Former Washington Wizards star Gilbert Arenas has recently reentered the spotlight. This time, the 3x NBA All-Star has made headlines for some scathing comments he made about NBA great Hakeem Olajuwon. The comments have received some negative reception from NBA enthusiasts, with many of them speaking out in defense of the 2x NBA champion. Joining them, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith took to his official YouTube Channel to touch base on the alleged controversy that Arenas has gotten himself involved in.

Smith heard what the former Wizards player had to say about Hakeem Olajuwon. He then paused the video and stated that he ?respectfully? disagreed with Arenas? viewpoint.

Stephen A. Smith speaks in defense of Hakeem Olajuwon

Referring to Olajuwon as one of the ?top 5 greatest centers in the history of basketball?, Smith placed the 60-year-old on the same pedestal as other big names like Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Shaquille O’Neal, etc.

Smith defended Olajuwon?s teachings and lessons, stating that the training he provided helped formidable players like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Carmelo Anthony to excel on the basketball court. The journalist even proceeded to highlight the words that the late Lakers icon said about Olajuwon.

?When you?re able to understand the small details, you?re able to elevate it to another, higher level,? said Stephen A. Smith, when highlighting Kobe?s words. From Olajuwon?s eye-catching performance in the 1994 NBA Finals to his dominance over David Robinson, Smith made use of various examples to explain to his viewers why the NBA veteran deserved respect.

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?Olajuwon was ?The Dream?. The ?Dream Shake? and everything in between,? Arenas added in his segment. ?He blocked shots, he rebounded, and he had moves in the post that was pretty much unrivaled by any big man he had gone against.?

Smith was the latest person to speak out in defense of Hakeem Olajuwon. It was just a day ago when other former players like Paul Pierce and Rashad McCants joined in to defend the NBA veteran. Stephen A. Smith?s comments came only a few days after Gilbert Arenas made his views about Olajuwon crystal clear.

Gilbert Arenas criticized “The Dream’s” outdated methods

It all started over a week ago when Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo sat down for his very first podcast interview with ?48 Minutes?. During the same, Giannis stated that, in order to prepare himself for the upcoming NBA season, he will be taking some training sessions from the former Rockets star.

The news caught the attention of various people, including Arenas. Taking to social media, the former athlete expressed his own viewpoint. He highlighted how LeBron James had to pay an exorbitant price of $50,000 per session during his training days with The Dream. Furthermore, he stated his opinion that Olajuwon was a creature of the past and that his moves have now become outdated.

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?I?m sorry but nobody doing this sh*t no more,? Arenas said during his controversial episode. With Stephen A. Smith becoming the latest individual to criticize Arenas? opinion, fans will have to wait and see who else will be turning up in the near future.