Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards summed up the narrative that Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant is a bad leader with one word.
“I think it’s bulls–t,” Edwards told Melissa Rohlin of Fox Sports. He added:
“All he cares about is basketball, so that’s leading right there. If your best player only cares about basketball, that’s a way of leading. I think people view leadership as just being vocal. I think there are multiple ways in being a leader. He’s definitely a great leader.”
Edwards continued his train of thought, referencing their time together on Team USA this summer en route to an Olympic gold medal.
“He was a leader for me at the USA because that was my first time doing it and I wasn’t used to it. I definitely went under his wing and just followed everything he did. He’s dope to me, man. I don’t really care what anybody says about him.”
Edwards’ love of KD is well-documented.
Durant previously answered “Ant” when asked who in the NBA brings out the best in him. When Edwards heard that, he had this to say about KD.
“That’s like my big brother, man,” Edwards told Rohlin. “I love KD. He’s my favorite player of all time, so I appreciate that, for sure.”
Needless to say, it’s clear how Edwards feels about Durant.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith offered criticisms of Durant’s leadership, and he used it last October during a First Take episode.
Durant took to X to disagree.
Charles Barkley also called Durant a “follower” during last year’s All-Star Game ALTCAST regarding who the Suns leader was at the time (h/t New York Basketball).
“I really wanted it to be KD but he’s not doing it,” Barkley said. “To me it’s gotta be Booker…No disrespect to Kevin. Kevin’s a follower. He’s not a leader. He’s proven that on all of his stops…”
During a Nov. 2017 interview with GQ’s Zach Baron, Durant spoke extensively about leadership. At the time, he was one year into his tenure with the Golden State Warriors, who have been led by Stephen Curry for a decade-plus now. KD spoke about how he likes to lead by example.
“Steph Curry is the face of the franchise, and that helps me out, because I don’t have to. I don’t want to have to be the leader. I’m not a leader. I’m bad at saying, ‘Stand behind me and follow me.’ No. I’m one of those guys that’s just like, ‘Let’s do this shit together. Let’s just work everybody together. I don’t mind being on the front line with you, but let’s come and do it together.’ That’s my way of leadership. I’m leading by example.”
So Durant pretty much answered the question on his style of leadership seven years ago. Perhaps people don’t agree with it since it’s not as overt as some may like, but that’s the way it is.
Regardless, Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer is a fan of Durant’s leadership, calling it “off-the-charts” on Nov. 1, per Duane Rankin of azcentral.
And KD also has one of the NBA’s top superstars in Edwards on his side as well.
This season, Durant has been doing a great job leading by example, averaging 25.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.7 assists for the sixth-place Suns. Phoenix has notably gone 13-2 with him in the lineup and just 1-9 without him as KD sat 10 games due to injury.
He’s been back for two games now, though, averaging 25.0 PPG in a pair of wins. The Indiana Pacers are up next at home on Thursday.