ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith did not back down Wednesday after the New Orleans Pelicans social media team fired back at his recent criticism of star forward Zion Williamson. Instead, Smith used his platform on First Take to escalate the exchange and defend his original remarks.
Earlier in the week, Smith sparked conversation across the basketball world when he labeled Williamson a “bona fide scrub” during a segment discussing the former No. 1 overall pick’s performance and durability. The Pelicans’ official social media accounts later responded with a video highlighting Smith’s viral flubs on the court and in sports, which quickly circulated online and drew strong reactions from fans and media members.
Smith addressed the clip directly during Wednesday’s episode, arguing that his stature in sports media gave him the credibility to offer pointed criticism of players and organizations.
“I’m at the top of the heap in this profession and getting paid for it, by the way,” Smith said. “My popularity is more than anybody you got on your team [New Orleans Pelicans], outside of Zion Williamson. Again, not throwing any shade on the players, just giving you facts.”
While acknowledging Williamson’s star power, Smith shifted his focus toward the franchise itself. Criticizing the organization’s competitive history and questioning why the team chose to engage with his comments in the first place.
“In 24 years, only five teams have never been to an NBA Finals — the Clippers, the Timberwolves, the Hornets, the Grizzlies and you,” Smith said. “In that same span, conference finals — only the Hornets and you have never been to a conference finals, but you got the time to clap back at me. Well, if you’re going to do that, at least tell America why. It’s the only thing that can make you relevant.”
Smith continued by suggesting the Pelicans’ social media response reflected a desire for attention rather than a genuine defense of the team’s performance.
“You and your social media department felt the need to come back at me and clap back at me because you want to make a statement,” Smith said. “You want notoriety, publicity and want to be noticed. Damn it, half the world forget you have a basketball team. That’s how bad y’all have been.”
The ESPN personality then pivoted to the broader state of the franchise, arguing that the organization has not delivered the level of success its fan base deserves despite possessing one of the league’s most recognizable young stars.
“Could you find a basketball reason to justify charging patrons in the city of New Orleans — who you should be giving refunds to — because of the product that y’all have put on the floor the last couple of years?” Smith said. “The last eight years, you’ve been to the playoffs twice. You’ve been bounced out in the first round each time, but you’ve got an attitude with me, and you want to troll me? Feel free.”
The back-and-forth highlights how quickly debates between media personalities and teams can spill onto social media, particularly when outspoken commentators like Smith weigh in on high-profile players such as Williamson.
For now, Smith appears content to keep the conversation going — and just as willing to challenge the Pelicans organization as he was the player who sparked the dispute.
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