Stephen A. Smith (Image Credits: Imagn)
When it comes to outspoken personalities in sports media, Stephen A. Smith is always near the top of the list. Since joining ESPN in 2003, Smith has built a reputation for never shying away from strong opinions. This May, he signed a five-year, $100 million contract extension with ESPN.

Every day in his show, Smith brings up several topics related to basketball. On his Friday show it was about some non-players. On his SiriusXM Mad Dog Sports Radio show, Smith took aim at commentators who never played professional basketball but still present themselves as experts.

“Unfortunately, on too many occasions, cats that didn’t play, they want to act like they knew it all on their own, when it’s impossible. I will never disrespect an athlete by acting like I know what people who actually did it know; I don’t know more. I know what I know. I can come at you from a scribe, from a pundit, from a commentator’s perspective. But I never disrespect; I always make sure you know I don’t know what you know,” Smith said.

Smith’s influence has grown through his daily hosting duties on First Take and his four-year stint on NBA Countdown. Reports suggest that following Molly Qerim’s exit, Smith will also be involved with Monday Night Football this season.

Stephen A. Smith Criticizes Jimmy Kimmel Over Charlie Kirk Joke

Stephen A. Smith (Image Credits ESPN)
The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has been one of the most discussed events across the U.S. Meanwhile, comedian Jimmy Kimmel poked fun at the matter on his late-night show. However, on his show, Smith made it clear he was not amused.

“The only thing that I would say as it pertains to Jimmy Kimmel is, where was the joke? Because you’re a late night host, and obviously that has a comedic attachment to it. Where was the joke? Obviously, it wasn’t anything funny about that,” Smith said.

Since Kirk’s assassination, Smith has been vocal about the tragedy. When he heard Kimmel’s remarks, he felt like reminding the comedian that not every subject is material for humor.

Luka Doncic ‘destroys’ the Mavs on his return. Gets standing ovation and shows love to Mark Cuban

Luka Doncic hits 45 points in his first game in Dallas since being traded to the Los Angeles.

It’s rare for a home crowd to cheer the visiting team, but Luka Doncic’s return to Dallas was no ordinary night.

Just days before February’s trade deadline, the Mavericks shocked the NBA by sending their 26-year-old superstar to the Lakers—a move that outraged fans and sparked backlash toward GM Nico Harrison.

On Wednesday, Doncic played his first game back in Dallas since the trade. The arena was filled with fans in both his old Mavs and new Lakers jerseys, many chanting “Fire Nico” in protest.

Despite the emotion in the air, Doncic delivered a dominant performance, scoring a game-high 45 points to lead the Lakers to a 112-97 win. It was a powerful return for one of the league’s brightest stars—and a night Dallas won’t soon forget

The Mavericks pay tribute to Luka Dončić

While the Mavericks’ decision to trade Luka Doncic remains heavily criticized, they handled his return to Dallas with undeniable grace. The organization made sure his first game back as a Laker was met with respect and appreciation.

Every seat in the arena was draped with a T-shirt reading “Hvala za vse,” which translates from Slovenian to “thank you for everything.” It was a thoughtful nod to Doncic’s heritage and impact on the franchise.

Before tip-off, during the starting lineup announcements, the Mavericks played a tribute video showcasing some of Doncic’s most iconic moments in a Dallas jersey. The emotional gesture clearly resonated—moving Doncic to tears in front of the crowd that once called him their own.

Luka Doncic ‘DESTROYS’ his old team

Luka delivered a dazzling performance against his former team, putting up 45 points on 16-of-28 shooting, including 7-of-10 from beyond the arc. He also added 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals in a game that showed exactly why he’s one of the best in the league.

From the opening tip, Doncic was locked in. By halftime, Doncic had racked up 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting in just 19 minutes—marking the 10th time in his career he’s scored 30 or more in a single half.

Though his scoring slowed in the second half, he continued to lead effectively, securing both a Lakers win and an unforgettable showing for the fans in Dallas.