ORLANDO, FLORIDA – MARCH 19: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on from the bench during the second half against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on March 19, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Kevin Durant apologized after making comments toward actor Michael Rapaport that included several homophobic remarks.
Kevin Durant is known for being extremely active on social media. The Brooklyn Nets star will get into it with anyone, from a celebrity to a regular everyday fan.
His latest exchange came with controversial actor Michael Rapaport. Durant sent a series of messages to the actor that, most of the time, would be seen as an awesome takedown. The problem was Durant using a slew of homophobic slurs that turned this social media fight far too ugly.
Durant offered a brief apology for the language he used in the messages.
Kevin Durant ready to move forward
It is wrong to say that everyone should simply move past these comments because of a short apology. But acknowledging the wrong is a great first step toward moving forward. Now comes understand the issue at hand and becoming a better person.
There are plenty of people who will see an apology as unnecessary. That just ignores the issue at hand here. Taking down someone like Rapaport is great, but the whole story changes if the language used is hateful in nature.
Durant has not played since Feb. 13 and is reportedly close to returning after dealing with an injured hamstring. That serves as a major boost for a Nets team already atop the Eastern Conference standings.
Durant’s comments to Rapaport will likely end up being a story that passes in the mix of the always-churning news cycle. The hope is he learned and better understood why people were upset. He may also want to take it easy on social media for a bit and just focus on returning to action on the court.