Nets player Kevin Durant responds to Charles Barkley’s remarks

Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant has received a lot of attention since the Warriors defeated the Celtics in the NBA Finals, winning their fourth title in eight years. Durant joined the Warriors from the Oklahoma City Thunder back in 2016. With the Warriors, he won two NBA titles and back-to-back Finals MVP awards before joining the Nets three years later.

The 6 ft 10 forward’s decision to move to Brooklyn has been thoroughly scrutinized, and many fans remain outraged. NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley is likely to be KD’s most vocal opponent. Durant, according to Chuck, will not gain media approval until he wins another ring without the Warriors.

“I don’t care about all these bus riders,” Barkley said. Check out the best bookmakers for betting on the NBA!

“If you’re not driving the bus, don’t go around saying things like, ‘you’re a champion.’ If you’re on the bus, I don’t want to hear it. Let’s hear it for Shaq.”

Barkley then elaborated that he did not believe Durant was “the bus driver” or the best player in Golden State.

Check out the top sportsbooks for betting on the NBA

4.6/5

FanDuel Review

New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days

Bet now

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelplineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ DC, IA, KY, WV) only. New users only or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Casino, First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Min $5 wager required for 5 consecutive days. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable Bet Reset tokens. Refund from token issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bet that expire 7 days after receipt. Max refund $200 per day. Restrictions apply, including token expiration. See full terms at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Call 1-877-770-7867 (LA).

4.5/5

BetMGM Review

Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win

Bet now

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

4.5/5

DraftKings Review

New DraftKings Customers: Spend $5+ Get $150 in Bonus Bets *Paid Within 14 Days

Bet now

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/NH/PR/WY). Void in CAN. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $150 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire in 7 days after issuance. Stake removed from payout. Reward issued as $50 in Bonus Bets every 7 days via click-to-claim for 14 days. 7 days = 168hrs. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 8/23/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.

“All of these men have championship rings on their fingers. Hello, bus passengers! But wait, there’s something else I’d like to tell you about. When you’re a bus driver, you’re under a lot of pressure to perform well or else you’ll be held responsible. That’s a distinct species.”

In addition to his previous statements, the NBA pundit indicated that he will never respect Durant until he wins a championship outside of the Bay Area.

“We’re never going to give him the respect, I mean, that he probably deserves until he’s the guy on a championship team, and that’s just the way it is.”

Durant joined the Brooklyn Nets with Kyrie Irving following the Warriors’ loss to the Toronto Raptors in the 2019 NBA Finals. For a variety of reasons, the Nets haven’t won a championship since KD arrived at Barclays Center.

McCollum reacts, Durant’s shuts down Barkley

CJ McCollum defended the two-time NBA champion, pointing out that Barkley’s “bus driver” accusation was incorrect.

On Monday, KD replied to Barkley’s criticism on Twitter, implying that he was bitter and jealous of the wealth he was making.

“All this shit is nasty, another terrible analogy from a hatin’ old head that can’t accept that we making more bread than them. It’s just timing Chucky, don’t hate the playa,” Durant tweeted.

Durant’s legacy is generally set at this point in his career, as he has been named MVP and has been named to various All-NBA and All-Star teams. Even if KD doesn’t win another ring, he’s firmly established himself as one of the game’s all-time greats.

Durant signed with the Nets following the 2019 NBA Finals. Due to an Achilles rupture, he missed the first year of his contract. The Nets advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the 2021 season but were defeated in seven games by Giannis Antetokounmpo and the eventual champions, Milwaukee Bucks. Brooklyn was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs this season by the Boston Celtics.

Check out the top sportsbook for betting on the NBA Draft

Sports Promo

4.6/5

Sports Promo

4.6/5

New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days

Signup Promo

|

Open FanDuel

Get Bonus

Despite Barkley’s compelling case for Durant and his future, he is not alone, especially after the Warriors won their fourth championship in eight years without him. Such allegations, however, are unfair to the 12-time NBA All-Star. After all, the Warriors are unlikely to have won their previous two championships without Durant.

Brooklyn Nets fans would cherish the opportunity to see KD in the Nets jersey. In fact, coach Steve Nash and the franchise will need to figure out how to fit the perfect strategies around Ben Simmons, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Durant for the upcoming summer league and the new regular season, therefore the opportunity to win a championship could be brought back to Brooklyn.