One of the most recognizable faces and voices in American sports media, Stephen A. Smith has built an impactful career. Rare among commentators, Smith has reached a point where his publicly expressed opinions start a big conversations and whatever he speculates on becomes immediate news.
Smith is a true NBA insider, so when he says, for instance, that Warriors forward and boxing champion Draymond Green wants to be a Los Angeles Laker like his pal and business partner LeBron James — well, that’s a headline.
But Smith is clear about one thing: while he doesn’t mind making headlines, he doesn’t want to be one. And no temptation will put him in that position.
Smith talked recently — and frankly — about incidents where he has been aggressively pursued by women in a manner, he says, that was incommensurate with his own attractiveness.
“I ain’t playing that game,” Smith says. “They ain’t worth my check. I’m not going that route. They’re gonna come at you in a variety of ways. I’ve been propositioned covering the NBA Finals. And I wondered who sent them. Because the women were a little too aggressive. I don’t think I look like Godzilla, but I’m not that damn attractive. Why they acting like they got to get with me? Something’s fishy…”
Smith got to where he is by never shying from an argument and by keeping his eyes on the prize — it’s what he’s still doing. And he’s not going to relinquish what he’s built, he asserts, no matter what temptations are hurled at him.
Smith thinks the pursuit was a setup, meant to trip him up, and he vows such tricks will never work on him. Smith says, “This a little too good to be true. Something ain’t right about this.” And if this is happening to Smith, it’s worthwhile considering what the NBA players face.
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