STEPHEN A SMITH

Stephen A. Smith Calls Bill Simmons Rant About Prince Harry and Meghan Markle “Excessive”

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Bill Simmons, founder of The Ringer and current high-ranking executive at Spotify, is currently beefing with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The veteran journalist’s ire stems from a recent decision by Spotify to prematurely end the company’s podcasting contract with the royal couple. Reportedly, Harry and Meagan produced just 12 episodes over two years despite being on a $20 million contract. Furthermore, additional reporting revealed that Spotify would not be paying out the full $20 million to the couple.

On his own podcast, Simmons went hard on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. “I wish I’d been involved in the Meghan and Harry leave Spotify negotiation,” Simmons said. “The f*cking grifters. That’s the podcast that we should’ve launched with them.” Simmons also compared Harry and Meghan to the Obamas. Spotify saw a major return on investment with the former POTUS and FLOTUS, whose podcasting contract expired last year. Now Stephen A. Smith, who formerly worked with Simmons at ESPN, is entering the story.

Smith Addresses Royal Spotify Drama

“Bill Simmons went off!” Smith said during a recent episode of his own podcast. “Now, Bill Simmons is my contemporary, former colleague with me at ESPN, has his own stuff, The Ringer podcast network, moved up the ranks to an executive at Spotify, I like Bill. I respect the hell out of Bill … ain’t no shade here. But Bill Simmons was going off … Bill Simmons seemed very happy they were gone.”

Smith went on to admit that he wasn’t actually familiar with the term “grifter” and spent a few moments looking it up so he had the full context of what Simmons was saying. After educating himself, Smith said that he felt applying the term to Harry and Meghan was a “bit excessive.” However, he also noted that “he works at Spotify and not me.” Do you think Simmons went too far? Let us know in the comments. Follow all the latest sports news here at HotNewHipHop.

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Stephen A. Smith Is Disgusted With Julius Randle

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Stephen A. Smith has always been a huge fan of the New York Knicks. Overall, the Knicks are one of the most historic teams in the entire NBA. However, they haven’t actually won anything since all the way back in 1973. Of course, the fans are not happy with this reality, and Smith is one of the people on the frontlines, holding the franchise accountable. Luckily, the team has been better in recent years. Although, they still haven’t been able to make it to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Today, Stephen A. and the First Take crew discussed the Knicks and their power forward, Julius Randle. While speaking to Paul George, Randle claimed that the Knicks are not that far from truly competing for a championship. Overall, this rubbed Smith the wrong way. In his mind, this is just a ridiculous thing to say given their performance against the Heat. Additionally, Randle has been a no-show in the playoffs, as his stats always take a hit.

Read More: Stephen A. Smith Reveals His Top 5 NBA Title Contenders For Next Season

Stephen A. Sounds Off

“Come postseason time, you know, put a taller defender on him, contest his shots, he’s going to dribble too much, he’s gon’ force shots he don’t need to force,” Smith said. “And he’s not going to be nearly as effective during the postseason as he is in the regular season. You know this is coming. You can’t learn to use your right hand? Is it that much for me to ask that you can become a bit ambidextrous, that you can remember that God gave you two hands and two arms? That you don’t actually have to always use your left?”

Ultimately, this was yet another epic rant from the likes of Stephen A. Unfortunately, it came at the expense of some of his sanity. He just wants the Knicks to be good, but it just hasn’t happened. Hopefully, Smith can see them win at least another championship in this next decade. Otherwise, the rants will continue to be plentiful.

Read More: Stephen A. Smith Sounds Off On Ron DeSantis: Watch

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Stephen A. Smith Sounds Off On Ron DeSantis: Watch

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Stephen A. Smith is someone who cares about a whole host of topics. Overall, he is mainly known for his punditry in the sports world. However, he has dabbled in a whole host of other topics. For instance, Smith has commented on the political world quite a bit in the past. As far as Smith’s politics are concerned, he is mainly a centrist. One could say that he has the mentality of the median voter. Neither left nor right, but a mixture of beliefs that can sometimes contradict one another.

Although, if there is one thing that Stephen A. is adamant about, it would be his distaste for Ron DeSantis. The Florida Governor is currently running for the Republican nomination. He is currently getting destroyed by Trump, who is beating him by large percentage points in various states. However, DeSantis continues to run his campaign, while making various gaffs and anti-social appearances in between.

