“He’s the Best in the Business”: NBA Legend Allen Iverson Lauds Stephen A. Smith

NBA Analysts and NBA players tend to develop interpersonal relationships with time. It could be a good one because the analyst has always hyped up the player. Consequently, it could also be a bitter if one critique’s the other and there are back-and-forth jabs taking place. Similarly, analyst Stephen A. Smith and former Philadelphia 76er Allen Iverson have had their moments. Although when given a chance, Iverson only had good things to say about Smith.

Allen Iverson has high praises for his analyst friend

When the Sixers were going through a hard time and were performing poorly for many years, they were accused of tanking to get the top picks in the Draft. This would eventually lead to the best players being picked that could bring a difference for the team and lead them towards success. It was at this time that Stephen A. Smith was considered as one of the harshest critics of the Sixers.

Iverson and Smith are close friends, and Smith has interviewed him frequently. Thus, even if Smith did not show any support for his team, Iverson still praises him.

On ‘The Fat Joe Show‘, Joe asked Allen, “I used to watch with you, Stephen A. Smith. He used to cover the Sixers, and he’d be giving you the business every night, and then you’ll be watching him. Me and you used to watch him talk shit ‘you know this guy and this and that. How’s your relationship with Stephen A. Smith in 2020?”

Iverson does not hesitate at all and asserted, “I think he’s the best in the business.” He then continued to compliment Smith’s co-host on ESPN’s First Take and said, “I love Max. Like Max is so dope because I don’t know I guess I’m biased you know because he’s always on my side. “ This comment made Joe laugh, but Iverson also named other analysts like Jalen Rose and Molly Qerim, called them “dope”.

NBA analysts know exactly what they’re talking about

Iverson justifies his stance about these analysts and stated, “One thing about me is that I’m not the type of man that feels like if you aren’t a Hall of Famer or if you have never played basketball, you don’t know what the f**** you’re talking about. I don’t look at it like that. I know a whole bunch of dudes that never played the game and know what the hell they’re talking about. It’s women and men out here that ain’t ever played before but know what the hell they’re talking about.”

This definitely shows that Allen doesn’t have any bad blood with Smith, and he deeply respects the NBA analysts for all the work that they do.