Newsletter
Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Reading: Stephen A. Smith Refuses To Take Blame After Bob Myers Accuses Him Of Tearing Teams Apart
Fadeaway WorldFadeaway World
Search
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Follow US
Home > NBA News & Analysis > Stephen A. Smith Refuses To Take Blame After Bob Myers Accuses Him Of Tearing Teams Apart

Stephen A. Smith Refuses To Take Blame After Bob Myers Accuses Him Of Tearing Teams Apart

Bob Myers blames Stephen A. Smith for divisive media narratives, while Smith denies accusations, highlighting the impact of media on team dynamics during the NBA Finals.

Vishwesha Kumar
Jun 10, 2024
4 Min Read
Share

Credit: Fadeaway World

The spotlight turned from the action on the court to off-court dynamics following the Boston Celtics’ victory over the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. ESPN NBA analyst and former Golden State Warriors GM, Bob Myers, pointed a finger at Stephen A. Smith for allegedly contributing to team division narratives during the pre-game show on NBA Countdown before Game 2.

Bob Myers: “People used to come at Curry and Durant. They come at you in the media. They come at you in the street. But what matters is your locker room and what they can withstand… We tear teams apart more than we ever have, maybe on purpose, maybe that guy down there. I don’t know, maybe.”

Stephen A. Smith: “Not me. Not me. That’s social media, not me.”

"We tear teams apart more than we ever have, maybe on purpose, maybe that guy down there (pointing at Stephen A. Smith)." – Bob Myers

"Not me. Not me. That's social media, not me." – SAS 😬 pic.twitter.com/rb1XTouQDJ

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 9, 2024

Stephen A. Smith, known for his forthright commentary, immediately refuted Myers’ insinuation. Smith’s denial underscored a significant issue in sports media: the impact of both traditional and social media on team dynamics and player perceptions.

The debate over whether Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown is the Celtics’ best player has been a recurring media theme throughout the season. Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd’s remark that Brown is Boston’s MVP added fuel to the fire. Myers highlighted how such discussions could potentially divide a locker room, suggesting that media speculation can be detrimental to team unity.

Stephen A. Smith, however, distanced himself from these accusations. His response indicated a clear distinction between his role as an analyst and the pervasive influence of social media. Smith’s rebuttal also brought to light the broader issue of how media narratives can shape public perception and potentially disrupt team cohesion.

Smith has faced similar situations before. Following the Cleveland Cavaliers’ surprising road victory against the Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals, he criticized Jayson Tatum for his underwhelming postseason performance on “First Take.” Smith’s sharp critique reflected his frustration with Tatum’s declining performance, citing it as the worst since 2019.

This incident with Myers marks the second time in a week that an ESPN colleague has called out Smith on-air. Previously, Monica McNutt questioned Smith’s support for women’s basketball on “First Take,” which Smith also took offense to. These interactions highlight the ongoing tension and scrutiny that Smith faces as a prominent media figure.

Bob Myers‘ comments before Game 2 of the NBA Finals brought attention to the delicate balance between media coverage and team dynamics. While Stephen A. Smith deflected blame onto social media, the incident underscores the significant impact of media narratives on the NBA and its players. 

As the Finals continue, the focus will inevitably return to the court, but the conversation around media influence on sports will persist.

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We really appreciate your support.

Follow on Google News

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

TAGGED:Bob MyersBoston Celtics ArchiveJaylen BrownJayson TatumStephen A. Smith
Share This Article
Facebook Email Copy Link Print
ByVishwesha Kumar
Follow:
Vishwesha Kumar is a staff writer for Fadeaway World from Bengaluru, India. Graduating with a Bachelor of Technology from PES University in 2020, Vishwesha leverages his analytical skills to enhance his sports journalism, particularly in basketball. His experience includes writing over 3000 articles across respected publications such as Essentially Sports and Sportskeeda, which have established him as a prolific figure in the sports writing community.Vishwesha’s love for basketball was ignited by watching LeBron James, inspiring him to delve deeply into the nuances of the game. This personal passion translates into his writing, allowing him to connect with readers through relatable narratives and insightful analyses. He holds a unique and controversial opinion that Russell Westbrook is often underrated rather than overrated. Despite Westbrook's flaws, Vishwesha believes that his triple-double achievements and relentless athleticism are often downplayed, making him one of the most unique and electrifying players in NBA history, even if his style of play can sometimes be polarizing. 
Previous Article Kristaps Porzingis Will Play Through Injury For The Celtics In Game 3: “I Will Die Out There”
Next Article Muggsy Bogues Builds His Superteam Using Former Teammates
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsletter

Stay up to date with our newsletter on the latest news, trends, ranking lists, and evergreen articles

Newsletter
Facebook X-twitter Instagram

You Might Also Like

JJ Redick
Los Angeles Lakers News & Analysis

Richard Jefferson Reveals Major Flaw In JJ Redick’s Coaching

October 3, 2025
Luka Doncic
Los Angeles Lakers News & Analysis

Austin Reaves Recalls Luka Doncic’s First Game Back In Dallas After Blockbuster Trade

October 3, 2025
Minnesota Timberwolves News & Analysis

Anthony Edwards Gets Real On Putting “Belt To A**” On Elite Players Like Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Stephen Curry

October 3, 2025
Golden State Warriors News & Analysis

Steve Kerr Took A Page From Phil Jackson’s Book To Avoid Contract Distractions During Warriors’ Season

October 3, 2025

NBA - Fadeaway World

  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Boston Celtics
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Chicago Bulls
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Houston Rockets
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Miami Heat
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • New York Knicks
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Orlando Magic
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • Sacramento Kings
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Utah Jazz
  • Washington Wizards

Pages

  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA Media
  • Exclusive NBA Interviews
  • NBA 2K News & Updates

© 2025 Fadeaway World @ All Rights Reserved

  • About Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World Authors
  • Editorial Team
  • Ethics Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Contact Us
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?