Getty Image
- ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith is never afraid to fire off a hot take.
- Smith got everybody going with a discussion centered around Lakers star Anthony Davis.
- The NBA world was quick to react, and the consensus is pretty split on Smith’s take.
A few years ago, Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis was one of the best players in the NBA. The Lakers won the NBA Finals in the Orlando bubble, and Davis was an absolutely dominant force.
Since then, Davis has had trouble staying healthy, and the Lakers have taken a hard hit in the process.
Well, ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith spent time discussing Davis and fired off a strong take — one that a lot of people didn’t exactly agree with.
.@stephenasmith defends his argument that AD is a top-7 player in the NBA when he’s healthy.
“I’d take Anthony Davis over Luka. I’d take Anthony Davis over Jokic. Yes I would.” pic.twitter.com/jPAlTagZlf
— First Take (@FirstTake) June 14, 2022
So, Smith would take a healthy Anthony Davis over Luka Doncic, Jayson Tatum, Jimmy Butler, and Nikola Jokic. There it is.
NBA Fans React To Stephen A. Smith Picking Anthony Davis Over Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic
Smith is never afraid to express his opinion, and he knew that JJ Redick would disagree with this take yet again. Nonetheless, NBA Twitter reacted to Smith’s take, and many were quick to rip Smith for saying these words.
Anthony Davis? You mean the guy that barely (if ever) made the playoffs as the main guy in New Orleans? He even had Boogie with him and Holiday.
— Anne Henk Bloemhoff (@AHBloemhoff) June 14, 2022
When healthy AD has NEVER accomplished half of what Luka has as the face of the franchise… keep in mind AD played with Jrue Holiday, Rondo, etc and ain’t do shit
— Huynh (@Just_Huynh18) June 14, 2022
“Healthy Anthony Davis” is just a theoretical player at this point. He’s never healthy.
— Anthony Smith (@ant_smith7) June 14, 2022
More proof that SA does not know basketball. Lol. AD is a bum compared to those two players. Its not even close.
— WyoOkc24 (@KyleDieterich) June 14, 2022
This level of blasphemy feels racially motivated ngl 😭😭😭😭 over Jokic AND Luka?!?!?! Aint no way ☠️ https://t.co/zO4hFlG9a8
— Garrett Lee (@gmoneylee99) June 14, 2022
https://twitter.com/blessed_since99/status/1536739258261725184
Others were actually on board with Smith’s take, surprisingly enough.
How far you get in the playoffs is a team accomplishment/relative to competition. AD faced warriors with KD b2b years no shit he wasn’t getting outta the 2nd round. AD has been better than all the guys listed in the playoffs, and that’s not even really debatable.
— KB24 (@scizzorz24) June 14, 2022
Stephen A ain’t say no lie here rare W https://t.co/SCDsS7Bd5K
— 5unna.eth (@nolimitkeys) June 14, 2022
I normally always agree with JJ, but Stephen A is right here💯 https://t.co/pTuGdZPa8O
— Alan Willmes (@TheAJW___) June 14, 2022
Remember what Smith, said, this is when healthy.
Davis is an absolute mess to deal with when he is healthy, and if he can ever get back to that point, the Lakers will be one of the best teams in the NBA.