As the NBA All-Star list was released, the debate about who truly deserves to be there intensified. Stephen A. Smith, renowned ESPN analyst, didn’t hesitate to voice his opinion on the matter, claiming that Kevin Durant should have been excluded from the roster. Instead, Smith believes two younger stars, Victor Wembanyama and Anthony Davis, should have earned a spot over the veteran forward.
During an episode of First Take, Smith made his case clear. “Victor Wembanyama has been incredible for the San Antonio Spurs,” Smith said, highlighting the 21-year-old’s impressive statistics: averaging 24 points, 10 rebounds, and leading the league with four blocks per game. Smith further noted the Spurs‘ significant improvement, pointing out that they are just two wins shy of matching their total from last season. He also expressed that the San Antonio phenom should’ve been included in place of Durant.
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Should Anthony Davis have made it over Durant?
Another player that Smith suggested should have earned an All-Star selection was Anthony Davis. The Lakers‘ star is averaging 25 points and 11 rebounds, and the team currently sits in the top six of the Western Conference standings. However, Smith made it clear that a sacrifice was necessary, and that sacrifice was Durant.
Despite acknowledging Durant’s greatness, Smith questioned the Phoenix Suns‘ performance this season, as the team is struggling to find consistency and barely holding onto the 10th spot in the West. Durant’s missed games due to injury also raised concerns about his place in the All-Star game. “I understand he’s KD, but the Phoenix Suns aren’t that great,” Smith remarked, pointing out the team’s struggles as a significant factor.
Smith’s decision to exclude Durant from the All-Star roster reignited the ongoing tension between the two. The feud between Smith and Durant has been brewing for months, and this latest critique added more fuel to the fire. In response to Smith’s previous comments about his leadership, Durant fired back on social media, calling Smith a “clown” and questioning his credibility as an analyst.
As the NBA All-Star weekend approaches, all eyes will be on the players who made the cut. While Durant will still be a star attraction, the back-and-forth between him and Stephen A. Smith is sure to keep fans buzzing long after the weekend’s festivities conclude.
