Kevin Durant "Trolled" Nike in an Instagram Story Amid Paris 2024 Olympic Games Promotional Ad Controversy
Nike’s promotional spot for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games has generated excitement among athletes and fans alike, but the absence of Kevin Durant, a key name in Nike’s basketball portfolio, has raised eyebrows. In response, Durant posted a humorous Instagram story that seems to poke fun at the situation.
Durant’s Instagram story featured a screenshot of Nike’s promotional ad, which showcases a lineup of top athletes, including LeBron James, Victor Wembanyama, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, among others. However, Durant’s inclusion in the ad was noticeably missing. In response, he captioned the image with the words "Nike, tell me, am I a bad person?" – a sarcastic reference to the brand’s advertising slogan.
The NBA Finals MVP’s Criticism
This latest controversy follows hot on the heels of a similar issue involving Jaylen Brown, the NBA Finals MVP, who had earlier criticized Nike, suggesting that it might be connected to his exclusion from the United States team at the Olympics due to an injury. Brown, who switched from Adidas to Nike, questioned the brand’s motives.
The Choice of Athletes in Nike’s Ad
It’s possible that Nike’s selection of athletes for the promotional ad was part of a commercial strategy to showcase athletes who wear their brand and represent different countries. For instance, Victor Wembanyama and Giannis Antetokounmpo, both prominent athletes who wear Nike, were featured in the ad. Meanwhile, LeBron James, who has been a representative of the United States in basketball chosen by Nike for commercial purposes, made an appearance.
Kevin Durant’s Ironic Tone
It’s likely that Kevin Durant was not bothered by his absence in the ad and his comment was a way to "troll" his clothing and footwear brand. Durant has a history of using his social media platforms to make humorous criticisms, often in an ironic tone. This time, he succeeded in generating a significant amount of attention and discussion around his comment.