Anthony Edwards defends Kevin Durant from allegations of poor leadership

In a recent chat with the media, Anthony Edwards called “bulls*t” on the criticism of Kevin Durant’s leadership. According to Edwards, there are different types of leaders and Durant is great, even if he’s not as vocal as some would like.

“All he cares about is basketball, so that’s leading right there. If your best player only cares about basketball, that’s one way to lead,” Edwards said, via FOX’s Melissa Rohlin. “I think people see leadership as just being vocal. I think there are more ways to be a leader. He’s definitely a great leader.”

There is no doubt about that Kevin Durant is one of the best players in the game and it is well known that he and Edwards have become close during their time in the league together. Durant has always been one of Edwards’ favorite players, which is why he’s quick to defend him when someone challenges his legacy.

Durant, 36, was originally drafted No. 2 overall in 2007. Over the past 16 years, he has established himself as a bona fide superstar, averaging 27.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game in 50 .1% shooting. He is also a 14x All-Star, 2x champion and former NBA MVP.

Despite his superstar talent, however, Durant’s leadership has been a consistent point of criticism for fans. He left his original team, the Thunder, in the dust after failing to lead them to victory in the 2016 Western Conference Finals. With the Warriors, Durant sought constant validation and occasionally rubbed shoulders with core members of the team such as Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.

With the Nets, Durant experienced his worst stretch yet. After signing with Kyrie Irving in 2019, and using the following season to recover from a torn Achilles, he led the Nets into chaos by enabling Kyrie Irving’s antics and refusing to keep the “Big Three” together when things started to go wrong.

By the end of it, Durant forced his way out, leaving the Nets franchise in ruins just a few years after his arrival. It was all a disaster for Durant, and his tenure with the Nets remains a blemish on his otherwise impeccable resume.

Today, on Phoenix SunsDurant is still one of the best in the world, but has yet to take his new team to the depths of the playoffs. Beside Devin Booker and Bradley BealDurant has had mixed results in Phoenix, but he hopes the 2024-2025 campaign will be the one to straighten things out.

So far, at 14-11, the Suns still have a long way to go before they’re in a favorable position in the standings, but with Durant leading the way, there’s still a chance they can pull off something special.

Averaging 25.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game on 51.9% shooting this season, Kevin is at the top of his game and his focus on the mission has the entire squad locked in now.

For Edwards, Durant and the Suns are one of his biggest competitors at the moment, but that hasn’t stopped him from showing his respect and appreciation for the NBA legend every chance he gets.