Stephen A. Smith Articles - Page 2

After becoming an NBA champion, Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein kept his receipts for those who didn’t always believe, including ESPN analyst Stephen A Smith. Smith has been ridiculed for his hometown takes on the New York Knicks, which led to a stray when he questioned the starting center’s promotion in New York. It […]

Stephen A. Smith is just like any dad when your daughter tells you about a guy. On the sports broadcaster’s eponymous podcast, his daughter Samantha Smith wanted to give a shoutout to her sister Nyla Smith, several of her friends, but it was her friend Jaylin who caught Stephen A.’s attention. “Who’s Jaylin? Who’s Jaylin?” […]

After making one of the biggest trades of the NBA offseason so far, shipping Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets for a package headlined by Jalen Green, the Phoenix Suns turned heads once more by adding not one but two centers within minutes of each other during the 2025 NBA Draft: Mark Williams and Duke’s […]

The New Orleans Pelicans went through as big of a nightmare season as they could go through during the 2024-25 season. Coming off a playoff appearance in 2024, the Pelicans fell all the way off, winning just 21 games this past season, ending up with the sixth overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft in […]

The Dallas Mavericks’ new three-year, $119 million contract for Kyrie Irving drew criticism from Stephen A. Smith of ESPN, who called the deal a “lowball.” On ESPN’s First Take, Smith said, “I think Kyrie Irving got low-balled. I think he deserved more… it has me looking at ownership because I’m saying, ‘Okay, if this were […]

On Wednesday morning’s broadcast of ESPN’s First Take, Stephen A. Smith publicly called on longtime Dallas Mavericks player development coach God Shammgod to leave the franchise and join the Orlando Magic under head coach Jamahl Mosley. “I also saw some reports about Orlando being interested in God Shammgod Wells. He is an assistant coach on […]

Before the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the devastatingly shorthanded Indiana Pacers to win the NBA championship on Sunday night, the Houston Rockets strengthened their own title aspirations by completing a huge trade with the Phoenix Suns. Kevin Durant is now in Space City, and Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 […]

The 2025 NBA Finals will conclude with a Game 7 for the first time in nearly a decade, as the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder prepare for a decisive matchup on Sunday night. The series returns to Paycom Center in Oklahoma City following the Pacers’ commanding 108-91 win in Game 6 on Thursday. Ahead […]

Following Memphis Mayor Paul Young’s open invitation to come to Memphis, Stephen A. Smith had an eye-opening response that signals that he’s willing to learn more about the strides in the city. In a post on X, Stephen A. Smith responded to Young’s statement and invitation, saying: Good afternoon Mr. @MayorPaulYoung. Deeply appreciate your words […]

Recently, fans of the Memphis Grizzlies have been embroiled in a bizarre feud with ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith, who alleged that the perceived unsafe nature of the city was a reason the team has trouble drawing in free agents. The Grizzlies recently raised eyebrows by trading away shooting guard Desmond Bane to the Orlando […]

The Indiana Pacers trail the Oklahoma City Thunder 3-2 heading into Game 6 of the NBA Finals. With Tyrese Haliburton’s status in question for Game 6 due to an injury, OKC is in the driver’s seat for a series win. Stephen A. Smith is confident in the Pacers’ future regardless of the outcome of the […]

Memphis Mayor Paul Young released a statement on Tuesday night weighing in on Stephen A. Smith’s comments about the city of Memphis amid speculation about a possible Ja Morant trade. In a segment on if the Grizzlies should move on from Morant, Smith spoke about how the alleged crime in the city makes it not an attractive […]

A feud between LeBron James and ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith has seemingly been ongoing for years. However, the famed sports analyst recently opened up and revealed his true feelings toward the Los Angeles Lakers star. In an interview with Danyel Smith at the Rolling Stone, the 57-year-old sports analyst admits that he does not like […]

The Indiana Fever’s easy win over the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday evening was in many ways overshadowed by various scuffles that took place throughout the game. It started when Jacy Sheldon of the Sun poked Fever star Caitlin Clark in the eye in the third quarter, which led to a skirmish in which Clark was […]

The Memphis Grizzlies have made the headlines over the past few days after making a trade to send Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic. A day after the trade, Stephen A. Smith wanted to discuss why he thinks no players wanted to be in Memphis, citing how it might not be the safest environment. That […]

Recently, ESPN NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith came under fire when he was spotted playing Solitaire on his phone during the NBA Finals Game 4 between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder. While Smith initially claimed that he was only doing this during timeouts, this was quickly disproven when videos circulating on social media […]

After the Memphis Grizzlies traded away Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic, major discourse started to wonder about the futures of other players on the team, like Ja Morant. While the plan by the Grizzlies with Morant seems to be his staying, he would give his thoughts on his status, especially calling out ESPN’s Stephen […]

In light of the shocking Desmond Bane trade, Stephen A. Smith shredded the Memphis Grizzlies’ inability to attract and retain star players in free agency. However, Smith’s criticism was aimed at local law enforcement, not the franchise. Smith held nothing back in his criticism of the city’s safety, claiming NBA stars told him they consider […]

The Oklahoma City Thunder have put the Indiana Pacers on the brink of elimination for the first time these playoffs, taking a 3-2 series lead with a 120-109 win in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday night. Jalen Williams’ performance drew an intriguing Michael Jordan–Scottie Pippen comparison from ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith. […]

