ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith Blasts Rashad McCants in Heated 12-Minute Rant About Kobe Bryant⁩

Looks like we have a new rivalry in the town. ESPN analyst Stephen. A. Smith popped off on his YouTube show after former NBA guard Rashad McCants called him out on Gilbert Arenas’ podcast. Smith shared a unique take on his top two basketball players of the world. While many would put Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant at the top, Smith decided to put LeBron James after the Chicago Bulls legend for his best two players. Well, McCants did not like that at all. 

On the Arenas show, McCants shared, “So when I hear Stephen A going off on these rants about how, ‘Kobe Bryant is not this and that’, you didn’t have that energy when he was here. Where was that energy when he was alive? And stop bringing this man who passed to extend your narrative. It don’t make no f****** sense. Let the man rest…Don’t be trying to diminish my man’s name.”

Smith had two pointers to give McCants a reply. The 56-year-old shared, “Respectfully, you don’t know what you are talking about. Number 1, if you are going to quote me, quote me accurately…I have never, nor would I ever diminish the Black Mamba. Number 2, I didn’t have the energy when he was here? Kobe was a friend of mine. I told Kobe to his face when he was alive. Because I’ve been calling LeBron number two to Michael Jordan before Kobe passed away.”

Hold on, it doesn’t end here. 

A furious Stephen. A. Smith tried to rope in Shaquille O’Neal to prove his point

Shaquille O’Neal was about to join the show later, and this was a perfect chance for Smith to prove his point. The ESPN analyst shared, “That is a fact. It is something we debated about. When Shaquille O’Neal comes on the show a little bit later on today, he’ll confirm that for you, just ask him…I’m not sitting here coming at you derogatorily, as if I got a beef with you…I don’t know you that well.”

Read more: Stephen A Smith Reveals One of Kobe Bryant’s Biggest Regrets Involving Michael Jordan

Smith was furious about McCants calling him out, but he decided to show some respect to the NCAA champion to calm things down. Smith believes McCants knows the game, but he also questioned, “Why is it that’s hating, just because I don’t have him as number two all-time?” After all, Smith has been a fan of Bryant too! Well, let’s see what the former Timberwolves star has to say about it! 

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Do you think Smith was right for this? Share your take in the comments below.