Shaquille O'Neal drops his take on Kevin Durant calling Stephen A. Smith a "clown" - "We've got G14 classification, give us respect"

Phoenix Suns superstar forward Kevin Durant and ESPN's Stephen A. Smith recently engaged in a back-and-forth dispute that involved Durant dubbing Smith a "clown." According to NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal, Smith and other NBA analysts should start showing Durant the respect he deserves.

During ESPN's Oct. 24 "First Take" episode, Smith questioned Durant's leadership, noting that it could prevent Phoenix from being a true NBA title contender. Durant promptly disagreed on social media and said, if necessary, he would "passionately" defend his leadership throughout his 18-year career.

The 14-time All-Star followed that up by targeting Smith's journalistic integrity in a Sunday interview with The Athletic's Doug Haller.

"I don't understand how people even listen to Stephen A.," Durant said. "I've been in the league for 18 years. I've never seen Stephen A. at a practice, a film session or a shootaround. I've never seen him anywhere but on TV talking s**t about players. He's a clown to me. He's always been a clown."

Smith seemingly took exception to Durant's comments, as he issued a lengthy response during Monday's episode of "First Take." The veteran analyst noted that he would take the high road, and praised Durant while defending his media career.

However, Smith's monologue featured some apparent backhanded compliments. That includes saying that he "sincerely wish(es) that (Durant) doesn't get swept again in the playoffs like he has two of the last three years."

Smith also questioned who has the right to critique Durant after he previously fired back at NBA and NFL icons Charles Barkley and Shannon Sharpe.

On Thursday's episode of "The Big Podcast with Shaq," O'Neal weighed in on Durant and Smith's extended quarrel. According to the big man, Durant is likely seeking the validation that typically comes with being a proven champion, after years of receiving disrespect.

"Kevin Durant is probably similar to my situation," O'Neal said. "When we've been there and done that, give us our respect, that's all we want."

O'Neal added that Durant's titles shouldn't be discredited just because he formed a superteam with the Golden State Warriors in 2016.

"For so long (people said), 'Oh, you ain't do it, you ain't do it, you ain't do it.' He did it, and y'all questioned how he did it," O'Neal said. "It doesn't matter, he did it. He's one of the greatest, give him his respect.

"... When you challenge us to do it, and we've done it, we have G14 classification. Give us respect because if you don't, it sounds like hate," he continued.

(from 39:57 mark onwards)

---

---

Shaquille O'Neal says Stephen A. Smith has long come across as a hater amid Kevin Durant feud

After saying that not giving NBA champions respect "sounds like hate," Shaquille O'Neal noted that Stephen A. Smith "has been doing it his whole career."

Two-time All-Star guard Baron Davis laughingly concurred, saying that Smith "has been a hater his whole career."

Afterward, O'Neal quipped that he "calls it challenging people." However, the four-time champion added that Smith and Kevin Durant are just doing their jobs, and he looks forward to the next chapter of their feud.

---