Stephen A. Smith: Nice guy. Knows nothing about the NBA...

by Andrew Feinstein on May 26, 2009 7:54 PM MDT

At last night's game, I ran into two lifelong friends of mine before tipoff and they regaled me with a classic story. Apparently, they were in Las Vegas on December 6th for the Manny Pacquiao/Oscar De La Hoya fight at the MGM Grand. After the fight, they found themselves in the press room with none other than then (and now former) ESPN NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith. Given that the Nuggets had already exhibited that they were a team to be reckoned with at the point in the season, my friends couldn't resist asking Stephen A. what his forecast for the Nuggets was the rest of the way. According to my friends, Stephen A. couldn't have been a nicer guy but emphatically (as only Stephen A. can) said that the Nuggets were losers, had no chance of doing anything and were, at best, the ninth best team in the Western Conference. Ninth!!

When asked who the eight teams are that could be considered better than the Nuggets, according to my friends Stephen A. went down the list of the usuals such as the Lakers, Rockets, Spurs, Hornets, Jazz, Trailblazers, Suns and Mavericks. It's hardly a sign of disrespect when someone as clueless as Stephen A. says that your team is a dog, but it just shows you that even after the Nuggets hot start to the season and even with the addition of Chauncey Billups, the so called "experts" hadn't yet awoken to what the Nuggets were all about.

Now if the Nuggets could just beat the Lakers in LA on Wednesday and wrap up the series Friday in Denver, maybe ESPN won't renew the contracts of all their "experts" who have been so blatantly wrong about our Nuggets all season long.

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Comments

This is exactly why I'm sick of listening to predictions. No one analyzes the last game anymore. They just argue over what's going to happen in the next one when ultimately no one knows anything.

by MJKeenan on May 26, 2009 3:02 PM MDT reply actions

Why is he "former" ESPN employee? I didn't notice he was gone.. if that says anything.

by Eric K on May 26, 2009 3:07 PM MDT reply actions

Mr. Smith is only good to listen to if you have a Boy George song on repeat in your head. He's as worthless as all of the other so called experts, he just has a very loud voice. He's like Ludacris, only that's how he really is, it's not a gimmick or alter-ego, he's just that annoying. Next year he'll predict a WCF rematch between these two teams. Regardless of how well they play.

Hey Andrew. Can you do me a solid and please call Jeff Van Gundy out on his poor commentating? I can't be the only one of this opinion. He's literally ruining these games, even during a Nuggs win. He's never on cue with anything, and his comments rarely have anything to do with the game. I really miss Marlow and Hastings calling the games, cuz well...THEY CALLED THE GAMES! This idiot just uses buzz words he overheard Jim Rome using. In his eyes every shot the Nuggets take is a bad shot...till it goes in, then it's "the smart play". Not to mention the man crush he has on Bryant. It's a little nausiating.

by Joelsopinion on May 26, 2009 3:38 PM MDT reply actions

Jones has been assessed a flagrant 1 for tripping Bryant during the last game. No suspension. One bullet dodged. What would Karl do if Jones was suspended, open the game with A.C. guarding Bryant?

by KarlSucks on May 26, 2009 3:40 PM MDT reply actions

I was just sitting here reading the post and had to take a break to talk with someone about how bad JVG is, and then I read the comments. Once again, it's good to hang out in a place with like minded individuals.

It's like the 24-hour news networks. They just have to fill the every single second with hot air. I'd rather just sit in silence, especially with the ESPN crew. My dad calls Mark Jackson "Master of the Obvious." IMO TNT is way more analytical, and more entertaining, on all fronts.

