Latest news with #StephenA.Smith
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Stay home with Savannah': LeBron James' potential move to Amazon Prime NBA commentary sparks outrage and disappointment among fans
LeBron James is rumoured to join Prime Video's NBA coverage.(Image via John McCoy/Getty) LeBron James , the 40 year old NBA icon, might have lost in the playoffs this season, but he continues to be one of the most popular athletes in the world. While there are a lot of rumours about LeBron James' retirement, the NBA legend has not confirmed any such speculations. But now, there are reports of LeBron James' post retirement phase, and it involves Amazon Prime Video's NBA coverage, but it has sparked outrage among fans. LeBron James might join Amazon Prime Video's NBA coverage, but fans are disappointed by this Recently, as per Front Office Sports, sources have revealed that there are chances of 'King James eventually joining Prime Video's upcoming coverage of the NBA', days after there were reports of him joining ESPN. While neither Amazon Prime Video nor LeBron James have confirmed these speculations, it has certainly raised eyebrows among fans. A fan took to X and wrote, 'Nobody wants to keep listening to that dumbf**k speak', while another fan commented, 'Fastest way to turn fans off, hiring this buffoon.' A third fan posted, 'We do not wanna hear him in the booth', while another user wrote, 'As a LeBron fan, this has a chance to hurt your legacy and has 0 upside potential. Just go crazy with Savannah in your Cleveland mansion no need for this.' A fifth fan noted, 'Oh god, please no. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Please. Just go away after you retire. PLEASE.' At this point, LeBron James has one year left of his contract with his team, the Los Angeles Lakers. At the age of 40, the NBA icon is one of the oldest players to actively play in games currently. LeBron James' controversial relationship with Stephen A. Smith has gotten more complicated While LeBron James deals with the speculations around his future, Stephen A. Smith has continued to speak about the NBA icon, months after their controversial confrontation. Recently, Stephen A. Smith said, 'He hid behind his son, tried to make something out of nothing, as if I was dogging his son, which I was not. The real issue was we don't like each other. And he used that as an excuse to confront me.' LeBron James has yet to react to Stephen A. Smith's controversial statements about their tense relationship. Also Read: 'He's miserable': Fans slam Stephen A. Smith for 'obsessing' over LeBron James months after their controversial confrontation Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Stephen A. Smith's Daughter Goes Viral At NBA Finals
Stephen A. Smith's Daughter Goes Viral At NBA Finals originally appeared on The Spun. Prior to Game 6 of the NBA Finals, ESPN allowed Stephen A. Smith's daughter to make an appearance on "SportsCenter." Advertisement Smith has truly become the face of ESPN over the past few years due to his work on "First Take." Earlier this year, he received an extension worth $100 million. ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro referred to the charismatic personality as a "difference-maker" for the network. Not even his biggest critics can debate that. "Stephen A. works incredibly hard to elevate the sports conversation day-in and day-out and we are grateful he will remain at ESPN," Pitaro said. "He is a difference maker, and fans are captivated by his deep sports knowledge, strong opinions and unmistakable flair." ESPN gave Smith a moment he'll never forget this Thursday. During the network's pregame coverage of the NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the "First Take" analyst had the chance to share the spotlight with his daughter Samantha. Let's just say Samantha was a natural on TV. DALLAS, TEXAS - JUNE 12: ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith reports before Game Three of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on June 12, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by)"Hi guys, I'm Samantha. I'm so happy to be here, I've made so many friends. This is really a great experience," she said. "This is a really great experience and I feel really grateful to be here, you guys." Advertisement Though it's not a huge surprise, Smith couldn't wait to interrupt his daughter's brief time on air. "You just got here five minutes ago," Smith told her. Smith has taken a lot of heat during the NBA Finals, especially since he got caught playing solitaire while Game 4 was going on. Though he has fought back against his critics, they haven't taken their feet off the gas. "When I'm watching the game, I'm watching the game," Smith replied. "If there's a break in the action -- it could be a dead ball, it could be a timeout or something like that - I can play the thing for two seconds." Advertisement Luckily for Smith, most fans couldn't help but smile at this Thursday's moment between father and daughter. Stephen A. Smith's Daughter Goes Viral At NBA Finals first appeared on The Spun on Jun 20, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'He's miserable': Fans slam Stephen A. Smith for 'obsessing' over LeBron James months after their controversial confrontation
