According to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, Kevin Durant is causing problems in Phoenix due to his disgruntled nature.
Smith discussed the situation on a recent episode of First Take.
“It is a problem,” he said. “We don’t see it ’cause the stats are there. Him and (Devin) Booker average 27 points a game and what have you, but they say Kevin Durant is never happy. They say he went more than a month without even talking to the head coach (Frank Vogel). They say he doesn’t look happy there.
“All he wants to do is play when the game starts and tip-off time arrives, but when it comes to ingratiating yourself with your teammates and getting along with everybody and stuff like that, he just lives in his own world.”
Smith emphasized that Durant’s disgruntled attitude and reluctance to be a part of the team culture were similar to what happened before he left Golden State.
“Which is what was driving Draymond Green crazy, which is why he ultimately got into it on the court in that Clippers game and what have you,” Smith said. “You hear stuff, you hear stuff, you hear about the level of unhappiness, etc, etc.
“And you get tired of it because when you don’t want to talk and you don’t want to answer questions, you don’t want to lead in a very visible way, that forces other people to have to step up and take on a level of culpability that they don’t want to stomach.”
Behind closed doors, the true situation remains known only to those inside. However, it is clear that the Suns lacked cohesion this season, particularly in their disappointing playoff run where they were swept by Minnesota in the first round, including an elimination game on their home court.
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