STEPHEN A. Smith has been torn apart on air after a controversial take.
Jay Williams was having none of the disrespect during Monday’s episode of First Take.
Stephen A. Smith is under fire for labeling Giannis Antetokounmpo as an “underachiever”[/caption]
Antetokounmpo is an NBA champion and two-time MVP[/caption]
Stephen A. went off on a crazy tirade during a previous episode, labeling Giannis Antetokounmpo as an “underachiever.”
“I’m gonna tell you why,” he said at the time.
“He’s one of the greatest players to ever play the game… top-10 finishes in league MVP voting nine times.
“He has more of that than postseason series wins. That’s unacceptable.”
Williams thought this was an awful take, and called Stephen A. out on it.
“That was one of your worst takes I’ve heard in a long time, man,” he said.
“That was horrible… I think we really need to do a better job of reframing some of these conversations.”
Stephen A. was clearly irked by this, and returned fire on Williams.
“Clearly you didn’t listen to what I had to say,” he said.
“Maybe you were stuck in traffic, maybe you were negotiating another business deal, maybe you were doing another one of your shows because you are a very, very busy and successful man.”
NBA fans were overwhelmingly on the side of Williams and shared their thoughts on social media.
“First Take with the Worst Take ? Clockwork and completely unwatchable,” one fan said.
“Two clowns yapping at each other,” one fan said.
“This is what happens when you think you’re better than the product,” another fan said.
“Giannis has been top 4 in the mvp for the last 7 years. Imagine calling that underachieving,” a third fan said.
2025 NBA Finals schedule
All NBA Finals games are broadcasting on ABC
- Game 1: Pacers at Thunder (Thu. June 5, 8:30pm ET)
- Game 2: Pacers at Thunder (Sun. June 8, 8:00pm ET)
- Game 3: Thunder at Pacers (Wed. June 11, 8:30pm ET)
- Game 4: Thunder at Pacers (Fri. June 13, 8:30pm ET)
- Game 5: Pacers at Thunder (Mon. June 16, 8:30pm ET)*
- Game 6: Thunder at Pacers (Thu. June 19, 8:30pm ET)*
- Game 7: Pacers at Thunder (Sun. June 22, 8:00pm ET)*
*if necessary
“Can we just collectively stop highlighting anything Stephen A says. He’s horrible at his job,” a fourth fan said.
“Great work here by Jay. He’s absolutely right,” a fifth fan said.
Labeling Antetokounmpo as an underachiever feels crazy considering his accolades.
He is a nine-time All-Star, nine time All-NBA, NBA Champion, two-time MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP.
