Just as the rivalry between Stephen A. Smith and LeBron James begins to fade, a new conflict emerges as Smith takes on Kevin Durant. On Tuesday morning’s episode of ESPN’s First Take, Smith made a striking assertion that Mat Ishbia, the majority owner of the Phoenix Suns, is on the brink of being labeled the worst owner in NBA history. This statement, which includes Donald Sterling—infamously banned for life and forced to sell the Clippers following racist remarks—carries significant weight.
“Mat Ishbia needs to understand that right now you are on the verge of being recognized as the worst owner in the history of basketball. That’s saying a lot. Donald Sterling once owned an NBA franchise.” – Stephen A. Smith pic.twitter.com/ulZQa9Zv8e
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 15, 2025
While Smith assigned 98 percent of the blame for the Suns’ troubles to Ishbia, he directed the remaining two percent towards Durant, questioning his leadership capabilities. This criticism reached Durant via social media, prompting him to wonder if Smith has truly been paying attention to the Suns this season. Notably, Durant responded swiftly, catching the attention of First Take, which transitioned to this topic to conclude their show that morning.
“Are we allowed to say anything?” – Stephen A. Smith responds to Kevin Durant https://t.co/VeEOPoDHCw pic.twitter.com/qRESNBiNZg
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 15, 2025
Smith expressed frustration over the perceived restrictions on discussing NBA players, noting, “There’s a residue of crumbs all over the place about things that have transpired in the career of Kevin Durant. We might question things here and there, but nobody disrespects this man. I love the guy. I don’t disrespect him. I’m simply saying elements of leadership that other people may have had to galvanize a team is something that he doesn’t seem to have.” He added, “You can’t say anything… nobody can talk about this guy… I got nothing but love for KD. I know he’s a good brother; he’s just a bit sensitive.”
In light of Durant’s response, Smith announced he will dedicate a segment of Wednesday’s First Take to exploring the NBA in the way players prefer. “Y’all have no idea what I’m talking about,” Smith teased. “You wait until you see what I do tomorrow on First Take. I’m gonna dedicate an hour to covering the sport the way they want me to. Okay? That’s all I’m gonna tell you.”
While it’s unclear what exactly Smith is hinting at, it certainly sounds like it could be unbearable to watch. Nevertheless, Durant raises an important question: with Smith’s extensive commitments—hosting First Take, managing his podcast, entertaining a potential presidential run, and making appearances on CNN, Fox News, and others—how much time can he truly devote to following a 36-46 team this season?
Smith’s energy and work ethic are commendable, yet it’s improbable that he can keep up with the level of analysis that current athletes might expect, suggesting he may only have capacity for broader takes on iconic teams and players like the Cowboys and LeBron James.
