In the ongoing debate regarding the relative difficulty of scoring in the EuroLeague compared to the NBA, several NBA superstars have voiced their opinions. However, Kevin Durant holds a different perspective.
Recently, Giorgos Kyriakidis, a journalist from BasketNews, interviewed EuroLeague veteran Kyle Hines, who shared his insights about the two leagues.
Fuck outta here lmao. Y’all are insane
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) September 23, 2023
A 37-year-old EuroLeaguer, Kyle Hines, recently brought up the ongoing debate about the different styles of play in both leagues.
However, Hines’ remarks sparked a fan’s disrespectful comment about the reigning NBA MVP, Joel Embiid, suggesting that he wouldn’t thrive in the EuroLeague. This comment caught the attention of two-time NBA Champion, Kevin Durant, who reacted strongly.
Hines remarked, “When I was 22, my worldview of basketball was so ‘it’s just the NBA.’ Now, at 37, I’ve had the chance to get a full perspective. I’d say the NBA is checkers, and Europe is chess.”
EuroLeague player Kyle Hines:
“I’d say the NBA is checkers and Europe is chess.”
(via @BasketNews_com) pic.twitter.com/NKPVEr43LL
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) September 23, 2023
The final sentence of Hines’ statement gained attention on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), and was reposted by the popular basketball account, Legion Hoops.
One fan asserted, “NBA easy… EuroLeague hard. Everybody says the same. Joel Embiid can’t average 30 in the EuroLeague,” prompting Kevin Durant’s response.
Durant strongly disagreed with this assertion, stating, “F**k outta here lmao. Y’all are insane.”
The exchange didn’t end there, as the fan continued to criticize the NBA’s defense and free-flowing offense. KD put an end to the heated discussion when the fan began making personal attacks on the superstar, concluding, “U just goin on a tangent now. U win brother. I hope u ordered that Euroleague package to support them boys this year.”
“F—k outta here lmao. Y’all are insane” -KD’s response to a person saying the NBA is easy and European basketball is hard.
— An Abnormal Suns Fan (@AbnormalSunsFan) September 23, 2023
After Kyle Hines’ comments and Durant’s exchange with the fan, other fans joined in to mock the two-time NBA Champion.
The conversation continued with another fan, B-Moe, who argued that the NBA has been structured to facilitate scoring and suggested that NBA players don’t prioritize defense. Durant dismissed these claims, describing B-Moe as “trying too hard to be different.”
Bro nobody gonna take u serious talking like this man, u trying too hard to be different
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) September 23, 2023
B-Moe countered by emphasizing that while the NBA may be more popular and financially rewarding, this doesn’t necessarily translate to being more competitive or challenging.
Durant’s response to B-Moe was a playful suggestion to purchase the Euroleague TV package, saying, “I got a bootleg cable I’ma watch the good ones.”
