Stephen A. Smith is never too far away from a controversial take.
Whether it be yet another candidate entering his continuous 'GOAT debate' or urging players to "stay of the weeeeeeeed", there's no denying that the ESPN talking head is box office entertainment.
Stephen A. certainly knows how to make headlines, or get clicks for that matter, but his latest opinion might just be one of his most outlandish to date – and it drew a brilliant reaction from one of his co-hosts.
While appearing on the ESPN show First Take, Stephen A. and the panel were discussing Antony Davis when he decided to voice a truly wild opinion on the Los Angeles Lakers star.
"JJ Redick, are you ready for this," he said.
“I’d take Anthony Davis over Luka [Doncic]. I’d take Anthony Davis over [Nikola] Jokic. Yes, I would."
.@stephenasmith defends his argument that AD is a top-7 player in the NBA when he’s healthy.
— First Take (@FirstTake) June 14, 2022
“I’d take Anthony Davis over Luka. I’d take Anthony Davis over Jokic. Yes I would.” pic.twitter.com/jPAlTagZlf
JJ Redick's reaction was pure gold, simply staring down the camera lens before biting his lip and raising his eyebrows.
Being the consummate professional he is, it looked like Redick was desperately trying to stop himself from bursting out laughing.
Not a peep came out of his mouth, but we all know what he was thinking.
Incredibly, though, Stephen A. wasn't done there.
He went on to explain his reasons for taking AD over a two-time league MVP like Jokic before throwing a bunch of other random names into the hat too.
"And let me go a step further," he added.
"I know how great Jokic is in terms of his passing and play-making ability. The brother can't jump on to a curb for crying out loud yet no one can stop him – it's unbelievable.
"As much love and respect I have for Jimmy Butler and Jayson Tatum, and how big time I believe they both are, I take a healthy Anthony Davis over them too."
Granted, JJ Redick's speechless reaction probably summed up the collective feeling among viewers best, but that didn't stop NBA fans from flocking to social media to ridicule Stephen A. further.
stephen a: “i’d take anthony davis over luka. i’d take anthony davis over jokic..”
— mike taddow (@MikeTaddow) June 14, 2022
jj redick’s reaction lmaoooo
pic.twitter.com/W14NjRRR9o
“I’d take Anthony Davis over Luka, Anthony Davis over Jokic”
— PointsBet Sportsbook (@PointsBetUSA) June 14, 2022
Stephen A is back to saying blasphemous things 😬pic.twitter.com/p5dfqF9Nzu
Player A is the best three-year stretch of Anthony Davis' career. Player B is the last three years from Nikola Jokic.
— Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey) June 14, 2022
This one was suggested by @stephenasmith. pic.twitter.com/8WT0qAqG5q
Luka right now is a better player than Anthony Davis has ever been in any point in his career lol https://t.co/N25roypBjW
— Jo (@MavsStan41) June 14, 2022
Anthony Davis is the only star that I’ve ever seen who could routinely missed the playoffs but still be compared to MVPs🤣🤣🤣 what a joke https://t.co/aFfqhsm0mH
— LegendOfWinning (@LegendOfWinning) June 14, 2022
Nikola Jokic last two games vs a Healthy Anthony Davis:
— Swipa (@SwipaCam) June 14, 2022
35 PPG
13.5 RPG
5.5 APG
2.0 SPG
1.5 BPG@stephenasmith don’t do this https://t.co/1osUCGqOPx
This is just insane. Anthony Davis is supposed to be in his prime right now and for the past 2 years, he’s played nothing like it, especially this year. So even when he’s healthy, this argument is stupid. https://t.co/Cxsx9Q5ije
— YoungNarrow (@NarrowGaming) June 14, 2022
Jokic is the 2-time reigning MVP. Anthony Davis hasn’t made an All-NBA team in 2 years. What are we doing? https://t.co/VuBn94APFL
— Sam (@YAnunoby) June 14, 2022
saying anthony davis is better than luka doncic and nikola jokic in 2022 is wild man. https://t.co/eObcGFMzjw
— Jamal Cristopher (@JamCristopher) June 14, 2022
Featured Image Credit: Twitter/ESPN
Topics: Australia, NBA, Basketball, Stephen A Smith
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