The NBA media personalities add a different perspective to the game of basketball with their opinions. Over the years, though, a few of their thoughts have fueled numerous off-court issues. One such instance happened when Stephen A. Smith had to eat his own words after he commented on an NBA legend worth $160 million.

Despite establishing himself as an era-defining NBA personality, Smith is often perceived as an egotistical individual. But this around, he had to apologize to the former NBA star on national television.

Who made Stephen A. Smith apologize on live television?

Right before the 2012 Olympics, Stephen expressed his opinion on an ongoing matter between Carmelo Anthony and New York Knicks. He did not verify the news and made comments that offended Carmelo. Anthony then confronted Stephen A., and the latter had to accept his mistake on national television.

In the latest episode of Podcast P with Paul George, Smith said that the former All-Star called him asking, “Why would you say that?”. Stephen tried to defend himself, stating that it was what he had heard. “And you did not call me?” Carmelo said, to which Stephen replied, “Melo, you had the Olympics,” implying that he did not want to distract him from his preparations.

Melo put the final nail in the coffin asking, “When the f**k did that stop you? “. Stephen realized his error of judgment. “I had no excuse. Zero,”?he said before making a public apology to the NBA legend with a reported net worth of $160 million.

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“To this day, I don’t know what the hell came over me,” Smith stated, regretting his actions. Reflecting on it, he looked deeply hurt because of this. As a man in the studio who made uncountable comments on NBA players, it was not the only time he had to bump his head with an athlete.

A career filled with controversies

His most popular beef was with Kwame Brown when he was getting traded to the Memphis Grizzlies from the Los Angeles Lakers. His explosive rants in 2008 made the headlines, which later turned into an ongoing verbal fight with the player.

In just the last few years, he has had issues with the stars such as Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant. He discussed all of this during the podcast but also mentioned that he considered this a part of his job.

Having a controversy with Stephen A. Smith is quite common in today’s NBA. But making him go public and apologize is not. That moment surely did not hold him back as he continued with his flow time and time again afterward. The unshakable determination of a man who truly believes in himself.

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