Tag: Stephen A. Smith

MLB fans ripped Stephen A. Smith on his ridiculous take that Shohei Ohtani isn’t worth $500M

Stephen A. Smith is very off on this MLB take about Shohei Ohtani’s pending free agency windfall.

ESPN’s sports debate captain Stephen A. Smith is never one to shy away from a hot take, but his rant against MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani getting paid feels like it’s pushing it by even his own standards.

On a new edition of First Take, Smith argued that no MLB team should pay Ohtani a $500 million contract for a litany of reasons.

While Smith brings up a fair point about Ohtani’s injury that could sideline him from pitching until 2025, he also brings in a bunch of silly reasons for not giving the MLB’s best player a payday.

Those include the Angels being bad with Ohtani there, other teams are good that haven’t paid a superstar like Ohtani such a large salary, changing baseball rules and that people didn’t show up to Angels games because they were bad.

Wh— what?

While Smith as an MLB general manager might not give Ohtani a half a billion dollars, there will be no shortage of teams who will do what is necessary to get one of the best baseball players of all time on their roster.

While it’s fine to not have clarity on Ohtani’s future health, trying to argue that he’s not worth the biggest salary in baseball doesn’t really work past this injury. If he could actually get on a good team, Ohtani’s electric play even as a hitter could boost them to immediate World Series contenders.

Once he gets back to pitching? He’d be worth every single penny you’d pay him and more.

Stephen A. Smith calls out everyone ripping Shannon Sharpe for ‘Skip’ mistake: ‘Calm the [expletive] down’

Stephen A. has Shannon Sharpe’s back.

I don’t want to repeat myself again, so here’s what I said the first time we saw Shannon Sharpe call Stephen A. Smith “Skip” (as in, his old TV sparring partner, Skip Bayless) on ESPN’s First Take: “This is completely understandable. Shannon Sharpe spent seven years debating Skip Bayless on FS1’s Undisputed before leaving. Now that he’s joining ESPN’S First Take for a few times each week, some old habits are going to have to die hard.”

On Tuesday, it happened again, and you could see how frustrated Sharpe was with it. Smith, however, has been so kind and understanding about the mistake.

And he even back that up with a tweet:

That’s some good support right there.

Stephen A. Smith had a gracious reaction when Shannon Sharpe got upset at himself for another ‘Skip’ mix-up

Stephen A. handled it so well.

Shannon Sharpe made his debut on ESPN’s First Take last week after spending seven years debating alongside Skip Bayless on FS1’s Undisputed. And some habits are tough to break after seven years.

In his first show — which was a massive ratings success — Sharpe made the mistake of addressing Stephen A. Smith as “Skip.” After all, it made sense. Sharpe had so many repetitions with debating Bayless that a slip-up seemed inevitable.

But when it happened again a week later, Sharpe was upset with himself, and that frustration clearly showed during Tuesday’s edition of First Take. Yet, it was great to see how Smith handled the mistake.

As nauseating as it can be to watch performative sports debate on TV, ESPN makes a huge investment in Smith for a reason. He’s a pro, and he jumped in there to pick up his new colleague. Smith knows first hand what it was like to spend years debating against Bayless, and on live TV, people misspeak.

Rather than piling on Sharpe for the repeated error, Smith was gracious and helped Sharpe get back on track in the discussion. Viewers particularly enjoyed how Smith handled that situation.

Michael Jordan chimed in on the Steph Curry-Magic Johnson debate with a wild early morning text to Stephen A. Smith

Michael Jordan is finally weighing in on the GOAT debate. We’ve been waiting for this

Michael Jordan doesn’t speak much about anything related to the NBA these days.

It’s rare that we’ll ever see him doing much of anything that isn’t golf, fishing or shooing away some kids. We especially don’t typically hear him talking to the media a ton these days. That’s extremely rare.

But apparently, when it comes to Magic Johnson and where he ranks among the best point guards, Jordan has some opinions. That’s the case according to Stephen A. Smith, at least.

Curry called himself the best point guard ever on a podcast with Gilbert Arenas earlier this week. And, of course, it ruffled some feathers online. That’s totally fair. It’s a close enough debate and Magic Johnson is one of the best NBA players ever. This is worthy of debate.

Naturally, Stephen A. chimed in on First Take the next day. Shockingly, he agreed with Curry. But Michael Jordan was absolutely not having it.

According to Smith, he got a text for Michael Jeffery Jordan at 5:54 a.m. Bright and early, this debate was on MJ’s mind. Here’s what he had to say.

” Good morning, sir. Although greatest of anything is always a debate, I beg to differ on greatest point guard of all time with what you said. Magic Johnson is easily the best point guard of all-time. Steph Curry is very close, but not in front of Magic.” 

That’s a wild text to get at 5:54 in the morning. But Mike was serious, man.

He started breaking it down talking about how Curry may be the best shooter ever, but he also said Johnson “invented” the triple-double. He immediately took that back, because obviously, Magic didn’t invent the triple-double. But he continued to talk about Magic’s impact as a passer and how that puts him ahead of Curry.

