IDENTITY CRISIS
‘What’s unfortunate is…’, Stephen A. Smith launches angry rant at NBA legend Isiah Thomas over Jaylen Brown ‘slander’
Smith's comment in question came from an unspecified NBA source
ESPN's Stephen A. Smith has fired back after being called out by an NBA Hall of Famer.
Two-time NBA champion Isiah Thomas called out Smith on social media after he criticized Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown on First Take.
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The Celtics are currently knee-deep in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers, with Brown and Co. leading the series 3-0.
Following their 133-128 Game 1 win, Smith took to First Take to share a brutal note he'd been sent by "an NBA source" regarding Brown - who was recently controversially snubbed from the All-Star lineups.
"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,'" Smith said.
"He knows it. It's the same reason he is not as marketable as he should be."
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Thomas, however, was far from impressed with this take, taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, to defend the 27-year-old.
"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," Thomas said.
"Let it be known."
But Smith also wasn't going to take this criticism lying down, also taking to X to reply to Thomas.
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"I have no idea what you're talking about @IsiahThomas," he said.
"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.
'He's overrated,' claim First Take viewers as Stephen A. Smith names his 'most underappreciated star' in the NBA
"But I get it. It's a pattern several folks have used vs me recently, suddenly forgetting communication we've always had.
"So be it. I root for JB always—a great dude and player. But the @celtics have to close the deal."
As for Brown, he too took to X to respond to Smith, calling on him to "State your source."
Smith, though, could not be convinced.
He replied saying simply, "That's not happening. It's journalism. Not revealing sources.
Smith then went on to note that later in the aforementioned First Take segment, he and Kendrick Perkins both disagreed with the source.
"The point we were actually discussing is how under appreciated you are and why that may be, which is why I read the quote," he added.
"I even brought up how socially conscious you are, and how that may not be liked, knowing you're a good brother.
Stephen A. Smith's journey through media
STEPHEN A. Smith is now the face of ESPN and an executive producer on First Take having initially started working for the company back in 2003.
Smith has held various roles with the network, including hosting radio shows, SportsCenter contributions, and appearing on NBA Countdown.
He was a columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer from 1994 to 2010.
His began as an NBA writer before becoming a general sports columnist.
Before that, Smith worked as a reporter with Winston-Salem Journal, the Greensboro News, and the New York Daily News.
"Also, that you're a $300M man and you deserve it. But that doesn't mean naysayers don't get heard. That comes with the territory."
Regardless of who said what, Brown has been impressive as usual during the Conference Finals.
In three games he has averaged 30 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists.
The Celtics will now have the opportunity to complete the sweep on Monday at 8pm ET.
And as for the beef between Smith and Thomas, the latter has attempted to settle the situation in a later tweet.
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"All love between you and I @stephenasmith let's talk when time permits," he wrote on Sunday.
"Tell your source to stand on their words and not use you to throw their stones."
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