Kevin Durant and Ben Simmons criticized their former teams and coaches, drawing sharp lines ahead of the upcoming NBA season. Durant took to social media to contest Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia’s assessment of his tenure in the desert, while Simmons used an ESPN documentary appearance to air lingering grievances with former Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers over a pivotal playoff breakdown.
Mat Ishbia Questions Past Culture and Kevin Durant Fires Back Online
The public back-and-forth began when Suns owner Mat Ishbia appeared in an interview discussing his time building a star-studded roster in Phoenix. Ishbia stated that he had simply thrown money at a problem, noting that acquiring elite talent like Kevin Durant does not automatically translate to championships. He pointed to a lack of proper locker room culture and leadership as the primary obstacles, adding that his current vision emphasizes a strict work ethic, competitive drive, and daily preparation. Durant, now playing for the Houston Rockets, encountered the interview clip on X and posted a rebuttal under the hashtag #blamekd. The forward argued that he played at a high level at age 36 and helped restore the very culture Ishbia claimed was missing, comparing the owner’s framing to an absurd accusation. The exchange escalated when Suns guard Dillon Brooks weighed in on Instagram under the hashtag Culture, thanking ownership for removing what he termed locker room stagnation prior to his arrival. Ishbia later responded directly to Durant on X, stating he was satisfied with the current direction in Phoenix and wishing his former player success in Houston. Durant countered by referencing the financial terms surrounding Bradley Beal’s departure, noting that Beal’s buyout left the Suns paying millions annually through 2030 following his subsequent move to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Bill Simmons thinks when Kevin Durant goes into the Hall of Fame he’ll be wearing a SuperSonics jersey:"I think he would do Sonics. That's the move. Yeah, and he's like, 'I love Seattle, I would have loved to have played there, but to honor the Sonics, I'm going to be a… pic.twitter.com/30KCCV2FNb
Ben Simmons Re-evaluates Philadelphia Playoff Moment and Doc Rivers
While Durant sparred with his former front office, Ben Simmons addressed the fallout from a defining moment in his career during the ESPN documentary Being Ben. Now with the Sacramento Kings after a year away from the league, Simmons recalled Game 7 of the 2021 Eastern Conference semifinals between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Atlanta Hawks. In the closing minutes of that decisive contest, Simmons passed up an open dunk near the basket, a play that drew intense scrutiny and preceded a dramatic shift in his tenure with Philadelphia. Simmons expressed stark frustration over how then-head coach Doc Rivers handled the postgame media inquiries, specifically noting that Rivers declined to guarantee whether a team could win a championship with Simmons as the primary playmaker. Reflecting on the aftermath, Simmons recalled thinking his coach acted in a self-interested manner to deflect blame rather than shield a player. Rivers, who subsequently coached the Milwaukee Bucks before transitioning to media analysis, faced immense pressure as the team navigated internal roster turmoil. Simmons acknowledged that panic often sets in when high-stakes situations unravel within an organization, leading personnel to protect their own standing at the expense of others.
Upcoming NBA Schedule and Key League Milestones
The regular season tips off on Oct. 20, 2026, featuring matchups such as the Boston Celtics against the Detroit Pistons, the Philadelphia 76ers against the New York Knicks, and the Oklahoma City Thunder facing the San Antonio Spurs. Teams will also prepare for the Emirates NBA Cup 2026 group stage starting Oct. 30, with the tournament culminating in the Dec. 11 final at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. International showcases include the NBA Mexico City Game on Nov. 7 between the Denver Nuggets and the Indiana Pacers, followed by the NBA Paris Game in January 2027 featuring the San Antonio Spurs and the New Orleans Pelicans.
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