No one can deny that <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-rumors-lakers-could-give-up-and-trade-anthony-davis-20221110-0009.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anthony Davis</a> is one of the most <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/not-james-nor-davis-darvin-hams-secret-asset-for-the-los-angeles-lakers-in-the-season-20221124-0059.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">impactful NBA players</a> when he’s <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-news-shaquille-o-neal-challenges-anthony-davis-to-prove-his-worth-20221125-0028.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">at his best</a>. He can guard the perimeter, block shots, create for others, and put up points like the best of them.
That’s why the Los Angeles Lakers didn’t bat an eye or hesitateto trade most of their young players and draft picks to pair him with LeBron James three seasons ago. And it sure paid off in the bubble with a championship run.
But Davis has been a shell of himself ever since. Inconsistency, injuries, and a lack of aggressiveness have made people wonder whether he’ll ever step up and become the Lakers’ franchise player once <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/better-than-lebron-former-nba-champion-says-victor-wembanyama-is-the-greatest-prospect-ever-20221124-0011.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">LeBron</a> is on his way out.
<h2>Stephen A. Smith Calls Anthony Davis Out</h2>
That’s why ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith urged Davis to finally play up to his contract and expectations and be more aggressive. He wants Davis to demand the ball instead of just taking what the defense gives him:
“The way Anthony Davis has been playing, how the hell do you take two shots in the fourth quarter against the Indiana Pacers?” Smith asked. “Remember, he wants to be the number one option. Remember, it’s something he’s demanded.”
“Remember, it’s something that the Lakers have openly and publicly have acquiesced to…For me, I look at Anthony Davis, and I’m saying, ‘Ok, you wanna be that man? Demand the damn ball, get into some people’s faces, tell them to stop messing around and give you the damn ball,” the analyst concluded.
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<h2>Shaq Also Wants Davis To Step Up</h2>
Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal has similar thoughts on Davis. He knows AD can carry an offense and he’s done it before without LeBron. So, Shaq wants to see him be as aggressive when James is on the court as well:
“LeBron, he handles the ball a lot. Of course, when he’s not there, everybody’s gonna touch it, everybody’s gonna [touch] it and AD becomes the No. 1 source, the No. 1 go-to-guy. We’ve been saying for the last two years he should be the No. 1 go-to guy, anyway,” Shaq said. “LeBron is gonna be LeBron but AD should demand the ball, take high-percentage shots and not always take a backseat to LeBron.”
Some players aren’t meant to lead, and that’s ok. But the Lakers sure need a more vocal, more aggressive, and more active Davis if they want to stand a chance to turn this disappointing season around.

NBA News: Stephen A. Smith blasts Anthony Davis after another blunder

NBA News: Stephen A. Smith blasts Anthony Davis after another blunder - Bolavip US

We can all agree on the fact that <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/kyrie-irving-brutally-opens-up-about-the-mistakes-that-stained-his-nba-career-in-the-past-20220903-0039.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kyrie Irving</a> is one of the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-players-with-the-most-scoring-titles-20210223-0001.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">most gifted scorers in NBA history.</a> We can also respect him for standing up for what he believes in, as controversial as it may seem. But we can also hold him accountable for not showing up when the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/stephen-a-smith-explains-why-no-one-wants-to-pay-kyrie-irving-20220826-0010.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brooklyn Nets</a> needed him the most.
We’re not talking about the COVID-19 vaccine; it goes way back. He took some time off in his first season with the team, disrespected coach Steve Nash from day one, and created nothing but trouble and drama throughout the season.
That’s why so many people have held grudges to him over the past couple of years, as it’s been a trend that’s followed him on every team. Also, that’s why <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/stephen-a-smith-puts-knicks-on-blast-over-donovan-mitchell-fiasco-20220902-0006.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stephen A. Smith</a> has been so critical of him lately.
<h2>Stephen A. Smith Explains Why He’s So Hard On Kyrie Irving</h2>
“Kyrie is a spectacular talent, who works hard, works on his craft, conscientious brother, heart’s in the right place off the court, wants to do good things for people, wants to be helpful, not a bad person, is all. But he’s got something that all of y’all can speak on,” Smith said on the ‘I Am Athlete’ podcast.
“You got certain cats that everything is OK as long as they do it on their own terms,” Smith explained. “If you ask them to do it on somebody else’s terms, they got a problem with it, which I respect when you’re an entrepreneur. But when you got your hand off somebody else’s money, you gotta capitulate to something. You can’t just sit up here and do what you wanna do!”
“Kyrie’s the reason KD (Kevin Durant) in Brooklyn,” Smith continued. “Kyrie’s the reason (coach) Steve Nash in Brooklyn. Kyrie and them the reason that Kenny Atkinson is out as the head coach. Brooklyn lays out the carpet for you. If I got you, and you, and you to do something, I’m in. Because y’all here because of me! That was my issue. I wasn’t no talking about no damn vaccine! I’m talking about, ‘Yo, you know what this is. You know you brought this all together!&apos;”
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Of course, Stephen A. is a product and handles himself as such, so maybe his words oughta be taken with a grain of salt. But Irving has failed to show his commitment to the Nets from day one. Hopefully, that will finally change in year four.

NBA News: Analyst puts Kyrie Irving on blast for 'getting his hands on someone else's money'

NBA News: Analyst puts Kyrie Irving on blast for 'getting his hands on someone else's money' - Bolavip US

All reports claimed that <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-rumors-how-the-cavs-beat-the-knicks-in-donovan-mitchell-trade-from-utah-20220901-0026.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Donovan Mitchell’s</a> trade to the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-rumors-knicks-unwilling-to-make-this-sacrifice-to-move-julius-randle-20220825-0030.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New York Knicks </a>was inevitable. It was just a matter of when not if; they just needed to go over some minor hurdles regarding the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-trade-rumors-the-most-likely-landing-spot-for-russell-westbrook-20220831-0045.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Utah Jazz’s</a> asking price.
Danny Ainge wanted to fleece the Knicks, and that’s fine; that’s his job. But even though he got a nice set of assets in return, the Knicks could’ve still one-upped that offer and outbid every team. They had the assets and Spida’s approval.
That’s why ESPN analyst and Knicks fan Stephen A. Smith just couldn’t take it anymore. He immediately took to social media to put his team on blast for letting the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/donovan-mitchell-joins-the-cavs-and-the-knicks-get-roasted-again-funniest-memes-and-reactions-20220901-0028.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cleveland Cavaliers</a> steal him.
<h2>NBA News: Stephen A. Smith Goes Off On The Knicks Over Not Landing Donovan Mitchell</h2>
“You see what I’m saying?” Smith started. “Every single time something goes wrong. You got about 7 or 8 first-round picks, you got RJ Barrett, you got Julius Randle, you got Toppin, you got Immanuel Quickley. And you still couldn’t get Donovan Mitchell. You still couldn’t get him.”
“Once again we’re going to go into another season, and the New York Knicks are still devoid of a star,” Smith added. “They’re somewhere other than in a New York Knicks uniform. They make me sick. Nothing ever gets done in New York with the Knicks. Nothing. It just never ends with the Knicks. It just never freaking ends.”

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These are the F$&amp;@ Knicks! This is what always happens! <a href="https://t.co/F7HShDVpOS">pic.twitter.com/F7HShDVpOS</a>
 — Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) <a href="https://twitter.com/stephenasmith/status/1565452461434961924?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 1, 2022</a> </blockquote></div>
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The Knicks didn’t want to overpay or bid against themselves, and that’s fine; it makes sense. But we’re talking about the same team that committed $340 million for Jalen Brunson, RJ Barrett, and Julius Randle, none of which is nearly half as good as Mitchell.
But it goes beyond that. The realissue is that this seems to happen every single year. They’re close to landing one or two stars, fall short, and then wind up overpaying borderline starters. Wash, rinse, repeat.