No matter which way you lean, Jordan made some pretty solid points here. Why he had to make those points so early in the morning, I have no idea. But the points were solid, nonetheless.

Of course, this didn’t settle the debate on the internet. Even after hearing this coming from Jordan, folks still had plenty to say about the debate.

Lonzo Ball showed up Stephen A. Smith over a ridiculous report about him struggling to get up from chairs

He even got up with one leg!!!

Lonzo Ball’s ongoing recovery from a devastating left knee injury seems to have sparked an erroneous report from a huge sports media name.

On Tuesday, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith said he “heard” that Ball was struggling to even stand up from a seated position. Smith, of course, did not clarify where his reporting or sourcing came from. But it was rather eye-opening for a player who has been sidelined since January 2022. It remains unclear when Ball will return to play.

Ball jokingly didn’t take kindly to Smith’s comments about his health.

In the early evening, the Chicago Bulls point guard took to Twitter with a video that featured a pointed demonstration of himself repeatedly standing up from a chair … on his hurt leg, no less. Oh, and he tagged Smith’s profile to ensure he’d see the clip.

This is just brilliant:

You have to appreciate Ball’s creativity and sense of humor. It’s understandably been a challenging situation for him to miss so much on-court time. And here he is, taking a clearly false report about his recovery in stride with an amusing video calling out the original source.

Sometimes that’s all you can do.

Bills’ Stefon Diggs says Stephen A. Smith ‘sources’ are wrong

Stephen A might want to chat with Stefon Diggs directly next time:

Not the best look for Stephen A. Smith from the former world-wide leader.

The ESPN talk show host from the morning program First Take made a pretty huge claim regarding Buffalo Bills receiver Stefon Diggs. Ever the type of content that needs some showmanship, co-host Dan Orlovsky had a jaw-dropping reaction as well.

The whole segment really had the full feeling of… being full of it.

Diggs says that’s exactly what it is.

During a roundtable which was about the New York Jets, Smith took a moment during a rant to put the crosshairs on the Bills.

In a long-winded message, Smith was suggesting that Buffalo has been let “off the hook” in terms of being criticized.

He believes that’s because the Jets made certain additions during the offseason… namely their trade to acquire quarterback Aaron Rodgers, which is putting more of the spotlight on Gang Green.

Then came the direct quote from Smith: He said Diggs wants to leave the Bills but said the wideout feels stuck.

“Brother (Diggs) wants out, by the way. I’m just telling you what I know–I got my own sources. Brother wants out, he don’t want to be in Buffalo no more, he don’t want to be,” Smith said. “I’m telling you right now, I have my sources. Stefon Diggs got to be there but he would prefer to be gone.”

“He’s lost a level of belief in the Buffalo Bills–That’s right I said it. It’s Stephen A, baby, I’m telling you what I know,” Smith added.

That exact rant can be found in the clip below:

At the end of the monology, Smith suggests the Bills and whoever else can say whatever they want… the host says he’s correct.

Well someone in the Bills’ corner has responded: Diggs.

The All-Pro receiver had a few thoughts.

 

Smith’s comments come a few weeks after Diggs spoke at Bills training camp.

It was the first time he conducted an interview since a whirlwind of reports surrounding him this offseason which hit a fever pitch when Diggs skipped out on minicamp. In those remarks, Diggs said everything is good now and there hasn’t been any update to report otherwise… until Smith gave one on ESPN.

Perhaps Smith didn’t think he’d make such headway in western New York with his comment? Maybe he was just looking for a reaction?

Well, Smith got one, and Diggs’ response seems pretty definitive.

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Shannon Sharpe’s reported move to ESPN’s First Take had fans ready for wild debates with Stephen A. Smith

Shannon Sharpe. Stephen A. Smith. First Take. It’s happening.

It looks like two of sports media’s major personalities are going to be teaming up on television’s flagship sports debate show.

The New York Post reported on Thursday that NFL veteran and former Undisputed co-host Shannon Sharpe will begin appearing alongside Stephen A. Smith on ESPN’s First Take two days a week.

The Post shared that Sharpe will reportedly join Smith on Mondays and Tuesdays, which sets the duo up to discuss plenty about the NFL week that was.

The two have already given hints that they were interested in linking up on-air, and it looks like those hopes will turn into broadcast realities.

Sharpe will now go from debating Skip Bayless to Smith on whatever is going on in the sports world that day.

Stephen A. Smith regrets criticizing Kwame Brown after Pau Gasol trade

Stephen A. Smith regrets going on his infamous rant about Kwame Brown just after the big man was traded for Lakers Hall of Famer Pau Gasol.

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Former Los Angeles Lakers star big man Pau Gasol is enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and it was a well-deserved honor.

While the Lakers and the late Kobe Bryant helped unleash Gasol’s full potential, Gasol also rescued the organization from the grim mediocrity it was stuck in.

It traded for him in February 2008. At the time, it had gone through three and a half years of being stuck between a rock and a hard place following Shaquille O’Neal’s departure. The one player who perhaps symbolized this purgatory more than anyone else was Kwame Brown.

