Kevin Durant takes jab at Stephen A. Smith: ‘He’s a clown to me’

After Saturday night’s 103-97 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, which pushed the Phoenix Suns’ record to 5-1, Kevin Durant was asked about the recent comments ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith had made about him.
During an October 24 episode of ‘First Take,’ Smith praised Durant’s greatness and commitment, but he questioned the 14-time All-Star’s leadership and ability to inspire teammates.

The show posted the segment on social media, and Durant responded on X, telling Smith that he respectfully disagreed and that he would argue “passionately’ that his intangibles have always been on par with his talent.”
In the Phoenix locker room Saturday night, after several teammates had already left Footprint Center, Durant held no punches.
“Yeah, Stephen A., I don’t understand how people even listen to Stephen A.,” he told The Athletic.

“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. I’ve never seen him anywhere but on TV talking shit about players. He’s a clown to me. He’s always been a clown. You can write that, too,” Durant concluded his rant.

Smith, who has worked for more than three decades as an NBA and general sports columnist and multimedia personality, hasn’t been the first to question Durant’s leadership. Charles Barkley called Durant a ‘follower’ during last season’s NBA All-Star weekend.

“Of course, I got things I need to work on,” Durant admitted, but also added that when people try to find something to criticize about his game, they often settle on leadership.
“Stuff like that is so vague and subjective,” he concluded.