On a recent episode of “First Take,” Stephen A. Smith relayed some critical remarks about Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown from an unnamed “NBA source.”
The source claimed Brown wasn’t underrated but rather disliked due to an “I-am-better-than-you attitude,” which they believed affected his marketability.
“I wanted to share what an NBA source just texted me,” Smith said. “He commented that Jaylen Brown isn’t so much underrated, but rather not liked because of his attitude, which also impacts his marketability.”
While Smith expressed his personal liking for Brown, he pondered the veracity of these comments during the show, sparking a weekend of reactions.
NBA TV analyst Isiah Thomas heard the remarks and publicly criticized the anonymous nature of the comments, labeling them as “slander” and urging Smith to reveal the source. Smith responded by defending his journalistic integrity and the decision to protect his source’s anonymity.
Jaylen Brown himself entered the conversation by resharing a clip of the segment posted by BSO’s Robert Littal on X, simply adding, “State your source.”
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Brown also endorsed a post by Jemele Hill speculating that the source’s displeasure might stem from Brown’s social justice efforts.
Smith reiterated his stance on X, emphasizing that as a journalist, maintaining source confidentiality is paramount. He clarified that the segment also included praise for Brown’s underappreciated status and contributions, both on and off the court. “It’s about journalism. I don’t reveal sources. Moreover, the discussion was actually about how you’re underappreciated, and we all disagreed with the source’s view,” Smith explained.
Kendrick Perkins, also part of the discussion, voiced his frustration with how the initial comments were singled out, overshadowing the positive aspects of the conversation they had about Brown’s leadership and activism.
The debate is likely to continue into the next airing of “First Take,” where the topic will undoubtedly resurface, giving Smith another platform to address the ongoing discourse.
