Steve Kerr, Kevin Durant Defend JaVale McGee
OAKLAND (KPIX 5) -- Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and Kevin Durant were quick to defend Javale McGee following his latest twitter feud with TNT analyst Shaquille O'Neal.
ESPN reported the Warriors also contacted Turner Sports to express their concerns about O'Neal's ongoing behavior toward McGee.
"It's one thing to have a little fun, but I think he can go a little over the top. You think about JaVale's career where you're in this position where someone on national TV is making fun of you night after night. It's not the greatest thing for your reputation. I can tell you that I had a preconceived notion of JaVale before I got here that turned out to be false," Kerr told reporters after Friday's practice.
Durant was also critical of how O'Neal has treated McGee. "I understand that Shaq works for a company that wants him to do that type of stuff, make fun of players. It's cool, it's funny, but when you keep doing it time and time and time again and a guy actually disagrees with you and you threaten him, I didn't know cops could threaten civilians like that."
Durant was referring to O'Neal's status as a reserve police officer in south Florida.
The Warriors might not want to hold their breath waiting on an apology from O'Neal. After hearing Durant's comments, the Hall of Famer tweeted a message to Durant:
@KDTrey5 mind yo business this ain't for you,
— SHAQ.SOL (@SHAQ) February 24, 2017
O'Neal has continued to target McGee in his weekly bloopers segment "Shaqtin' A Fool" on TNT's "Inside the NBA." It continued again Thursday night when O'Neal poked fun at McGee during a parody of Doctor Strange, which caused McGee to fire back on Twitter.
Maybe he's in love with me.... maybe I should be flattered? IDK GUYS!! pic.twitter.com/Buqyqc2PBb
— Javale PIERRE 3Xs McGee (@JaValeMcGee) February 24, 2017
@JaValeMcGee34 don't be acting like u a g I'll smack the s**t out yo bum ass u da one that be looking stupid with your dumb ass #bumass
— SHAQ.SOL (@SHAQ) February 24, 2017
Oh we threatening people now? Kick rocks you old bastard... you ain't gone do sh** !!! And that's on my mama... stick to cooning! https://t.co/ZFuGREc1WJ
— Javale PIERRE 3Xs McGee (@JaValeMcGee) February 24, 2017
@JaValeMcGee34 now since you on a good team u wanna act like you a player now stop it u will only be remembered for shaqtin a fool #bumass
— SHAQ.SOL (@SHAQ) February 24, 2017
Forget being on a good team... Ima grown man... you've had these ????'s in yo mouth for 5-6 years now... u thought I was just gone stay silent? https://t.co/3gTpTgVgmU
— Javale PIERRE 3Xs McGee (@JaValeMcGee) February 24, 2017
America meet Javale "BUM" McGee pic.twitter.com/ENw4VLE5I7
— SHAQ.SOL (@SHAQ) February 24, 2017