Stephen A. Smith Criticizes ESPN After Negative Magic Johnson Story [VIDEO]

Stephen A. Smith Criticizes ESPN After Negative Magic Johnson Story [VIDEO]

The “First Take” co-host, Stephen A. Smith had a lot to get off his chest on his radio show this week, in the aftermath of an ESPN.com story detailing former employees displeasure working under Lakers Legend and former President of Basketball Operations, Magic Johnson. In a video, the sports television personality becomes visibly upset, taking aim at his own network for publishing the report on the same day he was set to host an NBA Finals special that Magic is slated to take part in. He says,

“I am forced to address yet the latest story about the dysfunctional franchise known as the Los Angeles Lakers… I got better things to do with my damn time — better things to do.”

“I wake up this morning, minding my own damn business, getting set to do my job, and talk about these NBA Finals… but obviously, I’d have to take a moment because ESPN.com decides to come out with a story on the day that Magic and the crew will be here.”

Ladies and gentlemen, The GOAT @stephenasmith went OFF today about Earvin Magic Johnson and the Lakers ? NEW HEAT ? pic.twitter.com/G4ZTdnIjQN

— Ryan Cortes (@Ryan_Cortes) May 28, 2019

As one of the top personalities for the ESPN network, Smith, 51, also addressed the journalist who wrote the story, giving him high praise for doing his job.

“A story comes out, Baxter Holmes, reporter, senior writer on the NBA for ESPN — by the way, does an outstanding job, and did an outstanding job with this story. There’s nothing missing here. But he wrote this big exposé, working on it for two years. And there’s a lot to deduce from it because we don’t want to take away from his work. He did his job. Do I like the fact that I have to deal with it today? Hell no. I’m quite annoyed by it. That’s neither here nor there. I’m a big boy. I can take it.”

He continues asking viewers to read the report while also mocking its importance.