Kevin Durant claps back at Charles Barkley's recent 'follower' comment

During the All-Star game on Sunday, Charles Barkley referred to Kevin Durant as a follower. His comments were aimed at how Durant has looked his best when having another All-Star to act as the leader on his team. 

However, Durant clapped back to his doubters during a recent interview with Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. 

“I just feel like a lot of people on TV that don’t ever come to the gym, don’t ever come to games, it’s hard for them to speak on what I do when they’re not in here,” Durant said. “It’s just part of TV. They needed something to fill a segment up. So they talk about some negative s—, but if you’re not in the gym, I don’t respect your opinion if you’re not in the gym with me. That’s just what it is.”

The way we view Durant's career changed when he signed with the Golden State Warriors in 2016. Suddenly, a future Hall of Famer began receiving significant amounts of criticism. His achievements were being discredited. Even now, five years after leaving the Bay Area, Durant isn't celebrated like some of his star-level peers. 

Durant's achievements are viewed as a result of other player's greatness, even though he's arguably the best scorer to ever grace the league. With so much criticism being levied his way, especially from former players, Durant is right to clap back. After all, Barkley ended his career without lifting the Larry O'Brien trophy. 

Nevertheless, if Durant wants to change the way he's viewed, he must lead the Phoenix Suns to a championship. It doesn't matter if that happens this season or next. All that matters is that he proves he's capable of being a leader on a title-winning team. Then, the criticism will stop, and the praise will begin flowing at a steady pace.

Until Durant wins a title without Steph Curry and Klay Thompson by his side, he will keep batting away questions surrounding his leadership and on-court talent. It's not fair, but it's our media landscape. He knew this when he signed for the Warriors. Now, he needs to change that narrative with his play on the court, not with his words in an interview or on social media.