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.

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.

The 36-year-old Kevin Durant is entering his 18th NBA season. The Suns will be able to sign him to a 2-year extension.

Kevin Durant scored 25 points, including a game-tying jumper with 21.2 seconds remaining in regulation, as the visiting Phoenix Suns pulled off a 116-113 overtime victory in the regular-season debut of the Los Angeles Clippers' $2 billion arena at Inglewood,

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.

After the Phoenix Suns beat the Los Angeles Clippers 116-113 in overtime, spoiling Steve Ballmer’s Intuit Dome debut in Los Angeles, ESPN’s Stephen A Smith had some harsh words for superstar Kevin Durant.

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.