Unfortunately, Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant and Charles Barkley exchanged words once more.
Barkley, who led the Suns to the 1992-93 NBA Finals and was voted the league’s Most Valuable Player that season, claimed Durant is “extremely sensitive” during an appearance on ’60 Minutes’ that aired Sunday night.
Regrettably, Phoenix Suns players are exchanging shots again.
“Fantastic player,” said Barkley. “He belongs to a generation that believes it cannot be questioned. He has never asked himself in the mirror, “Dude, is that a fair criticism? ”
Durant replied to Barkley’s comments on Twitter and expressed his views about them in a second post.
“Is this becoming tiresome, Chuck?
” Durant stated in his initial tweet. “I will never respect the words that come out of your lips, brother, so live with it.”
This is not the first time that Barkley and Durant have argued. Barkley has made many appearances on television to express his view regarding Durant, who joined the Golden State Warriors after the 2016 playoffs, when he and the Oklahoma City Thunder fell in seven games to the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals.
The Warriors won 73 games during the regular season, breaking the record established by the Chicago Bulls in 1995-1996. Golden State lost the NBA Finals to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, but after adding Kevin Durant, they were nearly unbeatable and defeated James and the Cavs in consecutive NBA Finals.
Durant was awarded MVP of the NBA Finals in each of those years.
These are several instances where Barkley has mentioned Durant on air. The replies of Durant are also included below.
To clarify, Durant has lauded Barkley as a player on his podcast, “The ETCs.” Barkley has also referred to Durant as a “wonderful kid” and hailed his effect as a player.
Durant has also expressed his displeasure with Barkley’s statements as a member of the media.
“I wouldn’t call it beef, I just believe he’s extremely opinionated, and he feels it’s his duty to be extremely outspoken in a bad way against guys,” said Durant.
“…I’m not suggesting that you should just discuss the good. But when you plainly demonstrate bias in an attempt to diminish what these athletes have accomplished, you come off as corny. You’re a legend in the game, and we appreciate what you’ve accomplished, so when you start trying to rip people apart for what they’ve done in different ways and trying to basically bully people because you’re in the media, I think it’s a little ridiculous.”
Durant also discussed playing for the Suns, with whom Barkley had great success, on his podcast.
“He is a [expletive] legend for whom I have nothing but respect, and I will play with pride knowing that he poured his blood, sweat, and tears for this company. But, that has nothing to do with the fact that he is an analyst. As an example, I disagree with his approach to the game as a Hall of Famer, and I also disagree with his approach to the game as a commentator. That’s my view on you, just as your opinion on us.”
