Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant has unleashed his fury over his long-time detractor Stephen A. Smith who recently just questioned his leadership.
Talking to The Athletic, the two-time NBA champion questioned the media personality’s credibility to talk about professional basketball.
“Yeah, Stephen A., I don’t understand how people even listen to Stephen A.,” he said after Sunday’s win over the Portland Trailblazers.
“I’ve been in the league for 18 years. I’ve never seen Stephen A. at a practice, or a film session, or a shoot-around.”
Durant, who is always ready to go back and forth against critics, did not mince his words and even called Smith a clown and made sure that it will be known to the public.
“I’ve never seen him anywhere but on TV talking shit about players,” Durant continued. “He’s a clown to me. He’s always been a clown. You can write that, too.”
KD has been hounded by remarks about his ability to lead a team ever since leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2016.
Smith is one of those who just can’t let go of that issue.
“I don’t question the greatness nor commitment of Kevin Durant,” Smith said during an episode of First Take.
“When you are that great … you should be able to be a better leader than he has shown.”
Kevin Durant, Stephen A. Smith’s beef history
This is not the first time that Durant confronted Smith.
Back in 2022, KD accused Smith alongside fiery commentators such as Skip Bayless, and Shannon Sharpe as people who made the game worse.
The First Take host did not take long to respond to accusations by the 35-year-old star saying commentators like him will always be there.
“Fellas need to get over it because as I said yesterday on Twitter, and I’ll say again on national television: The Stephen A. Smiths of the world are not going anywhere,” he said. “I’m here now. There’ll be hundreds if not thousands that will follow.”
Smith added: “You don’t get to get rid of us. We’re here, and we’re going to be here. Get over it, because we’re not going anywhere.”
It will be interesting how Smith will respond to Durant calling him a clown. He is not known as someone who will back down.