Read More: Stephen A. Smith Is Not Impressed With The Suns

Stephen A. Calls Out The Governor

Yesterday, Smith issued a rant against DeSantis in relation to his racist beliefs. On Juneteenth, a day that marks the end of slavery, DeSantis claimed that Confederate leaders need to be honored. For instance, he was at Fort Bragg claiming that it is an iconic name. As Stephen A. quickly pointed out, Bragg was a slave owner who did monstrous things to people. Furthermore, Smith noted how DeSantis continues to make extreme statements, and is simply embarrassing himself at every turn.

Smith has made similar comments about DeSantis in the past, and we doubt he is going to slow down. On the Republican side, Smith is actually throwing his support behind Chris Christie of New Jersey. Christie seems like an anti-Trump and anti-DeSantis figure who is at least a bit more respectable. Although, Smith’s support for him has still been seen as controversial. Let us know what you think of all this, in the comments section below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news from around the sports and politics world.

Read More: Stephen A. Smith Reveals His Top 5 NBA Title Contenders For Next Season

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Stephen A. Smith Is Not Impressed With The Suns

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Stephen A. Smith has always been extremely opinionated when it comes to all things related to the NBA world. Overall, he is one of the biggest names in the entire sports world. While there are a lot of people who do not like him, you cannot discount all that he has built. Moreover, he tries his best to give his honest opinion, even if the viewer doesn’t believe him. At this point, he is carrying ESPN on his back, and it has been a pleasure to watch. Now, Smith must navigate the NBA offseason, which could be packed with moves.

For instance, the Washington Wizards and Phoenix Suns engaged in a trade involving Bradley Beal and Chris Paul. Subsequently, Beal will get to play with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. Additionally, Paul will likely be waived by the Wizards and become a free agent. Of course, much of the discourse is currently centered around the Suns and their chances of winning a title next year. In Stephen A.’s mind, however, people need to pump the brakes immediately.

Read More: Stephen A. Smith Says He’s Proud Of Shannon Sharpe

Stephen A. Gets Honest

This past season, the biggest issue with the Phoenix Suns was their complete and utter lack of depth. It was very clear during the series against the Denver Nuggets, and it remains a problem. “Is there any defense whatsoever?” Stephen A. asked. “And the depth, that definitely is a question mark as well.” Overall, these are some very poignant critiques of the team. There is absolutely no indication that this team will be any good, especially with these glaring holes throughout the lineup.

Sure, the Suns can be a great regular-season team, but the postseason will be a question mark. Perhaps they will get some ring chasers on a veteran minimum, but that still remains to be seen. Let us know your thoughts on the Bradley Beal trade, in the comments section down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the sports world.

Read More: Stephen A. Smith Slams Ja Morant’s Suspension Apology

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Stephen A. Smith Slams Ja Morant’s Suspension Apology

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Ja Morant has been suspended for 25 games by the NBA. While the punishment for flashing a gun on Instagram Live feels light to some, Morant will be sidelined until at least early December. However, the 25-game suspension is in line with both what pundits expected and how the NBA has treated suspensions in recent years. Miles Bridges was suspended for 30 games in April after pleading no contest to felony domestic violence charges.

In the wake of the suspension announcement, Morant released a statement. “I’m spending the offseason and my suspension continuing to work on my own mental health and decision making. I’m also going to be training so that I’m ready to go when I can be back on the court. I know my teammates are going to hold it down and I’m so sorry I won’t be out there with you at the beginning of the season. I hope you’ll give me the chance to prove to you over time I’m a better man than what I’ve been showing you,” the statement read in part.

Stephen A. Doesn’t Buy Morant Apology

“Nobody believes you,” Stephen A. Smith began on First Take. “Nobody believes you. I don’t say that flippantly, I’m a fan of Ja Morant. He’s a superstar that I want this game to celebrate for years and years to come. Me, speaking for everybody here, I believe, not just here at ESPN but in the world of sports. Why would we root against you because it’s better for all of us that you put your greatness on display with no troubles whatsoever because I belive this man is going to win a championship some day.”

He continued. “The reason why you’re not believed is because you already lied. [Morant’s statement] sounds somewhat similar to what you already said on camera months ago with your first suspension. You have to understand that you’re not believed, nobody believes you. You’re at a show and prove point. We know what you can do on the basketball court. But now it’s a show and prove point when it comes to your character. Because you not only looked Adam Silver in the face. You went on national TV, got interviewed by Jalen Rose, and you clearly lied. We hope you’re telling the truth. But if you ask someone to bet money on the veracity and truthfulness of your word…ain’t nobody betting money on that, bro.”

