During a segment on First Take commemorating the late Kobe Bryant, Stephen A. Smith opted to not solely focus on honoring the basketball legend but also used the opportunity to veer into criticizing other NBA players.
Viewers spotted Smith wearing a Black Mamba jacket with Kobe’s name in gold, but his tribute soon took a controversial turn.
In a montage celebrating the Lakers star, Smith managed to weave in criticism of certain NBA players, prompting backlash from viewers for what they deemed an unnecessary move.
“When players miss games for reasons unrelated to injuries,” Smith remarked in the clip while footage of Kawhi Leonard and Kyrie Irving played, “That wasn’t how Kobe Bryant operated.”
“Players who prioritize paychecks over regular season play, that wasn’t Kobe Bryant,” Smith continued. “Players who focus on everything but championships, that wasn’t Kobe Bryant.”
Social media reaction was swift:
And the comments kept streaming in, criticizing Smith for intertwining his personal views with the tribute to a revered figure like Kobe Bryant.
