Stephen A. Smith has made a reputation for himself by being bombastic, unfiltered and confident in whatever he says. But something tells me that he’ll be issuing an apology for this one before too long.
On ESPN’s First Take on Thursday morning, Smith might have crossed a line while discussing Phil Jackson’s signing of Lamar Odom to the New York Knicks.
Upset by the direction that the New York Knicks are going, Stephen A. was on fire from the outset of his podcast. Kristaps Porzingis is allegedly available for the right price, something that isn’t sitting well with a lot of New York basketball fans.
That’s when Smith decided to talk about some of Jackson’s previous ineptitude in making roster decisions.
When he got to the signing of Lamar Odom, who has had a documented and chronicled substance abuse problem, he put his foot in his mouth.
“His very first move as executive was to sign Lamar Odom,” he said, “who was on crack!“
Odom’s substance abuse problem has been a recurring theme in his life for as long as he has been in the spotlight. He’s made several comebacks to the NBA after having his problem resurface, only to repeat the cycle again. For Stephen A. Smith to regard his substance abuse problem as a flippant character flaw in an otherwise purely basketball transaction is irresponsible, even for him.
Why Stephen A. Smith gotta do Lamar Odom like that 💀💀 pic.twitter.com/9H4xwL7WIG
— Ben (@BenKnicks18) June 22, 2017
Let’s slow that down for the people in the back.
WHO WAS ON CRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK https://t.co/S3i4nATXlO pic.twitter.com/2IHCWSraHb
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) June 22, 2017
Listeners didn’t hesitate to point out the error in Stephen A.’s comment.
Stephen A said Phil Jackson's first move as a GM was to sign a CRACKHEAD on live television. Disrespectful to Lamar Odom! SMH
— Your Favorite (@QuietRay) June 22, 2017
https://twitter.com/MeeshTheTweeter/status/877934160693874689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.complex.com%2Fsports%2F2017%2F06%2Fstephen-a-smith-made-disrespectful-remark-about-lamar-odom-first-take
I'll never use someone's substance abuse or downfall as a punchline for a second tier show. @stephenasmith #lamarodom
— Daniel (@dkpapin) June 22, 2017
My guess is that Stephen A. Smith will be issuing a public apology before long. Regardless of whether or not he is sincerely apologetic is another matter entirely. Bad joke.
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