Suns’ Kevin Durant, bored with management criticism, calls ESPN star ‘a clown to me’

PHOENIX — Mike Budenholzer was not too long ago requested about Kevin Durant’s management over the previous month. The primary-year Phoenix Suns coach didn’t maintain again. He stated Durant has been “off the charts.” He praised Durant’s actions. He praised his voice. And he stated the veteran ahead has set the tone for the Phoenix group.

After Saturday night time’s 103-97 win over the Portland Path Blazers, which elevated the Suns’ report to 5-1, Durant was requested for his response to Budenholzer’s feedback.

First, Durant needed to know one thing: “Why’d you ask him that?” he stated.

Durant’s management isn’t a brand new NBA subject, however throughout an Oct. 24 episode of “First Take,” ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith used it as a purpose to argue in opposition to the Suns as a critical contender. The favored basketball analyst praised Durant’s greatness and dedication, however he questioned the 14-time All-Star’s management and skill to encourage teammates.

After “First Take” posted the section on social media, Durant responded on X, telling Smith that he respectfully disagreed and that he would argue “passionately” that his intangibles have all the time been on par together with his expertise.

Within the Phoenix locker room Saturday night time, after a number of teammates had already left Footprint Heart, Durant spoke extra forcefully.

“Yeah, Stephen A., I don’t perceive how folks even take heed to Stephen A.,” he instructed The Athletic. “I’ve been within the league for 18 years. I’ve by no means seen Stephen A. at a apply, or a movie session, or a shoot-around. I’ve by no means seen him wherever however on TV speaking s— about gamers. … He’s a clown to me. He’s all the time been a clown. You possibly can write that, too.”

I’d disagree stephen. I’d argue, passionately, that my intangibles have all the time been on par with my expertise

— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) October 24, 2024

Smith, who has labored for greater than three many years as an NBA and common sports activities columnist and multimedia persona, isn’t the primary to query Durant’s management. Maybe the game’s most influential voice, Charles Barkley referred to as Durant a “follower” throughout final season’s NBA All-Star weekend. If it’s not a delicate subject for Durant, it’s an irritating one.

Durant doesn’t declare to be an ideal basketball participant — “In fact, I received issues I must work on,” he stated — however he stated when folks attempt to discover one thing to criticize about his recreation, they typically decide on management, “stuff that’s, like, so obscure and subjective.”

For a lot of his 9 seasons with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, he was broadly thought of a pacesetter of a rising crew. On the finish of every season, The Oklahoman printed report playing cards on every participant. Durant typically received As in effectivity, defensive rebounding — and management. A headline about him within the Charlotte Observer as soon as learn: “Thunder star offers management to a crew in transition however with expectations.”

Since leaving Oklahoma Metropolis in 2016, Durant has performed for Golden State, the place he gained two titles, Brooklyn and Phoenix. And sometimes, even whereas climbing to eighth on the NBA’s profession scoring record, his management abilities come up, particularly when his groups fail to succeed in expectations.

In a current cellphone interview, former Suns assistant coach Kevin Younger stated management is available in totally different varieties. Throughout his 4 seasons with the Suns, level guard Chris Paul led extra together with his voice, whereas Durant did so together with his work habits. Younger stated there’s no secret sauce for Durant. He exhibits up on daily basis and works laborious. Then he exhibits up the subsequent day and does the identical factor. And the subsequent day.

“However make no mistake about it, Kev speaks up in movie periods,” stated Younger, now the top coach at BYU. “Kev needs to win. He’s in all probability extra vocal behind the scenes than I feel folks understand. A minimum of he was in my expertise.”

With Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, the Suns final season have been anticipated to contend. As an alternative, they gained 49 video games and have been swept within the postseason’s first spherical. The Athletic reported after the season that Durant was not all the time pleased with how he was used within the offense, however that he additionally might not have adamantly voiced these issues with the teaching workers. In Could, proprietor Mat Ishbia and the entrance workplace fired then-coach Frank Vogel and later employed Budenholzer, setting the group on a brand new path.

Durant, in fact, remained a centerpiece.

“We’re type of by the camp section of life, however how laborious he went in camp, the drills and the various things,” Budenholzer stated final week of Durant. “He set the tone for us as a corporation, for us as a crew. And it’s not simply been by management. It’s been his voice. He’s put his arms round younger gamers. He’s put his arm round veterans. He’s put his arm round me. It’s one thing that’s vital to us. I don’t know if he likes it or is aware of it, however I’m going to maintain pushing him to be his finest, in all methods, together with as a pacesetter.”

Requested if he’s tried to be extra vocal this season, Durant, 36, stated he’s been the “similar dude.”

“Clearly, you develop as a human being, you get extra comfy with your self, you get extra comfy speaking to crowds as you expertise increasingly within the league,” he stated within the locker room. “… I’ve all the time been on this trajectory, of diving deep into the sport, not only for myself however for the entire crew. To say that I’m simply sitting right here, you paint this image of me coming into the locker room, not speaking to my teammates, quiet, not speaking to my coaches. Like, come on, man. It’s simply ridiculous.”

Conversations with teammates about Durant’s management nearly all the time begin together with his work ethic. It’s not a lot the time that Durant places in because the depth and focus with which he assaults every session. Booker stated the tempo of Durant’s exercises is second to none.

“It’s contagious,” level guard Tyus Jones stated. “He’s an all-time nice. You see him exhibiting up, going 110 % each day, engaged on his craft. Even in Yr 18, he’s nonetheless on the lookout for methods to get higher. He’s nonetheless pushing himself to get higher. How do you not do the identical?”

“He’s an all-time nice. … Even in Yr 18, he’s nonetheless on the lookout for methods to get higher,” teammate Tyus Jones says of Kevin Durant. “How do you not do the identical?” (Harry How / Getty Photographs)

Reserve level guard Monte Morris performed 5 seasons in Denver with star huge man Nikola Jokić. He stated Jokić would encourage him to make performs, and he stated Durant has had the same message right here. Beal stated Durant’s encouragement has helped rookie Ryan Dunn get off to such a stable begin.

“A number of occasions you’re in your mindset, you’re in ‘kill mode,’ and also you need everyone else to observe swimsuit,” Beal stated. “However that encouragement that he offers and that confidence he offers Ryan, that goes a great distance. That’s a purpose why guys step up and play the best way they do, when you have got guys like (Durant) backing you up.”

“Everyone has their methods of moving into different folks,” ahead Josh Okogie stated. “Some individuals are ‘rah-rah’ guys. We don’t have a number of ‘rah-rah’ guys in right here. We have now guys who’re all about outcomes. You both do it otherwise you don’t, and Kevin is an effective man who makes positive everyone is held accountable.”

For Durant, it’s a drained subject, and one which’s not more likely to go away. However he’s pleased about one factor.

“I’m glad my coaches and teammates received my again,” he stated.