Stephen A. Smith puts Knicks on blast over Donovan Mitchell fiasco

Stephen A. Smith puts Knicks on blast over Donovan Mitchell fiasco - Bolavip US

The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-rumors-kyrie-irving-has-made-a-decision-about-his-future-with-the-nets-20220819-0009.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brooklyn Nets</a> turned a potential disaster into a good situation. They convinced <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/brad-stevens-statement-that-would-close-celtics-door-on-kevin-durant-and-spoils-jaylen-brown-20220823-0029.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kevin Durant</a> to stay, didn’t have to fire the coach or the GM, and will also have Kyrie Irving and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-jalen-rose-explains-the-real-reason-ben-simmons-failed-with-the-sixers-20220818-0004.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ben Simmons</a> on the court for next season.
On paper, no team except maybe the Warriors has enough depth and talent to keep up with them in a seven-game series. But we’ve heard this story before, and it’s been made clear that paper doesn’t win NBA championships.
That’s why ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith wants to see some actual commitment next season, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-rumors-kevin-durant-saved-kyrie-irving-at-the-nets-last-season-20220811-0014.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">starting with Kyrie Irving,</a> who’s bailed on the Nets multiple times since signing with them three years ago.
<h2>Stephen A. Smith Says Kyrie Irving Can’t Be Trusted</h2>
“But Kyrie is looking for a $200 million contract now. Zach LaVine got it in Chicago, Bradley Beal got it in the nation’s capital. How come he can’t get it? He couldn’t get it because he couldn’t be trusted,” Smith explained. “He’s got to remind everybody and ensure everybody that he can be trusted because that’s really it. His ability is not what’s holding him back from getting him that $200 million extra. The problem with him is that he can’t be trusted. He’s got to show that he’s trusted.”
“I’m sorry, I look at the Brooklyn Nets and all you have to show me that you gonna come to work every day and you committed to the season,” Smith sentenced.

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.<a href="https://twitter.com/stephenasmith?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@stephenasmith</a> still has high expectations for the Nets next season ��
 “Kevin Durant when healthy I believe is the best player in the world. … I think that Brooklyn could easily represent the East in the NBA Finals.” <a href="https://t.co/9OySFFmKr2">pic.twitter.com/9OySFFmKr2</a>
 — First Take (@FirstTake) <a href="https://twitter.com/FirstTake/status/1562455689305673728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2022</a> </blockquote></div>
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There’s no denying Kyrie’s talent or impact on the court. He’s by far one of the most gifted scorers of all time and could lead any team to the top, but he needs to be invested and committed to winning. Aside frominjuries and ego, there’s nothing else that could stop this team if they embrace their roles.

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Stephen A. Smith explains why no one wants to pay Kyrie Irving

Stephen A. Smith explains why no one wants to pay Kyrie Irving - Bolavip US

The past year and a half has been complicated for everybody, and the sports industry hasn’t been exempt from that. We’ve seen the NHL, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba-t19117" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NBA</a>, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/mlb-t48464" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MLB</a>, MLS, and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nfl-t20281" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NFL</a> take multiple steps towards player, coach, staff, and fan protection.
Nonetheless, given the fact that none of the leagues has established mandatory vaccination for the players, some still refuse to consider taking the shot. At the end of the day, they’re free to do whatever they want with their bodies.
That’s why ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith took some time to criticize those professional athletes, calling them hypocrites for the arguments they share <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nfl/mark-cuban-trolls-cole-beasley-over-anti-vaccine-tweet-20210720-0003.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">against taking the COVID-19 vaccine.</a>

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Two unfiltered minutes of Stephen A. Smith addressing pro athletes &amp; mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations ����<a href="https://t.co/nBkJv2GQEG">pic.twitter.com/nBkJv2GQEG</a>
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<h2>ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith Goes Off On Unvaccinated Professional Athletes</h2>
“I have my own damn reservations about the vaccine myself. I’m a black man” Smith said. “We know our history in terms of what this nation has done. The experiments, we know that. But here’s the footnote:
You’re an athlete, you’ve been putting stuff in your body. You tryna tell me that the doctor prescribes something, you look at every ingredient to google it make sure — Stop it… Doctor tells us to take something. We look at the prescription and we go and we get it and we take it. So all of a sudden now, now you wanna be like, ‘I wanna check?’ Stop. That’s where we look hypocritical.
When they’re talking about hospitalizations and deaths are drastically reduced when you take the vaccine, all of a sudden we’re adopting conspiracy issues and things of that nature. It’s inconsistent with what you’ve been,” Smith concluded.

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Some may say that Stephen A. has a pretty good point right there. Some may say that it’s just orange and apples. Hopefully, this will all be over rather sooner than later and we’ll be able to go back to normal.

