Former Phoenix Suns cornerstone Charles Barkley is no stranger to controversy. One of the most outspoken media members in the sports industry, his candidness often leads to delight or displeasure.
This week, Barkley sat down with Fox Sports 910’s Roc and Manuch with Jimmy B, discussing myriad topics. Naturally, he was asked about the Suns. While the question was about whether Phoenix adding two point guards were good enough moves for them to reach the championship, he had a different issue on his mind.
“They still got to figure out who the leaders on the team (are),” Barkley says. “As I said last year and everybody got mad, Kevin Durant just wants to play basketball. He doesn’t want to be a leader. It doesn’t quite work like that.”
“It worked like that when you got Steph Curry and Draymond Green on your team…,” he continues. “But you have to have a leader on your team… Your team is going to follow your leader, good or bad… Kevin doesn’t want to be leader even though he’s a great player.”
Charles Barkley Fires At Suns’ Kevin Durant
NBA veterans and media members are often been slammed by players for denigrating comments. Durant is just one of the people who take exception to those individuals speaking on them. In fact, he’s responded to this particular line of criticism from Barkley before.
In February, Barkley described Durant as “a follower… not a leader” during a broadcast of the 2024 NBA All-Star Game.
“No disrespect to Kevin. Kevin’s a follower. He’s not a leader,” Barkley quipped.
Charles Barkley on the Suns leader: “I really wanted it to be KD but he’s not doing it. To me it’s gotta be Booker…No disrespect to Kevin. Kevin’s a follower. He’s not a leader. He’s proven that on all of his stops…” pic.twitter.com/kVcJd0J7Rd
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) February 19, 2024
“He’s proven that on all his stops.”
In response, Durant told AZ Central’s Duane Rankin that Barkley doesn’t know what he’s talking about. More than that, he doesn’t even respect the Hall of Famer’s opinion.
“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,” he says. “They’re not in here.”
“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
“It’s just part of TV. They needed something to fill a segment up, so they talk about some negative s—. But… I don’t respect your opinion if you’re not in the gym with me.”
One can assume that Durant still feels the same way.
Is Kevin Durant A Leader?
When players like Victor Wembanyama and Anthony Edwards are itching to work with him, it’s clear that Durant is a mentor. He doesn’t have the commanding presence of LeBron James or even Draymond Green in the huddle. However, his dedication to his craft speaks for itself, allowing him to lead by example. Someone who isn’t going to practices, shootarounds, or games would find it difficult to see that.
Barkley has a point too though. Championship-winning teams often have a vocal and emotional leader.
Again, the Golden State Warriors have needed the push Green gives them. The Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers needed James to take the wheel. Before James was L.A.’s top dog, Kobe Bryant’s fiery approach helped them win rings. The Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, Milwaukee Bucks, and Toronto Raptors have had multiple players in that role.
Perhaps Durant is a leader. Nonetheless, it wouldn’t hurt for him to develop into a more assertive one. As Barkley says “leadership is not for you, it’s for those other guys… because they need somebody to follow.”
If only the Suns hadn’t gotten rid of Chris Paul.
