As the 2025-26 NBA campaign prepares to get underway, superstar forward Kevin Durant is gearing up for a fresh start with a new team. After a challenging stint with the Phoenix Suns, Durant was traded to the Houston Rockets over the offseason. The hope? That he could elevate the Rockets to true championship contender status.
Durant, of course, knows what it takes to win the NBA Finals from his time with the Golden State Warriors, where he secured the only two titles of his career. However, not everyone appreciates what Durant contributed during his tenure with the Warriors. One notable critic is the legendary Charles Barkley. After Barkley made critical comments about Durant’s time in Golden State, the Rockets’ new star quickly fired back.
### Kevin Durant Fires Back at Charles Barkley’s Criticism
In 2016, Durant made the controversial decision to sign with the Warriors in free agency. Given that Golden State was already successful, boasting stars like Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, many viewed Durant’s move as a way to simply add championships to his trophy case.
Durant’s strategy worked, as he won two titles with the Warriors. However, fans and analysts alike debated what this meant for his legacy. Critics argued that these championships were less meaningful because Durant could defer to Curry whenever he wanted. Barkley has been vocal in this camp, claiming Durant wasn’t good enough to “drive the bus” himself during his championship runs and needed to play second fiddle to a leader like Curry.
Considering Durant has yet to win a championship with the Suns, Brooklyn Nets, or Oklahoma City Thunder, it’s easy to see why some wonder if Barkley’s argument holds water. But it’s important to remember that Durant didn’t merely sit back and play a supporting role in Golden State.
Responding to Barkley’s remarks, Durant made it clear he played every role required to help Golden State secure those championships. Speaking on season two of Netflix’s “Starting 5” series, Durant said:
> “I done rode the bus, I done filled the gas tank up, I was the gas, I was the wheels, the axle, the brakes, all different given parts. I was in the back of the bus. I played every role on that team. He never knew what it’s like to remove your ego so you can go out there and help a city, a town win a championship. It was all about him. His whole life, his whole career.”
### Kevin Durant Has a Chance to Prove Critics Wrong with the Rockets
During his three seasons with the Warriors, Durant averaged 25.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game while shooting 52.4% from the field. These numbers align closely with his career averages across his time with the Thunder, Nets, and Suns.
While it’s true he had superstar teammates he could rely on, the claim that Durant didn’t carry his weight with Golden State is simply inaccurate.
Now, Durant finds himself in a unique position to prove his critics wrong. With the Houston Rockets, he is the team’s de facto No. 1 offensive option. Paired with a young, promising supporting cast, Durant has the chance to establish Houston as one of the top teams in the league.
At this stage in his career, Durant realistically has little left to prove. However, if he truly wants to silence Barkley and other critics, the best way is clear: go out and win it all this season.
https://heavy.com/sports/nba/golden-state-warriors/kevin-durant-charles-barkley-harsh-criticism/
