Does Kevin Durant hate Mac McClung? Watch as he admits taking a shot at NBA which created the confusion

Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant has clarified his comments about Slam Dunk champion Mac McClung after receiving backlash. Prior to McClung winning the contest, Durant commented on the lack of star power on show.

However, Durant was quick to defend his comments on his podcast, stating that he isn't a hater of McClung.

"Why do people think I was hating on Mac McClung?" Durant said. "When I was more so pointing out the NBA had to go get Mac McClung."

Durant ended with an apology:

"Mac... It was more a shot at the NBA than you. I'm sorry you caught a stray. You felt like you caught a stray."

Durant is expected to make his debut for the Suns tomorrow against the Charlotte Hornets.

What were Kevin Durant's comments about Mac McClung?

When the NBA announced the participants of the 2023 NBA Slam Dunk contest, many were surprised to see McClung in the lineup. At the time, he was in the G-League, but already had a reputation for being one of the best dunkers due to his high school mixtape.

At the time, Durant went on to his podcast and talked about how the dunk contest lacked star power.

"We need Zion, we need Ja. I think the stars need to come back and just add. It felt like there were stars in there every year. All the best players in the league were in the dunk contest."

"Mac McClung, that's crazy they're doing that, out of the G-League. Mac is an outstanding athlete, but what are we doing? It used to be sacred to be a part of All-Star Weekend."

The dunk contest hasn't had an All-Star participant since Donovan Mitchell in 2018. Mitchell was a rookie at the time and hadn't been named in the All-Star game.

Durant made a valid point that the stars haven't shown any interest in participating in the famed contest in recent times. But his comments weren't well-received by most fans.

McClung, meanwhile, had three dunks that garnered a score of 50, which helped him win the contest over Trey Murphy III.