PHOENIX — It didn’t take long before former Phoenix Suns All-Star Kevin Durant got stirred up in some more drama in his appearance on season two of Netflix’s ‘Starting 5.’
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The series followed Durant’s final year in Phoenix, and just a couple of episodes in, the self-proclaimed “troll” re-ignited some beef with Suns legend Charles Barkley.
Bulls guard Michael Jordan and Suns forward Charles Barkley face off in the 1993 NBA Finals.
The stir-up came in Durant’s reaction to an Inside the NBA segment where Barkley said, “You ain’t drive the bus. Don’t walk around talking about you was champion,” in reference to Durant’s championship years with the Golden State Warriors.
Durant’s Response
The two-time Finals MVP’s response? The exact retort you’d expect from Durant.
“I rode the bus. I done filled the gas tank up. I was the gas. I was the wheels, the axle, the brakes,” he said. “I was every given part. I was behind the bus, pushing that motherf—er. I was in the back of the bus. I played every role for that team.
“Yeah, we can talk in these metaphors all we want. I got a lot of them. He never knew what it was like to remove your ego so you can go out there and help a city or town win a championship. It was all about him, his whole life, his whole career. His whole life is all about how he feels, how he wants to talk, how he can say anything to anybody because, ‘I’m Charles Barkley.'”
Oct 16, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) warms up prior to the game against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Durant and the Suns’ relationship ended on a sour note. Not just because Phoenix failed to reach expectations during his tenure, or that the front office went behind his back and shopped him ahead of last season’s trade deadline, but also because of comments he made on his way out of town.
Durant Stirs The Pot
Ahead of his first season with the Houston Rockets, Durant responded to an X (formerly Twitter) post about Phoenix’s camaraderie in the preseason and, more specifically, post-Durant trade.
“No expectations=better vibes. Enjoy the season brother,” Durant said.
Phoenix and the two-time Finals MVP had a messy, but necessary split. The Suns can embarks and a much-needed rebuild, and Durant is still afforded the opportunity to chase his third ring with a formidable contender.
Kevin Durant blindsided by Suns trade rumors in Netflix doc ‘Starting 5’
Make sure to bookmark Burn City Sports to get all your daily Phoenix Sports news, analysis and more!
Ensure you follow @BurnCitySports and @cmorenoNBA on X (Twitter) to keep up with everything Phoenix Suns!
Please let us know your thoughts by liking our Facebook page WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.
