Pat McAfee Urges Stephen A. Smith to Relax Over Tyrese Haliburton Feud

Pat McAfee noticed how ESPN colleague Stephen A. Smith went after Tyrese Haliburton just because he defended his Game 2 performances.

Pat McAfee Urges Stephen A. Smith to Relax Over Tyrese Haliburton Feud

Pat McAfee tries to calm Stephen A. Smith down over Tyrese Haliburton beef (Image via FirstSportz)

Ever since Skip Bayless semi-retired from his role as a broadcaster, Stephen A. Smith has become the primary ‘hater’ when it comes to analyzing current NBA stars. As the NBA Finals are in session, Tyrese Haliburton decided to take a shot at Smith and other detractors.

That did not work out well as the ESPN analyst went after the Indiana Pacers’ star point guard by taunting him with a reminder that Smith always gets his way, even when going up against established athletes. Fans did not appreciate this tone as they felt the 57-year-old was trying to make himself a superstar.

Smith seemed to take it personally as Tyrese Haliburton tried to fend off criticism over his performances in Game 2. However, Indianapolis native Pat McAfee believes his colleague did not need to go to the extent of making it a personal beef.

I don’t think Stephen A. was the only person to doubt Tyrese Haliburton. I mean, he was literally voted the most overrated player in the NBA. Stephen A. took that personally. It’s like, okay, relax, dude. We understand you’ve been on TV for a long time and your job is to judge people, but it’s not just Stephen A. It’s been everybody that has counted out Tyrese Haliburton.

Pat McAfee said on his show

McAfee was trying to play peacemaker between his adopted hometown’s best player and his colleague, knowing this would be a bad look on Tyrese Haliburton if it kept going. He was instrumental in helping LeBron James gain the upper hand in his feud with Stephen A. Smith, hence he knows where this can go.

Pat McAfee takes a jab at Stephen A. Smith during Game 4

Pat McAfee was not done for the night, as once he wrapped up his Pat McAfee Show special ahead of Game 4, he made it to the VIP suites inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse to watch the Indiana Pacers take on the Oklahoma City Thunder. In the 4th quarter, he again got the chance to cheer up the Pacers fans.

Initially, he talked about how everyone from fans, analysts, and betting sites favored the Thunder to win the Finals. He then called out Stephen A. Smith‘s name and suggested that his ESPN colleague does not know that Indiana fans are the best in the league and can get behind their team.

As soon as the former NFL punter called out Smith’s name, a loud round of boos filled the arena. It was as if Pacers fans had been watching how the analyst routinely chided their team and always projected the Thunder as the favorites to win.

Pacers fans crown Stephen A. Smith and Kendrick Perkins as Dumb and Dumber

It seems Indiana Pacers fans have been livid about ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith after consistently favoring the Oklahoma City Thunder. His colleague Kendrick Perkins, a former Thunder player himself, has also been calling them favorites.

Pacers fans dressed as Dumb and Dumber to troll Stephen A. Smith and Kendrick Perkins
Pacers fans dressed as Dumb and Dumber to troll Stephen A. Smith and Kendrick Perkins (Image via NBA/X)

Two Pacers fans decided to pay them the ultimate sarcastic homage possible in Game 4. They dressed as the characters Harry and Lloyd from the movie Dumb and Dumber in their trademark orange and sky blue suits and pinned photos of both Smith and Perkins at the front.

The two then sat courtside, and many fans noted how ESPN cameras tried their level best to avoid capturing the two fans trolling their own personnel. Even then, there were quite a few instances when cameras did capture the two, as it was difficult to avoid zooming in on Pacers coach Rick Carlisle.

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