“It just appears that @KDTrey5 needs to learn something about today’s world in professional sports: We don’t have to talk TO HIM to talk ABOUT HIM! Folks like ME will still be here. Watching! Listening! Waiting! Reporting!” Back in 2015, Stephen A. Smith and Kevin Durant had a verbal back and forth after the latter disagreed about the former’s reports. In 2024, once again the beef has started, like many players, even Shaquille O’Neal sided with KD.

“So let me tell you, cause Kevin Durant is probably similar to my situation. When we’ve been there and done that, give us our respect. That’s all we want,” Shaq asserted on his podcast. Co-host Adam Lefkoe was explaining to Shaquille O’Neal and guest Baron Davis about the current update regarding the beef. Shaq was initially surprised as he thought it was some old comments resurfacing. After catching up, the 4x champion did not disparage Stephen A Smith’s credibility — “everybody has an opinion.” All he wants is respect.

“So just like when you challenge us to do it and we’ve done it… give us respect because if you don’t give, it sounds like hate.”

Shaq also pointed out such ability as “challenging people,” but understands Kevin Durant’s response in this situation. The guest Baron Davis too had some interesting take about Smith and NBA players.

Lefkoe asked the former Golden State Warriors star if the KD’s feelings resonated with the other players. And Shaquille O’Neal added, “Give me your percentage.” Davis stated, “I say we about probably in the 80s somewhere in the 80%,” via The Big Podcast. He also, in jest, suggested that during the All-Star weekend, there should be a boxing match with the proceeding going to charity.

Why Shaquille O’Neal felt Smith disrespected KD

The Slim Reaper is always active on social media and sometimes gives a fitting reply to the tools. As stated previously, Kevin Durant had no problems discrediting Stephen A Smith’s report. “Yeah, Stephen A., I don’t understand how people even listen to Stephen A… 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.”

In a conversation with The Athletic, KD slammed the judgment of Smith for questioning his leadership with the Phoenix Suns. The ESPN analyst responded, “He’s a 2x champion, a 2x league, and finals MVP. And I’ve been on the record saying he’s also a good dude.” Later on First Take, he asked Durant to “act like a grown-up.”

While ending his segment, Smith also asked, “Who’s allowed to talk about him?” He recalled the past beef of KD with Charles Barkley, Shannon Sharpe, and others. So it isn’t a surprise when the players say that the analyst takes are not important. But Shaquille O’Neal feels that the goalpost for players keeps moving despite players like Kevin Durant performing day in and day out.