Known for his candid Twitter replies, Durant treats gambling fans no differently. When fans blame him for losing bets, he fires back-not at the act of betting itself, but at the lack of responsibility. “I tell you to stop complaining about the life you chose,” he tweeted in November 2024 after promoting his FanDuel picks. His stance? Gambling is part of sports now, but “study before you bet.”
Durant’s partnership with FanDuel raised eyebrows given his past jokes (“GO GET A JOB!”). But he clarified: his issue isn’t with betting-it’s with fans who “point fingers when they lose and gloat when they win.” His November 2024 tweet storm highlighted this duality, where he simultaneously shared NFL picks while calling out toxic gambler mentality.
At Fanatics Fest, Durant revealed that fan bets “help [him] evolve.” The constant scrutiny from gamblers-who dissect every stat-fuels his focus. “If you’re betting on me to score 30, I feel that energy,” he said. But he warned against blind wagering: “Putting money on hunches? That’s how you lose your rent.”
Durant’s approach differs sharply from LeBron James, who playfully acknowledged a fan’s triple-double bet during a 2024 game. Where LeBron leans into the fun, Durant demands accountability. Durant joked post-Fest, emphasizing that players aren’t responsible for fans’ bankrolls.
Gambling’s Growing NBA Role
With sports betting now legal in 38 states, Durant sees it as irreversible.But he urges leagues to educate bettors, citing his Boardroom media company’s plans for responsible gambling content.
Expect more bluntness. Durant teased a “real talk” podcast with gamblers to bridge the player-fan divide.
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