Stephen A. Smith is one of the most popular NBA analysts in the world. Smith rose to popularity over the last 2 decades due to his presence and performance on ESPN’s First Take. Over the years, thanks to his takes, but more so his personality and charisma, Smith has become a household name. A journalist like Smith is expected to know his sources, but even he made a mistake, falling for a fake news piece recently.
During his conversation with NBA legend Magic Johnson on First Take, Stephen A. Smith was talking about the Brooklyn Nets and the recent departure of James Harden, and what role Kyrie Irving could have played. In that conversation, Smith referenced a report that talked about Irving calling James Harden ‘washed’ during a practice session, which could have led to a falling out.
😭😭😭😭 “according to reports” https://t.co/DxFWRsaK0M pic.twitter.com/oQBVSLXvIQ
— Ballsack Sports (@BallsackSports) April 4, 2022
Ballsack Fake News Story: “Kyrie beat James Harden 1 on 1 almost everyday in practice, and Kyrie was barely even in basketball shape. It demoralized Harden…the breaking point came when Kyrie called Harden ‘washed’ after completely locking him up in one scrimmage. An assistant had to break up the two as tempers flared, and the relationship spiraled downhill from there.”
Stephen A. Smith: “Especially when Kyrie looked him in the face according to reports and told him he’s washed up. He said that to him. That’s part of the reason they had a falling out in Brooklyn.”
Unfortunately for Stephen A., the report he was referencing was from parody basketball news source Ballsack Sports. Ballsack Sports often makes Onion-style satirical articles with fake quotes and stories about players, personalities, and teams in the NBA. Many people have unknowingly quoted the source as a legitimate one, and Stephen A. Smith becomes the latest one to do so.
Stephen A. Smith isn’t the only ESPN personality to fall victim to Ballsack Sports’ parody articles, as Kendrick Perkins also quoted the same parody story during an appearance on ESPN. Smith and ESPN have yet to comment on it, and it is very possible, given the embarrassing nature of what happened, that he will move on and not draw attention to this mistake.
