Current:Home > MarketsKevin Durant fires back at Stephen A. Smith over ESPN's personality's criticism -GrowthSphere Strategies
Kevin Durant fires back at Stephen A. Smith over ESPN's personality's criticism
View
Date:2025-04-15 00:10:07
Kevin Durant is tired of the criticism about his leadership.
Tired enough that the Phoenix Suns star clapped back at ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith in an interview with the Athletic that published Sunday.
"Yeah, Stephen A., I don’t understand how people even listen to Stephen A.," Durant told the Athletic Saturday night. "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 (expletive) about players. … He’s a clown to me. He’s always been a clown. You can write that, too."
The response follows a clip that Smith posted October 24 to his social media in which he dismissed the Suns as legitimate contenders, in large part over Durant’s leadership, saying "when you are that great ... you should be able to be a better leader than he has shown."
Durant responded to that post from his social media account, saying he would disagree.
All things Suns: Latest Phoenix Suns news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.
"I would argue, passionately, that my intangibles have always been on par with my talent," Durant wrote.
Durant told the Athletic he was the "same dude" when asked if he has been more vocal this year.
"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," Durant said. "… 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."
Durant, 36, is averaging 25.8 points, seven rebounds and three assists per game this season. The Suns have raced out to a 5-1 start, which is tied for second place in the Western Conference, behind only the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast.Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
veryGood! (39372)
Related
- 'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
- Chipotle's Halloween Boorito deal: No costume, later hours and free hot sauce
- Texas city settles lawsuit over police response to Trump supporters surrounding Biden bus in 2020
- Marine killed in homicide at Camp Lejeune; second Marine held for suspected involvement
- Former Danish minister for Greenland discusses Trump's push to acquire island
- Fugees rapper says lawyer’s use of AI helped tank his case, pushes for new trial
- Britney Spears memoir reaches bestseller status a week before it hits shelves
- Sen. Maria Cantwell says she wants any NIL legislation to also address NCAA athletes' rights
- Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
- Help! What should I be for Halloween?
Ranking
- Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class
- Bella Hadid Packs on the PDA With Cowboy Adan Banuelos After Marc Kalman Breakup
- Kosovo asks for more NATO-led peacekeepers along the border with Serbia
- Hundreds mourn as Israeli family of 5 that was slain together is laid to rest
- Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
- Eva Longoria Shares What She Learned From Victoria Beckham
- Joran van der Sloot Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Extorting Natalee Holloway’s Mom
- Minnesota leaders to fight court ruling that restoring voting rights for felons was unconstitutional
Recommendation
A Mississippi company is sentenced for mislabeling cheap seafood as premium local fish
Elephant dies at St. Louis Zoo shortly after her herd became agitated from a dog running loose
Why Egypt and other Arab countries are unwilling to take in Palestinian refugees from Gaza
Alabama man wins $2.4 million after spending $5 on Florida lottery ticket
The Grammy nominee you need to hear: Esperanza Spalding
World Food Program appeals for $19 million to provide emergency food in quake-hit Afghanistan
She helped Florida kids with trauma. Now she's trapped in 'unimaginable' Gaza war zone.
People of African ancestry are poorly represented in genetic studies. A new effort would change that