Upon his announcement Monday that he would sign with the Golden State Warriors, many branded Kevin Durant as a front-runner interested only in taking the easiest possible path to an NBA championship.
In Charles Barkley’s eyes, he’s also a cheater.
Barkley said Tuesday on ESPN Radio’s “Mike & Mike” that Durant is “trying to cheat his way into a championship” by spurning the Oklahoma City Thunder to link up with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and the rest of the Warriors’ loaded roster.
"Kevin Durant is trying to cheat his way into a championship."
– Charles Barkley pic.twitter.com/vf6hUC1TI6
— UNSPORTSMANLIKE Radio (@UnSportsESPN) July 6, 2016
Can Durant signing with Golden State, which last month fell one win shy of a second consecutive NBA title, be viewed as taking the easy way out? Of course. But cheating? C’mon, Chuck. That’s a turrble take.
It’s also a bit hypocritical, seeing as Barkley did basically the same thing when he — starved for a title after 12 seasons in Philadelphia and Phoenix — joined Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler on a stacked Houston Rockets team in 1996. The Rockets had won back-to-back championships in 1994 and 1995 but never made it past the West finals in Barkley’s three seasons with the team.
Thumbnail photo via David Richard/USA TODAY Sports Images
