“ Without disrespect to Kevin (During) : Kevin is a follower, he is not a leader. He proved it at all stages (of her career). » The attack targeting the Suns winger is signed Charles Barkley, who developed his remarks about the hierarchy in Phoenix, recomposed with the formation of a “Big Three”.
And according to the former local All-Star, it will be Devin Booker, rather than Bradley Beal or Kevin Durant, therefore, “ take the initiative and take this Suns team to the next level… But I said the same thing in Boston: one of your guys has to take a step forward, he has to take a step forward, and for me , for Phoenix to succeed, it has to be Booker. »
Leadership that cannot be seen?
The release of the Hall of Famer obviously reached the ears of Kevin Durant. His reaction ? Measured. “ I don't want to be called a leader, but I don't want to be called a leader either. Because we don't see what's going on behind the scenes, what I'm talking about, my intentions or the relationships I've built with my teammates and management. “, thus formulates the winger on its Boardroom platformwhile being questioned by his associate Rich Kleiman.
He believes that those who criticize him, like Charles Barkley, on this subject are “not not conscious » of his leadership style. “ I exposed the truth about the quality of my leadership. I don't think it's necessary. I'll chalk it up to the fact that these people don't know who I am. », continues the future Hall of Famer who has already given himself “lessons” in leadership in the past.
“Not as charismatic” as his peers
His style ? “ He clearly sets an example, but he also speaks out when necessary. “, describes Frank Vogelby adding : ” Not all players are the type to make a fuss. Each player is a leader in their own way. You must lead according to your personality. I learned a long time ago that there's no point in trying to be Rick Pitino, even though he's the one who pushed me into coaching. Our personalities are different. »
On this dimension, his player, whose leadership has undoubtedly evolved over time and depending on the context, himself agrees: “ I'm not as charismatic as my peers; I don't have a TV-friendly personality like my peers. You also have to sell what you do, and I haven't done it enough. I don't feel obligated to do it. »
His track record is sufficiently extensive to speak for him, both on a personal level (14 times All-Star, 10 All-NBA selections, 4 top scorer titles, an MVP, etc.) and collectively, with of course his two titles won with the Warriors, and several titles with Team USA. Rich Kleiman then asks him if he is aware of having a “ asterisk » attached to his name in history, because of these titles. And possible consequences on his rank in the discussion around the best player of all ranks.
“ I have the impression of having accomplished things on the pitch and of having been in situations that the greatest have experienced. I think I can have a conversation about basketball with the Michael Jordans, the Kobe Bryants or the LeBron James, not to brag about everything we have done, but to find out if I have experienced the same things as them in the field », Finishes Kevin Durant.
| Kevin Durant | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2007-08 | SEA | 80 | 35 | 43.0 | 28.8 | 87.3 | 0.9 | 3.5 | 4.4 | 2.4 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 2.9 | 0.9 | 20.3 |
| 2008-09 | OKAY | 74 | 39 | 47.6 | 42.2 | 86.3 | 1.0 | 5.5 | 6.5 | 2.8 | 1.8 | 1.3 | 3.0 | 0.7 | 25.3 |
| 2009-10 | OKAY | 82 | 40 | 47.6 | 36.5 | 90.0 | 1.3 | 6.3 | 7.6 | 2.8 | 2.1 | 1.4 | 3.3 | 1.0 | 30.2 |
| 2010-11 | OKAY | 78 | 39 | 46.2 | 35.0 | 88.0 | 0.7 | 6.1 | 6.8 | 2.7 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 27.7 |
| 2011-12 | OKAY | 66 | 39 | 49.6 | 38.7 | 86.0 | 0.6 | 7.4 | 8.0 | 3.5 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 3.8 | 1.2 | 28.0 |
| 2012-13 | OKAY | 81 | 39 | 51.0 | 41.6 | 90.5 | 0.6 | 7.3 | 7.9 | 4.6 | 1.8 | 1.4 | 3.5 | 1.3 | 28.2 |
| 2013-14 ★ | OKAY | 81 | 39 | 50.3 | 39.1 | 87.3 | 0.7 | 6.7 | 7.4 | 5.5 | 2.2 | 1.3 | 3.5 | 0.7 | 32.0 |
| 2014-15 | OKAY | 27 | 34 | 51.0 | 40.3 | 85.4 | 0.6 | 6.0 | 6.6 | 4.1 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 2.7 | 0.9 | 25.4 |
| 2015-16 | OKAY | 72 | 36 | 50.5 | 38.8 | 89.8 | 0.6 | 7.6 | 8.2 | 5.0 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 3.5 | 1.2 | 28.2 |
| 2016-17 | GOS | 62 | 33 | 53.7 | 37.5 | 87.5 | 0.6 | 7.7 | 8.3 | 4.8 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 2.2 | 1.6 | 25.1 |
| 2017-18 | GOS | 68 | 34 | 51.6 | 41.9 | 88.9 | 0.5 | 6.4 | 6.8 | 5.4 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 3.0 | 1.8 | 26.4 |
| 2018-19 | GOS | 78 | 35 | 52.1 | 35.3 | 88.5 | 0.4 | 6.0 | 6.4 | 5.9 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 2.9 | 1.1 | 26.0 |
| 2020-21 | BRK | 35 | 33 | 53.7 | 45.0 | 88.2 | 0.4 | 6.7 | 7.1 | 5.6 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 3.4 | 1.3 | 26.9 |
| 2021-22 | BRK | 55 | 37 | 51.8 | 38.3 | 91.0 | 0.5 | 6.9 | 7.4 | 6.4 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 29.9 |
| 2022-23 * | All Teams | 47 | 36 | 56.0 | 40.4 | 91.9 | 0.4 | 6.3 | 6.7 | 5.0 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 3.3 | 1.4 | 29.1 |
| 2022-23 * | BRK | 39 | 36 | 55.9 | 37.6 | 93.4 | 0.4 | 6.4 | 6.7 | 5.3 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 3.5 | 1.5 | 29.7 |
| 2022-23 * | PHX | 8 | 34 | 57.0 | 53.7 | 83.3 | 0.4 | 6.0 | 6.4 | 3.5 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 2.5 | 1.3 | 26.0 |
| 2023-24 | PHX | 48 | 37 | 53.8 | 44.3 | 87.1 | 0.5 | 6.1 | 6.6 | 5.7 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 3.2 | 1.3 | 28.2 |
| Total | 1034 | 37 | 50.1 | 38.8 | 88.5 | 0.7 | 6.4 | 7.0 | 4.4 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 3.2 | 1.1 | 27.3 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
