ESPN star and 2028 presidential hopeful Stephen A. Smith might be letting the news cycle surrounding his political ambitions get to his head.
While “presidential hopeful” might be a strong label for the First Take host at this moment in time, he certainly hasn’t shied away from the attention his political musings have gotten, frequently feeding that fire on social media. Smith is currently the fourth most-likely 2028 Democratic nominee for president, according to the prediction market exchange Kalshi.
And now, even in his day job as an NBA pundit, he’s addressing the American people as if he’s behind a podium on the debate stage.
Stephen A. Smith: “America, you don’t give a damn about the Sixers. And neither do we. We’re reporting the news because Shams is great… THEY ARE DONE! THIS SEASON IS OVER!… LOSE! SIT JOEL EMBIID FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON… THIS SEASON IS A JOKE!” pic.twitter.com/6SctMgeX2i
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 24, 2025
“America,” Smith begins in a solemn tone generally reserved for a person situated towards the edge of a primary debate stage, “You don’t give a damn about the Sixers. And neither do we.”
Melodramatic? Yes. But that’s a fair statement. The Philadelphia 76ers are 20-36 this season, currently good for 12th place in the Eastern Conference, two spots out of a play-in slot.
“Joel Embiid, have we seen- when did he look good this year? When was he moving well this year?” Smith pleaded to the camera. “It has not been the case. They are DONE! This season is over, the city knows it, there’s no brotherly love for the Sixers!”
“Lose!” Smith continued, suggesting the team should tank to secure a high draft pick. “Sit Joel Embiid for the rest of the season like [Kendrick] Perk[ins] was saying last year. Sit Paul George while you’re at it, and just be done with it and prepare for the next three years ’cause this season is a joke. Nobody gives a damn about the Sixers, because we know they’re not healthy.”
Now Stephen A.’s take here isn’t particularly notable, it’s simply the style with which it was delivered. (Big Chris Christie meets Bill de Blasio energy.) Is he getting his reps in before campaign season starts in a few years? It sure seems that way.
If anyone has mastered the art of speaking with authority about subjects they have little-to-no expertise in (a crucial prerequisite to becoming president), it’s Smith, who regularly waxes poetic about subjects other than sports on his own podcast and frequent cable news hits. But it’s nice to see that the face of ESPN can still give a snappy sports take, even if his political ambitions are subconsciously changing his delivery.