Kevin Durant Was 'Definitely Pissed' About Perceived Lack of Stardom Last Summer

Some players scoff at criticism. Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant embraces it.

In a recent piece on ESPN.com, Royce Young reveals that during the 2014-15 playoffs, the reigning MVP was recovering from a foot injury and, with his Thunder failing to crack the top eight seeds, consuming everything.

"He scrolled Twitter, checked Instagram and clicked on one article after another," Young wrote.

KD grew tired of reading about Stephen Curry, who had supplanted him as the league's MVP. He was getting around his house in a scooter while Curry and the Golden State Warriors bolted to the NBA Finals.

Durant has used this as fuel in 2015-16. The All-Star forward put up 28.2 points, 8.2 boards and five assists per game in the regular season. His Thunder reached the No. 3 seed at 55-27.

A year after foot surgery derailed his and his team's season, KD is back—partly because of what he went through a season ago, per Young:

"

I know you say don't read stuff, don't check Twitter, who cares. It doesn't affect me, I don't go home and not sleep at night, but it makes me go out there and say "f--- you, I'm going to go out there and be who I am and you can't deny it." Those guys, Steph Curry, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, players that are considered at the top of the league at that moment and right now, they deserve all of that. It's nothing taking anything away from them. But I deserve it, too.

I was definitely pissed.

"

If the Thunder can ride Durant and Russell Westbrook to a championship, he'll get the respect he desires...and more.

[ESPN]