Pat McAfee took aim at fellow ESPN broadcaster Stephen A. Smith after delivering a passionate speech to Indiana Pacers fans during the NBA Finals.
McAfee is synonymous with the city of Indianapolis as a famous sportscaster himself and as a popular former Colts punter.
The Pacers gave him a chance to make a rallying cry live on the video board inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse during the fourth quarter of the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
In recent days, Smith has been critical of Tyrese Haliburton, as he has not played up to his potential in a majority of the NBA Finals.
Now McAfee had enough, alongside many Pacers fans, who heavily booed Smith with the mention of his name over the video board.
‘The sports books don’t know, Stephen A Smith doesn’t know, and the Oklahoma City Thunder are finding out when you come to this state, not only are you playing the best team in the damn league, you’re also taking on the greatest fan base in the history of sports,’ McAfee said.
Pat McAfee took aim at fellow ESPN broadcaster Stephen A. Smith after delivering a passionate speech to Indiana Pacers fans
Oklahoma City did stay true to the sports books, defeating Indiana by seven points, when the Thunder were favored by 6.5.
Smith, who picked the Thunder to win the game, got a few shots in on McAfee on ESPN’s post game show, but said it was all in ‘fun’ and his disses were not personal.
Earlier in the week, Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton took exception with the media were critical of him. McAfee did not side with his colleague in the debate.
‘Now, Stephen A. said, “He was talking about me.” I don’t think Stephen A. was the only person to doubt Tyrese Haliburton. I mean, he was literally voted the most overrated player in the NBA,’ McAfee said. ‘Stephen A. took that personally and said, “Hey, there’s a lot better players than you that have tried talking about me.”‘
“It’s like, okay, relax, dude. We understand you’ve been on TV for a long time and your job is to judge people, but it’s not just Stephen A. It’s been everybody that has counted out Tyrese Haliburton.’
