“I feel like fans only want free agency and drama and only care about playoffs and Finals and what that means for somebody’s legacy,” he said. “Then they get programmed to just think about that, which has made them not want to care about the regular season.” But he also doesn’t blame them, in a splintered media environment where the NBA is competing for eyeballs not just against other TV shows but also against streaming networks and social media platforms.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Suns’ Kevin Durant hopes fans ‘stay invested in game’ despite drop in NBA viewership (w/video) #Suns azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral – 1:57 PM
Suns’ Kevin Durant hopes fans ‘stay invested in game’ despite drop in NBA viewership (w/video) #Suns azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral – 1:57 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“When key guys in your lineup are out, sometimes you got to change identity on your team on the fly.”
Kevin Durant on Suns XMas win w/o Devin Booker, Grayson Allen and Bol Bol.
On Mama Durant in attendance: “It never gets old having your family and support system there.” #Suns pic.x.com/E4f2nrOJF5 – 12:02 PM
“When key guys in your lineup are out, sometimes you got to change identity on your team on the fly.”
Kevin Durant on Suns XMas win w/o Devin Booker, Grayson Allen and Bol Bol.
On Mama Durant in attendance: “It never gets old having your family and support system there.” #Suns pic.x.com/E4f2nrOJF5 – 12:02 PM
Jorge Sierra @hoopshype
Most points scored on Christmas Day in NBA history
Dwyane Wade: 314
Kevin Durant: 342
Oscar Robertson: 377
Kobe Bryant: 395
LEBRON JAMES: 507 👑 pic.x.com/LaN8PcyGID – 5:58 AM
Most points scored on Christmas Day in NBA history
Dwyane Wade: 314
Kevin Durant: 342
Oscar Robertson: 377
Kobe Bryant: 395
LEBRON JAMES: 507 👑 pic.x.com/LaN8PcyGID – 5:58 AM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“It’s a weird dialogue around the league and viewership and I see a lot of people blaming the players for it. Something that big, it’s not just one component on why it’s going that way.”
Kevin Durant on viewership being down in NBA. #Suns #NBAChristmasDay pic.x.com/DLzcJutQMB – 1:59 AM
“It’s a weird dialogue around the league and viewership and I see a lot of people blaming the players for it. Something that big, it’s not just one component on why it’s going that way.”
Kevin Durant on viewership being down in NBA. #Suns #NBAChristmasDay pic.x.com/DLzcJutQMB – 1:59 AM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Kevin Durant on Bradley Beal’s performance before laughing: “Just a great all-around game. 4 steals tonight, a block, 11-for-21. He missed 2 FTs, which is trash. But we’ll take it.”
Later added: “It was incredible to watch. In that 4Q, we played through him, and he took us home” pic.x.com/IpP536Lsf4 – 1:50 AM
Kevin Durant on Bradley Beal’s performance before laughing: “Just a great all-around game. 4 steals tonight, a block, 11-for-21. He missed 2 FTs, which is trash. But we’ll take it.”
Later added: “It was incredible to watch. In that 4Q, we played through him, and he took us home” pic.x.com/IpP536Lsf4 – 1:50 AM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Kevin Durant postgame. #NBAChristmasDay #Suns pic.x.com/ZyM6d3PWCz – 1:34 AM
Kevin Durant postgame. #NBAChristmasDay #Suns pic.x.com/ZyM6d3PWCz – 1:34 AM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Phoenix Suns avenge lopsided loss as Durant, Beal lead win over Denver Nuggets (w/video) #Suns #NBAChristmasDay azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral – 1:05 AM
Phoenix Suns avenge lopsided loss as Durant, Beal lead win over Denver Nuggets (w/video) #Suns #NBAChristmasDay azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral – 1:05 AM
Michael Scotto @MikeAScotto
Kevin Durant called Nikola Jokić “arguably the best player in the world and a top-10 player of all-time” during his ESPN postgame interview. pic.x.com/DrVnL64FGl – 1:01 AM
Kevin Durant called Nikola Jokić “arguably the best player in the world and a top-10 player of all-time” during his ESPN postgame interview. pic.x.com/DrVnL64FGl – 1:01 AM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Phoenix was 1-11 without either Booker or Durant in the lineup coming into tonight. The win was at Utah.
Big win for the Suns tonight. It took a season-high 21 field goal attempts from Bradley Beal
Also
The team that had the fewest turnovers won all five 2024 Christmas games. – 12:53 AM
Phoenix was 1-11 without either Booker or Durant in the lineup coming into tonight. The win was at Utah.
