15 Days After Stephen A. Smith’s Clapback, Another NBA Legend Echoes Clippers Star’s Sentiments

Athletes have been fielding opinions and suggestions from fans for as long as spectator sports have existed. They don’t always like it. After all, they aren’t coming to your job and telling you how to do it. Several athletes have expressed their distaste for unsolicited game strategies. Some have taken direct jabs at certain sportscasters who have never experienced what it’s like on the court.

Recently, Gilbert Arenas and Iman Shumpert exchanged views about getting advice from people who haven’t played against basketball pros. ‘Agent Zero’s’ comments sound a lot similar to what another NBA star said about Stephen A. Smith which set off a heated argument last month.

Gilbert Arenas on unsolicited playing advice

Gilbert Arenas joined former NBA player, Iman Shumpert on Iman Amongst Men to discuss his career, life, etc. At one point, they discussed fans giving them advice on how to play the game. Both NBA stars were at a consensus that fans don’t see the game at the same level as the players themselves. It’s a tale as old as time. Fans will point out mistakes players make during the game when athletes are under serious pressure. Both Arenas and Shumpert were frustrated by that.

But Gil said, “They [fans] are listening to someone who’s never played the game.” He was referring to the NBA analysts and sportscasters feeding opinions along with information to fans. “You’re an analyst and you’re watching it, and you’ve been watching it for years. That’s what’s up. That’s cool. I like it, I love it.”

In case you missed the sarcasm, Arenas went on to say, “But if you never [played the game], and it’s easy for you to be like, ‘Oh yeah, they had a two for one.’ That’s easy. Listen, that sounds cute.” 

Shumpert agreed as Arenas continued, “But unless you’re in it, and you’ve played it, you’ve been through those situations, you really don’t know what it is. Right? That’s the player.” 

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They go on to discuss how a fan and analyst might describe a shot as terrible but another player will find that alright. The two retired ballers were discussing something many athletes have brought up in the past. But the comment reminds basketball fans about another such exchange between an athlete and an analyst.

Paul George and Stephen A. Smith traded jabs

Los Angeles Clippers Paul George was on Podcast P in July where he said something similar to what Arenas did. But he namedropped ESPN analyst, Stephen A. Smith. George said, “I heard Stephen A. talk about like, ‘Kawhi [Leonard] could have gave you 10 minutes or five minutes.’ Bro it’s not about that. Like, if I gotta go on the floor and I can’t be myself… then like what the f**k am I on the floor for? Now I’m liable to get even more hurt. It was a dumb take.”

The host, Jackie Long said that Smith has not played any sports and George agreed. He said that Smith doesn’t understand the athlete’s side of things.

But Smith is not one to take criticism lightly. He fired back at Long demanding, “I can’t talk about sports?” He then aimed at George and Kawhi Leonard’s contracts and their underwhelming scores. “I don’t see Clippers fans getting any refunds,” he answered George.

Do you also agree with Arenas and George about unjustified advice? Or do you believe Smith is right in keeping athletes accountable for their salaries? Leave your response in the comments.

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