Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant has never been shy about getting into it with media personalities over comments he doesn’t particularly like. He did just that on Thursday, responding to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith after the First Take host called his leadership qualities into question.
On Thursday’s edition of First Take, the crew discussed the Suns’ opening day victory over the Los Angeles Clippers, a game where Durant led all scorers on his team with 25 points.
Molly Qerim asked Smith how much belief he had in the Durant-led Suns team heading into the 2024-25 NBA season. And Smith didn’t exactly mince words about why he is a skeptic of the team.
“Not much,” said Smith. “But let me explain why. I don’t question the greatness nor the commitment of Kevin Durant. And you’ll be hard-pressed to find a bigger fan of Devin Booker than me. I love that brotha, I love his game. And Bradley Beal, I love seeing do what he did last night. He is very capable. But when you talk about Kevin Durant — this is what we’re not going to do. We’re not going to look at Kevin Durant and just measure him in terms of just his talent. It’s what ability you have to peel out of others.
“His resume, much to the chagrin of his loved ones and various others in his inner circle. They have gotten at me over the years, not in a very flattering fashion, about the things that I’ve had to say. I accept it. That’s what comes with the territory. I’ve got to call it like I see it. I think Kevin Durant is one of the greatest talents that this game has ever seen. I think that what he has done for the game of basketball. The ambassador that his is for the game of basketball, is to be applauded. But the flip side to all of that is that he has been relatively leaderless. He’s been very lacking in inspiration in terms of peeling out from those around him whatever you can give me.
“He’ll show up. If you said to me, it’s a Game 7, it’s a Game 1, it’s a Game 5. I don’t give a damn what it is. Kevin Durant’s gonna show up and he’s gonna ball out. But does he get the others around him to do it? Not only does he not do it, he doesn’t feel the level of responsibility I think he should feel in getting it out.”
.@stephenasmith doesn’t have “much” belief in the Suns with KD as their superstar đź‘€
“I don’t question the greatness nor commitment of Kevin Durant. … When you are that great … you should be able to be a better leader than he has shown.” pic.twitter.com/0DTd5Vxvfh
— First Take (@FirstTake) October 24, 2024
Stephen A. has been quick to bash Durant for his “burner accounts” on social media, which Durant has admitted to using to combat negativity from fans and media members alike.
But this time around, Durant addressed Smith’s comments publicly on his personal social media account, disagreeing with Smith’s sentiment in his lengthy rant.
“I would disagree Stephen,” wrote Durant on X. “I would argue, passionately, that my intangibles have always been on par with my talent.”
I would disagree stephen. I would argue, passionately, that my intangibles have always been on par with my talent
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) October 24, 2024
Smith again shared his stance in a reply on social media, arguing that Durant’s “intangibles”, which includes leadership, doesn’t stack up to his individual talent.
“And I would argue, passionately, that very little compares to your obvious GREATNESS as a talent. Including those intangibles,” wrote Smith on X.
And I would argue, passionately, that very little compares to your obvious GREATNESS as a talent. Including those intangibles.#Respectfully https://t.co/AQSeMo9QeM
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) October 24, 2024
Clearly, this seems to be something that Smith isn’t budging on unless he sees something different from the Durant-led Suns this season. So it will be on Durant to prove him wrong throughout the entirety of the 2024-25 NBA season.
