In 2023, Kevin Durant has been retired from basketball for a few years now, but his legacy lives on through his incredible performances and the many memes that were created in his honor during his time with the Warriors. Durant’s time in Golden State was marked by incredible success on the court, but it also gave rise to some of the funniest moments in internet history. In this article, we’ll take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of the most iconic Kevin Durant memes from his Warriors days.

How it All Started

Durant joined the Warriors in 2016, and from the very beginning, fans and critics alike were quick to poke fun at his decision. Many felt that Durant was simply joining a super team in order to win an easy championship, and they didn’t hesitate to express their opinions in the form of memes. One of the earliest and most iconic examples of this was the “cupcake” meme.

The “cupcake” meme originated from a tweet that Russell Westbrook sent out shortly after Durant announced his decision to join the Warriors. Westbrook posted a picture of some cupcakes with the caption “happiest of birthdays to my brother @KDTrey5!!” Many fans saw this as a subtle jab at Durant, implying that he was soft or weak for joining the Warriors. The meme quickly spread across social media, with people using images of cupcakes to mock Durant’s decision.

The Snake Meme

Another meme that became synonymous with Durant during his time with the Warriors was the “snake” meme. This meme originated from a comment that one Reddit user made shortly after Durant joined the team. The user posted an image of a snake with the caption “KD is a snek” (intentionally misspelling “snake” for effect). The post quickly gained traction and became a popular way for fans to express their frustration with Durant’s decision.

The “snake” meme continued to be used throughout Durant’s time with the Warriors, and it even spawned some creative variations. For example, some fans created a “snake of the week” award, where they would give the award to the player or coach who they felt had acted the most deceitfully or dishonorably. Durant won this award multiple times.

The NBA Finals Meme

Of course, not all of the Kevin Durant memes were negative or critical. One of the most popular memes from his Warriors days was the “NBA Finals” meme. This meme originated from a video that went viral during the 2017 NBA Finals. The video showed Durant walking down a hallway, looking serious and focused, while a reporter asked him if he was ready for the game. Durant responded with a simple “yeah” and kept walking.

The video quickly became a meme, with fans adding captions to the clip to make it more humorous. Some of the most popular captions included “When you finally finish all your homework” and “When you realize it’s Friday.” The meme was so popular that even Durant himself got in on the fun, posting a video of himself walking down the hallway and saying “I’m ready” in response to a fan’s tweet.

The Legacy of Kevin Durant Memes

Looking back on Kevin Durant’s time with the Warriors, it’s clear that his legacy extends far beyond his on-court accomplishments. The memes that were created in his honor are a testament to the power of the internet to unite people around a shared sense of humor and community. While some of the memes were critical or negative, they were also a reflection of the passion and intensity that fans feel for their favorite teams and players.

In the years since Durant’s retirement, the memes have continued to live on, with fans still finding new and creative ways to express their love (and sometimes their frustration) for the former Warriors star. Whether you love them or hate them, the Kevin Durant memes will always be a part of NBA history, and a reminder of the power of humor to bring people together.

Responses from Fans

“The ‘cupcake’ meme was hilarious, I still see it pop up on my Twitter feed sometimes. It’s crazy how one little tweet can spawn such a big reaction.” – John, 29

“I always thought the ‘snake’ meme was a little over the top, but I can see why people were frustrated with Durant’s decision. It’s all in good fun though, at the end of the day.” – Rachel, 24

“I loved the ‘NBA Finals’ meme, that was one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen. It’s cool that Durant was able to laugh at himself and get in on the joke.” – Tom, 32