Kevin Durant turned the newest member of the Suns to push again on a report from an ESPN reporter that described the Suns locker room as “poisonous,” labeling the suggestion “unfair and lazy” whereas talking with the media after observe on Monday.
The Suns’ star known as out ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne by identify when the subject was broached by a reporter throughout the roughly 12-minute dialog.
“I attempt to inform individuals who aren’t round this sport a lot is that it’s straightforward to say our locker room isn’t related if you are available in there 45 minutes earlier than and guys are of their sport mode and never speaking to one another,” Durant stated.
“4 or 5 guys is perhaps within the coaching room, just a few guys is perhaps within the weight room. it’s not a welcoming setting proper earlier than the sport. That’s a part of on the point of play. I feel it’s unfair and lazy to categorize our workforce as poisonous if you are available in there for 5 minutes all through 4 months. That’s the one time you’ve been in our locker room after which you can also make a story?
“I don’t assume that’s truthful to us, however like I stated, that’s part of the sport. A part of the enterprise we signed up for. S–t isn’t truthful on this sport, however we bought to take care of it and settle for it.”
Warning: Grownup Language
The preliminary remark in regards to the vibe within the Suns’ locker room got here final week throughout an look on “NBA Immediately” on ESPN throughout the NBA commerce deadline.
Shelburne used the phrase “poisonous” to explain the room earlier than mentioning {that a} shootaround the day prior to this in Oklahoma Metropolis was “very awkward as a result of all people was on pins and needles questioning what they had been going to do.”
A number of folks related to the Suns pushed again on the narrative, together with Suns guard Grayson Allen and head coach Mike Budenholzer.
Budenholzer known as the outline “not true” and Allen stated “it was a really glad locker room” after the Suns beat the Jazz on Friday night time in time beyond regulation.