Kevin Durant has had about enough of Stephen A. Smith it seems.
The Nets superstar took to social media on Sunday morning to fire back at comments the famed ESPN talking head made about him during a recent edition of NBA countdown. Durant responded to a clip that Smith had tweeted of him defending his take that if Steph Curry wins a championship and Durant doesn’t, then he’d be remembered more for leaving Golden State than winning there.
“Steve, since u decided to use ESPN to push your personal agendas, I’m sure your minions will run with this story for you,” Durant tweeted. “But if u believe this is what my career is defined by then you just a flat out hater. It’s gonna be hard to box the god in.”
Steve, since u decided to use ESPN to push your personal agendas, im sure your minions will run with this story for you, but if u believe this is what my career is defined by then you just a flat out hater. It’s gonna be hard to box the god in https://t.co/AUMkP8P59g
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) February 6, 2022
Durant had already responded to the criticism on social media earlier in the week when Smith initially made the comments on NBA Today. The two-time NBA Finals MVP called Smith’s point “egregious.”
“We all love basketball and we all know how phenomenal KD is. I think he’s the best in the world when healthy,” Smith said as part of his defense of his comments. “That’s just my personal opinion. That’s how much respect I have for him, but I’ve been in the media for a little while. … There are going to be people. All I’m saying is there is going to people, especially if Golden State wins and Brooklyn doesn’t win with all of this stuff that went on this year, that is going to look at his choice to join with Kyrie Irving and depart Steph Curry. As opposed to staying with Steph Curry.
“I’m not saying it’s fair. I’m not saying it’s right.”
Smith went on to say he agreed with Durant that it was egregious that people would say that.
“It’s unfair. It ain’t right. You deserve better, but since when has that had anything to do with headlines on the back pages,” Smith continued.
Smith has not been shy about his criticisms of the Brooklyn Nets. He had taken a hard stance against how the Nets allowed Kyrie Irving back onto the court on a part-time basis.
In fact, in January a conversation about Irving led to a heated interaction between Smith and NBA analyst Jay Williams. Smith repeatedly said that should the Nets win a championship with Irving as a part-time player it would be bad for basketball.
