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Charles Barkley and Howard Stern are among the high-profile people who are pointing a finger of blame at the Warriors after Kevin Durant’s devastating Achilles injury in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
In an emotional postgame press conference, Warriors president of basketball operations Bob Myers said he’d take responsibility for what happened to Durant upon his return from a long rehab from a strained calf, but really no one was to blame for the injury.
As is his nature, Barkley took exception to Myers’ claim.
“Yes, there is somebody to blame: The Golden State Warriors for putting KD out there,” Barkley said on ESPN Tuesday. “You read the articles, ‘The Warriors are really unhappy when KD won’t risk his (strained calf). They’re frustrated with KD.’ Now this man had to be feeling some type of weight.
“So I blame the Warriors for KD getting hurt and I don’t care what they say about it. They shouldn’t have put that man out there. You know how I know it? Because he blew out his Achilles.”
The injury is such a hot topic nationally that Stern, one of the few media folks even more outspoken than Barkley, chimed in. The shock jock reacted to Myers’ saying clearing Durant was “a collaborative decision” by questioning the team allowing him to play.
“Bad decision, dude,” Stern said after hearing a clip from Myers’ statement on Durant to reporters after the Warriors’ emotional 106-105 Game 5 win Monday. “What do you mean there’s nobody to blame? I understand they want him for the game, (but) he probably shouldn’t have played.”
Kendrick Perkins, a former teammate of Durant’s at Oklahoma City, is also assessing blame in the same direction. The former player-turned-analyst said he had told Durant not to try to come back and play.
“I blame the Warriors for pressuring that man to play and he wasn’t healthy!” Perkins said via Twitter. “I told him not to play the other night unless he was 100 percent!”
If KD hurt I Blame the @warriors For pressuring that man to play and he wasn’t healthy! That’s 🤬up! I told him the other night not to play unless he was 100%!
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) June 11, 2019
Perkins later took another shot at the Warriors on Twitter.
“I know 1 thing (the Thunder) wouldn’t have let him play and wouldn’t have cared what KD wanted to do.”
I know 1 thing @okcthunder wouldn’t have let him play and wouldn’t have cared what KD wanted to do!
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) June 11, 2019
Some other prominent sports figures (and Drake) were more worried about how Durant is handling his injury.
Drake with a heartfelt message to Kevin Durant after last night pic.twitter.com/M2NNQ5QhMJ
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) June 11, 2019
Nothing but respect and prayers for @KDTrey5. Would want him on my team every time.
— Ronnie Lott (@RonnieLottHOF) June 11, 2019
Fabulous W‼️ My prayers go out to KD, his family and the team. Without his return and super start to the game, the amazing victory never would’ve occurred. I am so proud of all these guys‼️@warriors @NBATV @NBAonTNT @ESPNNBA @NBA @NBAOfficial
— Rick Barry (@Rick24Barry) June 11, 2019
Proud of all the players on @Raptors & @warriors banding together to support #KevinDurant No one wants to see anyone get injured we are all humans first. @KDTrey5 showed tonight what it is to have heart & be a true team player. We are praying for a quick recovery @NBA #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/4uLFK2SI86
— TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) June 11, 2019
In the end, Wanda Durant hopes her son’s injury provides some naysayers with a little clarity about what her son is all about.
For ALL of you who question my son as a Man, question his Heart, question his Integrity and question his LOVE for the game of basketball, you DON’T know him. He has a heart of a true Warrior! This too shall pass. God Bless you ALL. pic.twitter.com/y0qcQ5Boga
— Wanda Durant (@MamaDurant) June 11, 2019
