"Don't let Stephen A. see this" - Fans quip at NBA analyst after Kevin Durant's 'leadership' video goes viral

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith recently questioned Phoenix Suns superstar forward Kevin Durant's leadership, resulting in a spirited back-and-forth exchange. However, a clip has since gone viral showcasing the two-time NBA champion passionately leading his squad, sparking witty fan reactions.

During an Oct. 24 episode of ESPN's "First Take," Smith praised Durant before targeting his leadership and highlighting his skepticism about Phoenix's title chances.

"He's been very lacking in inspiration in terms of peeling out from those around him whatever you can get from them," Smith said.

"... Not only does he not do it, he doesn't feel the level of responsibility I think he should feel in getting it out of them. ... When you're that great, and you warrant that much respect and reverence, you should be able to be a better leader than he has shown," he continued.

(from 1:22 mark onwards)

Durant promptly defended his leadership on X/Twitter and later called Smith a "clown" during a Nov. 3 interview with The Athletic's Doug Haller. Moreover, during Friday's 114-113 road win over the Dallas Mavericks, the 14-time All-Star seemingly backed up his talk.

With the score knotted up at 73-73, Durant appeared to fervently encourage Suns big man Jusuf Nurkic to play sound team basketball.

"We're a team! Pass the f**king ball to Royce (O'Neale). He's wide open," Durant purportedly said.

The clip made the rounds on social media, with many fans quipping about Smith's critique of Durant.

"Don't let Stephen A. Smith see this," @baronblackness said.

"Stephen A. Smith (is) paying to have this clip removed to continue to push his narrative," @BrodSquadSports wrote.

"Send this to Stephen A. Smith," @Tony__Radical said.

Meanwhile, others disagreed with Smith's narrative that Durant isn't a good leader.

"Yeah, that narrative is tired and lazy. If all his teammates and coaches say that he's a great leader and go into detail (about) how he's a leader, then how can we say otherwise?" @Zarz21444465 said.

"(The) media (is) always gonna create a narrative about KD. Last year it was he's not happy and leaving, now it's he's not a leader, SMH," @kaailaathegr8 wrote.

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Suns coach Mike Budenholzer praises Kevin Durant's leadership amid Stephen A. Smith's criticism

While Stephen A. Smith doubts Kevin Durant's leadership, the superstar's new coach, Mike Budenholzer, praised his vocalness.

According to Budenholzer, Durant helped orchestrate Phoenix's cultural shift to begin the season.

"He set the tone for us as an organization, for us as a team, and it's not just been by leadership. It's been his voice," Budenholzer said via Doug Haller's Nov. 3 piece. "He's put his arms around young players. He's put his arm around veterans. He's put his arm around me. It's something that's important to us."

Durant noted that he's "always been on this trajectory of diving deep into the game, not just for (him)self but for the whole team." He also expressed gratitude to his coaches and teammates for "(having) his back."

So, the Suns appear to be thriving chemistry-wise amid their hot 8-2 start. Unfortunately for the franchise, it will temporarily be without Kevin Durant's on-court leadership. Durant suffered a left calf strain during Friday's victory, and is expected to be sidelined for "at least two weeks."

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