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Stephen A. Smtih responded to Draymond Green's public apology to him on TNT's pregame show prior to game 4 of the Dallas Mavericks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves series.
“I also got to say something. Shaq, I was on your podcast The Big Podcast. You just mentioned Stephen A. and I said something that didn't come out the way I said it. So I want to apologize to him, I said that publicly, I'm gonna apologize publicly. The way I meant for it to come out it didn't. So I was wrong for that, I do apologize.”
Stephen A. Smith responded to Green in a tweet, saying, “Apology accepted my brother @Money23Green. The love is always here for you, my Queens’ brother Kenny, and the whole TNT crew. Love y’all. I apologize as well, for anything I may have done. I’m not trying to hurt anybody. Now let’s enjoy this marvelous
@NBA basketball we’re about to see.#AllLove”
“Shaq, I was on your podcast… and you just mentioned Stephen A. [Smith]. And I said something that didn't come out the way I said it so I want to apologize to him. I said that publicly… I was wrong for that.”
– Draymond Greenpic.twitter.com/tLlLNZpraw https://t.co/sFAL5VhY1Q
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 29, 2024
“Shaq, I was on your podcast… and you just mentioned Stephen A. [Smith]. And I said something that didn't come out the way I said it so I want to apologize to him. I said that publicly… I was wrong for that.”
– Draymond Greenpic.twitter.com/tLlLNZpraw https://t.co/sFAL5VhY1Q
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 29, 2024
The short-lived conflict between Green and Smith stemmed from remarks made by Green on Shaq's podcast, The Big Podcast, about how specific media personnel covered his two NBA season-opening suspensions. Smith seemed cautious in discussing Green and the controversy surrounding his two suspensions when he talked about it on his podcast in mid-December.
“We want to see you at your best, and the best way for you to do that is to get yourself mentally and emotionally back to where you need to be. That's how we got to indefinite.”
Smith later addressed Green on a February episode of NBA Countdown, cautioning him to be mindful of his behavior as the consequences could escalate.
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“When you hear Nurkic say what he said during his post-game press conference. He hasn’t learned anything. He’s gonna do it again. I take back everything I said about second chances. I want Draymond to be careful. Only because other players are going to assist in creating or elevating that narrative that has plagued him. You can compete. You can get after it. But at the same time, be very careful. Because, the second any kind of slip-up happens again, the hammer will come down.”
Green then sat down with Shaq on his podcast and spoke about his feelings on Stephen A. Smith. Per Green, he “lost respect” for Smith.
“Stephen A. Smith really pissed me off, and the reason he pissed me off was because he hit me, and he's like, ‘Yo, it's been hard for a lot of us to talk about you these last few days.' You know, for me, I'm like, okay. It's been hard for me to watch. I'm watching it because I want to see everything that everybody has to say. But the thing that pissed me off is, you tell me it's been hard for y'all to talk about me. Stephen A., anytime I meet someone and they say something about you, it's never like, ‘Yo, I like him. He cool.' It's always like, ‘Man, f*ck you. That dude, he a character, he's this, he's that.' And I always say back, I actually know the guy. The guy is actually a cool dude. You can take what you want from the TV screen. I actually know the guy. He's a cool dude.”
Green continued, “And then you get the opportunity to talk about me. And listen, I know you got a job to do. I know you gotta do your thing and say what you gotta say. But at not one point did you say, well y'all are saying this. Person is, and this person need help. Now, I know the person. Say what you want about the basketball player, that's fine. But I know the person. But to sit back and see those that claim to know and appreciate me as a human being, just flow with the narrative because it was easy to do. I lost a lot of respect for a lot of people.”
Stephen A. Smith responded on ESPN's First Take.
“Draymond Green just went on a national podcast with Shaquille O'Neal, my brother, and said that he lost respect for me. Well, I've now lost respect for him. I love this brother. I got mad love for Draymond Green. I have an abundance of receipts where I can show you and Molly, you can be a testament to this. How many times have I spoken up for Draymond Green? It's been countless times.”
In his further comments, it appeared that Smith was more distraught at the fact that Green didn't directly contact him if he had issues with his statements.
“I'm simply saying the important point to point out is, you know, we talk about being men. I'm not hard to find. Draymond could have called me up. Draymond could have had a conversation with me. I don't need to find that out on Shaq's podcast.”
It appears that Draymond and Stephen A. Smith's relationship is in a better place and, hopefully, it can stay that way.
