Kevin Durant is fed up with the ongoing critique regarding his leadership skills.

So much so that the Phoenix Suns player fired back at ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith during an interview with The Athletic, which was released on Sunday.

“Yeah, Stephen A., I don’t get how people can listen to him,” Durant stated in the interview on Saturday night. “I’ve been in the league for 18 years and I’ve never once seen him at a practice, a film session, or a shoot-around. He only appears on TV criticizing players. … To me, he’s a clown. He’s always been a clown. Feel free to quote me on that.”

This reaction came after a clip Smith posted on October 24, in which he dismissed the Suns as true contenders, attributing it largely to Durant’s leadership, saying, “When you’re that great, you really should be able to lead better than he has demonstrated.”

Durant replied to that video on his own social media, stating he disagreed with Smith’s comments.

“I would strongly argue that my intangible qualities have always matched my talent,” Durant expressed.

When asked by The Athletic if he has been more vocal this year, Durant replied he is still the “same dude.”

“Of course, as you grow as a person, you get more at ease with who you are and with speaking in front of crowds, especially as you gain more experiences in the league,” Durant explained. ” I’ve always been on this path of deeply understanding the game, not just for myself but for the team. It’s absurd to suggest I walk into the locker room, not speaking to teammates, remaining silent around coaches. That’s just ridiculous.”

Currently, Durant, 36, is averaging 25.8 points, seven rebounds, and three assists per game this season. The Suns have jumped out to a strong 5-1 start, placing them second in the Western Conference, just behind the Oklahoma City Thunder.