NBA veteran Dennis Schroder recently reignited his feud with superstar Kevin Durant, a conflict that traces back to their time in Paris for the Summer Olympics. The tension between the two players began when Schroder made comments comparing European basketball to its American counterpart, which didn’t sit well with Durant.
While reflecting on his Olympic experience, Schroder emphasized the differences between FIBA basketball and the NBA. “European basketball is no entertainment,” Schroder said. “It’s straight IQ basketball, straight coaching, and really, really high IQ guys who know how to play the game.”
Schroder’s point was that in European basketball, strategic plays and coaching often take precedence over sheer talent, making the game more about intellect and discipline.
Durant, however, had a different perspective. Known for his love of the game’s fluidity, Durant argued that the beauty of basketball lies in its spontaneity and the ability to play off instincts rather than sticking to rigid set plays. “The beauty of basketball is not callin all them sets but playing off instincts and lettin the talent dictate the game,” Durant posted on X (formerly Twitter). “Gettin out in transition, driving and kicking, playing random basketball. U want a trick play every possession like it’s football. That’s not why our game is beautiful.”
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Durant wasn’t dismissing the importance of coaching or game planning, but he stressed that, in his view, allowing talent to shine through without over-reliance on set plays is what makes basketball special. This difference in philosophy set the stage for a subtle yet pointed exchange between the two players.
Team USA, led by Durant, went on to win gold at the Paris Olympics, and Durant couldn’t resist referencing Schroder’s comments in a social media post, subtly asserting his point after their victory.
Schroder didn’t take kindly to Durant’s post. During a recent Twitch stream, he was asked about Durant’s remarks and responded with a sharp critique, calling Durant’s behavior “weak.” Schroder elaborated, saying, “You’re that type of a star and you have to say something to a person like me. I didn’t mean it to be negative, I was just seeing from both sides… I didn’t appreciate it.”
Schroder made it clear that while he respects his fellow NBA players, he was merely sharing his observations from his experiences in both European basketball and the NBA. Despite his respectful tone, it’s evident that Schroder felt slighted by Durant’s public response, which he saw as unnecessary from someone of Durant’s stature.
As of now, Kevin Durant has not responded to Schroder’s latest remarks.
Whether this exchange will simmer down or escalate further remains to be seen, but it highlights the ongoing debate about the different styles of play in basketball across the globe and the strong opinions held by top players on both sides.
