Kevin Durant Subtly Disses Knicks After Ending 53-Year Championship Drought: “It Could Be Another 53-Year Wait”

Kevin Durant appeared to take a shot at Jalen Brunson and his team, the New York Knicks.

Kevin Durant Subtly Disses Knicks After Ending 53-Year Championship Drought: “It Could Be Another 53-Year Wait”

Kevin Durant on New York Knicks (Image credits - Firstsportz)

The New York Knicks are on cloud nine at the moment, but Kevin Durant wasted no time in giving them a reality check. Led by Jalen Brunson, the Knicks lifted their third NBA championship and their first in 53 years.

It was a historic run for the Knicks as they lost just three games during their championship run. After going 2-1 down to the Atlanta Hawks in the first round, they clean swept the Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers in the next two rounds before beating the San Antonio Spurs in five games.

Durant was recently asked about the Knicks’ championship run at an event. He didn’t hesitate to throw a diss at the new champions.

Strike while the iron’s hot. This is a time New Yorkers or the Knicks aren’t gonna get back… You don’t know if this will come around. It’s been 53 years. It could be another 53 year wait.

Kevin Durant at an event for the Wall Street Journal 

The response from Kevin Durant may leave a sour taste in Knicks’ fans mouths, but it is not surprising considering ‘KD’ used to play for the Brooklyn Nets before. He played almost three seasons for the Nets before getting traded to the Phoenix Suns. Hence, he has no love lost for the Knicks.

The Knicks fans are known for being a passionate fanbase. The celebrations have been nonstop since they lifted the title and several fans were seen getting their spots for the championship parade nearly 24 hours before it started. The 53-year title drought saw the city of New York unite like never before.

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Kevin Durant praises Jalen Brunson for the work he has put in

Jalen Brunson is the king of New York after what he has accomplished. He had his share of doubters who questioned whether he is the right player to lead the Knicks to a championship due to his small size.

Kevin Durant heaped praised when asked about the Knicks guard.

I think Jalen has done such a great job of, you know, being him every single day and stepping up, and his identity is just about grinding from the bottom. And as you said, being a somebody in New York City who has, you know, made history in New York City, I mean, right now is an important time for him and the Knicks, I feel like he’s gonna take full advantage of it.

Kevin Durant at an event for the Wall Street Journal

Brunson used the criticism to fuel himself this year and was named as the Eastern Conference Finals MVP and Finals MVP for his performances. He averaged 32.6 points, 4.6 assists, and 4.2 rebounds in the over five games in the NBA Finals.

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Locker room dynamic with Kevin Durant

There is no doubt that Kevin Durant is still one of the best players in the league today. In the regular season, he averaged 26 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 78 appearances. However, his first season with the Houston Rockets ended up in disappointment as they were knocked out in the first round.

Kevin Durant's Rockets disappointed last season
Kevin Durant’s Rockets disappointed last season (Image via Rockets Wire/X)

His teammate Fred VanVleet spoke about Durant’s impact in the locker room.

Seeing KD and how he moved, I think more than anything, it just wasn’t, we were missing me and Steven (Adams) to balance it out. So it’s like all KD, all the time. It’s like, no, we don’t need KD to be talking and being a vocal leader and teaching guys and all that shit — like, he do enough for us.

Fred VanVleet on All The Smoke

Durant has often faced criticism for not being a vocal leader. However, VanVleet believes that he does so much on the court, he doesn’t need to be a vocal figure in the dressing room. The pressure will be high on Durant to lift a championship next season.

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