Kevin Durant’s impressive return: 22 points, five rebounds, three assists and an extremely awkward interview.
After the Nets ’125-99 season win over the Warriors, Durant did a brief interview with TNT’s“ Inside the NBA ”. Charles Barkley’s questions and crew were answered primarily by one-word answers.
Then Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal proceeded to make fun of Durant with a series of selfless questions and answers between them.
The striker’s interview came a week after Barkley evicted Durant’s teammate Kyrie Irving for the media boycott of the goalkeeper. According to USA Today, Barkley later said he believed this was the reason for Durant’s quirky responses.
It was just the beginning of the strangeness of the network interview. After the Clippers ’117-109 victory over the Lakers in the night cap, Paul George was asked about him and Kawhi Leonard who received“ preferential treatment ”from the team last season.
After George’s direct response, Barkley and Smith debated the issue while George waited uncomfortably.