Video: Stephen A. Smith rips Kevin Durant's tenure with Nets after 'clown' comment | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

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

To The Stephen A. Smith Show on Monday, The ESPN personality refuted Durant's comments by pointing out that Durant's company, BoardRoom, invited him to appear 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 business,” Smith said. “You run the show, you’re an executive producer. How come you all called me?”

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

“Kevin Durant, can someone talk about you? I just need to know, I just need clarity,” Smith said. “After you left Oklahoma City, sitting across from me, you said you wanted to play a better brand of basketball. Well then what was the excuse for going to Brooklyn?”

While Smith and Durant have exchanged words over the years, the latest saga stems from Smith highlighting Durant's leadership qualities on ESPN First recording, which prompted Durant to respond on social media.

“I don’t question Kevin Durant’s greatness or commitment,” Smith said on Oct. 24. “…If you're that great…you should be able to be a better leader than he's shown.”

“Yeah, Stephen A., I don't understand how people even listen to Stephen A.,” he said, according to The Athletic's Doug Haller. “I’ve been in the league for 18 years. I have never seen Stephen A. at a training session, film session or shoot-around. I haven't seen him talk about players anywhere other than on TV.” . … He’s always been a clown to me.

Before his answer to The Stephen A. Smith Show, Smith said the following: First recording on Monday:

“If you expect me to retaliate with this kind of pettiness and childishness, it won’t happen. Kevin Durant is one of the greatest players to ever play the game. He's a future Hall of Famer, he's a two-time player.” And I've gone on record saying he's a good guy too – even though we're both grown men, if he has something to say, he knows my number, and he doesn't do it – he has to live with that, but with all due respect, Kevin Durant, can you please stop lying, and so was I. Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Kevin Durant saw me in the locker room when he was at Oklahoma City was [and Golden State]. He's certainly seen me at games throughout his career.

Since Smith's response on Monday, Durant has had nothing to say, but the superstar isn't afraid to voice his opinion, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him fan the flame even further in the coming days.