Famed NBA sports analyst Kenny Smith is getting torched for his curious coverage of the 3-point shooting contest between superstar Steph Curry and WNBA sharpshooter Sabrina Ionescu.
In the first-ever contest between a man and a woman player in the long-distance shooting exhibition at the NBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, Curry edged Ionescu in points, 29-26.
This match was arguably the most anticipated and entertaining event of the weekend which included the traditional 3-point shooting contest, All-Star Celebrity Game, the Skills Challenge, and the Rising Stars game.
Smith, who is a co-host on TNT’s “Inside the NBA,” objected to the fact Ionescu shot with a WNBA basketball, which is smaller than an NBA ball, but still shot from the NBA’s 3-point line instead of the WNBA’s 3-point line which is a shorter distance.
All-Star Saturday Night turned into the Kenny Smith Show for all the wrong reasons. 🔽https://t.co/BMzkm6FH4N
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 18, 2024
Listen to the argument Smith was embroiled in with Hall of Famer Reggie Miller:
Kenny Smith wanted Sabrina Ionescu y
To shoot from the women’s 3-point line and Reggie Miller wasn’t having it pic.twitter.com/s64X1VOOxh— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) February 18, 2024
Smith adamantly refused to change his stance, inciting a fellow NBA star Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers to take a shot at Smith.
Kenny smith been drinking lmao
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) February 18, 2024
Smith is not as well known as his counterparts Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley, but he still commands respect as a former player and NBA champion.
Despite his career credentials and reputation as a man of reason, many fans still registered disgust with Smith’s statements.
Shouts to Kenny Smith for once again reminding me how garbage it can be to be a woman in sports.
Not like I needed a reminder, but appreciate it my dude!
— Brenna Greene (@BrennaGreene_) February 18, 2024
Another person pointed out that Ionescu’s final score matched the score that Dame Lillard had when he won the regular 3-point shooting contest.
Sabrina hitting the exact score that Dame won with, losing to Steph, and the immediate commentary being “welp, she should’ve shot from the women’s line 🤷♂️” pretty much sums up our experience if ya’ll are wondering 😂
— Brittni Donaldson (@brittni__d) February 18, 2024
Other sports fans chimed in on the platform formerly known as Twitter:
Kenny Smith during Steph vs Sabrina battle pic.twitter.com/3NJjXWyozW
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) February 18, 2024
Kenny smith is embarrassing himself by suggesting Sabrina should’ve shot from the women’s line. She shot just as well as the plays in the main competition.
— Yami Sukenegro (@Sua_Jante21) February 18, 2024
Kenny saying that Sabrina should have shot from the women’s line when she was 4 pts away from beating him is🗑️
— LaChina Robinson (@LaChinaRobinson) February 18, 2024
#KennySmith was on that hendawg last night lmaoooo https://t.co/yQU5bV3fvy
— Serrapo(savage) (@thebsavage28) February 18, 2024
#KennySmith trending on Twitter for the wrong reasons. Tbh, he was out of pocket. #SabrinaIonescu put up the same numbers as the men in the 3 point competition earlier and they shoot from that line for a living. She doesn’t, offered to shoot from the NBA 3 point line, and still…
— B-LDS (@BlackBlessedLDS) February 18, 2024
#KennySmith out there acting like he wants to fired.#NBA #NBAAllStar2024 @TheJetOnTNT
— 🤠Turdron Burgunfergus🗞️ (@TheEclectic1One) February 18, 2024
Some folks did agree with Smith’s take, however:
#KennySmith Nobody Watches The WNBA…which is why they don't make any money….MEN Shouldn't have to subsidize women sports….#NBAAllStarWeekend
— Andy McCullough (@AndyMackTV) February 18, 2024
Thank You!! #KennySmith If She Wants To Compete With The Men She Should Be Shooting with the Same Size Ball…Quit forcing Women in Men Sports & Want An Advantage…#NBAAllStarWeekend
— Andy McCullough (@AndyMackTV) February 18, 2024
#KennySmith wasn't hating, he was speaking straight facts tonight, y'all too damn sensitive @#NbaonTnT SlamDunkContest judges was tripping #NBAAllStarWeekend #NBAAllStar2024
— Dazzio (@SoufMiztahSippi) February 18, 2024
