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Viewers before Game 7 of the NBA Finals were treated to the sight and sound of a screaming Stephen A. Smith, possibly too into the moment for his own good.
Over an hour before tipoff of the final and decisive game of the championship series, Smith let his passion for the game out on-air – but possibly at a volume not appropriate for the occasion at the time.
Video posted to social media by Awful Announcing showed Smith getting into a shouting match on ESPN with his co-star and former Oklahoma City Thunder player Kendrick Perkins.
While starting off at a lower volume, Smith eventually raised his voice while calling Perkins ‘really annoying’ for believing that some players in this game may not be able to perform the same as they would in other environments.
‘This is a man that is a champion, you’re talking about a Game 7… he acts like everybody that’s been producing all year long, come Game 7, “it’s no different, it’s no different.” It’s very, very, very different,’ Smith said at the top of his lungs.
Another member of the desk, former Golden State Warriors executive Bob Myers, fired back at Smith, saying, ‘Just because you yell something doesn’t mean it’s true.’
Stephen A. Smith’s attempt to hype up Game 7 of the NBA Finals didn’t go over well for fans
Smith yelled at colleagues Bob Myers (L) and Kendrick Perkins (R) in the pre-game show
The Thunder and Pacers are playing in the 20th Game 7 in the history of the NBA Finals
When the pre-game show transitioned from ESPN to ABC, Smith continued his ranting and raving at max volume. Only this time, he started at a 10 and never dropped from there.
Disgruntled viewers let their anger and exhaustion be known on social media.
‘It’s like watching the THX intro at full volume but for an hour straight,’ said one user on X.
Another posted, ‘The fact that ESPN cannot see that he is destroying their credibility, is mind boggling.’
‘Can’t believe ESPN gave this man the bag for a bunch of yellin,’ another commented.
One post read, ‘Espn suits must have told them to really sell how big of a deal this game is and stephen a did that by just yelling that its a big deal.’
After the game got underway, disaster struck immediately for the Indiana Pacers when injured guard Tyrese Haliburton appeared to tear his Achilles tendon.
He left the contest and will not return, a big blow to Indiana’s hopes of winning this championship game.
