Howard Stern Believes He Is Being Ignored For Racial Reasons At NBA Games, JR Smith Begs To Differ

In a recent news story, Howard Stern said that since he is white, Black NBA players avoid interacting with him during games.

“They put me courtside! And the Black players won’t come over and say hello to me,” Stern told Robin Quivers during a radio show. “But they go over to Spike Lee.”

Howard Stern Believes He Is Being Ignored For Racial Reasons At NBA Games, JR Smith Begs To Differ

“They don’t acknowledge you at all?” Quivers asked.

“No. I’ll be sitting next to Tracy Morgan or Chris Rock,” Stern continued. “You know, they seat you where they seat you. And a lot of times when I’m there, I’m next to Tracy Morgan, who is so funny. And he’s sitting there and like, a couple of the players will come over. They like give him that bro shake and stuff. And I’m like — these guys should hug me too. I mean, what am I? I grew up in a Black neighborhood, you know what I mean? I mean they should know that. But I get ignored.”

“I just get upset. I’m like, you know, fame to me is very important. I’ll admit it. I like people to recognize me,” Stern said. “I’d like to think it’s a white thing, not my personality. I hope it’s racial. That’s all.”

JR Smith, though, has a different viewpoint.

According to former NBA great JR Smith, athletes of all races are unaware of Stern.

“I’m sorry but what basketball player listens to him lol I don’t think I’ve met one! Black or not!”

Talk about taking a serious ego blow.

Stern is 69 years old, and it doesn’t seem like many younger people these days are very familiar with him. That may help to explain why he feels underappreciated during NBA games, since many of the players are probably too young to recall his most successful years.

Stern is still well-known in some areas, but the basketball community might not be one of them.

Smith is frequently active on social media and shares his thoughts on hot button issues. Given that he was still playing in the NBA only a few years ago, the 37-year-old is probably still getting acclimated to life as a retired athlete.

Smith’s last action came in the 2019-20 season, when he won a ring with the Los Angeles Lakers. His run with the Lakers gave him his second NBA title, as he also earned a championship during Cleveland’s unforgettable 2015-16 campaign.

 

FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE- 

NBA Mock Draft 2023: Top 3 Prospects Apart From Victor Wembanyama