The simple problem with Kenny Smith’s comments on TNT during All-Star Saturday’s best moments is that they don’t make any sense.
When the Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry beat the New York Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu in a brilliantly televised 3-point contest, what Smith said was distracting because it lacked Logic and timing. We looked at Picasso’s interesting movement and all Smith could say was that the canvas wasn’t quite right in his eyes.
Curry, considered the greatest shooter of all time, eked out a 29-26 victory over Ionescu by shooting from farther out from beyond the arc in the NBA.
“She should be shooting from the women’s line,” Smith said immediately after Curry’s clutch shot. “That would be a fair competition.”
Reggie Miller, another TNT analyst on the incident, tried to get the broadcast back on track.
“Why were these boundaries set for her? She wanted to shoot from there,” Miller said.
Smith continued, “She should be shooting from the foul line. There’s a reason why golf has women’s tees and men’s tees.”
Everyone watching was ready to step away from the conversation, but then Miller added, “According to you, you wanted her to play with dolls.”
Smith said, “No, I want her to shoot from where you shoot. And there’s nothing wrong with playing with dolls.”
It’s not surprising to suggest that every shooter should shoot within the guidelines of league rules. But this was pregame chatter, not the stuff of great moments.And Ionescu himself Want to shoot from NBA range.
Smith’s comments belittled Ionescu’s outstanding performance. Had she participated in the regular NBA Three-Point Contest on Saturday night, her 26-point performance in the final round would have tied champion Damian Lillard for scoring.
If this happened, the immediate reaction wouldn’t be “Should she have shot from closer?”
The problem with Smith and TNT throughout the night was too much Statler and Waldorf and not enough celebration.
We’re all for criticism, but it’s a fun event where every moment doesn’t require comparison, as if it meets some standard from the past. We are all paying attention to this incident. Broadcasting is not Twitter/X, where you can complain about everything (although Smith and Miller are adamant about the legendary bad dunk contest judges.)
Smith was an integral part of the most iconic studio show of all time, “Inside the NBA.” The best thing about it — well, besides Charles Barkley — is that the panelists will grumpily talk about anything and everything about the NBA, each other, or the world. This works because studio programming is a blank slate for creating the art of sports television.
On Saturday night we were all enjoying the pictures on the screen. Led by Caitlin Clark, the world of women’s basketball is entering what could well be a moment of renaissance as we stand on the biggest professional stage with the player considered the best shooter of all time. Showdown with Ionescu.
It’s a great time for basketball. That’s what Smith missed.
In that moment, when Ionescu took a shot against the Kings, the commentary should have reflected the circumstances of the game. Smith’s intentions may not have been bad, but unlike Ionescu, he just missed his moment.
(Photo by Kenny Smith: Jamie Schwaberow/NBAE via Getty Images)
