When it comes to hot takes, there might be no one more polarizing than Stephen A. Smith. Although his loud and energetic persona make for great television, it often gets him on the bad side of the athletes he talks about. That’s exactly what happened when the ESPN veteran dove into why big-name superstars do not want to join the Grizzlies to play alongside Ja Morant, of course by citing anonymous sources. Sure enough, Ja was not pleased with Smith’s controversial take, sparking a heated online back and forth.
It all started when Stephen A. said, “The people in Memphis… It’s a great sports town. Great fans. Great people. Yeah, but there’s an element there where cats like Jimmy Butler and others don’t feel it’s the safest environment. I’m talking to the local authorities in Memphis. You’ve got to clean some of that stuff up, because it’s dissuasive to NBA players. They have talked about it. I know. They’ve told me.” This garnered a heated response from Morant.
“Instead of focusing on the performances we seen from jdub/shai, tj/siakam, how this series is going. we say sumn negative about a city/team on a national level.” The Grizzlies superstar tweeted, calling out SAS for taking focus away from the Finals with his criticism for the Memphis team. He doubled down by tweeting, “Talkin bout the grizz more than the finals wit these (cap) ahh sources.” Obviously, Stephen A. never reveals his sources, regardless of how much heat it brings his way.
But he did have a strong message for Ja following his public callout, “So this is what we’re doing now @JaMorant? I recall talking about the Finals. But the @memgrizz made news because of Bane getting traded. AND, your possible extension coming up. Would you prefer I go into detail about WTH has been going on in Memphis? Why players have stated they’re not interested in going? Or even MORE details? Or would you like me to leave well enough alone, and let the great peeps of Memphis address it on their own? Your call! I’m all ears!”
So this is what we’re doing now @JaMorant? I recall talking about the Finals. But the @memgrizz made news because of Bane getting traded. AND, your possible extension coming up. Would you prefer I go into detail about WTH has been going on in Memphis? Why players have stated… https://t.co/kSa3v4d7Sz
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) June 17, 2025
(Developing Story)
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