It only took a few weeks for Stephen A. Smith to start beefing with a new NBA superstar.
Kevin Durant called out the lightning rod ESPN talent, who is still reeling off a wild back-and-forth entanglement with LeBron James, for contemplating running for President of the United States in 2028 rather than watching basketball.
Durant, who has feuded with Smith many times in the past, chided the political hopeful after he said the future Hall of Famer “is not a leader.”
“Steve is trying to run for president, u think he actually paid attention to a struggling team??” Durant said referring to his Suns in a post on X. “It’s called propaganda.”
Smith then responded to Durant’s comments about him possibly running for president on Tuesday’s “First Take,” adding that yet another star player is being sensitive and unable to take fair criticism.
“I don’t give a damn what KD says. I got nothing but love for KD. I know that’s a good brother. He’s just a bit sensitive at times,” Smith said.
“I am going to take at least an hour covering the NBA, the way the players want me to.”
ESPN personality Marcus Morris, who knows Durant from his time playing in the league, added that Durant “leads in different ways you can’t see all the time … Behind the scenes, he is a leader.”
Durant later responded to a heckling fan about his leadership style, saying, “I think I’m one of the greatest leaders of all time. It’s a shame u can’t see it.”
Smith indicated that his beefs with Durant and James are not the same, saying the former is not an enemy while implying that James is.
James previously confronted Smith while at a Lakers home game in a fiery scene on the court that exploded into a drawn out confrontation as the two traded barbs.
The elder James did not appreciate comments made by Smith about his son, Bronny.
The Durant-led Phoenix Suns missed the playoffs this season, going 36-46. He averaged 26.6 points per game in 62 games played.
The Suns are expected to trade Durant this offseason.
