During the All-Star Game Simulcast, Charles Barkley made some choice comments about the 14x All-Star, Kevin Durant. The former Suns forward believed that KD was a “follower” and not a “leader”. There was no doubt that the 2x champion would address this dig at him sooner rather than later.

And he did. In the most recent Boardroom Exclusive cover story, Rich Kleiman and Durant sat down for an open discussion. They discussed everything from his start in the NBA to his thoughts on the Olympic Games. But he also had an answer for the ‘Chuckster’ and a fan.

When Kleiman asked KD about Barkley’s comments, he had a straightforward answer for him. But it seemed like one fan still needed some clarity on the Slim Reaper‘s response and took to X. And the man replied. Kevin Durant said, “I don’t need the praise but stop lyin.”

The 35-year-old had said that while he was okay with people not calling him a leader, he didn’t want them to say that he lacked leadership skills. He said they were not privy to the conversations on the inside, the intentions behind his comments, or even the relationships he has with his teammates. So, it’s not exactly fair to doubt something they don’t have full knowledge of.

The Suns‘ coach Frank Vogel, though, would have a better knowledge than the rest of us. And what he says of KD’s leadership is on par with what Durant has said. Joining Bickley and Marotta during the Newsmakers Week, Vogel said, “He definitely leads by example, but he also speaks up when he needs to. Not every player is going to be a rah-rah type. Every player leads in their own way.”

But this is not the first time Charles Barkley has been KD’s harshest critic.

Barkley had dubbed Kevin Durant as “Mr. Miserable”

This incident happened during the whole Brooklyn Nets drama. After KD agreed to remain with the Nets, Chuck joined none other than Bickley and Marotta for a chat in 2022. During their discussion, Barkley says that KD’s legacy will be defined by whether he wins another championship or not. But he was quick to call him out.

“If you go back and look at his career as the best player, being a leader and all that goes with that, he’s been an abject failure … But man, he just seems like a miserable person. I call him Mr. Miserable. He’s never going to be happy.”

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The former 11x All-Star had provided his reasons for the same, too. Sir Charles says that in OKC, Durant was in want of nothing. Oklahoma had practically adopted the man. Despite it all, he moved to the Warriors, bags two rings, and still does not feel like it’s the right place to settle. And then comes Brooklyn.

Kevin Durant’s Leadership Gets Questioned, as JJ Reddick and Stephen A. Smith Blast Each Other In a Heated Debate

What should have been the greatest trio of basketball history, just fizzled out. Regardless of all the claims by top analysts, trash talk, and hate, no one would disagree that Kevin Durant is one of the greats of basketball.

That is something no one can take away from him!

Watch This Story: “Top 10”: Fired-Up Lebron James Salutes Kevin Durant for Dethroning 76ers Legend in Historic Milestone