Kevin Durant gives no-holds-barred take against fans as key factor in declining ratings

Future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant is joining the NBA ratings discussion. Amid widespread debate about the league's declining ratings and what has sparked the drop in viewership, the two-time NBA champion has shared his thoughts.

During an interview with ESPN's Ramona Shelburne on Thursday, Kevin Durant shared his thoughts on the current situation, expressing his belief that fans primarily focus on free agency, offseason drama and the postseason. He feels this leads to a disregard for the regular season, resulting in declining ratings.

"I feel like fans only want free agency and drama and only care about playoffs and Finals and what that means for somebody's legacy," KD said. "Then they get programmed to just think about that, which has made them not want to care about the regular season."

The idea that much of the talk surrounding the NBA revolves around hot takes and debates has gained considerable traction over the past few months.

With ESPN parting ways with Zach Lowe, while offering extensions to people like Kendrick Perkins, fans have expressed concern over the direction of sports media. As we've seen over the past few weeks, Kevin Durant isn't the only one speaking out about the NBA's media coverage.

Giannis Antetokounmpo called out ESPN for its NBA coverage just weeks before Kevin Durant took aim at the network

Earlier this month, Giannis Antetokounmpo appeared on his brother Thanasis Antetokounmpo's Thanalysis podcast, discussing various topics.

At one point, the Greek Freak said he's glad Thanasis needs to visit the First Take studio to provide quality content because everything he sees from the show leaves him "tired."

As he stated, on one day, ESPN's debate shows praise him as a player; the next, they criticize him. While discussing the NBA Cup and the Bucks's surge in the standings, Giannis said:

"This is how I believe media works," Giannis said. (41:41 onwards) "The day you beat a team. Like today, 'Vegas baby, the Bucks are rolling, they're going to Vegas, Black Jack, wow.'"

"And the day you lose, 'They suck. Get them out of here,' 'Trade Giannis,' 'He has blood in his hands,' 'Nobody wants him,' 'He can't shoot, and blah, blah, blah,' 'Bad teammate and zero IQ.' Guys, yesterday I was the best player in the world."

That wasn't the first time Giannis Antetokounmpo used his brother's platform to criticize the NBA media. In April, during a live episode of the Thanalysis Show, Giannis told Stephen A. Smith to his face that he stopped watching First Take.

While he said that he understands Smith has a hard job, he said watching First Take hurt his development as a player.

While Kevin Durant hasn't explicitly criticized First Take, the focus on debates rather than appreciating the league's greatness seems to be the exact sort of NBA coverage Durant is speaking out against.