And yes, I too miss Hastings and Marlowe. I pine for the days when I could hear "Bird with a bother!"

by Do We Have Any Plays? on May 26, 2009 4:22 PM MDT reply actions

The irony of Smith's assertion of the 2008-09 Nuggets is that one or two seasons ago he picked them to represent the West in the Finals.

by Marmatard on May 26, 2009 5:18 PM MDT reply actions

GREAT CALL, Marmatard! I totally forgot about that.

by Andrew on May 26, 2009 5:23 PM MDT reply actions

Stephen A, what a piece of work. I too remember when he picked the Nuggets a few years back to win the WCFs. The man really has no idea what he is talking about, because now that we do make it to the WCFs he says we shouldn't even be in the playoffs. I am glad ESPN got rid of him, I had a strong feeling most people from ESPN genuinely hated his shenanigans. His career is pretty much over now.

I am fully with everyone who thinks Van Gundy and Mark Jackson are absolutely terrible. I never realized it I guess because they always announced for other teams but now that it's our team I can really see how dumb they are. They just make outrageous predictions and accusations the entire game without ever really doing analysis. I can't wait till the Finals when we no longer have these guys. I want Harlan and Albert, those guys are pure genius.

by Goldennugget on May 26, 2009 5:58 PM MDT reply actions

wow, Stephen A. is a moron, like most at ESPN. It's okay though, as a great Nuggets fan, I like how we are proving everyone wrong and no one can stop us. Go Nuggets! you can also check out what I think on my blog.. trufancolorado.blogspot.com

what did he do to be "let go" by espn (im assuming he was fired)

by Tru Fan Colorado on May 26, 2009 6:04 PM MDT reply actions

Tru Fan I think they all just got tired of his yelling. Is it really that hard to control the volume and tone of one's voice?

Either that or Sage Steal and Rachel Nichols were made to feel extremely uncomfortable when he told them what the A. stood for.

by Joelsopinion on May 27, 2009 8:48 AM MDT reply actions

That made me laugh. I didn't mind him that much, but I never felt like he provided insight or analysis worthy of his position. It just goes to show how far you can go if you speak with confidence and authority, regardless of your actual knowledge on a subject.

by parce on May 27, 2009 9:47 AM MDT reply actions

Van Gundy and Jackson are great together, especially Van Gundy, the guy is hilarious.

Though, being a Piston's fan for 10+ years and witnessing Chauncey for the last 7 of them or whatever, I totally saw this (Nuggs success) coming.

by Toasterhands on May 27, 2009 2:18 PM MDT reply actions

Stephen Smith is an unprofessional sore loser. Have you seen the video where he walked out because they were talking about how much his Knicks suck?

As for the Nuggets, I just hope Karl refrains from telling the media that they're the best team in the playoffs right now. Us Nuggets fans may agree with him, but I'm worried Karl might jinx his team this way. When he said that, I was like "nooooooo!!" Let the other teams say that about the Nuggets instead.

by ishlifyhead on May 27, 2009 7:01 PM MDT reply actions

Comments For This Post Are Closed

STIFF LIST (as of 4/26 by Andrew Feinstein)

1. METTA WORLD PEACE

Metta resorted back to Ron Ron last Sunday by clubbing James Hardenwith an "inadvertent celebratory elbow", landing him a 7-game suspension. Apparently, changing his name didn't prevent NBA commissioner David Stern from overlooking Metta's past behavior problems.

2. CHARLOTTE BOBCATS

The 'Cats are on the verge of securing the worst winning percentage in NBA history. Given that the guy who runs the team - Michael Jordan - had previously drafted Kwame Brown and Adam Morrison, should this really be a shock?

3. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
The team that was supposedly built to overcome the lockout-shortened season managed to lose 7 of its last 14 games, ceding the Western Conference's 1-seed to the Spurs in the process. Their reward might be a first round matchup with defending champion Dallas.

4. BILLY HUNTER AND DEREK FISHER

With report after report coming out about NBPA union head Hunter's shady, nepotistic dealings and questions arising about Fisher's own role in dealing with NBA owners behind Hunter's back during the lockout, this off-the-court scandal could prove to be more exciting than the playoffs themselves!

5. STEVE NASH AND THE PHOENIX SUNS
The Suns are on this list for squandering the last few great seasons from Nash. Nash is on this list for his stupidly stubborn loyalty to a franchise as awful as the Suns.