Video: Dennis Schröder Calls Kevin Durant 'Weak' for Viral Post After Olympics Win

Germany star Dennis Schröder didn't miss Kevin Durant's subtle diss after the United States won gold in the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Schröder addressed the comment during a Twitch stream (via BasketNews) and said Durant was "being weak" with his pointed reaction.

"You're that type of a star, and you have to say something to a person like me who not even meant it to be negative," the Brooklyn Nets guard said. "It was just what I see from both sides, you know what I'm saying? I didn't appreciate it. I don't care, but at the end of the day, that tweet, or whatever he posted, was because of me. For me, it was never no negative stuff. I respect all of those guys, all GOATs, but to say that tells me how weak he is as a person."

During the Olympics, Schröder discussed what he believes to be the finer distinctions between the European and American games. He contended the former is "straight IQ basketball" while the latter emphasizes "entertainment" more.

The comment clearly caught the attention of Durant, who shared a photo of the United States' gold-medal celebration with the caption, "ENTERTAINMENT & IQ."

Schröder's comments were merely a variation on what has been a long-running argument, which basically boils down to the perception that American players don't get the same kind of coaching and training their European peers do. That then has a negative impact on how basketball is played in the NBA.

In 2015, Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant asserted that "European players are just way more skillful" and "taught the game the right way at an early age." He cited AAU basketball as a root cause "because we're not teaching players how to play all-around basketball."

Lakers star LeBron James has also criticized the youth basketball structure, citing the fact younger players are being overworked too early and arguing some coaches put their own self-interest ahead of what's best for their pupils.

You get to talk trash when you win, so Durant's viral post was an understandable shot at Schröder in the wake of Team USA's triumph. But it would be slightly unfair to ignore the wider context behind what the German was saying.