Kevin Durant, the Phoenix Suns star, recently voiced his discontent with ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith after the latter questioned Durant’s leadership capabilities. Following the Suns’ tight 103-97 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on November 2, Durant was confronted about the swirling debate surrounding his locker room authority, which Smith had reignited last month.
"Yeah, Stephen A., I don’t understand how people even listen to Stephen A. I’ve been in the league for 18 years. I’ve 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," Durant told The Athletic. He went on to label Smith as "a clown," asserting, "You can write this too," indicating his frustration with the narrative being pushed by the media figure.
This feud erupted when Smith discussed the Suns’ potential for championship success on his show, First Take, on October 24. He expressed concerns over Durant’s leadership skills, stating, "When you talk about Kevin Durant, this is what we’re not going to do, we’re not going to look at Kevin Durant and just measure him just in terms of his talent... He’s been relatively leaderless. He’s been very lacking in inspiration. He should be able to be a leader than he has shown." Durant quickly took to social media, posting, "I would argue, passionately, my intangibles have always been on par with my talent." This exchange highlighted the tension between player perceptions and media interpretations of performance.
During this same stretch, Durant showcased his on-court prowess, scoring 43 points during the Suns’ 133-125 loss to the Detroit Pistons. Despite his impressive stats—shooting 14 of 26 from the field, nailing 4 of 9 from beyond the arc, and finishing with perfect free throws (11 of 11)—his efforts were not enough to secure the win. The Suns found themselves trailing for most of the match but were briefly lifted by Durant's 15-point explosion later in the game.
With the Suns’ current record reflecting struggles—standing at 14-13 and sitting at the 11th seed in the competitive Western Conference chart—questions about the team’s strategy and leadership arise. Mike Budenholzer, the Suns head coach, expressed admiration for Durant's work ethic, stating, "I’ve been blown away with Kevin as a practice player. He goes hard, he goes hard in everything he does. I think that's probably the most important thing to leadership, leading by example." Such sentiments paint Durant not only as a talented player but also one who strives to inspire others through his dedication.
Teammate Devin Booker also chimed in on the leadership discourse, asserting, "He’s one of the greatest to ever do it. He’s more vocal than what people say he is, but he also leads by example every day. He’s the loudest one in practice and first in every drill." This backing from teammates emphasizes the broader support for Durant's qualifications as both player and leader.
Statistically, Durant is proving to be pivotal for the Suns, averaging extraordinary points per game even as challenges plague the team on the defensive end. For the last two games, he has averaged 40 points with exceptional efficiency. Yet, the Suns have struggled defensively, allowing 253 points during the same span—leading to back-to-back losses. This troubling trend has raised alarms about the Suns’ future prospects heading toward postseason contention.
At 36, Durant is acutely aware of the ticking clock on his championship aspirations, particularly as the window for winning titles can close rapidly for elite players. Rumors speculate potential trades to bolster the Suns or possibly explore options with previous franchise Oklahoma City Thunder, where Durant’s legend began and where they currently stand first with promising young talent.
What’s next for Kevin Durant and the Suns? While teammates and coaches affirm his leadership qualities and work ethic, the results on the court leave much to be desired. The stakes are high as the Suns seek to consolidate their team dynamics and build on Durant's skills, all under the pressing need to find success and reach new heights.
