Stephen A. Smith Says Kobe Bryant ‘Would Be Disappointed’ Looking at Kyrie Irving Handling the Media

Kyrie Irving always finds himself in the thick of media attention- it doesn’t matter if he’s playing with the Boston Celtics or the Brooklyn Nets. Kyrie always finds the media surrounding him be it for on-court issues or something else. 

A lot of negative comments are being passed at Kyrie over his recent actions. If one needs a reminder, the Nets player decided to boycott talking to the media and consequently faced a fine for his actions.

However, Kyrie took a bold step after being slashed with the fine. Here’s what he wrote on social media: “I do not talk to Pawns. My attention is worth more.” The 2016 NBA champion is known for being dodgy with the press, but this comment was met with severe reactions from the media fraternity. 

Kyrie Irving disappoints Stephen A. Smith

Stephen A is one of the most powerful voices in the NBA community. People enjoy if he rants, and at the same time, break down if he does. He holds a lot of authority and is renowned for making bold statements against NBA players.

Likewise, he has been active in commenting about Irving’s latest actions, and it is safe to say that Stephen A is disappointed. Kyrie Irving recently clarified his ‘pawn’ comment and mentioned it was not directed at the media.

Kyrie’s clarification feels like it is too little, too late. Many aren’t buying his explanation that it was directed at a broader audience and not just the NBA media. Stephen A. Smith is just confused as to why Irving is just making things harder for himself.

How Kyrie can draw inspiration from Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant was an athlete who hardly had trouble with the media. One can’t say he perfectly avoided falling into controversies, but the Lakers legend was clear-cut with what he was going to say to the press. 

Moreover, this allowed him to be heard in an accurate manner, unlike Kyrie Irving, who now has to clean up the mess that he created. 

“But I hope he’s [Irving’s] listening when I say this: Somebody he respected and loved and idolized was Kobe Bryant. I don’t think Kobe Bryant would be happy,” Stephen A. Smith mentioned on ESPN. 

“Not cryptic, not ambiguous, or anything like that. Be clear, that’s all I’m talking about when I talk about Kobe Bryant would be disappointed,” he further added. 

There is unrest between Kyrie Irving and the media, and he could have avoided all that by making his statements clear and direct. That’s exactly what Kobe did.

“What you could never dispute about Kobe Bryant is that you didn’t understand what he was saying. He was very clear in his messages,” Stephen A expressed. 

Is it no secret that several leading media members in the NBA aren’t happy with Kyrie’s comments.

How should Kyrie Irving get himself out of this situation?