Outspoken actor and media personality Michael Rapaport on Tuesday shared screenshots of a conversation between himself and Kevin Durant in which the Brooklyn Nets star used homophobic and misogynistic language that has drawn outrage across the sporting world.
I receive threats and disgusting messages DAILY, but never in my wildest dreams did I think @KDTrey5 would be among them. The 🐍 himself is now threatening me, bringing up my wife and wants to fight. This is supposed to be America’s sweetheart right? #ImDaRealMVP pic.twitter.com/l1VQfGMMRF
— MichaelRapaport (@MichaelRapaport) March 30, 2021
The Instagram conversation dates back to last year, with Durant appearing to be furious about comments Rapaport had made about him.
Durant later appeared to confirm the messages were real in a tweet and apologised in Rapaport’s Instagram comments.
@MichaelRapaport 😂😂you scary @KDTrey5 dm’d privately to fight and you did some internet shit 😂 scary ass
— RIP Idol 💔 (@CellfromDBZ) March 30, 2021
KD OMG 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/FhQ49AISQ1
— Joss Whedon Hate Account (@Fly_Malcolm_X) March 30, 2021
It remains to be seen whether Durant’s messages will draw the ire of the NBA, but the league has a history of fining and/or suspending players for using anti-gay language, with Rajon Rondo being one notable example.
Durant also claimed on Twitter that he and Rapaport have a back-and-forth relationship, but the disgusted actor has made it clear that this was no ordinary banter.
Durant’s social media activity has been the subject of intense public scrutiny since he was caught using Twitter accounts to defend himself in 2017.
To this day, he frequently claps back at everyday people on social media, a habit which has not exactly endeared him to a broader NBA fanbase which had already soured on him following his defection to the Golden State Warriors in 2016.