Arguably the biggest bust in NBA history, Brown was an albatross keeping the Lakers down. His lack of an offensive game, lack of heart and inability to catch simple passes frustrated many fans on a nightly basis.

When Brown was traded in the Gasol deal, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith gave a scathing criticism of his game. Although some claim it was hyperbolic, it’s hard to argue with what Smith said.

In the years since, Smith has had more harsh but true things to say about Brown, and eventually Brown fired back at the commentator.

While on “Podcast P with Paul George,” Smith actually pulled back a bit and regretted going off on the former Laker (h/t Lakers Nation).

“Kwame Brown, I wish I could do that over. I wouldn’t do it. I know what I said, I did mean it. I ain’t gonna sit here and tell you I ain’t mean the (expletive) I said. But I didn’t know it was gonna be like this. (…) Remember I said it before Twitter, Facebook. I didn’t know, 15 years later they gonna have memes and videos and when I see what he says I realize how hurt he is. I mean it was a sound bite, they had just traded for Pau Gasol, they asked me this question and I’m psssh, what?

“One time I had to address it cause I felt like he was coming at me like I was scared. I can’t even tell you when I did that, the stars who called. I ain’t gonna mention no names, practically all of them was Hall of Famers and they’re like ‘nah’ and I was like where were y’all when he was saying all of this stuff for weeks, you know I didn’t say anything. (…) And as I see some of the clips now and some of the stuff that he says I just be like go ahead bro, say what you gotta say.”

While Gasol went on to greater heights and won back-to-back NBA championships following his trade to the Lakers, Brown played for five teams over the next five-and-a-half years. He was out of the league following the 2012-13 season.

Today, it seems he is more well-known for his social media presence and rants than he is for being a former NBA player.

Stephen A. Smith once told Rich Paul that LeBron James isn’t the GOAT

ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith recalled the time he told Rich Paul, LeBron James’ agent, that James isn’t the greatest ever.

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The debate of who is the greatest player in NBA history rages on, and it is one that will not be resolved anytime soon. Perhaps there isn’t a fully objective answer.

Many still believe Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player ever, even 20 years after he retired. But right after Jordan’s retirement, LeBron James entered the league, and he has, in the minds of plenty, been building a strong argument that he is actually the greatest ever.

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith seems to be a fan of James, but he strongly believes the four-time MVP isn’t the greatest ever. He has made that opinion clear numerous times on the air, particularly after some of James’ more disappointing performances.

While on Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George’s podcast, Smith recalled the time he told Rich Paul, James’ agent, that James is only the second-greatest of all time behind Jordan. He said Paul didn’t take it well (h/t Lakers Daily).

“I got him as the second-best player in the history of basketball,” Smith said of James. “I got him ahead of Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar]. I got him behind no one but Jordan. … I said, ‘You act like that’s an insult.’ This dude, ‘It is an insult.’ I said, ‘Get the (expletive) out of my face.’”

It appears James himself believes he’s the greatest player in basketball history. However, due mostly to his poor 4-6 record in the NBA Finals, he will likely have to boost his resume to get the recognition he believes he’s entitled to.

Stephen A. Smith admits he regrets his infamous Kwame Brown rant where he called him a ‘bonafide scrub’

Stephen A. Smith took things a bit too far with the Kwame Brown rant.

I don’t think anyone would necessarily characterize Stephen A. Smith as a man who regrets much of anything.

It just doesn’t seem like it’s in his nature. We’ve rarely gotten an apology out of ESPN’s hot take machine, let alone any admission of regret. That’s just not how he ever does it.

RELATED: Ranking James Harden’s most ridiculous trade demand tactics by hilariousness.

That’s all window dressing, though, if we’re being honest. Smith is human, just like the rest of us. He’s certainly got some things that he wishes he could take back. We all do.

In an extremely real moment with Paul George on the Playoff P podcast, Smith actually revealed one of his. We all know it well. It was the infamous Kwame Brown rant that still resonates all these years later.

Here’s what Stephen A. had to say about that moment in his conversation with George.

“Kwame Brown, I wish I could do that over. I wouldn’t do it. I know what I said. I did mean it. I ain’t going to sit here and tell you I didn’t mean this [expletive] that I said. But I didn’t know it was going to be like this…I didn’t know 15 years later they were going to have memes and videos. And when I see what he says, I realize how hurt he is.” 

Such is the nature of the beast. Stephen A. gets asked a question on the air about the Lakers including Brown in the Pau Gasol and he just goes in for the soundbite. He called Brown a “bonafide scrub” and said he couldn’t play basketball.

All these years later, that video is still a meme. People still play it. And Kwame Brown still seems pretty hurt by it and it’s almost been 20 years since it happened in 2005.

Even back then it felt pretty harsh. Today, it feels even worse. That’s why it’s good to see Smith being honest here and telling us he regrets it. He should. He took things a bit too far.

That probably won’t mend things between he and Brown, but it’s certainly a nice place to start. Hopefully, these two can mend the fence one day.