Big win for the Suns tonight. It took a season-high 21 field goal attempts from Bradley Beal
Also
The team that had the fewest turnovers won all five 2024 Christmas games. – 12:53 AM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Final: PHX 110, DEN 100
Beal: 27 Pts, 4 Ast, 4 Stl, 11-21 FG
Durant: 27-6-4-2-2, 9-26 FG
Jones: 17 Pts, 4 Ast, 7-9 FG
Nurkic: 8 Pts, 13 Reb, 6 Ast
Jokic: 25 Pts, 15 Reb, 10-19 FG
Suns win their first Christmas Day game since 2009 – 12:50 AM
Final: PHX 110, DEN 100
Beal: 27 Pts, 4 Ast, 4 Stl, 11-21 FG
Durant: 27-6-4-2-2, 9-26 FG
Jones: 17 Pts, 4 Ast, 7-9 FG
Nurkic: 8 Pts, 13 Reb, 6 Ast
Jokic: 25 Pts, 15 Reb, 10-19 FG
Suns win their first Christmas Day game since 2009 – 12:50 AM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Durant goes to celebrate Beal’s bucket and gets close to going over the baseline. Ref tells him that and Durant informs him I am in my zone! On the turnover forced by Beal, Durant instinctively sprints toward Beal (past the same ref) and then quickly retreats. Fun! – 12:33 AM
Durant goes to celebrate Beal’s bucket and gets close to going over the baseline. Ref tells him that and Durant informs him I am in my zone! On the turnover forced by Beal, Durant instinctively sprints toward Beal (past the same ref) and then quickly retreats. Fun! – 12:33 AM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Jokic and Durant have both played 30:28, including the entire 1st and 3rd quarters
KD is now outscoring Joker 23 to 22
Nuggets now have a better FG% (47.6% than Phoenix (47%)
But Suns have more 3s, more free throws, and have forced more Nuggets turnovers. – 12:19 AM
Jokic and Durant have both played 30:28, including the entire 1st and 3rd quarters
KD is now outscoring Joker 23 to 22
Nuggets now have a better FG% (47.6% than Phoenix (47%)
But Suns have more 3s, more free throws, and have forced more Nuggets turnovers. – 12:19 AM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
End of 3Q: PHX 85, DEN 78
Durant: 23 Pts, 5 Ast, 7-19 FG
Beal: 19 Pts, 4 Stl, 7-13 FG
Jones: 14 Pts, 4 Ast, 6-8 FG
Jokic: 22 Pts, 13 Reb, 9-17 FG
Suns won the 3Q 27-22 – 12:17 AM
End of 3Q: PHX 85, DEN 78
Durant: 23 Pts, 5 Ast, 7-19 FG
Beal: 19 Pts, 4 Stl, 7-13 FG
Jones: 14 Pts, 4 Ast, 6-8 FG
Jokic: 22 Pts, 13 Reb, 9-17 FG
Suns won the 3Q 27-22 – 12:17 AM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Flare screen at the top of the key on Durant post touches for the guard one pass away has been a nice boost for the ball movement off the doubles. – 12:11 AM
Flare screen at the top of the key on Durant post touches for the guard one pass away has been a nice boost for the ball movement off the doubles. – 12:11 AM
Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
At the half: Suns 58, Nuggets 56
PHX shot well from beyond the arc & Beal/Durant got going.
For Denver, Jokic led with 17 pts, 8 rebs & MPJ added 11 pts. Nuggets are starting to hit a groove.
If you’re Malone, what’s your holiday message to the team? – 11:37 PM
At the half: Suns 58, Nuggets 56
PHX shot well from beyond the arc & Beal/Durant got going.
For Denver, Jokic led with 17 pts, 8 rebs & MPJ added 11 pts. Nuggets are starting to hit a groove.
If you’re Malone, what’s your holiday message to the team? – 11:37 PM
Vinny Benedetto @VBenedetto
Nuggets trail 58-56 at halftime.
Jokic has 17-8-2. Michael Porter Jr. is the only other Nugget in double figures with 11. Denver has nine offensive rebounds and an 8-0 edge in second-chance points. Phoenix owns a 9-1 edge in FB points.
Durant and Beal with 14 apiece for Phoenix. – 11:37 PM
Nuggets trail 58-56 at halftime.
Jokic has 17-8-2. Michael Porter Jr. is the only other Nugget in double figures with 11. Denver has nine offensive rebounds and an 8-0 edge in second-chance points. Phoenix owns a 9-1 edge in FB points.
Durant and Beal with 14 apiece for Phoenix. – 11:37 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Halftime: PHX 58, DEN 56
Durant: 14 Pts, 5 Ast, 5-13 FG
Beal: 14 Pts, 3 Stl, 5-10 FG
Nurkic: 8 Pts, 6 Reb, 3-4 FG
Jokic: 17 Pts, 8 Reb, 7-12 FG
Big 3Q coming up for a Suns team that’s struggled in the 3rd and a Nuggets squad that dominates second halves – 11:35 PM
Halftime: PHX 58, DEN 56
Durant: 14 Pts, 5 Ast, 5-13 FG
Beal: 14 Pts, 3 Stl, 5-10 FG
Nurkic: 8 Pts, 6 Reb, 3-4 FG
Jokic: 17 Pts, 8 Reb, 7-12 FG
Big 3Q coming up for a Suns team that’s struggled in the 3rd and a Nuggets squad that dominates second halves – 11:35 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Durant grabbed at his left ankle when going around Nurkic screen and falling as foul called on Gordon.
