Fans Rush, Chase After Kevin Durant in OKC

Michael Konopasek, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The power of social media has fans of Kevin Durant flocking to various locations throughout Oklahoma City.

Durant tweeted his location throughout the day Friday to more than a million followers and it caused some traffic jams on city streets.

The basketball superstar started a scavenger hunt of sorts at the Chesapeake Energy Arena, home of the Oklahoma City Thunder basketball team. Throughout Friday, News 9 tracked Durant's location. By the end of day, people were calling it "crazy." When Kevin Durant is out and about, fans say, expect to find a large crowd.

"We're not obsessed or anything," laughed Durant fan Ashlee Adams.

The crowds formed just minutes after Durant tweeted his 1.1 million followers to meet him at Chesapeake Arena Friday afternoon. The first stop was a quick one for photos, autographs, and some new kicks given to fans. Then, the next tweet had fans rushing 25 blocks north to the First Presbyterian Church near N.W. 25th and Western in Oklahoma City.

"People were, like, jumping curbs and stuff," Adams said.

Adams and her friend, Emily Mussatto, were amazed at how intense the crowds became when it came time to track down Durant.

"We went through the grass [to rush to get here]," Mussatto said.

With Durant not far away, some drivers were not the easiest to share the road with.

"Everybody [is], like, trying to get in there and people [are] cutting each other off," said Thunder fan Johnnie Payne. "It's kind of crazy."

It was a frenzy to promote Durant's new shoes. He passed out signed kicks to fans a few days before they hit store shelves. The last stop was at Penn Square Mall where the parking lot was packed, forcing one fan to abandoned a car in the middle of traffic just to meet the basketball superstar.

"I just love being around here," Durant said. "Going out to the mall every day, meeting new people … that's how normal I am."

When Durant was asked if he had any safety concerns with people running after him in cars, he replied, "No, I'll be all right … I'll be all right."

By the end of the day, fans left with smiles and holiday cheer courtesy of the Thunder's star player.

"He does this kind of fun stuff to get to know the city, so it's great," Adams said.

Durant got a kick out of the experience as well.

"I always enjoy meeting the fans of basketball and also Oklahoma City Thunder," Durant said. "It's always fun."

Amongst all the craziness, the News 9 crew in the crowds did not see any accidents.

Durant's new kicks will be available the day after Christmas.

This is not the first time Durant has made unexpected public appearances. In late October, Durant tweeted followers to join him for a game a flag football in Stillwater.