Matt Barnes Believes Younger Stephen A. Smith Would ‘Slap’ His Current $100 Million Version: “Now We Don’t Even Know You, Bro”

ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith and former NBA star Matt Barnes have been having a back-and-forth of late.

Matt Barnes Believes Younger Stephen A. Smith Would ‘Slap’ His Current $100 Million Version: “Now We Don’t Even Know You, Bro”

Stephen A. Smith and Matt Barnes (Image via FirstSportz)

In Short
  • Matt Barnes criticized Stephen A. Smith for his recent behavior and comments, suggesting he has lost touch with his roots.
  • Smith defended himself, stating he has remained consistent in his views despite criticism since his $100 million contract.
  • The feud highlights a divide between Smith's current persona and his earlier, more relatable self, according to Barnes.

Of late, Stephen A. Smith has been balancing his sports broadcasting career, as well as a new one focused on politics, as his interest is firmly in gaining support for his potential Presidential aspirations.

A few days ago, Stephen A. Smith took to his podcast to lambast LeBron James for his suggestion that the Memphis Grizzlies should relocate to Nashville, as that undermines the predominantly black community that resides in Memphis.

However, former NBA star Matt Barnes felt that Smith was unnecessarily attacking James when the ESPN analyst had also condemned black leaders.

This led to a response from Smith, where he also accused Barnes and his All the Smoke co-host Stephen Jackson of not asking left-leaning leaders about serious issues. Now, the former NBA champion is back with a clapback.

I know you for 20 years, bro. I know that the Stephen A I met in Philly in 04-05-06, was slap this dude. The dude he sees today, the OG would slap him… You was too cool, too down to earth… It’s more disheartening than anything… You used to be the go-to. Now we don’t even know you, bro.

Matt Barnes said on IG

The former Lakers star reiterated that ever since Stephen A. Smith earned his massive $100 million paycheck, players and the black community have been disappointed in him.

It is not about the money, but Matt Barnes believes that it is because the analyst’s ego has gotten the better of him, as he feels he is above everyone else. The words and the tone coming out of his mouth are proof that Smith has seemingly deserted his former humble self.

Stephen A. Smith was upset with Matt Barnes’ first video

Matt Barnes was trying to convey that Stephen A. Smith has forgotten what made him earn that $100 million contract he signed with ESPN. However, the latter was a bit upset with the former Golden State Warriors’ star.

If you are with me, how come you didn’t call me before you posted the original video? We could have that conversation, and you could have context before you went out and said whatever you wanted to say.

Smith said on his show

The father of two went on to say that Barnes could have clarified his criticisms with him before saying things that were not true. Smith then reminded the former small forward that he is not fixated on one side of the political chain.

He reiterated that the edited clips that Barnes and others see on social media are part of the context he talks about wherever he appears. In fact, the Queens, New York, native believes that he has forever been independent, and therefore, appears on shows run by both the left and the right.

Stephen A. Smith tells Matt Barnes everyone is mad he earned $100 million deal

While talking about how consistently straight he has been about his political stance, Stephen A. Smith then pointed out what changed over the course of the past few years.

Stephen A. Smith at the West Point Military Academy
Stephen A. Smith at the West Point Military Academy (Image via Jeff Monken/X)

I am consistent. It’s other people who have changed… All of this noise that has been coming at me has been since I got my new deal. You’ve got cats wanting me canceled, and acting like I didn’t work 30 years to get what I got.

Smith said

He was echoing what he has reiterated for some time, that many in the sports and black communities have been asking the networks to fire him. But all of that started after he earned his $100 million deal.

The ESPN executive producer believes that he has not done any disservice to the black community. Rather, he has been painted as doing that because that is what jealous people do.

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