When asked about the team’s record without him this year, he made it about more than just himself being out.
This season, the Phoenix Suns are 1-9 in games Kevin Durant has missed and 13-2 in games he’s played. On Tuesday, he was discussing the team’s record without him with reporters, and while he was given a chance to talk about and basque in his greatness, he decided to mention that he wasn’t the only player missing in those games he missed. He spoke about the importance of having the entire squad healthy.
Kevin Durant on the Suns’ record without him: “Hard not to see that when everybody throw it in our face every chance they get. But I think it’s missing a little bit of context too cuz I think we had multiple guys out, not just me….when we’re all healthy, we look pretty solid” pic.twitter.com/S8tzYqqKL9
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) December 18, 2024
“We need everybody on the floor in order to be a good team,” Durant said. Jusuf Nurkić, Bradley Beal, and Ryan Dunn, all missed time this season at the same time Durant did, forcing the Suns’ to start two-center lineups, and play rookies extended minutes.
The second apron, Bradley Beal’s contract, and Kevin Durant’s leadership are three of the most popular topics people like to talk about when it comes to the Phoenix Suns since Mat Ishbia took over as owner early last year. But talk about Kevin Durant’s impact on his teammates has been discussed ad nauseam for what feels like centuries.
For years now, people have been going at his leadership. With his combination of elite talent and absence of a championship, let alone a Conference Finals appearance since he departed from the Golden State Warriors, which is considered one of the greatest teams ever assembled and won multiple titles with him, he’s had to take many verbal jabs from critics. Stephen A. Smith and Charles Barkley have been some of the most vocal media members lamenting his leadership abilities.
Charles Barkley sounded off on KD’s leadership pic.twitter.com/MKZOHMRZbb
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) August 26, 2022
Despite the strong criticism he’s received, many of his teammates have supported and appreciated his leadership style, both from veterans and young players.
“Not only is he one of the greatest to ever touch a basketball, he’s one of the greatest teammates and people.”
️ Damion Lee on Kevin Durant’s leadership pic.twitter.com/eYWCRT3zfc
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) October 29, 2024
“Of course his scoring, the iso plays, but his off the ball defensively. His leadership role as well. Just trying to motivate everybody to keep going.”
Suns rookie Ryan Dunn on Kevin Durant in return in Friday win at Utah after missing three games with a left ankle sprain. #Suns pic.twitter.com/z2jM5kHYLM
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 14, 2024
Outside of a championship, nothing is going to silence Durant’s doubters. Heck, even if he wins one, people will probably criticize his leadership and just attribute the title to the pure talent of the team. But on a day-by-day basis, when the spotlight isn’t as bright as it always is or will be when asked by reporters about the team’s drastically different results with him playing and not, Durant decided to make it about more than himself and about the team.