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Stephen A. Smith Says He’s Proud Of Shannon Sharpe

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June 13 marked the last time Shannon Sharpe would host UNDISPUTED. After seven years, the NFL Hall of Famer left the talk show he co-hosted with Skip Bayless. Reportedly, the relationship between Sharpe and Bayless had drastically deteriorated, prompting Sharpe to leave Fox for greener pastures. Sharpe’s final day was marked by the bizarre retweeting of an adult content creator and a moving behind-the-scenes video of his final broadcast.

Sharpe’s departure was yet another seismic shift in the sports media landscape. It came less than a month after Pat McAfee announced that he was leaving FanDuel to join ESPN. While many people have commented on Sharpe’s tearful departure, some of the most insightful thoughts came from Stephen A. Smith. Smith is in a unique position to comment, having also spent considerable time as a co-host to Bayless. The pair co-hosted First Take between 2012 and 2016.

Stephen A. Says He’s “Proud” Of Sharpe

Smith addressed Shannon Sharpe’s final day on his show. “Shannon Sharpe said goodbye on FS1. I’ll confess, I was a bit surprised. I was surprised at the tears. I was surprised at the emotion. I’m quite sure that some people out there thought it was fake as hell. And I was really, to be honest with you, I was proud at the way they ended their time together. And again, I’m assuming, because I don’t know, that the feelings weren’t everything that was expressed in Shannon Sharpe’s sign-off. Because in this business, you just don’t see things happen that abruptly.”

He continued. “But I got to tell you, it could not have been handled any better by Shannon Sharpe and Skip Bayless. That’s how you do it….Shannon brought up all the great points that he should have brought up, and there’s nobody on the planet that can relate to what Shannon Sharpe had to say to Skip Bayless better than me. And that is that.” Smith also praised Bayless for his role in forging numerous careers. Sharpe’s next landing spot is still unknown, but ESPN has been floated as a possibility. Follow all the latest sports news here at HotNewHipHop.

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Stephen A. Smith Heaps Praise On Skip Bayless

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Stephen A. Smith is one of the most famous men on sports talk television. However, there is no doubt that he got to where he is now with a lot of hard work. Overall, the road has not been an easy one for Smith. He was let go from ESPN back in the 2000s but was ultimately able to come back on First Take. The show was co-hosted by him and none other than Skip Bayless. Although, Skip left the show in 2016, where he joined forces with Shannon Sharpe and formed the show Undisputed.

On Tuesday, Shannon Sharpe had his very last show with Bayless. Weeks prior, Sharpe had made it clear that he would be moving on. Subsequently, this led to plenty of rumors about his relationship with Bayless. However, during his final episode, he expressed gratitude toward Skip as he ultimately gave Sharpe a platform to be successful. Now, Stephen A. is weighing in on all of this. During an episode of his podcast, he revealed just how much Skip did for him at ESPN. Moreover, he noted that his career would look a lot different if it weren’t for Bayless.

Read More: Stephen A. Smith Doubts Jimmy Butler’s Star Power

Stephen A. Loves His Former Broadcast Partner

“And I can relate because I am sitting here right now with this podcast feeding off my success and what I’ve been fortunate and blessed enough to achieve at ESPN,” Stephen A. explained. “And knowing that it starts with Skip Bayless. […] There’s a whole bunch of brothers and sisters – Black people – that Skip Bayless has helped out and looked out for. And I know people try to question his intent. I’m highlighting his results.” 

At this point, a lot of fans would love to see Stephen A. and Skip join forces again. However, this doesn’t seem quite likely. In fact, it probably makes more sense for Shannon Sharpe to join First Take. Although, that doesn’t seem imminent either. Let us know what you want Sharpe to do next, in the comments section down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news from around the sports world.

Read More: Stephen A. Smith Berates Paul Pierce For Recent Behavior

The post Stephen A. Smith Heaps Praise On Skip Bayless appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Stephen A. Smith Berates Paul Pierce For Recent Behavior

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Stephen A. Smith is someone who can be extremely blunt with his opinions. Overall, he has never cared who he may offend with his commentary. Consequently, there are some people out there who straight up don’t like him. However, there are plenty of others who appreciate his approach to sports journalism. At the end of the day, he and Skip Bayless are pioneers of the industry, and it has been a pleasure to watch them anger people for over a decade.

That said, Stephen A. now has his very own show where he speaks on whatever he wants. Recently, he decided to comment on the recent antics enacted by Paul Pierce. This past week, he appeared drunk on a livestream with Kevin Garnett. He derailed the stream and while some thought it was funny, Smith felt like it was a bad sign. In fact, he went off on Pierce, claiming that this behavior has dated back to his dismissal from ESPN. Overall, Stephen A. believes this behavior is simply beneath Pierce, and he should strive to do better.

