LOS ANGELES – Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer must have heard Kevin Durant’s leadership being questioned over the years. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith just criticized him Thursday for not being a better leader who can have an impact on teammates because of the respect he’s earned as an all-time great player.

Rarely does an athlete of Durant's stature take time to address criticism, though the morning after Phoenix's season-opening win over the Los Angeles Clippers, Durant couldn't hold back on something said about him via ESPN's Stephen A Smith.

Superstar forward Kevin Durant led the way for Phoenix, finishing with a team-high 25 points, shooting 47 percent from the field and 40 percent from beyond the arc. He also reeled in seven rebounds and led the team in minutes played with 44.

Prior to the Suns' opening game Wednesday, Booker was 1,137 points away from tying Walter Davis' 15,666 for No. 1 in franchise history. The late Davis, who was inducted to the Naismith Hall Of Fame earlier this month, played the first 11 of his 15 seasons in Phoenix before he retired in 1992. He was a shooting guard like Booker.

Phoenix clawed its way back and Durant's and-one layup over Harden plus the free throw put the Suns up 101-99 at 1:39 left. Harden then hit a stepback mid-range jump shot to tie the game, then on the Clippers' ensuing possession drew a foul from Durant at 41.5 seconds. Harden hit a pair of free throws and LA led 103-101.

Stephen A. Smith criticized Kevin Durant on "First Take" show, questioning the NBA star's skills as a leader and whether the Phoenix Suns can compete with him in that role

It did not take long for Kevin Durant to give Stephen A. Smith a piece of his mind after the ESPN analyst took a shot at him during a First Take episode. Smith questioned Durant's leadership—or lack thereof—and said that he doesn't think the Phoenix Suns will win a championship with KD as their main guy because of that.

After the Phoenix Suns beat the Los Angeles Clippers 116-113 in overtime, spoiling Steve Ballmer’s Intuit Dome debut in Los Angeles, ESPN’s Stephen A Smith had some harsh words for superstar Kevin Durant.

Despite only being a few days into the NBA season, Kevin Durant and Stephen A. Smith are already having a debate on social media. On this Thursday's edition of "First Take," Smith made it clear that he doesn't have much faith in the Phoenix Suns this season.