Kevin Durant had profane message for reporter writing Warriors book

Kevin Durant had a profane message for a reporter who recently published a book about the 2018-2019 Golden State Warriors.

The Athletic’s Ethan Strauss has written a new book about the Warriors called “The Victory Machine.” Strauss had some friction with Durant over an article published in January 2019.

Despite the friction, Strauss says he reached out to Durant to see if the former NBA MVP would talk to him for the book. Durant was settled in Brooklyn by then and blew off Strauss with a profane message.

Here is what was said according to an article from Hua Hsu of The New Yorker:

“Months later, with Durant settled in Brooklyn, Strauss texted him to see if he would talk to him for ‘The Victory Machine.’ It feels like due diligence but also like a chance for Strauss to eke out one more anecdote for the book. ‘F–k u, f–k your sources and your book,’ Durant replied. He’s no longer on the team, but he’s on the cover of the book, anyway—alone.”

Strauss couldn’t have expected a very positive response from Durant given their history, and why would Durant be inclined to help someone he felt was problematic for him? He wouldn’t.

It’s hard to blame Durant for that response, and it’s probably somewhat unfair to him that his response is being publicized now.