Charles Barkley has always maintained his stance on what he feels about Kevin Durant as a leader. Today he added some more thoughts on why he feels that the Phoenix Suns need someone other than Durant to lead them to an NBA Championship.
Barkley was headlining the commentary at tonight’s All-Star game alongside Draymond Green and Taylor Rooks on #Allcast. While the topic of the Phoenix Suns and the target of the NBA Championship came up, Barkley, a former league MVP with the Suns, said;
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.
Barkley added that he would have preferred if Durant led his beloved Suns to the NBA Championship. He would rather prefer Devin Booker to lead the team to glory. The Suns need that leadership if they are to win a title.
Charles Barkley suggested that Kevin Durant is incredible as a player and that there is nothing bad to say about his ability in that aspect. But his ability to lead a team to the top echelons of the league is lacking. In all his previous stops, Durant has not led any team to a title. It was evident during his time with the Golden State Warriors that he looked better as a follower.
Barkley gave the example of the Boston Celtics, who have the same conundrum. One of their players has to step up and lead the team. The Suns have three superstars in Durant, Booker, and Bradley Beal. Barkley wants anyone other than Durant to lead them to their first title.
Charles Barkley does not want Kevin Durant to lead the Suns
Charles Barkley has maintained for long that Kevin Durant is not a leader. Barkley claimed that Durant was not a ‘Bus Driver’ has stuck with Durant’s leadership narrative. The notion was confirmed when Durant could not win a title with the Brooklyn Nets or the Oklahoma City Thunder, despite being their leader.
Charles Barkley would prefer Devin Booker, who has been with the Phoenix Suns since he was drafted, to be the vocal leader. Barkley wants Booker to take the reins and guide the Suns to their first championship. He would prefer if Durant followed Booker’s lead and just continued his elite production on the court.
Charles Barkley maintains that he has nothing negative to say about Kevin Durant the player. He is one of the best players of this generation. But he prefers not to have Kevin Durant the leader to lead his Phoenix Suns into the playoffs.
