When Skip Bayless speaks, people listen. Not because he prides himself on insight or authority, but because his opinions are often enough to evoke an intuitive response.
As Kevin Durant demonstrated on Tuesday, it can even happen when the Fox Sports 1 commentator is praising the players. The “Undisputed” host expressed his admiration for Durant on Twitter after the latter led a Nets team without a German to a 131-129 overtime win over the Nets.
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Brooklyn, down seven players due to COVID-19, relies heavily on Durant’s 34 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists in the win. But Bayless used his praise for Durant as an opportunity to take down the Lakers’ LeBron James. Los Angeles, between two consecutive wins, did not play on Tuesday.
Not sure if Bayless’ shot James was what prompted the reaction from the Nets superstar, but the latter certainly wasn’t happy with the tweet:
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Bayless was undeterred by Durant’s response, doubling down with even more praise in a tweet an hour later:
Steve Nash just said that confiscation is an option tonight because they won’t have enough bodies. Kevin Durant has a sore ankle. But KD insisted on playing, playing 48 minutes (sometimes with 4 rookies) and the Nets won the OT. Best record in the East with 2.5 games! KD MVP !!!
– Bypass Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) December 15, 2021
This is not the first time Durant and Bayless have clashed, with the former reportedly asking a reporter in 2016 to ask him a question about the then-ESPN host so he maybe spotted him during a post-game press conference.
Needless to say: Durant’s reaction to Bayless’s praise on Tuesday came from nowhere.
