Stephen A. Smith Backs Brian Windhorst To ‘Run For President’ After Luka Doncic Speech While ESPN Star Thanked On Live TV

STEPHEN A. Smith applauded ESPN colleague Brian Windhorst for a recent speech he made about Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic.

Stephen A. Smith and Windhorst appeared on Friday’s edition of First Take.

3

The ESPN show also featured host Molly Qerim and NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins.

Qerim introduced each personality on the show and Stephen A. praised Perkins’ new haircut.

But the 56-year-old also seemingly showed his support for Windhorst after a fiery speech about Doncic and his efforts in the Mavericks’ Game 3 NBA Finals loss to the Boston Celtics.

“He will eventually confess to us that he is in fact running for public office,” Smith said.

Windhorst was seen smiling throughout the sequence.

The 46-year-old questioned Doncic’s foul with 4:12 remaining in the fourth quarter of the game and the behavior he demonstrated after the decision.

“I thought it was perfect that Luka fell to the floor in an unacceptable position to put himself in with four minutes left and five fouls,” he said while appearing on SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt after Game 3.

“And then he immediately looks at the bench and says, ‘You better challenge him.’

“Like it was the bench’s fault he made a terrible play.”

Windhorst also called Doncic’s defense in the contest “unacceptable” and that he will have to learn from his mistakes if he wants to be an NBA champion.

The speech went viral social media and the ESPN personality received high praise for the sequel.

“He has to get over this, and the fact that he came out after the game and blamed the referees showed me that he’s not even close yet,” Windhorst said at the end of his speech.

“Perhaps over the summer Someone can get to him because no one with the Mavericks or anyone else in his life has.”

ESPN analyst Doris Burke also criticized Doncic in the first quarter after not playing defense in transition after missing a shot.

3

Instead, he was on the floor complaining to the referees as the Celtics hit a three-pointer.

Doncic also scored 27 points, recording six rebounds and six assists.

The Celtics are one win away from winning the NBA title.

Game 4 between the two teams will take place on Friday night.