Stephen A Smith claims 'dangerous' video of him 'cussing' Kevin Durant is fake
First Take host Stephen A. Smith rushed to clarify an AI video floating around online of him with Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant amid his beef with NBA stars
The long-winded feud between ESPN talking head Stephen A. Smith and Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant may have started when the 'First Take' host called his 2016 move to the Golden State Warriors the "weakest move ever by a superstar."
The future NBA Hall of Famer called Smith a "clown" in the fall. Naturally, those on social media have attempted to capitalize on their beef. This week, a video began circling across Instagram of Smith cursing out Durant - not too long after Smith was in the spotlight for his sideline spat with LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Smith rushed to X to clarify he did no such thing. "We are living in dangerous times. There is some b.s. floating around on Instagram with me talking about @KDTrey5 (Kevin Durant) — using profanity, cussing him out, etc," he wrote to his over six million followers.
"For the record, that is a LIE," Smith continued. "It is A.I Generated or something. I just letting everyone know ahead of time... THAT WAS NOT ME! No truth to it. Just so everyone knows. Complete Fabrication. Have a nice day."
The post, uploaded on Thursday, garnered over one million impressions and racked up over 10,000 likes in just over 24 hours. While the video in question is fake, Smith and two-time NBA champion Durant have clashed in the past.
"Yeah, Stephen A., I don't understand how people even listen to Stephen A.," the Phoenix Suns star told The Athletic. "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 ---- about players. … He's a clown to me. He's always been a clown. You can write that, too."
Smith responded on 'First Take.' "I will not disrespect him the same way he disrespects me," Smith said. "It's unfortunate that no matter how old he gets, his sensitivity seems to heighten with it, and his maturity it doesn't.
"But that's something he has to deal with, not me... He's a treasure to the game of basketball. I love seeing him play. And I sincerely wish that he doesn't get swept again in the playoffs like he has two of the last three years."
While he's chastised his personality, Smith has often commended his basketball playing ability: in both 2018 and 2021, Smith went on the record saying Durant is the best player in the world.