Peyton Manning came out throwing fire at the ESPY’s on Wednesday night. In his opening monologue, he burned Kevin Durant for his controversial decision to join the Warriors last season.
Kevin Durant was not feeling this Peyton Manning joke AT ALL ? pic.twitter.com/kdXTr2gE1E
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) July 13, 2017
Manning said:
“Our gymnastics team was so dominant that Kevin Durant told me he wants to play for them next year. And I gotta tell you, I don’t think you’d start for that team, Kevin. Russell Westbrook, what do you think?”
Durant, of course, left the Thunder to join the 73-win Warriors last offseason after blowing a 3-1 lead against them in the Western Conference Finals. Last month, Golden State reclaimed the NBA title as Durant won his first ring and Finals MVP.
He’s been hearing the barbs and jokes for a year now, and no matter how many titles he wins they may never stop coming. Personally, I’m ready to give it a rest. But Manning nailed this one and really went for the gusto by calling out Russell Westbrook, Durant’s former co-star in OKC, as well.
Durant’s mom, Wanda, had a good laugh at her son’s expense, but KD and Westbrook were having none of it. (Although I’m of the belief that this was rehearsed. It’s the ESPY’s.)
And some of the Twitter reactions were amazing.
https://twitter.com/BlainVincent7/status/885291768312418304
https://twitter.com/TennesseeHoney_/status/885290661448228864
Kevin Durant didn't like that joke from Peyton Manning.
Russell Westbrook liked it less. #ESPYs
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) July 13, 2017
When Kevin Durant see Peyton Manning at the Afterparty #ESPYS pic.twitter.com/DKqLfbQWZH
— Legends (@LegendsofCH) July 13, 2017
Even if rehearsed, at least this moment made the ESPYs somewhat watchable for a couple of seconds.
[ABC]
About Jesse Kramer
Jesse is a writer and editor for The Comeback. He has also worked for SI.com and runs The Catch and Shoot, a college basketball website based in Chicago. He is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. Follow Jesse on Twitter @Jesse_Kramer.