“Kobe Was a Savant” – NBA Analyst Stephen A. Smith Was ‘Scared the S**t Out’ By Legend Kobe Bryant
Even Stephen A Smith, who presents himself as a fearless pundit on First Take, acknowledges that Kobe Bryant used to terrify him. What Skip Bayless, Max Kellerman, or Chris “Mad Dog” Russo couldn’t do for Stephen A. Smith, Kobe Bryant accomplished. He frightened the hell out of him. On Wednesday morning, Smith appeared on Howard Stern’s show as the host of First Take continued his book tour to support the publication of his autobiography Straight Shooter.
Stern asked Stephen A Smith about a variety of topics throughout the lengthy conversation, including how to maintain objectivity while criticizing sportsmen. And the doorframe that had to accommodate both egos within one studio was the only one who was terrified during that interview.
Kobe Bryant scared Stephen A Smith
“Kobe, God rest his soul. Now he scared me. Kobe scared the living shit out of me,” admitted Smith. “Kobe was a savant. You did not know more basketball than Kobe Bryant. So when Kobe Bryant called you to complain (you listened).”
Stephen A. Smith tells Howard Stern about the profane responses he would get from Kobe Bryant after criticizing him on ESPN pic.twitter.com/uqzrZY3QpS
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 18, 2023
When Smith challenged Bryant’s shot selection or said that the NBA star was playing selfish basketball, Bryant left him a voicemail similar to the one described by Stephen A Smith. Every time Smith called, Bryant would respond with a response that typically included in-depth analysis and plenty of foul language.
"You know who this is motherf**ker. Get your ass up, pick up the f**king phone and call me back. That bullsh*t you just said."
Stephen A. Smith on Kobe Bryant calling him after he'd criticize him on TV 😂🐍pic.twitter.com/5GrVto09GJ
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 18, 2023
Even before he decided to retire after the 2015–16 NBA season, Bryant’s work ethic and competitiveness were legendary. Bryant’s untimely death will be commemorated three years from now on Jan. 26. In the days preceding that tragic event, fans may anticipate hearing and reading stories similar to Smith’s about the all-time great.
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