Stephen A. Smith has been acting like he got the best takes in sports especially in the NBA and some fans think he is not worth the $100 million deal ESPN gave him as their main analyst. His latest take that got really controversial is when he said that Giannis Antetokounmpo will be an underachiever if does not win another ring.
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Dec 21, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Stephen A. Smith , American sports television personality, walks on the field before the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Jay Williams already responded to his take through X but he made sure that Smith will learn about being smarter with his opinion when they met face to face in their show.
“That was one of your worst takes I’ve heard in a long time, man,” Williams told Smith in his face.
“That was horrible … It’s always love, but I think we really need to do a better job of reframing some of these conversations.”
Williams, who was a second overall pick in 2002, emphasized Antetokounmpo’s 50-point performance in an NBA finals close out game and then went on to list the player’s achievements to describe how ridiculous the “underachiever” tag is.
Jay Williams
The ESPN College GameDay crew (L-R) Rece Davis, Andeaya Carter, Jay Williams, and Seth Greenberg broadcast ahead of the game between the Iowa State Cyclone and TCU Horned Frogs at Hilton Coliseum on Feb. 8, 2025 in Ames, Iowa
“A guy who is a Finals MVP. A guy who is a multi-time All-Star. All-NBA, all-everything, global face of the game. The fact that he brought an NBA championship to Milwaukee, to Milwaukee … to call him an underachiever I just think is an asinine comment.”
Smith made the comments while discussing Antetokounmpo’s future, suggesting he should move out of Wisconsin.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is not the only one who has issue with Smith
Antetokounmpo already saw his comments and reposted an X post debunking Smith’s take.
Smith is becoming an unpopular figure among NBA players. Before Giannis, the commentator was confronted by Lebron James on the Los Angeles Lakers floor for his comments on his son Bronny.
Kevin Durant also had some continuing spat with him and looks like there will be no making up between them.
Tyrese Haliburton has joined the number of players who ignore or take offense on what Smith says.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Tyrese Haliburton
Apr 29, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) dribbles the ball while Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) defends during game five of the first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
“What do they really know about basketball?… At a time like this I’m not really on social media as much. I try to stay off it as much as I can. But you see it. ESPN might be on in my house, and there it is. It is what it is.”
“Most of the time the talking heads on the major platforms, I couldn’t care less, honestly. What do they really know about basketball?” Haliburton said last week.
Smith reacted even if he was not identified by the Indiana Pacers star.
“Just in case he was talking about me, players far more accomplished and far more superior have made their efforts trying to call me out. How has that worked out?”
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