Video: Stephen A. Smith Rips Kevin Durant's Tenure with Nets After 'Clown' Comment

Stephen A. Smith clapped back at Kevin Durant after the Phoenix Suns star called him a "clown" recently.

On The Stephen A. Smith Show on Monday, the ESPN personality rebutted Durant's comments by bringing up Durant's company, BoardRoom, invited him to be in Durant's documentary.

"I'm a clown? Is that why your team called me to be a part of your documentary? Because I'm a clown? It's your company," Smith said. "You run the show, you executive produced it. How come y'all called me?"

Smith also mentioned Durant's career choices, from leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder for the Golden State Warriors and his subsequent move to the Brooklyn Nets, which Smith called "one of the worst business moves" from a star in the NBA.

"Kevin Durant, can anybody talk about you? I just need to know, I just need clarity," Smith said. "After departing from Oklahoma City, sitting across from me you said you wanted to play a better brand of basketball. Well, then what was the excuse for leaving to go to Brooklyn?"

While Smith and Durant have exchanged words over the years, the most recent saga stems from Smith calling out Durant's leadership abilities on ESPN's First Take, prompting Durant to reply on social media.

"I don't question the greatness nor commitment of Kevin Durant," Smith said on Oct. 24. "... When you are that great ... you should be able to be a better leader than he has shown."

After the exchange on social media, Durant elaborated on his feelings towards Smith.

"Yeah, Stephen A., I don't understand how people even listen to Stephen A.," he said, per The Athletic's Doug Haller. "I've been in the league for 18 years. I've never seen Stephen A. at a practice, or a film session, or a shoot-around. I've never seen him anywhere but on TV talking s— about players. … He's a clown to me. He's always been a clown. You can write that, too."

Before his response on The Stephen A. Smith Show, Smith said the following on First Take on Monday:

"If you're expecting me to reciprocate with that kind of pettiness and childishness, it's not going to happen. Kevin Durant is one of the greatest players to have ever played this game. He's a future Hall of Famer, he's a two-time champion, two-time Finals MVP. And I've been on the record saying, he's also a good dude. So if he wants to resort to that level—even though we're both grown men, if he has something to say he knows my number, and he refrains from doing so—that's what he has to live with. But having said all of that, respectfully, Kevin Durant, can you stop lying, please? I've been an NBA reporter, and I was a columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer as well. Kevin Durant has seen me in the locker room when he was at Oklahoma City [and Golden State]. He has certainly seen me at games throughout his career."

Since Smith's response on Monday, Durant hasn't had anything else to say, but the superstar isn't afraid to voice his opinions, so it wouldn't be surprising if he fanned the flame even more in the coming days.