...
By Matt Levine
Contributing Sports Writer
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Longtime NBA analyst and personality Stephen A. Smith has never been shy about making his feelings known about anything. He has angered players, fans, coaches, etc. but has never shied away from a fight.
This has led some more outspoken athletes to go after him in the media. Most recently, it was Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant.
Despite the Suns holding a record of 5-1 on the season, Smith isn't buying them as serious contenders in the NBA this season. He has consistently questioned the leadership of Durant and the Suns star finally responded, calling him a clown in the process.
Read More on NBA
"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 s— about players. ... He's a clown to me. He's always been a clown. You can write that, too."
Being who he is, Smith wasn't about to let this comment go easily. During a segment on his ESPN show "First Take", Smith clapped back at the Suns' star.
"I got bad news for Kevin Durant: If you're expecting me to reciprocate with that kind of pettiness and childlessness, it's not gonna happen... Could you stop lying please?... Who's allowed to talk about him?"
...
Durant has been one of the more talked about players in the NBA, only partly due to his stardom on the court. He has earned a reputation over the years as being "soft" and not being able to take criticism from media members.
Smith has been one of the hardest on him and it seems that Durant had enough. He opened up more about the entire situation.
"Obviously, you grow as a human being, you get more comfortable with yourself, you get more comfortable talking to crowds as you experience more and more in the league," he said in the locker room. "... I've always been on this trajectory, of diving deep into the game, not just for myself but for the whole team. To say that I'm just sitting here, you paint this picture of me coming into the locker room, not talking to my teammates, quiet, not talking to my coaches. Like, come on, man. It's just ridiculous."
For the year, Durant is averaging 25.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game. He has been playing well to start the new year and has Phoenix looking strong.
While Durant doesn't like to worry about people like Smith, the best way to shut anyone up is by winning. Phoenix is off to a great start but they will need to strongly execute come playoff time to silence any doubters.
For more Suns and NBA news, make sure to head over to Newsweek Sports.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines