The NBA world is no stranger to heated debates, and Stephen A. Smith is one of the most outspoken analysts. He has been covering NBA news for almost 28 years. Although Smith’s recent comments about Kawhi Leonard’s injury status enraged Leonard’s LA Clippers teammate. The All-Star forward didn’t hesitate to fire back at the famous analyst, sparking a heated debate.

The Clippers players put forth their opinions about the comments Smith made on their podcast. And now, Smith is ready with a rebuttal answering the comments made about him on their podcast.

How did the beef actually start?

This story all started during the 2022-23 season when Stephen A. Smith didn’t hold back in expressing his views on Kawhi Leonard’s availability for the Clippers. He was questioning Leonard’s reliability.

He said “I feel Kawhi Leonard should retire. I am sick of these injuries and I am not questioning the legitimacy in any way.” He further added saying “You got Kawhi who is religiously unavailable and on the flip side it is not injuries that take place in front of us.” This statement of his triggered Leonard’s teammate Paul George, and?he spoke about it on his podcast.

Paul George said, ?I heard Stephen A talking about? like, ?Kawhi could have gave you 10 minutes or five minutes.? Bro it?s not about that. Like, if I got to go on the floor and can?t be myself? the like what the f**k am I on the floor for. Now, I?m liable to get even more hurt,” and called it a dumb take on Smith’s part.

While George and Leonard spoke, the latter asks the former if Smith has ever even played a professional sport. Hearing this, George responds, “hell no”. Leonard further added by saying if he hasn’t played any sport professionally, he does not have a right to speak about what athletes go through on a daily basis.

After George said this on his podcast called “Podcast P,” Smith took it to Twitter and said, “Evidently, Paul George and his peeps wanted my attention.” And further said that he will be addressing this situation in his podcast.

Smith firing back at Paul George & Kawhi Leonard

Stephen A. Smith started off by saying, “I have always been a fan of Paul George. Not just Paul George, the basketball player, but Paul George, the person. But I respectfully disagree with what he had to say about me.”

Now addressing the situation he said, ” I’m amazed. I have been covering the NBA since you have been in elementary school. I think I know a thing or two about basketball.”

Read More: Paul George On Keeping Up With Kobe Bryant Before A Possible Lakers Move: ?I Am Training Now To Get Ready To Work Out With Him?

He further added, “Paul George did you know you are the 34th highest-paid athlete in the world according to Forbes? I do not want to disrespect you but I have got facts. You have missed 119 out of 308 regular season games, that’s 38% due to injuries. In that time span you have earned $132 million dollars in your career, $57.3 million of those was for games missed.

He did not stop there, adding “Kawhi Leonard has missed 147 out of 307 regular games, that’s 48% due to injuries. He has earned $146.9 million in his career, $70.8 million were for games he missed. So combining your $57.3 and his $70.8 million that comes up to $121.1 million in salary paid to you both for missed games.”??

The argument between the outspoken analyst and the players made the offseason more interesting. Basketball fans can expect an exciting debate that highlights the passion and intensity of the NBA.

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