Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant: Media "Kicking Out" Kobe Bryant

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant has some harsh words for the national sports media. The star told media in Atlanta yesterday that he is fed up with their treatment of star Kobe Bryant, who he feels they are "kicking out."

In his comments, Durant gets extremely candid. He explains how he idolized the Lakers star, who announced his retirement over the weekend after almost 20 years in the NBA, and despises the way Bryant has been treated recently. He said:

"I've been disappointed this year because you guys [the media] treated him like s---. He's a legend, and all I hear is about how bad he's playing, how bad he's shooting and it's time for him to hang it up. You guys treated one of our legends like s---, and I didn't really like it. So hopefully now you can start being nice to him now that he decided to retire after this year."

Bryant has suffered several injuries over the last few years, which has impeded his ability to play. After some people questioned Durant's comments, Durant further clarified to ESPN.com.

He said he knows the media is simply doing their job, however, he finds issue with the focus of the coverage. Instead of focusing on Bryant's impressive list of accolades, the coverage is on "how he should retire and give it up." He said:

"I never hear about the Finals MVPs, the accolades. They did it for [former Yankee] Derek Jeter, they will do it for Tim Duncan when he leaves even if he's playing bad. I know you gotta report the games, but you're going too in-depth about how bad he is. You're almost kicking him out the league."

Durant went on to explain he's sensitive about the coverage of his sport because it's so personal to him. He says basketball "saved [his] life" and taught him more about it.

Durant says the media claims he doesn't know "how they work," but it doesn't bother him. "Well," he said, "they never got players and how we work."

With five NBA championship titles, two Olympic gold medals, one most valuable player award and participation in 17 All-Star teams, Bryant's career is being called "one of the most decorated" of all time by The New York Times.