Stephen A. Smith blasts professional athletes over Covid-19 vaccine stance

Stephen A. Smith blasts professional athletes over Covid-19 vaccine stance - Bolavip US

When it comes to debating the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba-t19117" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NBA</a>, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nfl-t20281" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NFL</a>, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/mlb-t48464" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MLB</a>, or pretty much every single thing that goes down in the sports world, few analysts are as outspoken, blunt, and often hilarious as ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith.
Smith has been one of the most prominent figures in the sports industry for decades now. Love him or hate him, people can’t help to listen to what he’s got to say, even if he contradicts himself every now and then.
So, when ESPN announced that Max Kellerman wasn’t going to continue to appear in First Take as Smiths’ debate partner, people wondered whether the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/dallas-cowboys-t34860" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dallas Cowboys</a>‘ number one hater had forced them to make that choice.
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<h2>Stephen A. Smith Admits He Wanted Max Kellerman Off First Take</h2>
That’s why, as blunt as straightforward as he’s always been, Smith didn’t beat around the bush and faced the rumors face up. He confirmed that he didn’t want Kellerman to be in the show anymore, not because of any bad blood between them but because of their chemistry:
“The rumors are accurate in terms of me wanting him off the show,” Smith said onEbro in the Morning. “We don’t have a bad relationship. I think he’s a real good guy, I appreciate what he did for the show, we were number one for five years, we stayed number one, and I appreciate that. It wasn’t really about asking him to be off the show, it was about the fact that I knew that we, together — as far as I was concerned — was not a great partnership anymore and that was something that needed to change. A lot of people don’t realize not just the work that goes into it, but it’s a chemistry you have and sometimes it just stalls.”
 
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Kellerman sure starred in some iconic moments in First Take (I want Iguodala!!!) but he often struggled to keep up with Smith’s historically hilarious rants. Now, the network will have to find someone who can.
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Stephen A. Smith reveals why he wanted Max Kellerman off First Take

Stephen A. Smith reveals why he wanted Max Kellerman off First Take - Bolavip US

Whether you’re a fan of <a href="https://us.bolavip.com/lebron-james-t92259" target="_blank" rel="noopener">LeBron James</a> or not, you can’t argue that he’s done enough merits to be considered one of the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/The-15-Greatest-NBA-Players-of-All-Time-20200329-0002.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">greatest players</a> in <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba-t19117" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NBA</a> history. He’s got the individual accolades and the rings to back up his case.
James is considered by some as the best all-around player to ever do it. That’s because of his playmaking skills and ability to fill up the stat sheet night in and night out. Then again, others believe that, while he’s great at a lot of things, he’s not the best at any of them.
That seems to be the case with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, as he recently said that he’d much rather have <a href="https://us.bolavip.com/kevin-durant-t139314" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kevin Durant</a> over LeBron James because Durant is a far superior offensive player.
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<h2>Stephen A. Smith: “I Want Kevin Durant Over LeBron James”</h2>
“I think that Kevin Durant is one of the greatest talents this game has ever seen. But so is LeBron,” Smith started.”LeBron has more rings, LeBron has shown better leadership. But he can’t shoot like Kevin Durant. He doesn’t have the offensive firepower that Durant has. If you’re asking me who would I want offensively, Durant or LeBron James, it would be Kevin Durant.“
Smith elaborated and doubled down on his take by saying that, even though The King has improved as a shooter throughout his career, he’s still nowhere near Kevin Durant’s offensive level:

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“Because LeBron James shooting 73% from the free-throw line ain’t cutting it. LeBron James, even though he’s improved his perimeter shooting vastly, still ain’t the shooter Kevin Durant is. No shame on LeBron, but it’s just that Kevin Durant is one of the greatest offensive players we’ve ever seen in the history of basketball. So as an offensive talent, yes I would prefer Kevin Durant,” Stephen A. concluded.
At the end of the day, I think I speak for all basketball fans in the world when I say that I would love to have either of them on my team. Honestly, it feels like you can’t go wrong with either choice.

