In the wake of Sunday’s blockbuster Kyrie Irving trade to the Mavericks, members of the NBA world have started to discuss the fallout.
For one, how will Irving fit in with Luka Doncic? Are the Mavericks that much better, especially in regard to winning a potential title? What about where LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers go from here?
On First Take Monday morning, it appeared that ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and Jay Williams tried to have a conversation about Irving and what went wrong with the Brooklyn Nets. However, this interaction quickly went off the rails as Williams seemed to have an issue with how Smith apparently talks about Irving on-air sometimes.
Warning: The evident discomfort is a lot to handle.
Serious sparks are flying between Stephen A. Smith and Jay Williams over Kyrie Irving pic.twitter.com/Cp7MaSeTQD
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 6, 2023
I’m not sure whether Williams’ critique of Smith has any merit, but it’s hard not to see why he got frustrated over the insinuation of his integrity. And to have the reaction and backlash toward Williams happen live on air? While Tim Legler sat there in silence?
Man, that is just so awkward.