“He has changed the sport of basketball for worse” Stephen A. Smith throws shade at Michael Jordan whilst appreciating Stephen Curry

“He has changed the sport of basketball for worse” Stephen A. Smith throws shade at Michael Jordan whilst appreciating Stephen Curry

Stephen A. Smith and Michael Jordan

Not many veteran analysts have gone onto acknowledge any other player than Michael Jordan as the GOAT of the sport. That particular list also includes Stephen A. Smith who has gone onto appreciate MJ for his contribution in the NBA until the most recent episode of First Take wherein the sports media personality stated that the Bulls legend changed to sport for worse. 

Moreover, Smith went onto state the same whilst appreciating how Golden State Warriors’ marquee Stephen Curry has changed the league with his explicit 3-point shooting. What exactly did the veteran ESPN analyst state? Take a look at the clip below- 

Did Michael Jordan change the sport of basketball for worse? 

“Here’s the deal. My brother, the guy I love so much, that I believe is the greatest player to have ever played, Michael Jordan, is responsible, as much as anybody, for changing the game for the worse,” Smith explained. “Stay with me on this. This is throwing no shade on Michael Jordan, of course. He’s the greatest ever, in my estimation. Number one, alright? But he was so phenomenal that the NBA marketed the individual, the audience gravitated toward the individual, and the game became a bit more individualized. Because people wanted to be like Mike.” 

FS Video
Stephen A. Smith
Stephen A. Smith

Smith further explained his point on Michael Jordan citing Magic Johnson and Larry Bird as well. 

top 5 Point-Guards of All-Time
Magic Johnson

“Before Mike, you had … Bird and Magic,” he continued. “But what was Bird and Magic? As great as a shooter as Bird was, as Mr. Clutch as he was, OK, Bird could pass, Bird could rebound. Bird had McHale, he had Parish, he had Dennis Johnson, he had Gerald Henderson, he had a whole bunch, Danny Ainge and others. 

Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan

“They had a team, alright? Blue-collar but a team. What was Magic? Magic was Showtime. As phenomenal as Magic was, what was his number one attribute? Passing. … What I’m saying is you were thinking team until Jordan elevated it to another level. And from Jordan, then you had the Kobes, the Vince Carters, and others that came along thereafter.” 

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