The Slim Tweeter
Justin Loretz
Sports Editor
The NBA has seen its fair share of scandals (point-shaving, locker room altercations, gambling rings, etc.), but none are as uniquely modern or as strangely intimate as the digital double-life of Kevin Durant. What started in 2017 as a clumsy third-person slip-up has evolved into a full-blown subculture (with its own website at that) known as “The KD Files.”
As of February 2026, the saga has reached a fever pitch. Following a series of massive leaks during the All-Star break, the basketball world is once again asking: Why does one of the greatest scorers in history feel the need to argue with random users at 3:00 AM?
To understand the current obsession, we have to look back at the September 2017 “Incident Zero.” While replying to a fan who questioned his move to the Golden State Warriors, Durant accidentally tweeted in the third person:
“He didn’t like the organization or playing for Billy Donovan. His roster wasn’t that good, it was just him and Russ… KD can’t win a championship with those cats.”
It was the “smoking gun” that confirmed what many suspected. Durant eventually apologized, calling the move “childish” and “idiotic,” but the seal was broken. The “Burner” became a permanent part of his brand that he has owned up to and even leveraged despite the “regret” he once said he had. It is a digital shadow that followed him from Oakland to Brooklyn, Phoenix, and now Houston.
The latest chapter, which exploded two weeks ago, is far more complex than a simple defense of a career move. Internet sleuths have cataloged a massive database of posts from an account with the handle @gethigher77, with evidence that, while circumstantial, is overwhelmingly suggesting the account is Durant’s latest “alt.” The following are some of the strongest connections that have been found:
- The Owl: The account used an obscure owl image as its header—the same image Durant posted to his main account shortly after the burner was created years prior (likely as a means of proving to the other group chat members that it was really him).
- Specific Grievances: The account did not just defend KD; it targeted his current teammates on the Houston Rockets. One string of leaked DM’s read: “I can’t trust Jabari [Smith Jr.] to make a f*in shot or get a stop…He’s lowkey r*****ed
- Historical Hyperbole: In one of the more bizarre exchanges, which will likely stain Durant’s legacy forever, the account compared former Suns coach Frank Vogel and star Devin Booker to “Stalin and Hitler” along with “Mussolini and Kim Jong Un,” citing their “dictatorial” leadership styles.
- The Drone Defense: The account even waded into geopolitical waters, defending Durant’s surveillance drone investments (Skydio) amid global controversy.
- When confronted by reporters at a Rockets practice on February 18, 2026, Durant evaded the question, and instead gave what fans are calling an “iconic non-denial.”
“I know you’ve gotta ask these questions, but I’m not going to get into Twitter nonsense. My teammates know what it is. We’ve been locked in the whole season.”
But it is well known at this point that for Durant’s career, “Twitter nonsense” is a feature, not a bug. By refusing to deny the account, he maintains a level of plausible deniability while letting the world know exactly how he feels. It’s a power move disguised as a deflection.
Why Does He Do It?
There are two ways to view the situation, and both tell a story about the modern athlete:
- The Insecurity Narrative: Critics argue that despite two rings and an MVP, Durant is haunted by a need for validation. He cannot let a single negative comment go unanswered because he needs the “unfiltered” public to see his greatness.
- The Authenticity Narrative: Supporters see it as the ultimate form of transparency. In an era of polished PR and corporate-controlled brands, Durant is the only superstar who actually talks to fans like a real person. The confusing part of this is why he sometimes chooses to put on a mask to do it, when he will often do so straight from his main account.
Kevin Durant is not just a basketball player; he is a chronically online philosopher of the hardwood. Whether trashing teammates or defending his legacy, the burner accounts provide a window into the mind of an expert at his craft who refuses to log off.
In 2026, we are not just watching KD’s highlights anymore; we are refreshing to see his “mentions.” And because he is still “7-feet with a jumpshot,” the NBA community seems perfectly happy to keep reading the “Twitter nonsense.”
Contact Justin at loretzju@shu.edu