FIRST Host Molly Qerim bluntly called out Stephen A. Smith on air.
At the start of Wednesday’s show, Qerim and Smith were joined by Brian Windhorst and Chris “Mad Dog” Russo as they discussed the upcoming NBA Draft and the recent flurry of trades.
5
5
Qerim, Windhorst and Russo were all in unfamiliar surroundings, performing in a studio in Bristol, Connecticut, while Smith remained in New York.
The team debated whether or not the Phoenix Suns should consider trading Devin Booker or Kevin Durant with the Houston Rockets reportedly interested in both, according to Windhorst.
This came after the Rockets traded the 2025 and 2026 first-round picks, as well as the lesser of the 2029 first-rounders belonging to them, the Dallas Mavericks, or Suns, to the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, from according to the NBA.
In return, the Nets traded the 2025 first-rounders (Houston/Oklahoma City Thunder for Phoenix), the Suns’ 2027 first-rounders, and the rights to two of the most favorable 2029 first-rounders among the Mavericks, Rockets and Suns.
During the argument, when Windhorst spoke to the camera, Russo could be seen looking at his colleague, meaning viewers were simply observing the side of “Mad Dog’s” head.
As such, Smith intervened as Windhorst explained Houston’s perspective on heavily ingesting a star like Booker or Durant.
“Doggy, a few things, first, when Windy is talking, just look straight,” he told his colleague.
“Stop looking at Windy because on camera you’re looking sideways and the audience doesn’t see you, they see the side of your face.”
But Qerim was quick to defend Russo, intervening and telling Smith to “leave him alone,” explaining that “the camera follows him.”
“Let me do the show!” Russo responded to Smith, adding that his comments would make him uncomfortable.
Qerim then called Smith to “just admit that you miss us a little bit.”
But Smith wasted no time in dismissing any suggestion that he missed his colleagues.
Quick to bring the conversation back on topic, Smith provided an update on the Booker/Durant situation.
“Don’t pay attention to what Phoenix is saying, they want out of Kevin Durant now,” he relayed from an unnamed source.
This contradicts a report from Central AZstating that the Suns intend to keep the duo, as well as Bradley Beal.
“Plus, Houston doesn’t want Kevin Durant,” Smith later added.
2024 NBA Draft Request – Lottery Picks
- Atlanta Falcons
- Wizards of Washington
- Houston Rockets (via Brooklyn)
- St. Anthony’s incentive
- Detroit pistons
- Charlotte Hornets
- Portland Trail Blazers
- San Antonio Spurs (via Toronto)
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Utah Jazz
- Chicago buffaloes
- Oklahoma City Thunder (via Houston)
- Kings of Sacramento
- Portland Trail Blazers (via Golden State)
“[Head coach] Ime Udoka may want him, but organizationally they know they’re not there yet.
“So their plans are long-term and they would prefer a Devin Booker that they know there’s a small chance they can get, but that would be their preference.”
Windhorst insisted that while he trusted Smith’s reporting, he still felt there had to be a reason Houston pulled the plug on him.
Meanwhile, the countdown to the Draft continues.
Kickoff is scheduled for 8pm ET on Wednesday at New York’s Barclays Center.
5
5
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
