Atlanta, Georgia — Former NBA champion Stephen Jackson has once again lit up the sports media world, this time taking direct aim at ESPN’s loudest voice, Stephen A. Smith, accusing him of hypocrisy and selective outrage when it comes to who he criticizes on air.
The confrontation began after a recent episode of First Take, where Smith discussed business mogul Alexis Ohanian — husband of tennis legend Serena Williams — in what many described as a “measured and respectful” tone. But that same day, Smith had gone viral for his fiery critique of several NBA players, calling their off-court behavior “irresponsible” and “embarrassing for the league.”
That contrast didn’t sit right with Jackson.
“I’m just saying what everyone’s thinking,” Jackson said during a live stream that quickly spread across social media. “Stephen A. talks real loud when it’s a Black athlete — brothers trying to find their way in the league. But when it’s Alexis Ohanian, he turns into the professor of politeness. Suddenly it’s ‘with all due respect.’ Why the switch-up?”
Fans flooded comment sections within minutes, turning the clip into one of the most-shared sports moments of the week. Jackson’s remarks sparked a fierce online debate — not just about Smith’s style, but about the broader culture of how media personalities handle race, wealth, and influence.
Jackson didn’t stop there.
“He built his brand on calling people out — cool, do that. But keep it consistent,” he continued. “Don’t be the tough guy when it’s Ja Morant or Draymond Green, and then act delicate when it’s someone married to Serena. If you’ve got smoke, keep that same energy for everybody.”
Inside ESPN, sources say Smith was “surprised but not shaken” by Jackson’s comments. One insider told CourtSide Confidential, “Stephen A. has been in the game long enough to expect backlash. But this one stings because it’s coming from someone who’s been on both sides — player and commentator.”
Meanwhile, Jackson’s former teammates have quietly backed his stance, with one unnamed ex-player saying, “Stack [Jackson] doesn’t say things for clicks. If he said it, he believes it.”
Social media, however, remains split. Some fans praised Jackson for “calling out bias in real time,” while others defended Smith, arguing that “respecting Serena’s husband isn’t favoritism — it’s professionalism.”
As the story continues to circulate, neither Smith nor Ohanian has directly responded. Still, industry watchers predict the two Stephens may soon face off — possibly on live television.
“If Stephen A. invites Jackson to First Take, it’ll be ratings gold,” one media analyst told SportsWire Daily. “But knowing Jackson, he won’t back down. He’s not looking for airtime — he’s looking for accountability.”
For now, the tension between two outspoken voices of the basketball world is simmering — and everyone’s watching to see who fires the next shot.
