The NBA season hasn’t even begun yet, but ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith is in mid-season form. Smith has escalated a social media tiff with Thunder star Kevin Durant by intensely staring into the camera during First Take, and warning KD that he’s a bad enemy to make.

“You don’t want to make an enemy out of me. And I’m gonna look right into the camera, and say it again. You do not want to make an enemy out of me. I’m not having it,” Smith said in a menacing tone.

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The problem began with Smith reporting Durant preferred to go to Los Angeles in free agency if he moved on from Oklahoma City. Durant took exception, and said Smith was making up his report out of thin air.

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Smith may be in a position to talk Durant down on various mediums, but Durant will probably be just fine, even if he and Smith aren’t friends. Durant signed a $300 million endorsement deal with Nike last year, and will generate LeBron James-like buzz when he becomes a free agent this summer.

On the flip side, Smith’s response might be a reaction to Durant’s prickly treatment of the media dating back to last year. In the video, Smith highlights quotes from late last season, when Durant scolded the media for asking about the future of then-coach Scott Brooks. He chided reporters “Y’all are not my friends.”

This won’t end soon, or well, unless Durant decides to take the high road and quit addressing this issue. Everyone who likes basketball is probably wishing that this is the path Durant chooses.

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