Stephen A. Smith opened Wednesday’s episode of “First Take” with a lengthy apology for his rant against his own employer, ESPN.
Just one day prior, the longtime network personality loudly expressed his frustration with ESPN’s NBA Best 25 under 25 list — which ranks the top young players in the league under the age of 25. Smith immediately took issue with the list when he discovered that Charlotte Hornets rookie LaMelo Ball ranked at No. 3, over established stars such as Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns), Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics) and Donovan Mitchell (Utah Jazz).
Smith’s comments — one of which included a direct message to ESPN, telling the network to “drug test anybody who had something to do with the list” — weren’t received well among some viewers, who took to social media to complain about the outspoken host. Additionally, Smith, who requested that ESPN “call security” because “someone’s out of it,” mentioned that he is “disassociating” himself from whoever took part in the creation of the list.
Though, in his on-air apology on Wednesday, Smith said he was just “joking” and that his comments were “trivial.”
Before he was sidelined with a fractured right wrist in late March, Ball made a strong case for Rookie of the Year. Entering the All-Star break, he ranked first among rookies in total points, rebounds, assists and steals — despite not starting a game until February 1.
“LaMelo Ball can play… I believe in this kid,” Smith said on Tuesday, noting that Ball was his ROTY pick before he got hurt. “But, to sit up there and put him No. 3… I mean, come on, people need to get tested.”
While Smith has made a successful and entertaining career with his bold commentary and loud gestures, some internet critics thought he took things too far. Despite apologizing to his ESPN colleagues on Wednesday, Smith still stood by his argument that the list was pure “blasphemy.”
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