Read More: Paul Pierce Takes Shot At Richard Jefferson

Stephen A. Speaks

“Things started to go off the rails quickly because fans noticed that Paul Pierce was apparently drunk, or at least his behavior seemed to be that of an individual who was drunk, slurring his speech, and all of this other stuff,” Stephen said. “There’s certain stuff that you just can’t do, not when you’re working in corporate America, damn sure. Not when you’re working for Disney [which owns ESPN]. Don’t act like you didn’t know what the moral clause is. You looked like you had a lot of strippers in your house. You have some weed going on everywhere in, alcohol and all of this other stuff.”

Overall, it remains to be seen whether or not Pierce decides to actually listen to Stephen A. and his advice. At this point, Pierce seems to be enjoying life and doing things his own way. Let us know what you think of this, in the comments section below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news from around the sports world.

Read More: Paul Pierce Reveals Story Behind The Wheelchair Game

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Stephen A. Smith Doubts Jimmy Butler’s Star Power

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Jimmy Butler had modest expectations when he entered the NBA. Coming out of mid-major Marquette, Butler was the 30th overall pick in 2011. While he was played sparingly during his early years in Chicago, he was a starter by his third season. Butler has defied those modest expectations to become an eight-time all-star and five-time All-NBAer. Furthermore, he has earned the nickname “Playoff Jimmy” for his habit of absolutely balling out in the postseason.

However, is Jimmy Butler a true superstar? It’s a tough question. He certainly doesn’t rank in the same tier as Jokić, Embiid, Giannis, LeBron, etc. But Jimmy Butler has always been a hardworking contributor and a backbone of a lot of teams. Despite this, Stephen A. Smith went hard on Butler’s reputation during a recent episode of First Take.

Stephen A. Smith Goes Off On Jimmy Butler

“You think about superstars and what we usually get from those superstars in terms of offensive production, that’s not Jimmy,” Smith said on First Take. In four seasons with Miami, Butler is averaging 21.5 points per game, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.9 assists. In six seasons in Chicago, Butler averaged 15.6 points per game. Smith is right that Butler isn’t an offensive powerhouse. You don’t win a championship if Jimmy Butler is the primary offensive weapon at your disposal.

But has anyone ever thought otherwise? For real, has anyone genuinely looked at Butler’s output and said “This is the guy who we can exclusively rely on to win us a championship”? No, of course not. And that’s because Butler’s skill set is one you build around. Butler doesn’t shoot threes so you need a guy who can shoot threes. Jimmy Butler isn’t some Swiss-army knife player who can do everything. However, if you can build the right team around him, you don’t need him to be that player. NBA observers have seen the rise of Jokić, Embiid, and other superstars and decided that every team needs a one-man army. Jimmy Butler is a great player, but isn’t and doesn’t need to be the guy who drags a team to a championship. What do you think? Let us know in the comments.

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Stephen A. Smith Stuns JJ Redick With Bad Nikola Jokic Take

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Stephen A. Smith is the biggest name at ESPN right now. Although not everyone is fond of his broadcasting style, there is no doubt he is a force to be reckoned with. Overall, he is making a hefty salary over there, and his bosses love him. After all, he is the reason why the viewership hasn’t dropped off of a cliff over there. His show First Take is a massive success, and with the NBA Finals going down right now, the network is having a good time.

Last night, the Denver Nuggets and the Miami Heat played Game 3 of the NBA Finals. In the end, it was Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets who came away with the victory. Furthermore, Jokic had a historic night as he had over 30 points, 21 rebounds, and 10 assists. Overall, it was just a truly fantastic performance from the big man. However, it inspired an uninformed hot take from Stephen A. “Jokic isn’t known for having some kind of dominant post game now. That’s not his game,” Smith said confidently.

Read More: Stephen A. Smith Calls Zion Williamson A “Man Child”

Stephen A. Tried It

This commentary left JJ Redick and Jay Williams in awe. Simply put, they could not believe that Smith would put such an ignorant statement into the world. However, he did just that, and Redick was forced to correct him. “We’ve got 10 years of tracking data. You know what the No. 1 most efficient halfcourt play is? … A Nikola Jokic post up. Boom,” Redick said. Of course, he got a lot of praise from Jay Williams, who backed him up on those stats. At the end of the day, it has been hard for Jokic to get any kind of credit for his heroics.

Now, the Nuggets have a 2-1 series lead and seem to be in the driver’s seat. They are favored to win this series, and Game 4 should be very interesting. Let us know who you think will come out victorious, in the comments section down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the sports world.

Read More: Stephen A. Smith Shares Advice For Cardi B Regarding “Boredom”

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