Suns’ Kevin Durant Fires Back At Charles Barkley for Criticizing His Leadership

The NBA legend called the forward a “follower” and “not a leader.”

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.”

"It's just part of TV. They needed something to fill a segment up. So they talk about some negative shit, but if you're not in the gym, I don't respect your opinion if you're not in the gym with me."

Kevin Durant on Charles Barkley's "follower" comments on leadership. #Suns pic.twitter.com/9TdI5uZAms

— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) February 21, 2024

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.