Durant and Stephen A. Smith in Media Feud

Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns has publicly criticized ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith, calling him a 'clown' and questioning his credibility due to his absence from practices and shoot-arounds. The disagreement began when Smith questioned Durant's leadership abilities on his show 'First Take,' leading to Durant's strong rebuke. In response, Smith defended his credentials and accused Durant of lying about his media presence, emphasizing his history as an NBA reporter and columnist. He also stated that he would not engage in petty exchanges but acknowledged Durant's talent and past achievements. The exchange has highlighted ongoing tensions between athletes and media personalities, with Smith questioning who is allowed to critique Durant. Despite the feud, Durant continues to perform strongly on the court, contributing to the Suns' winning streak.