Dennis Schroder may be known for openly expressing his opinions about players and teams, but Kevin Durant is not one to back down from anyone attempting to diminish his or his country's accomplishments. As the two tussled in a war of words on Twitter, the Brooklyn Nets star called KD 'weak' - a remark that did not sit well with Stephen A. Smith .
The sports analyst blatantly reprimanded the 6'1" point guard for failing to show respect to Durant, whom SAS considers the greatest Olympic basketball player in US history. Moreover, Smith, in a wild rant, also questioned Schroder 's audacity to make such personal remarks against the two-time Finals MVP.
Stephen A. Smith sounds off on Schroder
There is no denying that the 56-year-old analyst has never hesitated to criticize Durant whenever the 6'11" guard has been at fault. However, on the latest episode of First Take, Smith wholeheartedly defended the 14-time All-Star and chastised Schroder for failing to acknowledge KD's status as an all-time great in the NBA and the international arena.
"You're talking about him as if he's just somebody. You ain't talkin' about him like he's the GOAT. You attacked his manhood. You're talking about he's weak. How dare you say something like that about Kevin Durant? Kevin Durant don't deserve that," Smith said . "He's the most celebrated Olympian in the sport of basketball. More so than LeBron James... Stephen Curry... Carmelo Anthony. Certainly, more so than Dennis Schroder... We've got to put respect on this brother's name. Again, if he deserves criticism here and there, I'll give it to him. You'll give it to him. Dennis Schroder, you can't shine Kevin Durant's shoes. You're just not that guy."
As Smith rightly mentioned, a certain level of respect and hierarchy should be adhered to. Durant, having won four gold medals for Team USA in the Olympics, undoubtedly occupies a high position in this regard. In contrast, Schroder has none to his name, making his comments appear particularly out of line. This is especially true when considering that the Phoenix Suns star did not direct any personal attacks against the German international.
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Why did Schroder call Durant weak?
After The Menace claimed that the European team's high-IQ basketball would eventually catch up to Team USA's more entertainment-focused style, the two-time NBA Champ wasted no time responding. Immediately after Team USA won the gold medal by defeating France, the 2014 MVP pointed out how his team provided both entertaining and high-IQ basketball.
However, upon learning of KD's comments, Dennis promptly called out the Suns' forward, labeling him weak and insisting that his remarks were only made with good intentions.
That being said, it is reasonable to suggest that if Schroder's comments were indeed made in good spirit, he should acknowledge that Durant's could have been intended similarly, especially when Team USA had a point to prove this summer. Now, Smith has merely conveyed this point in the harshest manner.
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