Kevin Durant shows his leadership in recent interaction with reporters

On December 22, 2024By Littum

This season, the Phoenix Suns are 1-9 in games Kevin Durant has missed and 13-2 in games he has played. On Tuesday, he discussed the team’s record without him with reporters, and while he got a chance to talk about and Basque in his greatness, he decided to mention that he was not the only player missing in the games he missed. He talked about the importance of having the whole squad healthy.

Kevin Durant on the Suns’ record without him: “Hard not to see that when everybody throws it in our face every chance they get. But I think it’s missing a little bit of context too because I think we had more guys out, not just me…when we’re all healthy we look pretty solid” pic.twitter.com/S8tzYqqKL9

— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) 18 December 2024

“We need everybody on the floor 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 the rookie’s 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 at the beginning of last year. But talk of Kevin Durant’s impact on his teammates has been discussed ad nauseam for what feels like centuries.

For years people have followed his lead. With his combination of elite talent and the absence of a championship, let alone a conference finals appearance, since he left Golden State Warriorswhich is considered to be one of the best teams ever assembled and won several titles with him, he has had to take a lot of verbal jabs from critics. Stephen A. Smith and Charles Barkley have been some of the most vocal members of the media bemoaning his leadership skills.

Despite the strong criticism he has received, many of his teammates have supported and appreciated his leadership style, from veterans and young players alike.

“He’s not only 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) 29 October 2024

“Obviously his scoring, the iso, but his off the ball plays defensively. His leadership as well. Just trying to motivate everyone to keep going.”

Suns rookie Ryan Dunn on Kevin Durant in return in Friday’s win at Utah after missing three games with a left ankle sprain. #Sun pic.twitter.com/z2jM5kHYLM

— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) 14 December 2024

Short of a championship, nothing will silence Durant’s doubters. Heck, even if he wins one, people will likely criticize his leadership and simply attribute the title to the team’s sheer talent. But on a day-to-day basis, when the spotlight isn’t as bright as it always is or will be, when reporters ask about the team’s drastically different results where he played and when he didn’t, Durant decided to be about more than himself and the team.