Stephen A. Smith and controversy do go hand in hand. In one of the biggest news in the NBA at the moment, Smith is involved in a heavy feud with Phoenix Suns’ owner, Mat Ishbia. In recent times, the Phoenix Suns had looked only a shadow of themselves. Unable to make a mark in the NBA regular season this time, the Suns got the stick from Smith. Speaking on ESPN’s ‘First Take’ recently, Smith lashed out at Ishbia as the ‘worst owner.’ And while Ishbia took shots at Smith for the same, the NBA analyst is not stopping anytime soon either.
After hearing the backlash from Mat Ishbia, Smith looked more or less annoyed. Taking to his social media handle, Smith mentioned that he was amazed at how easily things get misinterpreted. While he did not provide any significant clarification, Smith did promise to address the situation in his upcoming segment of ‘First Take.’
“I look forward to responding to this on @FirstTake tomorrow morning. I love how folks intentionally misconstrue just to avoid the real subject at hand….what I was really saying. But that’s okay! I look very much forward to providing clarification. My pleasure. See y’all in the morning!” said Smith.
I look forward to responding to this on @FirstTake tomorrow morning. I love how folks intentionally misconstrue just to avoid the real subject at hand….what I was really saying. But that’s okay! I look very much forward to providing clarification. My pleasure. See y’all in the… https://t.co/xcXY29zi5S
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) April 17, 2025
Surely, such an announcement will make the TRP of the show skyrocket. However, this is not the only instance when Stephen A. Smith has been involved in a serious controversy. Just weeks prior, the analyst was seen feuding with Lakers legend LeBron James regarding his son Bronny James. However, coming back to the matter at hand, here’s what Mat Ishbia stated that infuriated Stephen A. Smith further.
Mat Ishbia Lashes Out At Stephen A. Smith
Going through a rebuilding phase, criticisms were bound to come in. With Smith taking a strong dig at the Suns’ owner, Ishbia could not help but lash out at the NBA analyst. Speaking on the fallout, Ishbia mentioned that Smith usually talks a lot and thus, most people do not tend to take him seriously. The Suns’ owner also mentioned how Smith must apologize for associating his name with that of Donald Sterling.
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“Stephen A. Smith, I don’t take much of what he says seriously… I don’t think many people do to be honest with you. He’s doing his thing, he’s on the mic and I think he’ll apologize to me because I think it’s disrespectful to (have) my name aligned with anybody that was kicked out of the league or no longer part of it,” Ishbia said.
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.
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) April 17, 2025
Added that he thinks Smith will apologize for putting him in the same category as Donald Sterling. #Suns pic.twitter.com/tnablKsJcC
Surely, things are looking to have gotten a lot more intense between the two. And now, with Smith looking to hit back further, it remains to be seen how things pan out in the future.
