Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant had some support from his teammates after Stephen A. Smtih dissed Durant's leadership.

LOS ANGELES – Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer must have heard Kevin Durant’s leadership being questioned over the years. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith just criticized him Thursday for not being a better leader who can have an impact on teammates because of the respect he’s earned as an all-time great player.

Rarely does an athlete of Durant's stature take time to address criticism, though the morning after Phoenix's season-opening win over the Los Angeles Clippers, Durant couldn't hold back on something said about him via ESPN's Stephen A Smith.

Using proof of last year's past, Smith doesn't believe the Suns can succeed with Durant as their appointed leader. “I don't question the greatness nor commitment of Kevin Durant

Prior to the Suns' opening game Wednesday, Booker was 1,137 points away from tying Walter Davis' 15,666 for No. 1 in franchise history. The late Davis, who was inducted to the Naismith Hall Of Fame earlier this month, played the first 11 of his 15 seasons in Phoenix before he retired in 1992. He was a shooting guard like Booker.

Phoenix clawed its way back and Durant's and-one layup over Harden plus the free throw put the Suns up 101-99 at 1:39 left. Harden then hit a stepback mid-range jump shot to tie the game, then on the Clippers' ensuing possession drew a foul from Durant at 41.5 seconds. Harden hit a pair of free throws and LA led 103-101.

Suns coach Mike Budenholzer got to experience firsthand the greatness of Kevin Durant. After all, it was Durant’s shot with 21.2 seconds left that sent the season-opening road win over the Clippers to overtime.

It did not take long for Kevin Durant to give Stephen A. Smith a piece of his mind after the ESPN analyst took a shot at him during a First Take episode. Smith questioned Durant's leadership—or lack thereof—and said that he doesn't think the Phoenix Suns will win a championship with KD as their main guy because of that.

Despite only being a few days into the NBA season, Kevin Durant and Stephen A. Smith are already having a debate on social media. On this Thursday's edition of "First Take," Smith made it clear that he doesn't have much faith in the Phoenix Suns this season.