Stephen A. Smith has received plenty of criticism after his tribute to Kobe Bryant went viral for the wrong reasons. The ESPN analyst, like the rest of us, remembered the Black Mamba on the second anniversary of his tragic death.
Everybody wanted to express their love to Kobe, his daughter Gianna and the seven other people that died during that fatal helicopter crash. Smith wore a Black Mamba jacket for Wednesday’s edition of First Take, honoring Kobe. But, that wasn’t the only thing he’d do to remember the 5x NBA champion.
Smith showed a video of Kobe to highlight his qualities. This is completely normal, but Smith twisted everything when he decided to take shots at today’s players and compare them to Bryant.
“Players missing games for reasons that have nothing to do with injury,” Stephen A. says in the clip, as footage of Kawhi Leonard and Kyrie Irving appear on screen, “That was not Kobe Bryant.”
“Players collecting paychecks without regard to regular season participation, that was not Kobe Bryant,” Smith continues, via Complex. “Players prioritizing any and everything but championships, that was not Kobe Bryant.”
Stephen A used a Kobe tribute to throw shots at players. You’re disgusting bruh @stephenasmith pic.twitter.com/KXaWpgmAaX
— Zeke 💫 (@Zeke2Smooth) January 26, 2022
What he thought would be welcome with open arms by fans turned out to be a lot of criticism towards the ESPN personality. Fans didn’t appreciate that he used the name of Kobe to talk bad about other players, especially those who had a good relationship with the Los Angeles Lakers legend.
Don't use a man who has passed away to push your opinions about modern day players. It's honestly disgusting
— Cifer (@NetsCifer) January 26, 2022
“Is he wrong?” Using a tribute to push personal agendas is nasty. Idc what y’all talking about.
— Zeke 💫 (@Zeke2Smooth) January 26, 2022
I have two comments here. And I’m not arguing back and forth with any of y’all.
Is it in bad taste to use a eulogy segment about Kobe to take shots at current players? Yes.
If Kobe were alive, would he call some of these players soft and self-centered? Yes.
— P. (@sweetH20_) January 27, 2022
Missing games for nothing? This is low even for SAS
Since 2018 Kawhi had a chronic quad injury, and now ACL injury.
— Rebirth_Of_Soul (@TrevorMartinTho) January 26, 2022
Bruh he took shots
As he’s talking about players missing time for reason that have nothing to do with basketball shows Kyrie
As he’s saying players collecting checks while not playing shows Ben Simmons and Kyrie Jerseys he took shots
— Josh H (@krazyboyz100) January 27, 2022
Idk how Kyrie is soft for literally goin against the crowd and standing up for something he believes in?? Stephen A making this all about dribbling a basketball. Kobe would be ashamed to see this video
— JaPointGod (@JPointgod) January 26, 2022
Okay and I can reply with pictures of Kobe mentoring Kyrie and Kawhi, but it would be pointless. The focus should be on honoring Kobe not how we think he would feel about this topic or any other topic.
— Zeke 💫 (@Zeke2Smooth) January 27, 2022
https://twitter.com/philly_dame/status/1486434041834442752https://twitter.com/ayeetris/status/1486439025250607104https://twitter.com/nizcomix/status/1486439390809399298
…and while I see a bit of the off putting you’re talking about, I wouldn’t even call that a tribute. It was more like an acknowledgment piece. Tribute would be more geared solely towards that individual.
— Corey-Joshua (@TheCoreyJoshua) January 26, 2022
Idk anyone who does anymore
— Dub 😵💫🧬 (@DylanFrew6) January 26, 2022
He’s out other players down to build Kobe up. And also included Kyrie twice to continue his personal agenda of slandering him, knowing how close Kyrie was to Kobe. I also don’t doubt Kobe wouldn’t want to be honoured this way.
— auyysj (@milodust42) January 27, 2022
Swear ever since he kicked Max off First Take he’s been losing it
— 𝐅𝐥𝐨 🎯 (@flo_cade) January 26, 2022
The first 2 are bs but the last one was right. Some dudes really only care about their stats lol
— NO SAUCES ENT. (@b0y1da_) January 27, 2022
https://twitter.com/with_disrespect/status/1486549469399326722https://twitter.com/BridgesGotNext/status/1486455716508577797
He could have just honoured the man without bashing others. In fact, the tribute lost it's message because of how devisive it is.
He bashes these players every other episode, he could've continued without mentioning Kobe
— A diary of lesogana la moPedi. | Jesus is my Hero. (@kobetji) January 27, 2022
https://twitter.com/SuperSai_1/status/1486554830919372804
This was an unfortunate moment for Stephen A., and fans let him know he was wrong with that. Kobe was a different breed, his mentality was unique, but that doesn’t mean he must blast players to bring Kobe’s name up. The Black Mamba was a legend and after his retirement, he made sure to help players reach their best level. Some say if he was alive, he would have called out some of these players, but that’s not for us or Stephen A. to discuss.