Stephen A. Smith has revealed he does not like LeBron James.(Image via Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty; Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty and People) LeBron James , the 40 year old NBA icon, and ESPN's First Take's host, Stephen A. Smith, have had a few uncomfortable confrontations in the last few months. The confrontations centred around Stephen A. Smith's take on LeBron James' son, Bronny James. Recently, Stephen A, Smith opened up about his dislike towards the NBA icon but it has sparked outrage among fans. Fans are furious at Stephen A. Smith after he spoke about how much he dislikes LeBron James Stephen A. Smith recently spoke to Rolling Stone about his feelings towards LeBron James. Stephen A. Smith said, "I don't like him, and he don't like me. He's one of the greatest players who's ever lived. I'm going to show him that respect..." He added, 'When he does great, I'm gonna hid behind his son, tried to make something out of nothing, as if I was dogging his son, which I was not. The real issue was we don't like each other. And he used that as an excuse to confront me.' But fans are now furious at Stephen A. Smith. A fan took to X and wrote, 'Dog he still talking about this eight months later?', while another fan commented, 'Stephen A is exhausting fr.' A third fan posted, 'This dude is miserable', while another fan commented, 'Stephen A is on his generational villain arc the past week. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch xu hướng AUD/USD? IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Dudes gonna become a solitaire-based batman villain before football starts at this rate.' A fifth fan noted, 'There is zero reason at all that Stephen a should 'not like him'. You're a reporter man get over yourself'. LeBron James has not yet responded to Stephen A. Smith's controversial statements and has continued to maintain silence on it. For the unversed, back on 6th March 2025, things between LeBron James and Stephen A. Smith quickly became heated at the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks. While the Los Angeles Lakers had won the match, videos of LeBron James approaching Stephen A. Smith and saying, 'Keep my son out of this s***', quickly went viral. Since this incident, things have been extremely uncomfortable between LeBron James and Stephen A. Smith. Also Read: Dwyane Wade's wife Gabrielle Union cracks a personal joke about the NBA legend's bold photoshoot Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Black America Web
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Stephen A. Smith Tells Haters 'Kiss My Ass' Over Viral Solitaire Video, Social Media Rips Him Instead
Source: John Nacion / Getty Stephen A. Smith literally got caught in 4K, but he's still decided to stand on business. Last week, during Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder, the ESPN pundit had an eagle-eyed view of the game. But instead of being fully engaged, a fan from up above caught him playing solitaire on his phone. He copped to it, and now he's doubling down on a recent episode of Sirius XM NBA Radio. 'I was doing what the hell I always do and for those out there that don't like it, kiss my a-s,' he said. Smith went on to explain that this is far from his first time playing the digital card during a live game. 'When I'm watching the game, I'm watching the game,' he said. 'If there's a break in the action — It could be a dead ball or a time out or something like that— I can play the game for two seconds.' He continues on, defending his grueling schedule as one of the hardest-working men in sports television. 'I watch over 100 games a year, I'm on TV every morning for two hours, and that's just one job,' he says before listing his other commitments like NBA Countdown and SportsCenter appearances. Smith confirms that he did actually win that solitaire game and joked that he's glad that's all they caught him doing on his phone. 