Kevin Durant Claps Back At Shaq and Charles Barkley: “I Don’t Need No Credit From Y’all”

© Brian Westerholt- USA TODAY Sports

In an interview that Kevin Durant did with Yahoo Sports’ Vincent Goodwill, Kevin Durant addressed comments that have been made over the years by former NBA legends Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal about his championship credentials.

Barkley in particular was never a fan of Durant’s move at the time to go to the Golden State Warriors to join Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Andre Iguodala after that squad won an NBA record 73 games. He made a famous comment by stating that Durant is a bus rider as opposed to the guy driving the bus and leading his teams to championships.

Barkley also went on FIrst Take a week ago to discuss Durant and his championships and he had an interesting comment to make about what LeBron James said to him that had Durant responding and wanting sources from it.

"[LeBron] says, 'I had to win a championship without D-Wade to get old heads' respect.' Kobe Bryant says, 'I have to win a championship without Shaq to get these old heads off my back.' I hold Kevin Durant to the same criteria."

🗣️ Charles Barkleypic.twitter.com/1KPoj0mv1k

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) February 27, 2023

During the interview, Goodwill proposed the question of whether or not the TNT crew and other national media pundits are in any way in the wrong for what they’re saying about the 13-time all-star. Durant believes there is an unfair standard for him.

Kevin Durant says he doesn't need credit from Charles Barkley or Shaq 😤 pic.twitter.com/GcCzShELMZ

— 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 (@sportingnews) March 2, 2023

Suns head coach Monty Williams was asked about the national media giving Durant an unfair shake and he believes that all Durant needs to do is be himself.

“As far as leading a team, I don’t need to coach no team. Whatever happens, we do it together. [Monty’s] the leader, he’s the coach. The GM puts the team together. I’m supposed to go out and hoop. That’s my job.”

Kevin Durant Doesn’t Find Any Regret With Suns Trade After Contract Extension With Nets

With Durant on the Suns, the national media is now ten times crazier than it ever was in Sun’s franchise history with the number of people looking at them. Durant and the Suns just need to continue to block out the noise and lean on their already tight culture.