Suns’ Kevin Durant Fires Back At Charles Barkley for Criticizing His Leadership
Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant gave a simple, but direct, response regarding NBA legend Charles Barkley’s recent comments about his lack of leadership on the court.
Barkley specifically called Durant a “follower” and “not a leader.” Durant doesn’t seem to listen to much of the outside noise, though.
“I just feel like a lot of people that’s on TV that don’t ever come to the gym, don’t ever come to games, it’s hard for them to speak on what I do, they’re not in here,” Durant said, via Duane Rankin of AZ Central. “It’s just part of TV. They needed something to fill a segment up, so they talk about some negative s---. But if you’re not in the gym, I don’t respect your opinion if you’re not in the gym with me.”
In Barkley’s comments made during truTV’s alternate broadcast of the All-Star Game on Sunday, the analyst said he believes guard Devin Booker is the leader on the Suns this season because Durant hasn’t stepped up.
The Suns hold a 33–22 record and stand fifth in the Western Conference rankings. They return to the floor Thursday to visit the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center.
