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Controversy Erupts Again as Charles Barkley Blasts Kevin Durant: “He’s Been an Abject Failure. Every Time He’s Had to Be the Leader and Best Player, He’s Not Had Success. That’s What Us Old Guys Think of Him”

Published 08/26/2022, 1:24 PM EDT

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via Reuters

Charles Barkley is probably as transparent an analyst as there could be. The NBA Hall of Famer arguably has no filters. He expresses his opinion as he gets it. Notably, last season he refused to even address the Los Angeles Lakers by their name. The 11-time NBA All-Star has boomed in his new profession. And recently, he launched an attack on the off-season’s biggest name, Kevin Durant.

Durant began the off-season in the most shocking manner possible. He requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets while a four-year extension was set to kick in. The situation went in all directions. KD even reportedly gave the organization an ultimatum. However, the saga came to an end as both parties recently agreed to continue their partnership.

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But Barkley seems to be extremely infuriated with Durant’s behavior. He lashed out against the Slim Reaper and even said he will never be happy.

Charles Barkley rips into Kevin Durant

Barkley and Durant have had a history of their own. The analyst has been after KD for winning back-to-back championships with the Golden State Warriors. To this day, Barkley feels Kevin Durant has not accomplished anything when he is the leader and franchise cornerstone. He said Durant ‘piggybacked’ on the Warriors to win his rings, Moreover, when given the keys to the city, Barkley said KD has been nothing but a failure.

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Attacking the four-time scoring champion, Charles Barkley said: “But if you go back and look at his career, as the best player and being the leader that all go with that, he’s been an abject failure. Every time he’s had to be the leader and best player, he has not had success. That’s what us old guys think about him. 

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Addressing him as ‘Mr. Miserable’, Barkley did not hold back. However, despite his opinion, Durant’s resume is undoubtedly among the elites. He has arguably revolutionized the age of shooting as a big man. At nearly 7 feet tall, the Slim Reaper is one of the most lethal offensive talents in the history of the NBA.

While he didn’t give the Oklahoma City Thunder a title, Durant surely left his blood, sweat, and tears on the floor. Winning his only MVP, Durant was a monster talent. However, his next season surprised the entire basketball world. Moving to the team that denied the Thunder a chance at the championship, analysts launched an attack on KD.

However, the Slim Reaper let his game do the talking. He led the Golden State Warriors to back-to-back championships getting past LeBron James. His former teammate Draymond Green even admitted that without KD the Warriors wouldn’t have an answer for the King. In addition, in his triumph with the Warriors, the world arguably saw the best version of Kevin Durant.

Will the Slim Reaper solidify his legacy?

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However, after his exit from the Bay, he has a chip on his shoulders. Durant is probably desperate to prove he can lead a team to glory. And now he has that opportunity with the Brooklyn Nets. Sticking with the franchise, they still have a contending roster. KD will be hopeful for Kyrie Irving to be consistent as well. On the other hand, the addition of Ben Simmons could add a dynamic the league might not see coming.

USA Today via Reuters

Despite no success yet, the duo of Irving and Durant is likely feared in the NBA. An offensive powerhouse, Brooklyn will be looking to turn the tables. And with all the noise coming in, Kevin Durant will possibly be more fired up.

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Do you think there is any truth in Charles Barkley’s onslaught on Durant? Let us know your views in the comments below.

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Written by:

Anuj Talwalkar

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Anuj Talwalkar is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. He is a student studying at NM College in Mumbai, aspiring to pursue sports management to follow his love for sports. Anuj started following the NBA last year, and he loves to combine his passion for writing with his understanding of basketball.
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Edited by:

Veer Badani