KD fires back at Stephen A for claim about leaving Warriors

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Kevin Durant is not one to shy away from his critics.

The Brooklyn Nets' superstar is not afraid to respond to comments made about him online or on television, as ESPN's Stephen A. Smith has learned. 

On Thursday, Stephen A. speculated on ESPN's NBA Today whether or not Durant would ultimately be recognized more for his decision to leave Steph Curry and the Warriors over his personal accomplishments as a player if Golden State goes on to win another championship and Brooklyn doesn't. 

Durant summed up the claim with just one word on Twitter. 

“If [the Nets] do not win a championship," Smith said on NBA Today. "Kevin Durant is on the verge for being recognized more so for the guy that left Steph Curry to go with Kyrie Irving than he is for the two chips and two finals MVP? I didn't say we would forget him, I didn't say we would diminish him because he's a two-time champion, two-time NBA Finals MVP.

"I'm saying ... what he'll be known more for, what we'll be talking about."

On Sunday morning, Smith clarified his previous comments, claiming that he was only discussing a possible narrative that might circulate amongst the NBA community, not necessarily one he personally agrees with.

Durant wasn't buying it. 

"Kevin Durant's got some decisions to make," Smith said on NBA Countdown. "I've said this before and I'll say it again. I want to be very very careful about what I'm saying because Mama Durant might be watching and I just want to make sure that I'm very very clear what I'm saying. KD, obviously, the other day I said something if you lose, and Steph Curry wins and you lose, you're going to be known more for electing to leave Steph Curry than joining Kyrie Irving than you might be recognized for the two championships and the two Finals MVPs. 

"We all love basketball and we all know how phenomenal KD is, I think he's the best in the world when healthy, that's just my personal opinion. That's how much respect I have for him. But I've been in the media for a little while ... there are going to be people, especially if Golden State wins and Brooklyn doesn't win, with all the stuff that went on this year, who are going to look at his choice to join with Kyrie Irving and depart from Steph Curry as opposed to staying with Steph Curry. That's all I'm saying, I'm not saying it's fair, I'm not saying it's right."

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It doesn't appear that Stephen A. personally agrees with that claim, but believes the narrative will inevitably circulate if the Warriors win a championship and the Nets do not.

Nevertheless, it's never a good idea to "box the god in."

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