Stephen A. Smith and Malika Andrews, despite their previous on-air conflicts regarding NBA matters, saw a new development this Wednesday.
The First Take host dedicated his podcast to supporting Andrews amidst criticism surrounding her coverage of an off-court NBA narrative.
In recent events, Dez Bryant, a former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver now turned entrepreneur, labeled Andrews as a “puppet” and criticized her background.
Bryant asserted that Andrews’ decision not to report on the NBA investigation concerning Oklahoma City guard Josh Giddey’s alleged relationship with a minor, especially after being critical of Hornets wing Brandon Miller’s criminal charges, was influenced by the race of the individuals involved.
“I dont know how a former or current nba player could sit there across from you and look at you with some kind of respect,” Bryant wrote on X.
Nevertheless, Smith provided an explanation outlining the distinctions between the two situations.
“(Miller) was the No. 2 overall pick on draft night in the National Basketball Association, he was going to be the No. 2 pick of the Charlotte Hornets,” Smith explained. “The city of Charlotte is considered the Bible Belt.”
While Brandon Miller was not formally charged in connection to the death of Jamea Jonae Harris, a police investigator testified earlier this year, stating that Miller was present at the scene of the crime.
In October, the family of Harris took legal action by filing a wrongful death lawsuit against Miller and two other individuals.
Despite these legal proceedings, Miller continued to play and completed the season with the Alabama program. Notably, he went on to be selected as the second overall pick in the NBA Draft.
“When Brandon Miller showed up at South Carolina, you would have thought he was Hillary Clinton. They were screaming, ‘lock him up, lock him up, lock him up,’” Smith added.
“How in God’s name does Malika Andrews not ask that question on draft night? She had to … that goes for any journalist.”
Stephen A. Smith defends Malika Andrews against criticism from Dez Bryant over racialized NBA coverage https://t.co/j97iCfmzGB pic.twitter.com/Nf41uyCCs0
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 30, 2023
