⁠“Everyone is entitled to their own opinion” — Internet reacts as Kevin Durant says Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show “meant nothing” to him

Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show was downplayed by Kevin Durant, who acknowledged that he "didn't pay attention" and said it "meant nothing." Additionally, he referred to the game as "boring," which stoked controversy because Lamar's performance featured a hit at Drake, whom Durant backs. To which the Internet reacted, a user commented,

"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.”

As Kevin Durant has stated he was not impressed in the least with Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show. When asked what he thought of the much-anticipated halftime show, the NBA star did not hold back in an open interview with The Arizona Republic on February 12.

"It meant nothing to me,"

Durant said without hesitation. He continued by acknowledging that he had hardly seen the show and calling the day uneventful.

He continued,

“It was a pretty boring day. The game was a little… yeah, the game got out of hand.”

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The internet's reaction

One of the most talked-about parts of the Super Bowl Halftime Show was Lamar's Not Like Us performance. Durant's remarks immediately sparked debates on social media with many people wondering if his close relationship with Drake-who has been embroiled in a long-running rivalry with Lamar-influenced his viewpoint.

Some users defended Durant's opinion, claiming that the performance need not be enjoyed by all. A user commented,

"Everyone is entitled to thier own opnion"

Others chimed in with their own thoughts, another user added

"Y'all want the entire world to hate Drake so bad.. when most of y'all who hating were and low key are still fans .. Having a mind of your own is okay everybody don't have to go with what's temporarily popular danggg!"

While some emphasized that Durant was just stating his personal taste,

"He's allowed to have his opinion ima still bump Drake, no matter how many people hate him"

"Just because he found it boring doesn't automatically mean it's a shot at someone. Super Bowl just hasn't been hitting like it used to."

Meanwhile, some K dot fans argued that the criticism stemmed from bias rather than an objective take on the performance.

"The reason why people didn't like the super bowl halftime show nor kendrick is because he showcases reality into his music instead of aesthetics."

"The fact that the halftime show did better numbers than MJ, I'm convinced it's all hate for Kendrick. Enjoyed it or not he's a great artist ! Yall can still like both artist!!!"

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Kevin Durant's longstanding connection to Drake

Kevin Durant's opinion has sparked rumors that his loyalty to Drake may have played a role in his rejection of Lamar's performance. Durant and Drake have remained close friends throughout the years and frequently lend their support to one another in public.

Many have questioned whether Durant's lack of enthusiasm for Lamar's performance stemmed from more than just boredom because of their friendship.

Drake was specifically targeted in Lamar's song Not Like Us, and the Super Bowl performance was generally seen as a continuation of that conflict. The song was a highlight of Lamar's performance and became well-known due to its violent lyrical attacks on Drake and his OVO team.

Lamar's inclusion of tennis icon Serena Williams, who has been long suspected of having dated Drake in the past, increased the curiosity and fueled rumors that the performance was intended to convey a message.

The talk is only made interesting by Durant's past with Drake, Durant has often shown his adoration for the Toronto rapper, with whom he has been associated for years. They have been spotted together on other occasions, notably to celebrate Canada Day, demonstrating that their relationship goes beyond music.

Anthony Edwards, a player for the Minnesota Timberwolves, admitted last year that Durant exclusively listened to Drake's music throughout Team USA's Summer Olympics trip.

When Durant quietly backed Drake throughout the streaming dispute surrounding Not Like Us, it was even more clear how dedicated he was to the rapper. Durant shared a screenshot of a timestamp from Drake's song 30 for 30 freestyle, which alludes to industry conspiracies, following rumors that the rapper's company, Frozen Moments LLC, had petitioned Spotify and Universal Group for inflating the song's streaming figures.

Many fans interpreted this action as a subdued gesture of support for Drake in his current conflict with Lamar.

In the past, Durant has even discussed the significance of receiving recognition from one of his favorite musicians. In a 2016 interview, he stated,

“When your favorite rapper puts your name in a song, it makes you feel like you’ve made it, no matter what you’ve done.”

Given his close relationship with Drake, it's hardly surprising that his reaction to Lamar's performance has drawn criticism.

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The intensity of the game usually determines how well a Super Bowl halftime show goes. The Eagle's dominant performance, taking control early and maintaining their lead may have influenced the overall atmosphere of the event.

Durant's opinion has stoked discussion about the Super Bowl, Kendrick Lamar's performance, and hip-hop rivalry regardless of whether his disinterest was due to the game's boredom or his connections to Drake.