Stephen A. Smith and NBA legend Isiah Thomas traded social media barbs Sunday concerning recent comments the ESPN personality made about Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown.
On First Take Friday, as the cast debated the topic, “Is Jaylen Brown the most underrated NBA star,” Smith shared comments from an “NBA source.”
“I wanted to read to y’all what an NBA source just sent me,” Smith said. “He said, ‘Jaylen Brown, it’s not so much that he’s underrated, it’s that he’s just not liked because of his I-am-better-than-you attitude. He knows it. It’s the same reason he is not as marketable as he should be.’ That’s what an NBA source just sent me.”
Thomas, the NBA legend who now serves as an analyst with NBA TV, fired back at Smith Sunday afternoon on X in defense of Brown.
“I have been a friend, mentor and advisor to @FCHWPO (Brown) since he was a student at UC Berkeley he is 100 percent marketable and before you slander his name @stephenasmith tell your source to put their name on it or don’t speak on it. Let it be known.”
I have been a friend, mentor and advisor to @FCHWPO since he was a student at UC Berkeley he is 100 percent marketable and before you slander his name @stephenasmith tell your source to put their name on it or don’t speak on it. Let it be known.
— Isiah Thomas (@IsiahThomas) May 26, 2024
About an hour later, Smith responded.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about @IsiahThomas,” Smith posted. “I have been a fan of Jaylen Brown for years. Still am. What’s unfortunate is that YOU — who’s known for me decades — would choose to go on X to expressed whatever dissent you feel instead of calling me directly. But I get it.
Here’s a look back at Smith’s original comments on First Take.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BK0dN8o5sEI
A couple of takeaways here. Yes, Smith’s remarks from the “NBA source” were harsh, but sometimes reporters share such information from anonymous sources. Many people are reluctant to go on record with such comments. Also, Smith makes a good point that Thomas could have easily contacted him to share his grievances, rather than airing them on X.
[Isiah Thomas, Stephen A. Smith]
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.