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Suns Kevin Durant defends Jayson Tatum from 'Hot Take' pundits on social media

Originally posted on Burn City Sports
By Tanner Tortorella | Last updated May 15, 2025 10:13 PM ET

Despite not being in the NBA playoffs, Phoenix Suns Kevin Durant has been vocal on social media. The former MVP has highlighted the great performances during the postseason, giving flowers to the next generation. However, he also isn’t afraid to call out pundits that are disgracing the game, calling them “Hot Take Artists.”

After only one game without superstar Jayson Tatum because of his Achilles injury, Fox Sports One’s Emmanuel Acho went on his show to make a case that the Boston Celtics were a better team to matchup with the New York Knicks without the six-time All-Star. Durant didn’t take Acho’s “analysis” kindly.

Suns Durant calling out Acho:

Hot take artist have ruined the sport. Football guys, no disrespect but yall boys need to stay In ya lanes, u don’t know what it’s like it between these lines man give it a break. Dudes who quit football early to pursue media talkin mental toughness, cut it out

— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) May 15, 2025

The 15-time All-Star obliterated the former two-year NFL player turn sports broadcaster about his ability to criticize players despite the lack of success in one’s sport. Durant is a former two-time Olympic teammate with Tatum and suffered the same injury as the 27-year-old when he was with the Warriors in 2019, empathizing with Tatum.

Throughout his time in the league, Durant has been critical of modern sports broadcasting, calling out pundits from all major networks on the way the current state of basketball is covered. The rise of retired athletes joining the analysts’ desk has grown in recent years, and whether for better or for worse, it has become the norm for these athletes to discuss sports they haven’t played like Acho discussing the Tatum situation.

Acho response to Durant:

I also believe you object to my take b/c you fundamentally disagree with the reality that a team reflects the demeanor of the best player (which you often are).

You’ve historically denied the role of leadership because if you acknowledged it’s factor, you’d have to honor it. https://t.co/1zgrcM8A59

— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) May 15, 2025

Regardless if there’s any validity to Acho’s analysis, the problem lies in the timing of the debate, with Tatum suffering the devasting injury a few days ago. The talking point likely upset Durant, bringing up more fuel to the fire for his disapproval of modern sports broadcasting.

This article first appeared on Burn City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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