In a recent chat with the media, Anthony Edwards called “bulls**t” on the criticism toward Kevin Durant’s leadership. According to Edwards, there are different types of leaders and Durant is a great one 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 a way of leading,” said Edwards via FOX’s Melissa Rohlin. “I think people view leadership as just being vocal. I think there are multiple ways to be a leader. He’s definitely a great leader.”
There is no question that Kevin Durant is one of the best players in the game and it’s 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 and it’s why he’s quick to defend him whenever anyone challenges his legacy.
Durant, 36, was initially drafted 2nd overall in 2007. Over the past 16 years, he’s established himself as a bonafide superstar with averages of 27.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game on 50.1% shooting. He’s 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 was constantly seeking validation and occasionally rubbed shoulders with the team’s core members like Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.
With the Nets, Durant experienced his worst stretch yet. After signing with Kyrie Irving in 2019, and using the season after to recover from a torn Achilles, he led the Nets into chaos by enabling the antics of Kyrie Irving and refusing to keep the “big three” including James Harden together when it started going wrong.
By the end of it, Durant forced his way out and left the Nets franchise in shambles just a few years after his arrival. The whole thing was a disaster for Durant and his tenure with the Nets remains a blemish on his otherwise impeccable resume.
Today, on the Phoenix Suns, Durant is still one of the best in the world but has yet to take his new team to the depths of the playoffs. Alongside Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, Durant has had mixed results in Phoenix but he’s hoping that the 2024-25 campaign will be the one that sets things right.
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 for them to pull off something special.
With averages of 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 right now.
For Edwards, Durant and the Suns are one of his top competitors at the moment, but it hasn’t stopped him from showing his respect and appreciation for the NBA legend any chance he gets.
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