Westbrook around Durant on other end, Durant answer. Suns up one. #Suns #NBAChristmasDay – 11:32 PM
Durant grabbed at his left ankle when going around Nurkic screen and falling as foul called on Gordon.
Westbrook around Durant on other end, Durant answer. Suns up one. #Suns #NBAChristmasDay – 11:32 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Mama Durant good luck.
4 of Suns 7 made 3s are corner/wing 3s where she’s sitting.
Suns up 51-45. #Suns #NBAChristmasDay pic.x.com/MxWEHV1zyi – 11:23 PM
Mama Durant good luck.
4 of Suns 7 made 3s are corner/wing 3s where she’s sitting.
Suns up 51-45. #Suns #NBAChristmasDay pic.x.com/MxWEHV1zyi – 11:23 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Full shift first quarters for Nikola Jokic and Kevin Durant
Joker outscored KD 15-10
But Suns shot 70.6% FGs, 6/7 3s – 11:12 PM
Full shift first quarters for Nikola Jokic and Kevin Durant
Joker outscored KD 15-10
But Suns shot 70.6% FGs, 6/7 3s – 11:12 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
End of 1Q: PHX 38, DEN 34
Durant: 10 Pts, 4 Ast, 3-6 FG
Nurkic: 7 Pts, 3 Reb, 3-3 FG
Beal: 5 Pts, 2 Ast, 2 Stl, 1-2 FG
Jokic: 15 Pts, 5 Reb, 6-7 FG – 11:08 PM
End of 1Q: PHX 38, DEN 34
Durant: 10 Pts, 4 Ast, 3-6 FG
Nurkic: 7 Pts, 3 Reb, 3-3 FG
Beal: 5 Pts, 2 Ast, 2 Stl, 1-2 FG
Jokic: 15 Pts, 5 Reb, 6-7 FG – 11:08 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Kevin Durant lost his footing on a drive and you could hear the collective groan in the arena as he stayed on the ground for a second. Fortunately it looks like he’s all right and he’s staying in the game – 11:03 PM
Kevin Durant lost his footing on a drive and you could hear the collective groan in the arena as he stayed on the ground for a second. Fortunately it looks like he’s all right and he’s staying in the game – 11:03 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Durant went down hard on butt driving on Westbrook.
Hit FTs. Seems fine.
Suns up 31-24. #Suns #NBAChristmasDay – 11:03 PM
Durant went down hard on butt driving on Westbrook.
Hit FTs. Seems fine.
Suns up 31-24. #Suns #NBAChristmasDay – 11:03 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Kevin Durant tried to get through an Aaron Gordon screen and AG fell over. KD just stood there staring at him like “really, dude?” for a good 15 seconds. I laughed – 10:51 PM
Kevin Durant tried to get through an Aaron Gordon screen and AG fell over. KD just stood there staring at him like “really, dude?” for a good 15 seconds. I laughed – 10:51 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Mama Durant in the building. #Suns #NBAChristmasDay pic.x.com/EpKpJaTvmV – 10:49 PM
Mama Durant in the building. #Suns #NBAChristmasDay pic.x.com/EpKpJaTvmV – 10:49 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Dunn on Murray.
Durant transition dunk from Beal. Suns 2-0. #Suns – 10:39 PM
Dunn on Murray.
Durant transition dunk from Beal. Suns 2-0. #Suns – 10:39 PM
NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
What would you gift Steph, LeBron and KD to win one more title?
@Kendrickperkins, @stephenasmith and Bob Myers share their choice 🎁 pic.x.com/0uAdAy6Wr8 – 8:55 PM
What would you gift Steph, LeBron and KD to win one more title?
@Kendrickperkins, @stephenasmith and Bob Myers share their choice 🎁 pic.x.com/0uAdAy6Wr8 – 8:55 PM
More on this storyline
“My thing is you can’t s— on the product and think that people are going to value that product like some of the shows do. We all supposed to be on the same team. But it feels like everybody is clashing right now. Trying to get more attention. Everybody, instead of just all trying to push the game in the right direction.” -via ESPN / December 26, 2024
“Yeah, I think so,” Durant said after guiding his Suns to a 110-100 Christmas Day victory over the Nuggets. “Ace is a pure, pure talent. Being able to shoot the ball with that type of touch from anywhere. It’s insane the shots that he can make over multiple people at that length. It’s incredible to watch.” -via New York Post / December 26, 2024
“Him and his teammate Dylan Harper are playing some great ball. They’re one of my favorite teams to watch. But I see some of my game in Ace,” Durant said. “I think he’s part of the midrange game. He’s probably a little bit more advanced than I was at that age. But he’s a problem. I can’t wait to see his career growth.” -via New York Post / December 26, 2024