When Kevin Durant joined the Phoenix Suns in 2023, the team aimed for a championship by pairing him with stars like Devin Booker and later Bradley Beal. However, by 2025, instead of contending for a title, the Suns missed the playoffs entirely, sparking intense debate about responsibility for the disappointing outcome. Now traded to the Houston Rockets, Durant faces ongoing scrutiny from fans regarding the Suns failure, igniting conversation about his impact during his time in Phoenix.

During a recent exchange on X, a fan directly criticized Durant’s performance over the last six years, focusing particularly on his stints with the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns. The fan stated,

“What changed was Nets and Suns. He went there to win and was not even close. 6 yrs of 2nd rd exit. Nets you can say it’s not his fault but Suns definitely his failure.”

Durant firmly rejected these accusations, insisting he was not to blame for the Suns’ decline. He replied,

“None of it’s my fault. Not a single thing u can blame on me. Jeri.”

This defensive response heightened the controversy given his status as a team leader and his substantial contract with Phoenix.

Back-and-Forth with Fans Over Leadership and Team Dynamics

The dispute extended beyond public posts, as Durant engaged privately with fans who questioned his leadership and demeanor. In June, one follower commented on Durant’s calm attitude and body language, suggesting this behavior negatively influenced Devin Booker. The fan said,

“Not necessarily take it away, but your demeanor is a calm one, and body language isn’t always the best, which I think has rubbed off on Book a little bit,”

to which Durant responded,

“So when Book plays good, do I rub off on him only when he plays bad?”

Throughout this lengthy exchange, Durant emphasized that he was often an easy target because of his superstar image, but maintained that the Suns’ failure could not be pinned on him alone.

Insights on Nets’ Struggles with Steve Nash and Kevin Durant

The conversation about Durant’s role in team failures also recalls his period with the Brooklyn Nets, where coach Steve Nash faced significant challenges in his first coaching role. Despite high hopes, the Nets struggled amid injuries and internal turmoil. Durant explained the situation on the Mind the Game Podcast, saying,

“I had just signed that deal, you had just signed a deal, it felt like we were secure but everything else around us was going to sh*t. Not in a bad way, we got GMs going to other teams, we got coaches going to other teams, we got players forcing trades, we got bringing in Ben Simmons he’s back. There was so much bullsh*t around us.”

Nash acknowledged the limitations he faced as a rookie head coach, admitting,

“I didn’t get to coach as much as I wanted to.”

The Nets’ instability contributed to Nash leaving the coaching position in 2022, with Durant departing the following year.

The Impact of Leadership and Expectations on Team Performance

Kevin Durant’s insistence that the Suns’ struggles are not his fault highlights the complex nature of assigning responsibility in professional basketball, where injuries, management decisions, team chemistry, and external factors all play critical roles. His exchanges with fans reveal tensions surrounding his leadership style and public perception amid high expectations.

As Durant continues his career with the Houston Rockets, the debate over his contribution to the Suns’ failure and broader team challenges remains a topic of discussion among analysts and fans alike, illustrating the intense pressure faced by superstar athletes in headline-driven professional sports.