Charles Barkley just canโt seem to let his feud with Kevin Durant go. During an alternative broadcast of the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday night, the TNT analyst and former Suns legend turned some heads with comments he made about current Phoenix star Kevin Durant.
Barkley, speaking on TruTV, stated, “No disrespect to Kevin. Kevin’s a follower. He’s not a leader. He’s proven that on all his stops. 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. Because, man, Kevin’s a hell of a player; I ain’t never going to say anything bad about him. 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.”
The comment seemed to hint at Durant’s tenure with previous teams and the perceived lack of leadership he displayed. However, Barkley was quick to add praise for Durant’s talent, highlighting his exceptional abilities on the court.
But will Durant interpret Barkley’s remarks in the same positive light? Given their history, it’s unlikely.
The feud between Charles Barkley and Kevin Durant is nothing new. The two have engaged in numerous public disputes, with tensions flaring ever since Durant’s move to Phoenix from the Brooklyn Nets last season.
Barkley’s willingness to speak his mind and Durant’s propensity to respond to criticism have fueled the ongoing back-and-forth between the two basketball personalities.
The question now is whether Durant will choose to respond to Barkley’s latest comments. Given his past reactions to criticism, it wouldn’t be surprising if Durant took to social media or the press to address Barkley’s remarks.
The saga continues, and basketball fans will undoubtedly be eager to see how Durant reacts to Barkley’s latest remarks.