How do you face the fans after a disaster? Do you want to know? Well, ask Mat Ishbia. The Phoenix Suns owner met the media on Tuesday and did not mince words. He had to make the press conference happen and take accountability for the 36-46 record, blunder of a season, and everything that unfolded. However, one thing that he very particularly couldn’t leave behind was a protective nature for players like Kevin Durant and the team in general.
Do you remember that one time KD called out Stephen A. Smith? “Clown,” he said without batting his eyelids. Mat Ishbia shares the Slim Reaper’s emotions. Although the boss didn’t use single words to aim at the ESPN veteran, he didn’t hold back either.
Smith has been blatant about his feelings towards the Phoenix Suns and Kevin Durant this season. Worst team owner in the history of the sport isn’t that what he keeps saying in his angry rants? So, now this ‘worst’ owner spoke up. Mat Ishbia clearly stated: “Yeah, so Stephen A. Smith, I don’t take much he says seriously. I don’t think many people do, to be honest with you. The things he said about Kevin Durant, just wrong and disrespectful. The things he said about LeBron James were just disrespectful and inappropriate.”
Mat Ishbia said doesn’t think people take Stephen A. Smith seriously when asked about him saying he’s on the verge of becoming the worst owner in the history of basketball.
Added that he thinks Smith will apologize for putting him in the same category as Donald Sterling. #Suns pic.twitter.com/tnablKsJcC
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) April 17, 2025
He added, “With that being said, I don’t think Stephen A. believes that. What he said, I think he’s doing his thing. He’s on the mic, and he’s doing what he’s doing. And I think he’ll apologize to me, because I think it’s disrespectful to put my name in a line with anybody who was kicked out of the league, or no longer part of the league.”
Just so you know, only on the rarest occasions have we seen SAS apologize for his words. Therefore, Mat Ishbia‘s hopes to receive an apology is a question for the future. Moreover, Ishbia further broke down his stance against Stephen A.’s words and puts forth a different perspective.
This is a developing story…
The post Mat Ishbia and Kevin Durant Join Forces As Suns Owner Breaks Silence on Stephen A. Smith’s Disrespectful Remark appeared first on EssentiallySports.
