Kevin Durant clarified the record regarding media scrutiny of his dubious leadership and its perceived influence on his championship prospects.
Durant, the Phoenix Suns’ superstar, didn’t need a Twitter burner account to respond to the media’s latest round of criticism.
Durant spoke to his media platform, Boardroom, and frankly discussed his reserved personality qualities, which created a misperception about his leadership skills.
This happened after TNT’s Charles Barkley and other experts questioned Durant’s ability to lead a team to a championship as the clear No. 1 option.
With must-see words, the two-time NBA Finals MVP revealed what happens when the cameras are off.
Durant’s claim that his personality is not “fit for TV” sparks suspicion.Durant’s business colleague Rich Kleimann questioned Durant on why people don’t think he’s a suitable leader, to which he responded in detail on Boardroom’s YouTube channel.
“I am not as charismatic as my classmates. Durant explained, “I don’t have a personality that’s, like, fit for TV.”
“I don’t feel like I want to be called a leader. But I also don’t want people to say I’m not one because they don’t know what goes on behind the scenes of what I talk about, my objectives, or the relationships I’ve formed with my teammates and support personnel.
“But when guys like that say that, I just have to chalk it up to their lack of awareness. “Push a narrative for myself.”
Durant’s “guys” include Barkley. During the All-Star break, the NBA Hall of Famer referred to Durant as a “follower” and stated that his teammate, Devin Booker, must lead the Suns over a congested Western Conference to reach the Finals, according to Barstool Sports.
In a recent broadcast of First Take, ESPN’s Shannon Sharpe softened his criticism of Durant by praising him.
Sharpe predicted that the 2024 All-Star would win another title while facing Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry and Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James in the Western Conference.
No one can take Durant’s two championships away. While he shared the spotlight with Curry on those championship Warriors teams, the Texas native delivered the more well recognized standout performances.
Since departing Golden State, he has not achieved the same level of success, but he has the opportunity to prove Barkley and his doubters wrong this spring.