Kevin Durant, the Phoenix Suns star, has addressed his back-and-forth with Charles Barkley ahead of the 2023 NBA playoffs. The two have had exchanges in the past, with Barkley often criticizing Durant on the show, Inside the NBA, and KD responding through social media. However, Durant showed respect for the former Suns star during his media availability.
“We both played ball, we both played in the NBA, we both ‘superstar’-caliber players. So, I’m sure we can relate on a lot of things in life, we’ve accomplished and experienced the same things in this league,” Durant said.
“I wouldn’t say we’re not on the same page, we may disagree on some stuff. But to the core of it, we’re all ball players, we grew up ball players and we went through the journey as ball players. So, I say we’re on the same page on that one.”
However, Barkley didn’t hold back in his criticism of Durant, calling him “very sensitive” and part of a generation who thinks they can’t be criticized. “He’s never looked in the mirror and said, ‘Man, is that a fair criticism of me?'” Barkley said.
When asked if KD would ever get a chance to sit down with Chuck, Durant answered with this:
“I probably wouldn’t sit down with Charles… I respect Charles put to the game of basketball and I try to emulate all the greats in some form or fashion… I think we’re all cut from the same cloth and we’ve been through this journey.”
Despite their differences, Durant acknowledged that he and Barkley are both basketball players who have experienced the same journey. He also acknowledged that disagreements are a part of the game and that even the Inside the NBA crew disagrees with each other on a daily basis.
Durant’s trade to the Suns during the deadline transformed the team into a “superteam,” but not everyone was a fan of the move, including Barkley. However, Durant’s performance on the court has silenced many critics, and he has been a key player for the Suns as they head into the playoffs.
Kevin Durant: The Playoff Phenom Ready to Dominate Again
As Kevin Durant prepares to face off against his former teammate Russell Westbrook in the playoffs, he remains focused on the task at hand. Despite the high-intensity matchups they’ve had in the past, Durant believes that it’s just another game in the regularly scheduled programming for players.
With his impressive playoff stats and record, Durant is known for performing at a high level during the postseason. He has averaged 29.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in 155 games in the playoffs throughout his career, and boasts a 95-60 record in the postseason.
After nine seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder, he joined the Golden State Warriors in 2016, where he won back-to-back NBA championships and NBA Finals MVP Awards in 2017 and 2018.
As the playoffs get underway, Durant and the Suns will be looking to make a deep run and ultimately win the championship. With his experience and talent, Durant will undoubtedly be a key factor in their success.
