Although Durant has repeatedly reminded opponents on social media of how great his contributions and accomplishments are, he has always been the focus of suspicion whenever a team loses. Despite having a host of star players and even one of the greatest players of all time, Durant, the Suns were still trailing 2-0 in the first-round series against the Timberwolves. The reasons for the Phoenix Suns' poor performance are complex, however, Skipp Bayless has pointed the finger at Durant, who is to blame for the team's loss.
In a recent episode of "Undisputed," the veteran media personality was relentless in his attacks on the Suns, especially Durant's failure to lead the team out of trouble. Bayless is convinced that Durant is no longer the player who can turn things around on his own.
Recalling Durant's performance in Game 7 against the Bucks in 2021, Bayless expects the Suns star to show the same fighting spirit and quality against the Timberwolves. However, Bayless was disappointed to find that Durant's performance fell far short of his expectations.
'I was expecting him last night to step up and lead the team...... But he didn't. Bayless sighed, "He's done well, and he's certainly not bad, but he's not the Durant who shot a key three-pointer in the NBA Finals two years in a row." Now Kevin Durant has lost that peak form, and he can only play in fifth, sixth, or seventh gear. ”
Durant had 31 points, seven rebounds and one assist in Game 1, but in Game 2, his stats slipped sharply, which also sparked strong criticism from Bayless. The 35-year-old played 41 minutes in Game 2 and finished with just 18 points, six rebounds and two assists.
Despite Bayless's sharp criticism, we must face up to the fact that Durant is about to turn 36 years old, and his physical condition and athletic condition are no longer comparable to those of his prime. Time is unforgiving, and even the greatest players can hardly resist the erosion of time.