Nike, one of the biggest sports brands on the globe, recently came up with an advert to inspire Team USA, which was traveling to Paris. The villainous and piercing voice of actor Willem Dafoe celebrated the grit and determination of some of the most iconic athletes. LeBron James, Serena Williams, Kylian Mbappe, and more were featured with a distinct message, “winning isn’t for everyone”. But while Dafoe put forth the question “Am I a bad person?”, one name was absent. There was no trace of Kevin Durant.

KD has been with the Swoosh since his rookie season. That definitely raises the possibility of him being upset with Nike for snubbing him, Team USA’s most prolific basketball scorer, from the Olympics-targeted advertisement. The Slim Reaper took to social media, posing the question, “@nike tell me, Am I a bad person??”. He listed all the times he participated and represented Nike at the Olympics. Notably, he will join LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony as the hooper’s men’s players with the most appearances in the competition.

Generally, KD is seen as a villain by the NBA masses because of his constant hopping across the league. He rarely has the good faith of the critics because of his antics-filled nature too. But this even the NBA community couldn’t understand. Shannon Sharpe took it upon himself to explain the key reason behind Durant’s dismay on his podcast recently. “He is upset about being left off. He said, ‘Hold up, wait a second. LeBron James and I are the biggest Nike basketball players.’ Now you can maybe say okay Greek Freak.”

“But I believe LeBron and I are the two biggest Nike athletes currently in the NBA. I feel I should have been included in that ad,” Sharpe explained to his co-host Chad Johnson on Nightcap, who wrongly felt Durant was upset for not being named the flag bearer.

“He (KD), LeBron, and Steph Curry are the only three current athletes that have a lifetime contract.” On the other hand, Ocho was in splits over the news. “To me, that’s a no-brainer,” he told Shannon Sharpe. That prompted the NFL Hall of Famer to hit Nike under the belt. “Well, clearly somebody didn’t have a brain,” he said to Nike, not electing Kevin Durant for their recent promotions.

Durant’s legacy with Nike is unquestionable. He has been with the brand for over 17 years, and every time he stepped foot on the court, he was representing the Swoosh on his chest and sneakers. As the most successful men’s basketball Olympian, the least KD expected was a mere mention. And when looking at his resume as a Nike athlete, it’s not hard to find a way to justify his anger.

Kevin Durant has done it all for Nike

As an Olympian, which is understood to be the main purpose of Nike’s latest advert, Durant has scored the most points in the history of Team USA men’s basketball. Additionally, he has represented the nation and Nike over the past three tournaments. That’s the first base he covered. However, even as part of Nike, Kevin Durant has a distinct legacy that very few Nike athletes share.

He is one of three basketball players, (LeBron James and Michael Jordan) to have a lifetime deal with the multibillion-dollar sports apparel empire. Durant has curated 17 iterations of his signature shoe while becoming one of the most decorated and acknowledged basketball legends in modern history. His ascension has greatly benefitted not just him but also Nike with great profits and exposure.

In Paris, Kevin Durant will take part in his fourth Olympics. It will have him tied for the most appearances. If Team USA continues its international dominance, the Slim Reaper will have more gold medals than any current men’s basketball player in US history. The list of accolades grows the more one thinks about KD’s seismic impact as a Nike ambassador.

So, do you think Kevin Durant is ‘a bad person’?