Kevin Durant eviscerates former Jets top pick Keyshawn Johnson on social media

Ralph Ventre

Kevin Durant eviscerates former Jets top pick Keyshawn Johnson on social media image

Former New York Jets No. 1 overall draft pick Keyshawn Johnson has apparently struck a nerve with NBA star Kevin Durant and the war of words has spilled over to social media.

Johnson, most famously known for his "Just Give Me The Damn Ball" attitude, last played an NFL game in 2006 and has since moved into the television business. As a featured talking head on FS1's Undisputed, the former Jets WR1 doubted Durant's ability to be a difference maker.

“If I put Paul Pierce on the Golden State Warriors with Klay Thompson and Draymond and Steph Curry, you don't think he could do the same stuff," said Johnson in a segment entitled "For a winner-take-all game, KD or Lebron?"

Durant left Oklahoma City in 2016 to spend three seasons with the Golden State Warriors, winning NBA titles alongside superstar guard Steph Curry in 2017 and 2018.

The video clip of Johnson's comment, which was originally shared on the social media site now known as X by @awfulannouncing, caught Durant's attention and the 14-time NBA All-Star responded through his @KDTrey5 account.

"If the jets would’ve took Jonathan Ogden, Marvin Harrison, ray lewis or Eddie George number 1 they would’ve been better off……I hate hypotheticals," said the 35-year-old Durant.

Johnson was the first player off the board in the 1996 NFL Draft with future Hall-of-Famers Jonathan Ogden, Marvin Harrison and Ray Lewis all selected later in Round 1. The 52-year-old Johnson, a native Californian who played collegiately at USC, earned three Pro Bowl honors over his 11-year career. He is a member of the 10,000-yard receiving club and also won a Super Bowl as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

 

Ralph Ventre

Ralph Ventre Photo

Ralph Ventre, a former college football conference administrator, brings 20 years of media experience to the New York Jets beat. Prior to concentrating on Gang Green, he covered the NCAA DI Football Championship Subdivision for NFL Draft Bible on Sports Illustrated’s FanNation. Ventre remains an official voter for the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 and the annual legacy awards. The Fordham University graduate is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America, and he also covers the Buffalo Bills on SI. The veteran sports media professional resides in his native state of New Jersey.