“What you hiding for?” It was just last week that Stephen A. Smith questioned Vice President Kamala Harris for not holding a press conference or participating in any one-on-one interviews since her presidential candidature was announced. While the ESPN veteran still pledges his allegiance to Harris, he wants the leader to step up her game. More so because every other participant has reportedly done their job perfectly, including pop sensation Beyonce, who fired up Smith with her tunes of ‘Freedom’.

Yes, with Beyonce giving the Harris campaign exclusive rights to her hit song, it has become the tune of the Democratic Party. And the NBA analyst cannot get enough of it: “That’s a damn good campaign theme song. I love it. Listen to it every morning. Got me fired up.” However, now the analyst demands a similar impact from Kamala Harris as the Democratic National Convention in Chicago reaches its pinnacle, “The stage has been set and that’s just one reason why Vice President Kamala Harris has to show up tonight and show out. She’s gotta answer the call. She can’t do what she’s been doing. She’s gotta do better than that.”

Being a presidential candidate and possibly the future voice of the nation, the analyst urged Kamala to be more assertive and vocal throughout the campaign and follow up with her actions. Then, standing by what he said last week, he said on his podcast, “I’m not apologizing for what I said about her just days ago coz she’s getting my vote and I support her. But all of this running and hiding and having rallies and thinking that’s a press conference and avoiding one-on-one interviews. Nah! Nah! You don’t get to do that.”

Sure enough, he reminded Harris that her opponent Donald Trump never shies away from addressing the media or answering any questions even though he “might lie to everybody”. But not just Smith, even Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry put his weight behind the politician. The Warriors have been a longtime supporter as they even refused to visit the White House during Donald Trump’s presidential term.

With a long-term connection with the Bay Area as a law student at the University of California, and then the Deputy District Attorney, it’s no surprise Harris has found some voices from the NBA community. Notably, Steve Kerr, on Day 1 of the 2024 Democratic National Convention, also proclaimed,  “After the results are tallied that night, we can, in the words of the great Steph Curry, we can tell Donald Trump, Night, Night!” 

And then remember when Harris visited the USA Men’s Basketball team in the lead-up to the Paris Olympics? “Bring back the gold,” she had said.

So, coming back to Smith’s demand, the Vice-President was also not one to shy away from putting her point forward.

Stephen A. Smith wants Kamala Harris to send Donald Trump a message

As Smith raised the bar for Kamala Harris, he expected her to come out all guns blazing on the final night of the DNC and send a stern warning to the opposition: “’I’m not running. You Trump, you the one that needs to run, like run away, coz I’m not’.” The analyst wanted the Vice President to convey. Sure enough, she did not disappoint!

As Harris took center stage in front of thousands in attendance and millions watching at home, she went all out in her speech, “This election is one of the most important in the life of our nation. Just imagine Donald Trump with no guardrails. How he would use the immense powers of the presidency of the United States, not to improve your life, but to serve the only client he has ever had… himself.”

Filled with gratitude for this amazing opportunity to bring change, Harris hoped for a brighter tomorrow: “With this election, our nation has a precious and fleeting opportunity to move past the bitterness, cynicism, and divisive battles of the past. A chance to chart a New Way Forward, not as members of any one party or faction but as Americans.” And hopefully, Stephen A. Smith and the rest of America would be happy with how Harris took control to send out the message that she wanted. Do you agree?

Before you go, do not forget to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Asia Avinger