Kevin Durant's opinions of how the media perceives the Oklahoma City Thunder became a topic again this week.

"Man, the [media and experts are] always trying to nitpick us," said Durant on Friday. "I mean, they don't like us. They don't like how Russell [Westbrook] talks to the media. They don't like how I talk to the media. So obviously, yeah, they're not going to give us the benefit of the doubt.

"Especially since we've been together so long," Durant said. "Some of these teams are now, except for the Spurs, who have won. But we haven't won and we've still got the same core, so they don't expect us to win. It is what it is who, who cares about them. They don't mean nothing, the critics. Their opinions, everybody has one, but we don't really care about them. Every day we're just going to keep grinding this thing out. We feel like we can compete with anybody."

On Sunday, Durant attempted to clear the air in unsolicited remarks.

“I also have something else to say, if you guys don’t mind. I was talking to (our media relations Matt Tumbleson) earlier and I’ve seen over the last couple days – couple of years, actually – that I hate the media. I actually do love you guys. If I hated someone I wouldn’t talk to them. I wouldn’t interact with them. I wouldn’t laugh and joke with them. I wouldn’t talk with them about anything other than what you guys ask me. When I disagree, that doesn’t mean that I hate you guys, so … my whole deal is to spark a conversation and hopefully we can talk about the topic, or whatever it is at hand we can talk about, and we all can grow from it. That’s my whole deal.

“I know I’m not necessarily talking to all you guys – all you guys with all these mics here. My whole thing is when I disagree that doesn’t mean I hate you, that just means … what you guys really wanted is someone who’s open and honest with you and who’s opinionated and that’s who I am. I haven’t changed, I’m the same person. I just grew as a man. Hopefully you just appreciate it and know that I don’t hate you. That’s a harsh word and my mom never brought me up to be a hater of anyone. I always believe that if I’m open and honest and opinionated that I can grow as a person and hopefully you can learn that’s what I’m about, and hopefully you all can get better. The main goal is to help the fans know the game a little bit more than they know today, so that’s my goal and hopefully that’s your goal instead of getting headlines and clicks. That’s my take on it, that’s the last time I’ll talk about it, but I had something I had to get off my chest. I appreciate it.”