Giannis Antetokounmpo has been the talk of the past two months, as many are still trying to figure out if he’s going to request a trade or stay with the Milwaukee Bucks. While most of the conversation has been around that, another topic was recently brought up as Stephen A. Smith said he would describe […]

With all the trade rumors around Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, some are looking at his career thus far and reflecting on the totality of it. While it might seem that a trade involving Antetokounmpo and the Bucks won’t happen, it’s led to conversation around what would be the label if the star only won […]

Stephen A. Smith was sitting courtside at Gainbridge Fieldhouse during Game 4 of the 2025 NBA Finals, but he wasn’t focused on the game. Instead, a fan captured him mid-game playing Solitaire on his phone while the Oklahoma City Thunder faced off against the Indiana Pacers. The viral moment started when a fan nearby took […]

INDIANA — With the Indiana Pacers entering Game 4 two wins away from winning the NBA Finals, ESPN’s Stephen A Smith made a bold prediction before tip-off. Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers’ historic run have the Oklahoma City Thunder with their backs against the ropes, leading the best-of-7 series 2-1 with home-court advantage on their side. […]

Although the NBA Finals continue to move forward, trade rumors are also beginning to heat up around the league. Recent reports suggest that Kevin Durant could be traded soon. Teams such as the Houston Rockets, Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves have been mentioned as possible suitors for the Phoenix Suns star. Which potential landing destination […]

Giannis Antetokounmpo and his future with the Milwaukee Bucks are in the spotlight, as many are wondering whether he will stay with the team or request a trade. Antetokounmpo is one of the best players in the league, and with him being in the prime of his career, he should be chasing as many championships […]

Ahead of Game 4 of the NBA Finals, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith criticized Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic for what he described as a failure in leadership, citing the guard’s ongoing struggles with conditioning. During Friday’s episode of First Take, Smith responded to whether Doncic has a leadership issue, following earlier comments made by […]

NBA legend Magic Johnson joined ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith on Thursday’s episode of First Take. To honor the Los Angeles Lakers legend, Smith revealed his list of the top five point guards in NBA history. Johnson took the top spot, followed by Stephen Curry, Isiah Thomas, Jason Kidd, and Chris Paul. After bashing Indiana Pacers […]

After Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton called out the “talking heads” of the media, saying he doesn’t care about the narrative surrounding him, ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith responded. With the Pacers having won Game 3 of the NBA Finals, Smith would take issue with Haliburton’s point on the media. As Haliburton would question “what […]

That’s the position ESPN star Stephen A. Smith laid out during a recent interview with Riley Gaines on The Stephen A. Smith Show, OutKick reports. The heated conversation followed Simone Biles’ viral response to Gaines, in which the Olympic gymnast called the outspoken advocate for women’s sports a “sore loser” and urged her to “uplift […]

For weeks, whispers circled like a fast break—Michael Jordan, the six-time NBA champion and cultural icon, was reportedly joining NBC’s NBA coverage for a massive $40 million a year. That figure raised eyebrows, not just for its size, but because it would have eclipsed his highest single-season salary during his playing career, per MSN. But […]

As there have been rumors around the head coaching vacancy of the New York Knicks, ESPN analyst and known fan of the team in Stephen A. Smith, gave his idea for somebody who should be considered. After the shocking news of the Knicks firing Tom Thibodeau, the team is now looking for a new voice […]

After being eliminated in the Eastern Conference Finals, the New York Knicks have been heavily involved in trade rumors. The club hopes to build a true contender around point guard Jalen Brunson, and to do so, the front office may have to make some splashy moves. On Monday, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith named New York […]

The buzz surrounding the NBA’s return to NBC this fall remains palpable, with the addition of Michael Jordan as a special contributor being the extra cherry on top. There are “unconfirmed claims” that Jordan’s salary will be $40 million annually, which, if true, would be more than Tom Brady’s role at Fox Sports. Brady makes […]

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton played hero in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, leading his squad to an epic fourth quarter comeback to take the series opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Haliburton hit yet another game-winner in these playoffs, draining a tough three to leave the Thunder fans at Paycom Center in utter […]

There two ways to build a legacy in the NBA. A player can compile so many individual accolades that no one can deny his greatness, or he can prosper in the playoffs. Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton is a stellar regular season player, having led the league in assists and earning two All-NBA Third-Team […]

Anyone who doesn’t think that Stephen A. Smith doesn’t ruffle any feathers is living under a rock. On Thursday, he issued a stark warning about the NBA All-Star game and its new format.  Beginning next year, the All-Star game will feature Team USA vs the World. But Smith contended that if this doesn’t jive, the […]

Stephen A. Smith pulled up to the Paycom Center dressed in all white. But the verbose ESPN personality was in a fiery mood ahead of the NBA Finals. And not because his beloved New York Knicks aren’t in it — but in sending a fiery message to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Western Conference champs […]

NBA commissioner Adam Silver recently announced that next year’s NBA All-Star Game is going to look a little bit different. After another All-Star weekend dud mixed with the NHL having tremendous success with the Four Nations Face-Off, the NBA has decided to adopt a similar approach. Next year, the All-Star Game will feature the best […]

Stephen A. Smith is setting the record straight. After Michelle Beadle called it “a little embarrassing” that she and co-host Cody Decker found out their SiriusXM show was getting replaced with Smith’s only hours before the public announcement, the longtime ESPN personality addressed the situation himself, per Awfulannouncing. Beadle opened up during Wednesday’s edition of […]