Stephen A. Smith forced to clarify ‘not pleasant’ Jaylen Brown remark as ESPN star labels him ‘brilliant young man’

ESPN host Stephen A. Smith turned to First Take to clarify controversial comments he previously made about Jaylen Brown.

Smith came under heavy scrutiny during the Eastern Conference Finals after criticizing Boston Celtics All-Star Brown on air.

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After the Celtics won Game 1 against the Indiana Pacers 133-128, Smith decided to reveal what he was told about Brown by “an NBA source.”

This came shortly after Brown was controversially left off All-NBA rosters.

“It’s not so much that he’s underrated; it’s that he’s just not liked because of his ‘I’m better than you’ attitude,” Smith relayed.

“He knows that. It’s the same reason he’s not as marketable as he should be.”

Brown later called out Smith on X, formerly known as Twitter, asking him to “Please indicate your source”.

However, Smith refusedsaying, “This isn’t happening. It’s journalism. Not revealing sources.”

Now with the Celtics one victory away from beating the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals, Smith chose to return to the subject on First Take by addressing the question “Who has the most to gain” if they win the title.

He again noted that the comments were not his, adding that he felt those criticizing him were “shortsighted.”

“Brilliant young man,” Smith said of Brown.

“Superstar caliber talent. Major talent. $300 million player. Model citizen. Doesn’t get into any trouble.

“He is an activist at heart. Politically aware. He speaks his mind. He believes in speaking truth to power.

“And I think from what I’ve been told, he’s also Muslim.

“And I bring all of this up because when we talk about marketability, you think of all kinds of things that should say, ‘This guy should be as marketable as anyone in the NBA.’”

Smith went on to state that he thought Brown “deserves better,” citing the lack of a tennis deal as an example.

After further praising Brown for his work on and off the court, Smith said, “That’s what I’m talking about when I say he’s not liked, he’s not appreciated, because the people who usually talk about it are usually the last ones. be appreciated in our society.”

But now, with Brown one of the standout players in the Playoffs and on the verge of his first championship, Smith felt the time has come to get the credit he deserves.

“If he wins and is Finals MVP, I don’t think anyone will benefit more than him,” Smith said.

The Celtics can clinch their 18th NBA title on Friday with a victory at the American Airlines Center.

Game 4 is scheduled to start at 8:30 pm ET.

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