LOOK: Kevin Durant responds to Charles Barkley with jab at his career
After NBA legend Charles Barkley criticized Kevin Durant for his championships being “lesser” than some, Durant responded by attacking Barkley’s career as well. Barkley commented that some NBA champions are “bus riders” and didn’t drive the bus on their way to a ring, and that he doesn’t view them as true champions.
The criticism was directed at Kevin Durant, who won two championships with the Golden State Warriors, as he has been criticized around the NBA fandom for his decision to join the Warriors alongside Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.
Durant definitely heard what Barkley said, and he responded after his Brooklyn Nets were swept in the first round of this years playoffs. Durant shared photos of Barkley alongside his teammates in Houston when he played for the Rockets, highlighting the talent that Barkley played with in his own career.
Kevin Durant responds to Charles Barkley
Durant’s main criticism towards Barkley is evidently the talented names that Barkley played with in his third NBA home. Barkley was traded by the Suns — the second time he was traded in his career — to the Rockets as they attempted to form a “super team” of aging stars in 1996. The Rockets added Barkley to Hall of Fame players Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler.
Drexler was 34 years old during the 1996-97 season, and Barkley and Olajuwon were both 33 years old. Despite concerns about their age, Olajuwon nearly averaged a double-double on 23.2 points per game and Drexler scored 18 points per game with 5.7 assists. Barkley added 19.2 points per game and 13.5 rebounds, as the Rockets earned an appearance in the conference finals — where they lost to the Utah Jazz.
The following year, injuries hampered the Rockets as they ultimately would be eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Jazz again. The following year, Drexler retired and the Rockets attempted to replace him with 33-year-old Scottie Pippen. In a season shortened by an NBA strike, the Rockets finished with a 31-19 record before losing again in the first round of the playoffs — this time to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Pippen was traded away the next year, and Barkley would retire one season later without an NBA championship in his trophy case.
Durant’s response to Barkley highlights this part of NBA history where Barkley was surrounded by Hall of Fame talent and failed to win, but fans were quick to point out some of the differences. Mainly, that Barkley was traded to Houston and didn’t join them as a free agent seeking a championship. Others point out that Durant was a massive part of the Warriors’ dominance during the time he was there, and whether he had help or not he still has two more championships than Barkley.