Recently, ESPN brought in CJ McCollum and JJ Redick for their morning show ‘First Take’. Stephen A. Smith hosts this show along with Molly Querim, and they discuss the latest updates in the NBA world. However, their latest show did not go as planned by Smith, as both Redrick and McCollum destroyed the renowned analyst over his statements on Russell Westbrook. The NBA world is all praise for the retired stars as they believe that Smith didn’t have anything substantial to back him up.
In summary, La Lakers organized a press conference announcing the recruitment of Darvin Ham. All the players and management, along with Russell Westbrook from the team, were present at the conference. However, Smith was of the opinion that Westbrook should have chosen to pass on the conference. He gave multiple reasons why he believed so including the rumors of the Lakers trying to trade him. His reasons weren’t convincing enough for McCollum and Redick.
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What did Redick and McCollum say?
Both Reddick and McCollum jumped right into the argument. As per Fadeaway World, Reddick said, “So you said a random, random take. And then you explained a bunch of things about Russell Westbrook that had nothing to do with that take. So I want clarification on something. What is your issue with Russell Westbrook being at that news conference? You did not explain that well at all, Stephen A.”
CJ McCollum and JJ Redick had Stephen A. Smith in the blender 😵💫 pic.twitter.com/xa7cxbrrtF
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) June 7, 2022
Along with him, McCollum said, “Him supporting his team, his organization, his coach, a fellow African-American man who got hired by the Los Angeles Lakers. This is what you said!”. While the discussion was in a calm, composed manner, the fans believe that both the former NBA stars destroyed Smith and his arguments.
What are fans saying?
All the fans sided with both the stars. As per them, Smith was blatantly destroyed. Many also implied that Stephen A. Smith is only good enough to have such discussions with stars who don’t know basketball.
This the moment I knew that they were about to cook Stephen A Smith pic.twitter.com/0AR31XahBm
— KENNY BEECHAM (@KOT4Q) June 7, 2022
They cooked tf out that man. Tossed his ass in the broiler and left.
— Salty Cajun (@ChefJake_) June 8, 2022
Stephen a after realizing he has to debate people who actually know basketball pic.twitter.com/kW0qpaYyPf
— Kenny (@Kennyduhballern) June 7, 2022
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They’ve both got that LeBron game 6 look
— 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒆 🌩 (@Three_Cone) June 7, 2022
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What is your take on this altercation? Do you think JJ and McCollum were right to shut Stephen A. down? Or are fans exaggerating what was merely a healthy debate between the panel? Let us know in the comments below.