Could Stephen A. Smith and Kevin Durant ever walk the same path? Not likely. Both are icons in their fields, yet worlds apart, and they’ve often clashed with each other. While KD has dominated on the NBA floor, the ESPN analyst consistently pointed out his flaws, never holding back on criticism. Naturally, the Phoenix Suns star didn’t let it slide. And now, new sparks continue to reignite the fire of their rivalry occasionally.

First-year Suns coach Mike Budenholzer was recently asked about Kevin Durant‘s leadership over the past month, and his response made it clear that he couldn’t be more pleased. Describing Durant’s efforts as “off the charts,” Budenholzer seemed thrilled with the NBA legend’s impact. However, it appears Durant himself wasn’t entirely satisfied. Not long ago, Stephen A. Smith voiced harsh opinions on Durant’s leadership in the league. Consequently, the veteran forward took to social media, pushing back strongly against the criticism and calling out the commentary directly.

Just days after the back-and-forth, Durant didn’t hesitate to speak his mind. In the Phoenix Suns locker room on Saturday, following their 103-97 win against Portland at Footprint Arena, KD spoke even more forcefully about Stephen A. Smith.

“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. 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.“

It’s hardly a stretch to say that the ESPN star isn’t in the good books of many NBA players. In fact, Durant’s jab at Stephen A. Smith now brings back fresh memories of when Jaylen Brown also didn’t hold back in calling out the analyst.

Stephen A. Smith’s jab at Jaylen Brown backfired after unnamed source drama

It only seems strange to think Stephen A. Smith can ‘sugarcoat’ his words and go a bit subtle. But of course, the term ‘subtle’ remains miles away from the veteran analyst. Therefore, harsh criticism often goes hand in hand with Smith. For example, the whole KD vs. Smith that’s been around the NBA scenes for years now hasn’t subsided. Meanwhile, Jaylen Brown too has found discontent with what the analyst had to say about the reigning NBA champ.

Jaylen Brown confronted Stephen A. Smith over comments from an unnamed source, who claimed Brown’s attitude hurt his likability and marketability. Wearing his “State Your Source” shirt, Brown emphasized that “journalistic integrity goes both ways,” expressing frustration at not having a chance to defend his character. He criticized anonymous remarks, linking them to past pre-draft critiques labeling him “too smart for the league,” which he believes unfairly impacted his reputation.

Stephen A. Smith clarified that he was sharing others’ views, not his own, and praised Brown’s talent and integrity. He explained that some in power might feel threatened by Brown’s intelligence and independence. Brown accepted this but argued that personal attacks crossed a line, harming his image. The two also touched on Brown’s stance on USA Basketball and Nike, with Brown affirming he wouldn’t sacrifice his values for a spot on the national team.

Both Kevin Durant and Jaylen Brown stand firm against Stephen A. Smith’s critiques. While Smith sees himself as relaying viewpoints, his comments have struck a nerve with these NBA stars. Mainly, Durant remains outspoken about his dislike for Stephen A. Smith’s approach. Their stances highlight a deeper tension between players and media figures, reflecting the fine line between critique and character judgment. For now, these rivalries show no sign of cooling down!