"Always been what I stand on": Kevin Durant re-affirms Suns head coach's "talk is cheap" mantra

Kevin Durant’s new coach in Phoenix, Mike Budenholzer, was introduced by the Suns to the media in early May. The former Milwaukee Bucks play-caller told reporters about building accountability by focusing on the daily grind. He said “talk is cheap” and that he would rather concentrate on what the team does than preach something to reporters.

On Monday, Budenholzer continued on that theme. He again told the media that the Suns would show what they could do instead of talking.

Kevin Durant, when asked to comment on Mike Budenholzer’s claims, had this to say:

“I try to tell people that’s my whole life, whole career that talk is cheap. That’s what people look at as leadership, when you’re vocal or when they can see the emotions on your sleeve but it’s all about your movements and your intent and what you’re doing out there. For the most part, it’s about showing up and working hard."

“I’m glad Bud [Budenholzer] said that. That’s always been what I stand on.”

The Phoenix Suns superstar's relatively quiet on-court demeanor has sometimes led to questions on his "leadership." He doesn’t have the same rah-rah leadership style like the most vocal players in the NBA.

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Kevin Durant discusses "need to speak up" during game

During his NBA career, there have been times when Kevin Durant talked to some of his teammates during huddles. Sometimes, he would have conversations with one of them during a lull in the action. Warriors coach Steve Kerr raved about this type of leadership in Durant’s stint with the Dubs.

Durant had this to say when asked about the need to talk during the game:

“There’s gonna be times when you need to speak up but more times than not you’re gonna have to show what your actions are in this league. You can’t talk your way out of s**t here.”

Kevin Durant said he was aware of question marks on his leadership skills. However, he expressed his appreciation of the fact that his Suns teammates were more about the work and that they now had a coach who believed in the same tenet.