“Win at a high level?”: Skip Bayless gets back at Kevin Durant questioning his winning abilities in Phoenix Suns

The Skip Bayless vs Kevin Durant debate was a headline grabber. The NBA analyst called out the Phoenix Sunsveteran amid the team’s struggle but Durant’s response to Bayless got widespread attention. It has been about a week and Bayless added salt to the injury as he called out Durant again in the latest episode of The Skip Bayless Show.

NBA superstar Kevin Durant is no stranger to criticism, and this season, his performance with the Phoenix Suns has put him under intense scrutiny. Earlier this month, sports analyst Skip Bayless made a bold statement, claiming Durant looks “mentally semi-retired” and isn’t fully invested in basketball. Bayless suggested that KD’s lack of focus is reflected in the Suns’ struggles this season. Durant took to social media with a blunt retort. Quoting a clip from The Skip Bayless Show, he fired back, “F*ck it, we’re both washed, it was a great run.”

While Durant’s response was dripping with sarcasm, Bayless wasn’t done. A week later, he doubled down on his stance, pointing to the Suns’ disastrous defense as proof.
“So the other night Kevin Durant tweeted at me as he has, I don't know several times over the last what 12 years, but once again I'm not sure Kevin quite understood what I was saying about him,” Bayless said.
He went on to add, “Kevin Durant can still score the basketball with anybody he's still averaging 27 a game and shooting 42% from three but that was not my point I said on this show that the more I watch Kevin Durant play basketball this season at a 36 the more he looks mentally semi-retired as if now his sole focus is on scoring on just playing offense one end of the floor.”

He further questions the team’s struggles despite having several star powers including Durant. The Suns “now rank 27th of 30 teams and defensive efficiency 27th that all starts and ends with the man who still the best player on that team. Kevin Durant who now ranks 212th in individual defensive win shares 212th that's the main reason that Kevin Durant's team is now 31 and 37 and not even in the play in playoffs play in.”
The analyst then responded to what KD tweeted back. He said, “Maybe I'm washed.” However, Bayless hailed Durant’s physical prowess as the Suns veteran is fit to do wonders for the team. “But I definitely don't think KD is physically washed his body looks great long and shiny as ever, no loss of quickness or spring that I can see or tell. I'm talking intangibles hunger burning desire to win to sacrifice to do whatever it takes Kevin won his MVP he won his two finals MVPs.”
Bayless further shared that KD who once dominated international basketball, “now he just loves to hoop.”
“I don't blame him but he just loves to score to play offense defense, optional. Setting a defensive tone for his team, optional. Leading, optional. Winning optional,” he added.
Also Read: Kevin Durant Destroys Skip Bayless With Hilarious Clapback: Did He Just Call Himself 'Washed'?
Bayless’ concern for the Suns and Durant is not negligible as fans of the organization have shown their frustration amid the team’s struggle.