Suns superstar Kevin Durant fires back at Charles Barkley’s criticism
In recent years, Phoenix Suns star forward Kevin Durant’s leadership has come into question.
The latest being Hall of Famer Charles Barkley criticizing Durant about it during a TruTV alternative broadcast of the All-Star Game.
“No disrespect to Kevin. Kevin’s a follower. He’s not a leader. He’s proven that on all his stops,” Barkley said during the game via ESPN. “[Devin] Booker’s a hell of a player, also. I think he’s going to have to take the initiative and take this Suns team to the next level. … But I said the same thing with Boston: One of your guys has to step forward, he has to step forward, and for me, for Phoenix to be successful, it has to be Booker.”
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That isn’t the first time that Barkley has bashed Durant’s leadership presence, especially after his departures from teams.
However, Durant fired back at the criticism during a recent interview for the Boardroom.
“I don’t feel like I want people to call me a leader, but I also don’t want people to say I’m not one either, because they don’t see what goes on behind the scenes of what I talk about or my intentions or relationships that I’ve built with my teammates and my support staff,” Durant said.
Durant added: “I’m not as charismatic as my peers; I don’t have a personality that’s fit for TV like my peers. You’ve got to sell what you’re doing as well, and I haven’t sold it enough. I don’t feel like I need to, I don’t feel like I need people to call me a leader, but I also don’t feel like I want people to say I’m not one either.”
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Throughout his career, Durant has guided his team forward behind his play and leadership in other manners. However, his lack outspokenness publicly, and his personality gives those such as Barkley the impression that he doesn’t step up as a leader of his respective teams.
