He may have a $198 million NBA contract and be one of the stars of the league's most fearsome team this season, but somehow that hasn't stopped Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant from lashing out at a teenaged basketball player on Twitter.
When the teen, Jayden Moore, posted a video to Twitter of his slick—though possibly illegal—basketball moves while playing for his school team, Durant quote-tweeted the video with a totally unnecessary and downright mean caption.
He wrote:
"This sh*t stinks."
But Moore quickly turned things around with a perfectly classy reply that has left people applauding.
See his response below.
Thanks for the constructive criticism.. I\u2019ve grown from my 6th grade year! Maybe we can work on some stuff together!! All love Hopefully I can get to where you at one day! #keepgrinding— Jayden Moore (@Jayden Moore) 1640021356
Moore was buried in criticism on Twitter after Durant called him out, as tons of basketball fans mocked him for his fancy but technically illegal basketball moves.
IDC THIS MOVE IS TUFF \n(via jjudah02/IG)pic.twitter.com/ciYQw3CDTe— Overtime (@Overtime) 1639945025
It hardly seems necessary—Moore is an eighth-grade point guard, not an NBA champion.
But once Durant opened the floodgates, it seemed like the negativity wouldn't stop—including call-outs from basketball legends Isaiah Thomas and Austin Daye, who called Moore's moves "horrible basketball" and "Bad Hoops Period," respectively.
Moore told USA Today he was disappointed by the experience.
What began with him and his teammates jumping up and down and cheering when they saw the notification that an NBA star of Durant's stature retweeted him, quickly turned into a huge letdown.
As Moore put it:
"Like, what made him take time out of his day to say something negative instead of encouraging me or telling what really needs to be done and then texting me privately or something like that."
After the dust settled, Moore and his parents decided Durant's criticism could be used as an opportunity for growth.
Moore posted his reply to Durant.
Many of his fellow Twitter users applauded his classy response.
Jayden has had more impact on his team than Kyrie this year at the guard spot.\n\nTell him how it is young man, glad you stand up for yourself, and good luck the rest of your season!— Andrew Haner (@Andrew Haner) 1640024070
Very classy response, kid. Hopefully KD can get to where you at one day.— Betsy W (@Betsy W) 1640023809
Keep your head up because you\u2019re going to do great things. You just don\u2019t know it yet.— ULOMA (@ULOMA) 1640030850
Damn, look. Kid already has more class than KD— Kayd (@Kayd) 1640027580
Kid got more class then Durant, my new favorite player.— 0 \u2022 12 (@0 \u2022 12) 1640030434
What a humble young man! Your guardians raised you extremely well. Best of luck to you kid and hope to be watching you in the league one day! God bless!— \ud83d\udc8eDickinszn\u303d\ufe0f\ud83c\udfc8\ud83d\udc8e (@\ud83d\udc8eDickinszn\u303d\ufe0f\ud83c\udfc8\ud83d\udc8e) 1640033412
WY to take the criticism and put out positive energy. Keep that and you will succeed in this world.— The Mustyrabbit (@The Mustyrabbit) 1640033409
That\u2019s how you respond to hate my boy!! KD need to get off Twitter and focus on stopping @StephenCurry30— XTR \ud83d\udc2c (@XTR \ud83d\udc2c) 1640030652
Classy response, I respect that. Keep your head up champ— . (@.) 1640032228
Damn, you're going places boy. Keep your head up.— Rachit Shukla (@Rachit Shukla) 1640033772
He may only be an eighth grader, but Moore is already adept at putting criticism to good use and that trait should serve him well.
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