Stephen A. Smith has never been one to shy away from the spotlight, but this time, it may have cost ESPN big.
During the 2025 NBA Finals coverage, Smith’s loud, high-energy persona took center stage, often overshadowing analysts like Malika Andrews and Kendrick Perkins. His dominance on air left little room for thoughtful basketball breakdowns, turning what should have been the league’s grandest stage into a personal platform.
Fans and Critics Call Out the Chaos
Things came to a head when Bob Myers, the former Warriors GM, calmly dropped a brutal truth bomb during a heated segment:
“Just because you yell something doesn’t mean it’s true.”
That mic-drop moment captured what many fans were already thinking. NBA Twitter erupted, complaining that ESPN’s coverage had become less about basketball and more about Stephen A.’s brand.
Even media experts joined in. Richard Deitsch, in an interview with Jimmy Traina, said,
“So much of that, and it’s really driven by Stephen A., is just always with a negative tint… there’s no celebration of the NBA.”
Did Stephen A. Hurt His Co-Hosts?
Deitsch also pointed out how Smith’s outsized presence hurt the other talent on set.
“I think it hurts Malika Andrews and Kendrick Perkins and others on that set because the whole set becomes a big audition for Stephen A. Smith’s platforms.”
While Smith just signed a massive five-year, $100 million deal with ESPN, many viewers are ready for a reset. His style might work on First Take, but for the NBA Finals, fans are asking for balance, chemistry, and substance, something they haven’t gotten from ESPN’s current format.
Change Is Coming to NBA Coverage
With the Finals now wrapped, ESPN’s coverage under the old TV deal is done. And according to insiders, a major shift is on the way.
TNT’s Inside the NBA crew, known for humor, chemistry, and real analysis, could soon have a bigger role in future broadcasts. It’s a move many fans are celebrating. The loud debates and theatrical outbursts? They’re wearing thin.
Stephen A. Smith may have hijacked ESPN’s NBA stage. But next season, it might finally belong to basketball again.
Read More: Stephen A. Smith Still Objects to ESPN Suspension Over Comments
