Stephen A. Smith’s NBA Finals Controversy
It’s definitely a busy time for Stephen A. Smith.
Mark Titus from Barstool took aim at the controversial ESPN figure, discussing the impact of Smith’s presence during the Thunder-Pacers NBA Finals coverage.
“If Stephen A. Smith weren’t part of the NBA Finals broadcast, there wouldn’t be any issue with what he says or does,” Titus expressed during Thursday’s episode of “Mainly Mark Titus and Brandon Walker.” He added, “My problem lies in the fact that ESPN chose him as one of the lead voices during the NBA Finals.”
He continued, “It’s all about avoiding the nonsense…I just want to watch two top basketball teams battle for the greatest honor in the sport. But with Stephen A. involved, it’s hard to ignore the distractions.”
Smith has recently become a target for criticism, facing a continuous wave of backlash.
Michelle Beadle and Cody Decker went after him for his Sirius XM radio segment.
Fans, including Kevin Durant and Dave Portnoy, even joked about him playing solitaire during the Finals.
On top of that, Smith had a public spat with the Memphis Grizzlies and their star player, Ja Morant.
Former ESPN host Jason Fitz criticized Smith’s remarks, while Morant wondered why Memphis was even a topic during the Finals.
Titus and co-host Brandon Walker seized this moment to poke fun at Smith.
“Has Stephen A. appointed himself as some kind of deity?” Walker asked, to which Titus affirmed, “Yes, he definitely has.”
Titus went on to describe the exaggerated manner in which Smith criticizes players, calling it “insane.”
“It’s not just that he makes these remarks; he’s consistently making threats. It’s wild. Just wild,” Titus remarked.
Smith isn’t new to criticism. Many have pointed out his over-the-top reactions during broadcasts, even noting times he seems more prominent than the actual games being played.
In fact, during Game 6 on Thursday, Smith and his daughter Samantha received more airtime than some players fighting to keep their seasons alive.
He is expected to be a focal point again on Sunday night when the Thunder take on the Pacers in Game 7, with Oklahoma City favored to win.
