The Oklahoman
A headline in The Oklahoman called Oklahoma City Thunder player Kevin Durant “Mr. Unreliable,” and that “missed the mark,” Oklahoman sports editor Mike Sherman writes.
WOW pic.twitter.com/3MjP3ZFA3A
— Steve's OKC Central (@stevelackmeyer) May 1, 2014
The words were overstated and unduly harsh. The headline and presentation left the impression that we were commenting on Durant’s season, career or even character. We were not. We were referring only to the Memphis series.
The fact the headline and presentation left that impression with so many readers is proof that we failed.
The headline drew a lot of heat:
"Mr. Unreliable" donated a million dollars after our state had devastating tornadoes- good thing you bashed him this morning @TheOklahoman
— Katie Cunningham (@cunninghamkatie) May 1, 2014
And a little opportunism from a rival outlet:
"Mr. Unreliable" ?? We respectfully disagree. Good luck tonight, Thunder! #webelieveinKD pic.twitter.com/qDHJTk1pEU
— News 9 (@NEWS9) May 1, 2014
The “backlash has been ridiculously over the top” as well, Oklahoman Thunder beat writer Anthony Slater said in a chat.
For those asking my opinion on the Mr. Unreliable headline, again, from my Thunder chat earlier: pic.twitter.com/3M5ZlAAUS8
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 1, 2014
Durant told another Oklahoman reporter the headline was justified, for what it’s worth:
Durant on The Oklahoman's headline: "That's what they're supposed to write. I didn't come through for the team."
— Darnell Mayberry (@DarnellMayberry) May 1, 2014