'I work too damn hard too long too many hours to be worried about what people think I'm doing for two minutes,' he ended the conversation. When he was caught playing last week, the very critical host was suddenly the subject of people judging his actions during a game. He tried to claim it was during a break in play, but then video proved he was on his phone when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was on a fast break layup, and community notes on X further confirmed his lie . Even social media lurker Kevin Durant posted the incriminating photo to his Instagram Stories with the caption 'Cmon Steve.' Smith's moves are under a stronger magnifying glass than ever before because, just like the athletes he speaks on, he just signed a massive contract extension worth $100 million, making him the highest-paid on-air talent at ESPN. He's likely not going to face any punishment for his distraction, but it's not a good look when one of the network's most popular talking heads isn't even engaged in the NBA Finals. Especially as fans have complained about watching two small-market teams being a snooze fest and nitpicking small details, such as the lack of Larry O'Brien trophy decals on the hardwood. See social media's reaction to Smith's clapback below. Stephen A. Smith Tells Haters 'Kiss My Ass' Over Viral Solitaire Video, Social Media Rips Him Instead was originally published on Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'LeBron and I will never like each other'—Stephen A. Smith opens up about his relation with him
(Image Source - Getty Images) They've shared the same court, but they'll never share respect. Stephen A. Smith pulls no punches when he admits, 'LeBron and I will never like each other.' Yet, behind the tension lies a calculated partnership: Smith has helped keep First Take at No. 1 for 13 years, even in the wake of his feud with LeBron James . As he teases politics, passion, and provocation, the question remains: is this all strategy? Or is the real story much deeper? Why Stephen A. Smith claims the LeBron James feud has fueled First Take's 13-year dominance Stephen A. Smith makes it clear that this feud is much more than just a trivial rivalry—it's a source of energy. He notes that despite the attention-grabbing debates, such as 'James vs. Jordan' or his views on Colin Kaepernick, they represent less than 10% of First Take's nearly 450 hours of airtime each year. However, those heated moments drive a lot of clicks. Smith acknowledges — 'People peel out what they want to peel out,' and with ratings averaging 496,000 viewers in 2023—a high point for the show—it's working. But it isn't mindless clickbait. Smith, who served as both lead host and executive producer, defends the range of show topics — football, basketball, cultural issues, and more, all while maintaining authenticity and 'deadly serious' takes. Says Smith: 'I mean what I say and I say what I mean… Unless I'm openly joking.' The feud scales a new level when it drifts into family territory. Smith went after LeBron's parenting during a courtside confrontation—chiding the Lakers star for allegedly placing 'overwhelming expectations' on his son, Bronny James, the 55th pick in last year's draft. James responded forcefully, confronting Smith with the words: 'stop fucking with my son'. Critics—Shannon Sharpe among them—called it a blunder, suggesting Smith should just let it go, but Smith insisted on air that he'd even "swing" at James if he was physically confronted. The personal touch really boosted audience engagement, but it also sparked some backlash. Some people called out Smith for bringing private family issues into the public eye. Nevertheless, he stands by his decision, arguing that it's crucial for genuine, thought-provoking conversations—even if it means stepping over some boundaries. The disagreement with LeBron isn't the only trouble brewing. On that same platform, Smith disclosed that he's open to getting involved in politics—but not as a career politician. He emphasized that he never intended to run, but he's left the possibility open for influencing things behind the scenes and endorsing candidates. Calling himself a centrist, he asserts that he agrees with both Democrats and Republicans—but he doesn't want to deal with the costs of political office, like losing his personal wealth. Stephen A. Smith's dynamic with LeBron James isn't just background noise—it's a whole narrative. The animosity is palpable, but so is the strategy behind it. For 13 years, their controversial confrontations, heated debates, and divisive commentary haven't merely taken up airtime—they've forged an empire. Also Read: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one game away from something the NBA has rarely seen While Smith's future may extend beyond the studio, his current focus is on the spectacle, fueled by authenticity and audience demand. Whether this is merely a precursor to a political shift—or the pinnacle of his broadcasting career—one thing is for sure: Stephen A. Smith has embraced the challenge, and he's ready to stay in the thick of it. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
