Kobe Bryant is shooting just 30.5 percent from the field...but that's no reason to kick dirt on the NBA legend.

While weighing in on the five-time NBA champion's retirement announcement, Kevin Durant bit down on members of the media who have been criticizing Bryant this season.

"I've been disappointed this year because you guys [media] treated him like s**t," Durant told reporters Monday, as reported by The Oklahoman. "He's a legend and all I hear is about how bad he's playing, how bad he's shooting, time for him to hang it up. You guys treated one of our legends like s**t and I really didn't like it. Hopefully now you can start being nice to him now that he decided to retire after this year. It was sad the way he was getting treated."

KD's comments were padded out by the former NBA MVP saying he grew up idolizing Bryant, even referring to him as "our Michael Jordan" of this league's generation.

"He had just an amazing career, a guy who changed the game for me as a player mentally and physically," Durant added. "Means so much to the game of basketball. Someone I'm always gonna look to advice for anything. Just a brilliant, brilliant, intelligent man. Sad to see him go. He put his mark on the game."

As Durant alluded, by Bryant announcing that he'll retire at the end of the season, he has set himself up for a well-deserved farewell tour with every NBA city sure to give him his due with applause.

KD just hopes the media follows suit.

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(Photos from left: Rob Carr/Getty Images, Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)