NBA

What did Charles Barkley say about the Suns’ Kevin Durant and what was KD’s response?

Even the casual basketball fan knows that former 76ers legend, Charles Barkley, and current Suns star, Kevin Durant don’t like each other and that’s no understatement.

Steven FreemanDIARIO AS

The ongoing feud between the former NBA great and one the current generation’s best players, got a little franker recently. With the latter responding in blunt terms to his detractor, one must wonder whether the two will ever be able to see eye-to-eye. Our vote? Hardly likely.

There’s no love lost between Charles Barkley and Kevin Durant

It’s crystal clear that Charles Barkley is no fan of Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant. Indeed, over the last few years, the former Suns icon has been one of Durant’s most outspoken critics, however, things definitely turned up a notch on Sunday when an interview featuring Barkley aired on CBS’ “60 minutes.” During the appearance Barkley described Durant as a “great player,” before stating that he also believes that the new Suns star is “part of that generation who thinks he can’t be criticized.”

“He’s very sensitive. Great player. He’s part of that generation who thinks he can’t be criticized,” Barkley said when describing the former league MVP. Needless to say, it wasn’t long before Durant himself took to social media to respond to Barkley’s dig. “This ain’t gettin tiring chuck? I’ll never respect the words that come out ya mouth fam just deal with it,” Durant tweeted.

Barkley vs Durant: A history of animosity

With a well documented history of hooks and jabs, the two stars have never been best of friends. It was in fact four years ago, when Barkley first gave his opinion on K.D., who at the time was deciding on where he would go in free agency. “Well, I’d say, ‘Kevin, you’re one of the greatest players I’ve ever seen. You also got some of the thinnest skin I’ve ever seen. I don’t know if you’re made for New York City,’” Barkley said at the time. “I think that would be the toughest aspect. If he’s arguing with these teenagers online, he’s not going to be able to deal with that New York media.” Of course, as we now know it was just weeks later that Durant signed with the Brooklyn Nets and the rest is history.

Yet, it didn’t stop there. Three years later, Barkley was at it again when he referred to Durant as “Mr. Miserable” during an appearance on the ‘Bickley & Marotta’ radio program on Arizona Sports. Durant of course, has since been traded to the Suns, a team with whom Barkley enjoyed some of his best years. That’s to say, that this most recent spat will hardly be the last. On the other hand, one must wonder whether ‘Chuck’s’ head is in the right place if he’s constantly criticizing a player who plays for his old team and moreover, one who they signed to help them win a title. Durant for his part has struggled with injuries since joining, leaving the Suns to fend for themselves while he recovers. Watch this space.

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