Stephen A. Smith is under fire after making a bold claim about Donovan Mitchell’s status among the Utah Jazz all-time greats. Following Game 2 of the Utah Jazz-Los Angeles Clippers series, the ESPN analyst had big praise for Spida, labeling him the best Jazz player of all time.
“Donovan Mitchell is D-Wade 2.0. Donovan Mitchell is a closer. Donovan Mitchell is a superstar. Donovan Mitchell is outplaying both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Not one or the other, both of them, and the brother’s only 24,” Smith proclaimed.
“He’s got a J, got a handle, got an NBA body, is strong, can finish at the basket. He take it to the hole, can create his own shot, can hit free throws. There’s nothing this brother cannot do. In Utah, already, I don’t wanna hear about Karl Malone. I don’t wanna hear about John Stockton. That’s the best player in the history of the Jazz organization right there. I just said it, and I ain’t stuttering.”
https://twitter.com/stephenasmith/status/1403400243757076482
These words didn’t sit well among NBA fans, who went after Stephen A. and his take. NBA Twitter was ruthless, calling him disrespectful and more names.
I mean if we being real, Malone and Stockton had wonderful individual numbers and had 2 Finals runs against Jordan where they lost in 6 both times. But outside of that, what else did they really do. And neither had to carry a team like Donovan is doing currently.
— PUGILATO🥊👻 (@RMAghost) June 11, 2021
https://twitter.com/washedbev/status/1403400378729873408
Karl Malone 2 Time MVP. 2 finals appearances. 2nd Most points in NBA HISTORY. 7th Most rebounds in NBA History.
John Stockton has the most steals and most assists in NBA HISTORY. BY A LARGE MARGIN.
This is one of your worst takes of all time. pic.twitter.com/t5fHFJ9oOw
— Jeremy (@JeremyUnplugged) June 11, 2021
This is beyond ignorant, Karl Malone is the 2nd all time leading scorer, 2x MVP and averaged 25-10-4. Mitchell is a really good player, but he’s been in the league 4 years…he also averages 23-4-4. There is no comparison between the two besides your outright hate for Malone
— Jordan Schafer (@JordanSchafer) June 12, 2021
This is beyond ignorant, Karl Malone is the 2nd all time leading scorer, 2x MVP and averaged 25-10-4. Mitchell is a really good player, but he’s been in the league 4 years…he also averages 23-4-4. There is no comparison between the two besides your outright hate for Malone
— Jordan Schafer (@JordanSchafer) June 12, 2021
Malone
Stockton
Maravich
Bro what the hell are u saying
— Caleb❄️ (@BigDaddySamurai) June 11, 2021
Wow talk about an overreaction lmao spida is good but how the hell are you gonna put him over Stockton and Malone already. That’s blasphemous Stephen A
— pesky (@realzdeal1) June 11, 2021
How Stephen A… Donovan Mitchell Is A Dope Player But Karl Malone, Stockton, Have Been 2 Back To Back Finals! Karl Malone Is 2nd In All Time Scoring And An MVP! Stockton Is The All Time Assist Leader!! Donavan Hasn't Even Been Out Of The 2nd Round…🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/2K3DHoJrxP
— Tony Romo (@ActorTonyRomo) June 11, 2021
https://twitter.com/omqjeff/status/1403427180152082437
Haha Karl Malone never played Basketball right? I hate this Hot Takes they are most of the times garbage.
— Amizade dos Santos Paulo (@ADS_Ami) June 12, 2021
And yet Max shouldn’t talk basketball lol ok.
— LeGoat🔥🇩🇴 (@LeGoatFan_10) June 11, 2021
— NFL Fashion Advice (@fashion_nfl) June 11, 2021
Smh I rock with Donovan but he not even better than prime deron Williams
— zero system (@agent_ofchaos23) June 11, 2021
As a Jazz fan, Stockton is the most underrated player in NBA history. He is the all-time leader in assists and steals, and shot 52/38/83 over 20 years. If he was a slightly better FT shooter, he would have had 7 seasons as a 50/40/90 shooter.
— Rest In Paradise 22 (@TheQuiche1327) June 11, 2021
Seriously, this needs to stop. Young bucks, y'all need to understand these programs and talkshow hosts are just trying to generate conversation based on what's going on now. It's to generate views, ratings, traffic, and thus, revenue. You are their demographic.
— Boss Geller (@BernieL54) June 11, 2021
With the 2nd leading scorer in all the nba in that convo lmao
— Jay ♥️ (@jmthagoat) June 11, 2021
I’m fine pretending Malone never played in the NBA, but this is hella disrespectful to Stockton
— c$ (@cStrilly) June 11, 2021
I sound like a broker record when I keep saying…. This guy is a prison of the moment waaaaay too much.
— Dave (@godisking88) June 11, 2021
https://twitter.com/Rookstar_21/status/1403400338359701505
Nobody can take anything away from Mitchell, but he’s still young and hasn’t had a playoffs run like Karl Malone and John Stockton had in 1997 and 1998. Of course, he could finish his career as the greatest Jazz of all time, but it’s still early to tell.
He can have a good run in him this season, which would change things for him compared to the two legends. Meanwhile, there’s nobody better than Malone and Stockton,
