For the first time in 35 years, an NBA preseason favorite to win the championship was eliminated in the first round. Not only were the Brooklyn Nets eliminated, but they were swept in embarrassing fashion.
In a series where Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving simply appeared lost, their team failed to gain momentum. In Game 4 of the series Monday night at the Barclays Center, the Nets never held a lead. They would end up dropping the game 116-112, and the series against the Boston Celtics 4-0.
On TNT’s “Inside the NBA” postgame show following the game, former NBA player Charles Barkley called out Kevin Durant and the Nets. “You guys always talk about that championship stuff. I try to tell y’all. All these bus riders. They don’t mean nothing to me. If you ain’t driving the bus, don’t walk around talking about you a champion.”
"If you ain't driving the bus, don't walk around talkin' bout you a champion!"
Chuck sounds off on KD's playoff performance. pic.twitter.com/NSULRff4nD
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 24, 2022
Durant, now finished with basketball for the season due to his elimination at the hands of Jayson Tatum and the Celtics, fired back. On his Instagram story, Durant posted a collage of images displaying situations where Barkley was the so-called “bus rider” throughout his career, the times he was chasing rings past his prime.
"Where would Chuck be without the big homies"
KD continues to go at Charles Barkley 🤣 pic.twitter.com/AttneB4uG3
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 26, 2022
One image, in particular, showed Barkley standing beside NBA icons Moses Malone, Julius Irving, Maurice Cheeks, and Andrew Toney. “Where would Chuck be without the big homies,” Durant captured the photo. Point made.
What do you think of the Nets’ collapse, and the Kevin Durant-Charles Barkley beef? Let us know, by either leaving a reaction below or by sending us a tweet at @celebsecrets.
