is part of the game.… https://t.co/JVwxSi0eJD

Durant later criticized “the recent fan culture” in which there is “idol worship, a lot of hate and division based on wins and losses” and which, in his view, “disrespects the work” of “incredible athletes.”

Kevin Durant @KDTrey5

Let's talk about the fan culture that has emerged recently. Lots of huge egos that believe they are the reason a sport is progressing. A LOT of idol worship, a lot of hatred and division based on wins and losses, a lot of disrespect for the work these people do… https://t.co/UFRak9kSEG

Kevin Durant @KDTrey5

This is what you all do, you clowns. You use players to further your trite agenda. This is a brotherhood you are not a part of. This is a problem now because you are clowns on social media walking around with your chests out like you mean something. YOU DON'T!!! YOUR OPINIONS DON'T COUNT https://t.co/DVWyR9ZDMD

Durant had previously made fun of a fan who had written that Serbia “should be proud” of having pushed the strong USA team to its limits in Thursday's semifinal.

Kevin Durant @KDTrey5

Where are you from??

By far the toughest test of these Olympics came for the Americans in Serbia, but they rallied and rose to the occasion when it mattered most: facing host nation France in the gold medal match.

The US team trailed Serbia by as many as 17 points, and the Serbs had a 13-point lead at the start of the fourth quarter.

The Serbs barely missed from distance in the first half and enjoyed another spectacular performance from three-time NBA MVP Jokić, who finished with 17 points, 11 assists and five rebounds.

Jokić was far from the only reason for Serbia's competitiveness, as Atlanta Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanović led the team with 20 points and Aleksa Avramović contributed 15 points and converted 4 of 6 three-pointers.

The best performance in Thursday's game was undoubtedly KD's former Golden State Warriors teammate Stephen Curry, who made 9 of 14 shots from distance and was the team's all-time leading scorer with 36 points.

Steph kept Team USA in the game early when no one was shooting, and scored some crucial baskets in the fourth quarter, including a three-pointer to take the lead with 2:24 left.

LeBron James, Joel Embiid and Durant also delivered great moments: James achieved a triple-double, Embiid scored 19 points and KD contributed nine points as a substitute.

As great as Jokić undoubtedly is, he struggled with Team USA's stifling defense in the final stages, making just 7 of 17 field goals and 0 of 6 three-point shots throughout the game.

Durant may have felt more compelled than usual to clap back at those who had egged on Jokić and Serbia because of the Serbian players' behavior during the game.

They seemed to be talking nonsense the whole time, and some of them even taunted NBA and Team USA star Carmelo Anthony, who was sitting courtside.

The trash talk seemed to spur LeBron on toward the end of the first half, and the entire team played inspired basketball in the closing stages.

The greatest pressure was on the shoulders of the U.S. team as the Americans seek their fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal in men's basketball, but they were up to the challenge.

While Serbia faces Germany for bronze, the USA is just one win away from gold and will face France for the gold medal on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET.