“Leads by example”: Frank Vogel hits back at Charles Barkley foe questioning Kevin Durant’s leadership qualities

Phoenix Suns head coach Frank Vogel has hit back at Charles Barkley for his comments about the leadership qualities of Kevin Durant.

Barkley, who played for the Suns, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Houston Rockets in his career and is now working as an NBA broadcaster, while commentating on the All-Star game, lamented the lack of leadership qualities shown by Durant in his career.

"No disrespect to Kevin. Kevin's a follower. He's not a leader. He's proven that on all his stops," he said. "[Devin] Booker's a hell of a player, also. I think he's going to have to take the initiative and take this Suns team to the next level. ... But I said the same thing with Boston: One of your guys has to step forward, he has to step forward, and for me, for Phoenix to be successful, it has to be Booker."

Vogel was recently quoted in a report where he backed his star player and stated that Durant leads by example and he speaks when he needs to.

"He definitely leads by example, but he also speaks up when he needs to," he said. "Not every player is going to be a rah-rah type. Every player leads in their own way. You have to lead within your personality. I learned that as a coach a long time ago, that I can't come in and try to be Rick Pitino, as much as he inspired me to get into coaching. Our personalities are different."