In comments on his show and podcast, Stephen A. Smith argues that the Los Angeles Lakers cannot win an NBA championship because their top three players are white.
Speaking on Tuesday, Nov. 10, on his SiriusXM program, The Stephen A. Smith Show, the ESPN commentator revisited an argument he initially made in July regarding the trio of Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler. Smith said that while the team’s future is promising, historical precedent prevents him from predicting a championship run.
“I've never seen an NBA team with its top three players being white deliver a championship. It's never happened, and I'm here to tell you, I don't think it's gonna happen this year.” – Stephen A. on the Lakers (h/t @TheNBABase ) pic.twitter.com/gbBf3FvJ2k
“I’ve never seen an NBA team with its top three players being white deliver a championship. It’s never happened, and I’m here to tell you, I don’t think it’s gonna happen this year.”
Challenged by listeners on his historical metrics, Smith pointed to decades of league history to defend his position. He said that even past championship tandems like Larry Bird and Kevin McHale on the Boston Celtics required a third star like Dennis Johnson to secure titles.
Smith acknowledged the strong individual performances driving the franchise forward. He admitted that Doncic would currently claim the league’s MVP award if voting occurred today, while also praising the work of Redick and the new owners.
The remarks drew sharp criticism across United States media outlets, including commentary from Fox News, which objected to utilizing racial demographics instead of athletic metrics for basketball forecasts.
Despite the pundit’s skepticism, the roster depth featuring contributors like Collin Sexton and Ziaire Williams has sustained the franchise through rest days for Doncic and Reaves. The team continues its regular-season schedule ahead of the playoffs.
Stephen A. Smith says he’s not backing up one bit about the comments about the Lakers being too white to win in the NBA: “What I said, and I’m going to reiterate this again, is when have we seen a team with three of its top players who happen to be white delivering a… pic.twitter.com/eo25qGXDcu”
Stephen A. Smith says the Lakers won’t win a championship because their top three players are white “I've never seen an NBA team with its top three players being white deliver a championship. It's never happened, and I'm here to tell you, I don't think it's gonna happen this… pic.twitter.com/I04USCLWEV”
Stephen A. Smith on why the Lakers won’t be NBA champions: “There has never been in my lifetime an NBA team led with its top 3 players being white that delivered you a chip." The '86 Celtics and maybe the 2011 Mavs have got something to say Stephen! pic.twitter.com/46zLLexa5o”
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