ESPN analyst explains why he'd always take Kevin Durant ahead of LeBron James

ESPN analyst explains why he'd always take Kevin Durant ahead of LeBron James - Bolavip US

It’s fair to say that Russell Westbrook is one of the most heavily-criticized players in <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba-t19117" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NBA</a> history. He’s got the athletic and physical tools to be one of the most dominant players to ever do it, yet his lack of success in the playoffs has always stained his legacy.
Lately, however, Westbrook has been playing at an elite level once again, leading the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/washington-wizards-t94888" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Washington Wizards</a> to a bit of a revival and keeping their playoff hopes alive, even without Bradley Beal.
However, it seems like some people are still unimpressed by his numbers, and even after he led his team to a win over the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/utah-jazz-t92560" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Utah Jazz</a>by posting the first-ever triple-double with 35+ points and 20+ assists in NBA history, they’re still finding ways to call him out.
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<h2>Stephen A. Smith Calls Out Russell Westbrook</h2>
The first to do it was ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, who claimed that those numbers meant nothing because he’s used to doing that stuff, yet he can’t win or lead when it matters the most:

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Utmost respect to Russell Westbrook, but last night’s numbers mean absolutely nothing to me. <a href="https://t.co/FRaanNyHpn">pic.twitter.com/FRaanNyHpn</a>
 — Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) <a href="https://twitter.com/stephenasmith/status/1377016074496057354?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2021</a> </blockquote></div>
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“Westbrook’s numbers last night mean absolutely nothing to me because even though that’s great numbers, that’s what Westbrook can do. We all know this. He’s a former league MVP. He’s the most athletic point guard we have ever seen in NBA history,” Smith started.
“But Bradley Beal and you are in the backcourt together and y’all are 17-28 in the Eastern Conference. (…) You’ve played with some great, great players over the years, some talent. And not a single title to show for it. The numbers are the numbers. That’s Russell Westbrook. He can do that to anybody. But I’m at a point in time in his career where it ain’t about that no more. It’s about whether or not you can get to another level to win the chip,” he concluded.
<h2>Russell Westbrook’s Wife Fires Back At Stephen A. Smith</h2>
Russell Westbrook’s wife took offense on Smith’s words and shared multiple stories on Instagram calling out the lifelong ESPN analyst, telling him to mind his own business and stop creating narratives about her husband:

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Russell Westbrook’s wife goes off on Stephen A Smith for his comments about Russells accomplishments <a href="https://t.co/VccGR6QbI6">pic.twitter.com/VccGR6QbI6</a>
 — 2Cool2Blog (@2Cool2BIog) <a href="https://twitter.com/2Cool2BIog/status/1377057274762559488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 31, 2021</a> </blockquote></div>
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“I don’t know how many times I have to be minding my own business and randomly be subjected to you slandering my husband (who also happens to be minding his own business, being happy and living his best life),” Westbrook’s wife wrote.
<h2>Westbrook Is Unfazed By Smith’s Comments</h2>
Russell Westbrook, on the other hand, was the bigger man and took the high road. He didn’t read much into what Stephen A. Smith had to say and simply said that he’s happy with his life right now:
“I don’t say much. I don’t like to go back and forth about people, but one thing I won’t allow to happen anymore is to let people create narratives and constantly just talking sh*t for no reason about me. (…) I use my platform to be able to help people all across the world. Nobody can take that away from me. I’ve been blessed to be able to have a platform to do it. Like I said before, a championship don’t change my life. I’m happy. I was a champion once I made it to the NBA. I grew up in the streets. (…) I don’t have to be an NBA champion. I know many people that got NBA championships that’s miserable, haven’t done nothing for their community, haven’t done nothing for the people in our world,” Westbrook said.

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Russell Westbrook on Stephen A. Smith
 “One thing I won’t allow to happen anymore is let people create narratives &amp; constantly just talking shit for no reason about me because I lay it on the line every night and I use my platform to be able to help people all across the world.” <a href="https://t.co/8oJi0E4dwT">pic.twitter.com/8oJi0E4dwT</a>
 — Hoop District (@Hoop_District) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hoop_District/status/1377092719563137027?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 31, 2021</a> </blockquote></div>
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Smith was out of line when he said that those numbers weren’t impressive. We take Westbrook for granted because he’s used to breaking those kinds of records. On the other hand, Westbrook hasn’t learned from his mistakes and has refused to change his game to actually help a team win, and that’s why he’ll always be called out regardless of how impressive his numbers are.

Stephen A. Smith - Page 3