“Not A Journalist”: Stephen A. Smith Disappointed in Shaq For Backing Draymond Green’s Alleged Lies

The Green-Smith saga is not yet over. Draymond Green accused Stephen A. Smith on Shaq’s podcast. He felt Smith didn’t defend him against recent public backlash. In response, Smith retaliated. It doesn’t end there, in the same segment on ESPN’s First Take, Smith also expressed his disappointment in Shaq for not taking a stand for him.

Smith felt Shaq supported the allegations against him. Although it was established that Smith was not pleased to hear about Draymond’s comments, it seems that he may also have a bone to pick with Shaq. “Draymond and I, I’ll never hate him, I’ll never have anything but love for him but I don’t respect what he did,” Smith began by addressing Green first. “You know my number, you’ve spoken to me before, why am I hearing about it on Shaq’s podcast?”

He talked about his feelings after hearing the news, it sounded like Smith felt betrayed. “It would’ve been nice for Shaq to follow up and say, ‘Yo! This Stephen A you’re talking about, this brother always defended you.’ It would’ve been nice for Shaq to do that,” he said, expressing disappointment at what he thought was a lack of professional and personal courtesy from Shaq O’Neal’s side.

Smith then talked about his perception of their respective roles in an attempt to underline his expectations from Shaq as a podcast host and a media personality. He remarked, “But you know he does what he does. And he’s not a journalist like I am so I get that, I understand. Just like I’m not a Hall of Fame all-time great like he is.” His statement underscored how he felt that journalistic integrity was important in a situation like this one and that Shaq should have been more mindful.

“We talk about being men, I’m not hard to find. Draymond could’ve called me up. I don’t need to find that out on Shaq’s podcast when the world knows when he is wrong,” Smith continued. Judging from his other comments about the situation, Stephen A. felt targeted and blindsided by Green’s comments. He maintained that Green’s accusations against him were false and said, “I did not do that, you’re gonna take a sound bite?” But what exactly is the Green-Smith beef about? Here’s how it all started.

The Green-Smith saga

Stephen A. Smith and Draymond Green’s dispute recently spilled out after a confession on Shaquille O’Neal’s podcast. Green claimed he was treated unfairly by the media amidst his on-court behavioral problems, especially by Smith. He expressed his frustration with Smith, “At not one point did you say, ‘Well, y’all are saying this person is f**ked up and this person needs help. Now, I know the person. Say what you want about the basketball player, that’s fine. But I know the person.” Green expressed his obvious disappointment in Smith, his friend, not speaking up for him and said he had lost a lot of respect for certain people.

Stephen A. did not hold back either. In his First Take segment, he said, “Draymond Green just went on a National Podcast with Shaquille O’Neal, my brother said that he lost respect for me. Well, I’ve now lost respect for him.” He defended himself against the allegations and said, “I love this brother. I got mad love for Draymond Green. I have an abundance of receipts where I can show you. How many times have I spoken up for Draymond? It’s been countless times.” Both Green and Smith have completely different narratives about the situation and a lot of heated words have been thrown around.

Their escalating beef is not the first time that tensions have built up between NBA players and media personalities. Deep-seated frustrations are evident on both sides. Smith fervently defends his integrity while Green voices complaints of unjust treatment. Additionally, there is a third layer to this dispute. Smith is frustrated with Shaquille O’Neal for not supporting him on his podcast. It is unclear if Draymond Green will respond to Smith’s comments. Meanwhile, fans find it difficult to choose sides as the saga unfolds.