Stephen A. Smith, never one to shy away from controversy or a passionate self-defense of himself, unleashed a tirade against his critics on Tuesday, June 17, via Sirius XM NBA Radio.
The ESPN mega personality addressed the viral moment during Game 4 of the NBA Finals when a fan captured a photo of him seemingly playing solitaire on his phone, sparking a wave of online derision.
Stephen A. Smith Defends Actions Against Critics
Smith, known for his fiery takes and omnipresence across ESPN’s NBA coverage, vehemently defended his actions.
“I was doing what the hell I always do. For those out there that don’t like it, kiss my a**. When I am watching the game, I am watching the game. If there’s a break in the action, I can play the damn thing for two seconds,” he said.
The image, which quickly circulated across social media, showed Smith engrossed in his phone. This led many to question his focus during one of the biggest sporting events of the year.
However, Smith quickly dismissed the notion that he wasn’t paying attention. “Somebody is standing over me in the upper deck zooming in on my phone, watching me and saying, ‘Oh, he’s playing Solitaire; he’s not focusing on the game,'” he scoffed.
“I was doing what the hell I always do…for those out there that don’t like it – kiss my ass”@stephenasmith addresses the reaction to him playing solitaire during Game 4 with @termineradio & @jumpshot8 #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/zOktJ0f03L
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) June 17, 2025
Smith, a veteran journalist who has covered the NBA for decades, highlighted his extensive commitment to the sport. “I watch over 100 games a year,” he stated, emphasizing the sheer volume of basketball he consumes annually.
Beyond his game-day attendance, Smith is a huge figure on ESPN, co-hosting “First Take” for two hours every weekday morning and making countless other appearances across the network’s various NBA shows and specials.
“I’m on TV every morning for two hours, and that’s just one job,” Smith reiterated, painting a picture of a relentless work schedule. He argued that a brief moment of distraction, engaging in a simple game he enjoys, is a perfectly reasonable break from his demanding professional life. “I’m sitting there getting a little break and decide to play a little solitaire, which, by the way, I always do. I like the game.”
Smith’s rant was a defiant declaration to let the man live, even amid the spectacle of the NBA Finals. For a man who dedicates his life to analyzing and discussing basketball, a quick game of Solitaire, as he sees it, is a harmless indulgence, not a sign of disrespect or lack of engagement.
