Charles Barkley blames Kevin Durant’s inability as a leader for Nets' struggles: “I wouldn't call them alpha male, I call them alpha, alpha, alpha males”
The Brooklyn Nets featuring Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Ben Simmons will be under the microscope yet again this season. After last season’s disastrous performance, the offseason drama, and a slow start, things are as unpredictable as ever in Brooklyn.
Charles Barkley, who was a guest on “The Bill Simmons Podcast,” weighed in on his thoughts about the Brooklyn Nets’ season.
“That mental stress is what Kevin has never proven to me that he can handle. And this is probably the most mental stress he's ever been under because he has zero idea what Kyrie's gonna do, he got zero idea what Ben Simmons' going to do.
“I wouldn't call them alpha male. I call them alpha, alpha, alpha males and Steve Nash is a really good guy, I don't know if he's gonna be able to handle those guys, to be honest with you.”
New BS Podcast: talking NBA Week One, Westbrook, Embiid, Phoenix, bus riders vs superstars, the good old days and everything between with Charles Barkley.
open.spotify.com/episode/1Qvil6…
Kevin Durant has admitted on several occasions that he’s not a leader and that he enjoys just playing basketball. If he doesn’t step up to the plate, things could go ugly quickly in Brooklyn.
It was only a couple of months ago that both Durant and Kyrie Irving nearly broke the franchise. Irving desperately wanted out after the Nets refused to give him a max extension. With very limited options on the table, he ultimately opted in.
Days after Irving decided to stay, Kevin Durant demanded a trade despite his 4-year extension still about to kick in this season. With trade talks stalling for various reasons, KD reportedly asked for the firing of GM Sean Mark and head coach Steve Nash.
The Brooklyn Nets and Durant eventually decided to move forward with the partnership, but there’s no telling how things could end up.
Kevin Durant this season:
32 Points, 3 Rebounds, 2 Assists
27 Points, 5 Rebounds, 6 Assists
37 Points, 5 Rebounds, 4 Assists https://t.co/pP8hg74z5A
KD and Irving have been playing very well early into the season. Durant is currently averaging 32 points on 55.9% shooting. Irving has also been great, averaging 27.3 points to go with 5.7 assists and 1.3 steals in three games.
Ben Simmons has played 3 games this season.
He’s fouled out in two of them.
He has 17 points and 14 fouls this season. https://t.co/XkPuMv8PgX
Ben Simmons has been rather shaky, which is understandable after sitting out the entire 2021-22 season. He has fouled out in two of their three games and has tallied a total of 17 points, 21 assists and 14 fouls.
Charles Barkley likens the Brooklyn Nets, despite the presence of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons, to a trainwreck
The Brooklyn Nets have been one of the favorites to win the championship every year Kevin Durant has been healthy. Despite Kyrie Irving’s off-court drama, not many predicted they would be swept by the Boston Celtics.
The Nets were badly exposed by the Celtics, so they retooled their roster to provide better help to Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Things have started to settle down in Brooklyn, but Charles Barkley is still uncertain how the Nets’ season will play out.
“It’s one of the most fascinating things that I’ve seen in my 40 years in the NBA. If they won the championship, I wouldn't be surprised. If they got their coach fired by Christmas, I wouldn’t be surprised.
“It’s like one of those trainwrecks that you’re like, ‘Oh, I gotta watch this.’ They have three of the most interesting personalities that we’ve ever had on the same team. You have zero idea what you’re gonna get night in and night out from any of them."
Durant, Irving and the Brooklyn Nets will face Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks in their next game on Wednesday, October 26.