When asked about his relationship with Phoenix Suns fans, Kevin Durant made a controversial statement that has earned quite a bit of criticism. Although the Suns have talented and experienced players such as Bradley Beal and Devin Booker, they are struggling to establish themselves as an average team this season and would not qualify for the playoffs if the season ended today.
While all Phoenix players should be held accountable for its success or failure, Durant was the one questioned about the feelings the fans have expressed and his own thoughts.
Phoenix Suns Fans Show Kevin Durant No Mercy
Anyone who has watched NBA games or any organized basketball knows that booing is a common part of the game. Although it typically occurs for the visiting team, audiences have also been known to boo their own home team when it underperforms.
That’s exactly what the Suns’ fan base did toward Durant and the rest of the roster. When asked for a response, the veteran forward seemed puzzled by the very concept of booing and suggested that fans try something different.
Gem of an answer from Kevin Durant to @KellanOlson's question about his relationship with the fans in Phoenix.
Says the team needs energy from the crowd and that booing is "some 1960s/70s💩" and it'd be more effective of a message sent if people just left games instead of booing pic.twitter.com/GC6CVx7ZCR
— Nick King (@NickKingSports) March 5, 2025
“Yeah, I always wonder what booing is going to do for your team. Like, it actually makes no sense. If you really wanted to make your voice be heard, just get up and leave. We’ll feel that more than you booing. So we need energy, you know what I’m saying? When we’re down 20, we need y’all to get a little louder and cheer a little louder…”
Durant continued, “Booing has been a part of sports culture for the last 50-60 years, and I think it’s about time we put that up. Just get up and leave if you don’t feel like watching this team play, and we will understand. That will make us feel even worse. But the energy that they show on a good night is second to none. So I wanted to ignite that as much as possible.”
While Durant may be speaking logically from his point of view, Suns fans were quick to point out that people from lower-income families spend a fortune on tickets to watch their home team, only to see them underperform.
Yet, the Suns were down 20 when they got booed and came back to win, so observation says it's more effective than KD thinks.
— Black History 365 (@IamBrokeeper) March 5, 2025
Getting up and leaving would be a complete waste of money, while booing could potentially embarrass the home team into playing better and initiate a comeback. After all, the audience is likely to boo only when cheering hasn’t achieved anything. That’s exactly what happened, as the Suns orchestrated a comeback against the Clippers.
In any case, it’s unlikely that fans will stop their booing and walk out just because Durant thinks that will send a better message. The Suns’ roster better get used to the boos and learn that the only way to make them stop is to play better or at least try harder.
