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“This Notion…Isn’t True”: Backing Up Charles Barkley’s Months-Old Claim, NFL Legend Brutally Slams Kevin Durant After Playoffs Heartbreak

Published 05/14/2023, 7:10 AM EDT

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When the Phoenix Suns acquired Kevin Durant ahead of the trade deadline, fans were looking forward to watching the team compete in the Conference Finals if not at the ultimate championship face-off. However, the expectations were soon crushed after the Suns were kicked out of the championship race in the second round of the playoffs. Following the disappointing defeat, an NFL legend publicly called out Durant reminding the NBA world of the months-old claim.

The Denver Nuggets eliminated Devin Booker and Co with a 4-2 tally and qualified for the Conference Finals. They will be facing the Los Angeles Lakers for Game 1 on Tuesday night.

Kevin Durant faces backlash after his playoffs defeat

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After winning Game 4, the Phoenix Suns tied the series at 2-2 but eventually lost to the Denver Nuggets in Game 6 by 125-100. Shortly after the defeat, football veteran Shannon Sharpe detonated in an episode of Undisputed. Turns out, the 3x Super Bowl champion was furious about the outcome of the game and most of his anger was directed toward Kevin Durant. Digging out the ‘age-old’ debate of whether KD had it in him to lead a team to the championship, Sharpe let it all out.

USA Today via Reuters

Recalling Durant’s controversial decision to join the Golden State Warriors, Sharpe stated that the Dubs were capable of making it to the NBA Finals with or without KD. He said, “He chose to go to Phoenix. There were several other teams, I’m sure Phoenix was not the only team that had an interest in Kevin Durant, and he chose Phoenix.”

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Further, he added, “So this notion that you drop Kevin Durant anywhere and they’re an instant title contending team isn’t true. It was never true. But because of the success he had in Golden State, we forget what Golden State was before he got there.”

While Sharpe has only called out the 2x NBA champion recently, Hall of Famer Charles Barkley has been doing it for years.

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Chuck’s infamous ‘Bus rider’ comment

After Kevin Durant left the Oklahoma City Thunder to join the Golden State Warriors, he immediately fell under Charles Barkley’s radar and not for good reasons. After years of constant criticism, Chuck seemingly one-upped his harsh analysis by calling him a ‘bus rider’ in 2022.

The Phoenix Suns legend believed that Durant only moved to the Warriors to win a championship ring thus displaying his inability to carry a team to the championship himself.

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WATCH THIS STORY: ‘You filthy animal’: Damian Lillard, Kevin Durant, Trae Young and other stars left awestruck as Stephen Curry ‘baptized’ De’Aaron Fox’s Kings with a 50-piece”

Do you agree with Chuck and Sharpe’s comments about KD’s abilities as an NBA star? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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Written by:

Siyari Debbarma

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Siyari Debbarma is a senior NBA writer at EssentiallySports. With over 700 articles under her belt, Siyari is an expert in providing in-depth analysis and coverage of the game. Her throwback article on Dennis Rodman's plea for help garnered more than 3.
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Edited by:

Aayush Kapoor