Stephen A. Smith clashes with former NBA GM Bob Myers over suggestion that he ‘tears teams apart’

Stephen A. Smith has clashed with Bob Myers over the ex-Golden State Warriors GM’s suggestion that he ‘tears teams apart’ ahead of Game 2 of the NBA Finals. 

Discussing Jason Kidd’s comments on Jaylen Brown being the best player on the Celtics – and not Jayson Tatum – just a few days ago before Game 1, Meyers pointed out that the media holds debates to divide teams’ locker rooms, as he suggested that Smith is one of the reporters doing exactly that. 

Meyers was the face of the Warriors’ front office from 2012-2023, winning four NBA titles after identifying and assembling the talents of Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson. He was also behind the Kevin Durant trade in 2016, and often had to answers questions on who the best player between the power forward and Curry was. 

‘The Celtics are on top, right,’ said Myers. ‘And anytime you’re on top people used to come at Curry and Durant. They’d come at you in the media. They come at you on the street. And the point is—and Josh knows this—what matters is your locker room. The fabric of that locker room and what they can withstand. 

‘That Knicks fabric, you had that this year, but it is hard to find. We tear teams apart more than we ever have. Maybe on purpose, maybe not, maybe that guy down there [pointing to Smith].’

Stephen A. Smith didn’t appreciate Bob Myers’ suggestion that he ‘tears teams apart’ ahead of Game 2 of the NBA Finals

That’s when Smith leaped to his own defense, saying: ‘Not me. Not me. Not me. That’s social media. That’s not me.’ 

While the rest of the panel burst into laughter, Myers joked that he must’ve wrongly accused the wrong media member. 

‘Maybe you might,’ Myers asked. ‘That’s somebody else? I thought it was you for a second there.’

He added: ‘We do this… we attack teams… and supposedly when you’re the best team. That’s the team we come out the hardest at and that’s what kids do too…’  

In May, Smith classed with Green after the Warriors’ star went on Shaquille O’Neal’s podcast to say that he’s ‘lost respect’ for the pundit.

Myers’ take on Smith was based off Jason Kidd suggesting that Jaylen Brown is Boston’s best player and not Jayson Tatum – a frequent debate in sports media

Defending Green, ESPN ‘First Take’ co-host Molly Qerim asked Smith if he had the courtesy of warning the former NBA Defensive Player of the Year about his previous takes that might have potentially hurt the NBA star in the past. 

Earlier this year, in March, Smith had another bust-up, this time with ESPN colleague Pat McAfee. The former punter had an ‘explosive argument’ with the long-time NBA pundit, who he called a ‘motherf***er’ during the quarrel.

The mysterious clash has reportedly been cleared up, with Smith saying he has ‘no issue’ with McAfee, who now claims to have ‘nothing but love for Stephen A.’