Stephen A. Smith Naming Giannis Antetokounmpo an ‘Underachiever’ Does Not Sit Well with Jay Williams

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith has been caught up in a series of unwanted gaffes as he looks to dominate sports media circles.

Stephen A. Smith Naming Giannis Antetokounmpo an ‘Underachiever’ Does Not Sit Well with Jay Williams

Jay Williams takes offense to Stephen A. Smith calling Giannis Antetokounmpo an 'underachiever' (Image via FirstSportz)

For the past few months, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith has been one of the most talked-about personalities in sports media. Whether it was the $100 million contract extension, interest in running for President, or countless wild takes on various subjects, players, coaches, and teams, he has been everywhere.

He was at the forefront of leading the negative narratives more than he has spoken positively about anyone. It may be by design, as negative narratives have proved to draw attention, or by nature, as he is super critical of anything he believes is not up to the standards set by the best.

Whatever it is, people have started responding to his opinions. It all started with LeBron James, who publicly confronted the 57-year-old analyst, then watched as Smith went on platform after platform to defend himself, then appeared on an ESPN show to troll their most important face.

Since then, Smith has been maneuvering around topics as he continues to lead ESPN’s basketball analysis in the NBA postseason. While doing that, he suggested that Giannis Antetokounmpo was an ‘underachiever’ if he finished his career with just one NBA title.

That was one of your worst takes I’ve heard in a long time, man. That was horrible…. It’s always love, but I think we really need to do a better job of reframing some of these conversations. The fact that he brought an NBA championship to Milwaukee, to Milwaukee to call him an underachiever, I just think, is an asinine comment.

Jay Williams said on First Take

This was Jay Williams, who called out his colleague for a ridiculous take. He clarified that Giannis Antetokounmpo has never chased super teams, yet has been one of the greatest players in NBA history. Williams wants Smith to stop starting such narratives.

Jay Williams explains to Stephen A. Smith how title-based narratives are wrong

Stephen A. Smith tried to clarify that he was suggesting that, knowing how great Giannis Antetokounmpo is, it would be an underachievement if he finished with one. Jay Williams explained to his colleague how difficult it is to win a championship.

Do you know how hard it is to win a championship? I think anybody who’s won a championship knows how everything needs to align perfectly from the front office, to coaching, to personnel, to the ball bouncing the right way every single time for you to win a championship.

Jay Williams said

Williams added that in calling the Greek Freak an ‘underachiever’, it meant Stephen A. Smith was also calling the likes of Allen Iverson, Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Garnett, and the great Oscar Robertson as underachievers.

He reiterated that championships do not define greatness, as it has a lot more to do with the team and its construct than just one player. Therefore, he hopes Stephen A. Smith makes an informed take rather than use one syllable to define a player.

Nick Wright pokes fun at Stephen A. Smith’s Solitaire gaffe

The problem fans have with Stephen A. Smith is that they have witnessed how most of his takes have been motivated by other developments or flat out wrong. They believe he just talks about what ESPN producers want him to address, similar to how actors are when handed a script.

Nick Wright poked fun at Stephen A. Smith's Solitaire multitasking claims
Nick Wright poked fun at Stephen A. Smith’s Solitaire multitasking claims (Image via Fox Sports/X)

After all, he was caught playing Solitaire during Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Fans believe that was proof that Smith does not actually watch games. First Things First‘s Nick Wright tried to figure out Smith’s claims of multitasking during a break on his show.

Solitaire, no good… A guy can’t multitask?!

Nick Wright joked

Essentially, he was poking fun at Smith for claiming he was multitasking during a timeout. That has been proved wrong, but Wright tried to show his colleagues how difficult it is to play Solitaire and observe a game live.

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