Kevin Durant’s been in this game long enough to know when the noise comes, he listens. Whether it’s analysts, fans, or fellow players, the leadership topic always finds its way to his doorstep. The Phoenix Suns star isn’t one to shy away from it either. But here’s the thing—Durant doesn’t think it’s about what he does on the court. According to him, it’s about how he’s perceived. Not how he leads. And honestly, that’s where the conversation gets really interesting.
And Kevin Durant gave some straight-up thoughts on this during a past episode of Boardroom. “I’m not as charismatic as my peers, I don’t have a personality that’s fit for TV like my peers,” he said, pointing out how being a leader often requires more than just basketball IQ. “You’ve got to sell what you’re doing as well, and I haven’t sold it enough… I don’t feel like I want people to call me a leader, but I also don’t want people to say I’m not one either.”
While the media critiques were loud, Charles Barkley cranked up the volume, calling Durant out for not stepping into that leadership role in Phoenix. “I really want it to be KD, but he’s not doing it… No disrespect to Kevin, but Kevin’s a follower. He’s not a leader. He’s proven that on all his stops.” A bold claim — but one Gilbert Arenas didn’t exactly agree with. In fact, Gil questions if leadership is even real. “What does a leadership role look like?” he asked during a chat on VladTV, as the host tried throwing out names like Magic and Jordan.
Then again, Gil wasn’t buying into the Jordan leadership hype either. When DJ Vlad said, “Jordan was the leader of the Bulls,” Gil pushed back hard. “If Jordan was the boss, then why didn’t Jerry listen to him at all?” He brought up Jerry Krause, the GM who didn’t always give Jordan what he wanted—not exactly a dynamic that screams “ultimate leader.”
Mar 30, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) reacts after fouling a Houston Rockets player in the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
To wrap it up, Gil made a point that hits Durant’s case spot-on. “When it comes to pulling strings, that’s leadership too… but if you can’t pull strings here, you can only pull strings there.” In other words, if Jordan couldn’t call the shots, maybe we’re just labeling leaders based on charisma, not control. And with that, Arenas might’ve unintentionally given Durant the pass.
Gilbert Arenas calls out Charles Barkley for Kevin Durant criticism
Charles Barkley didn’t hold back when asked about the Suns after the NCAA National Championship game. “They don’t have any mental toughness. The leaders are not leading…they are weak mentally and it’s not going to go good for them.” Now, that’s coming from someone who knows Phoenix basketball. Meanwhile, Gilbert Arenas clearly wasn’t here for any of it.
Just days ago on Nightcap with Shannon Sharpe, he unpacked the Suns’ situation in full. According to Gil, this isn’t about weak leadership—it’s about a shaky roster. He reminded folks that the Suns sacrificed a lot of depth to bring in Bradley Beal, who’s barely stayed healthy. Even then, Durant and Booker have been grinding to keep things from falling apart. “It’s not a leadership issue,” Gil explained, “it’s a roster problem.”
But then Arenas took things up a notch. Aiming straight at Chuck, he fired back, “When were you (Charles Barkley) a leader?…You were just a hired gun.” And just like that, the conversation shifted.
Then came the knockout punch. “It was calling you fat boy. You had to get in shape to be on that team.” Gil made it clear—leadership gets questioned when things go south. So, maybe it’s not about Kevin Durant lacking leadership. Maybe it’s about folks just looking for someone to blame.
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