No more Stephen A. Smith

[Kwhit10]

IMPOSSIBLE TO FEEL SORRY FOR STEPHEN A.

April 27, 2009
PHIL MUSHNICK
NY POST

MAYBE it's just a coincidence; maybe it has nothing to do with ESPN or time spent in Bristol. Delusional isn't an air-borne condition, right?

Last year, when ESPN let Sean Salisbury go, execs finally realized he was a self-smitten winEdited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline.. Salisbury confirmed their position by releasing this statement:

"I have grown as much as I can at ESPN and decided to expand my horizons. I have created a brand and it's time to expand into other opportunities in TV, radio, Internet, publishing, movies and public speaking, among others. My resume speaks for itself as a football analyst, and I believe I can talk all sports with the best of them."

Brand Salisbury hasn't been heard from since. And while no one wanted to kick Salisbury when he was down and out, his bloated departure message made that impossible.

Same thing with Stephen A. Smith. What had been abundantly clear among ESPN's TV and radio audiences from the start -- that Smith was a self-promoting, race-based gasbag with almost no discernible sports credibility beyond maudlin genuflecting at the feet of big shots -- had finally become clear to ESPN's shot-callers.

After 5½ years of blowing every opportunity ESPN handed him, Smith was not renewed; he's out effective Thursday. And who wants to kick him when he's down?

But last week Smith begged for it. He went on Atlanta's 790-Radio sports station to provide a highly public reminder, in a long, self-absorbed speech, as to why ESPN no longer could indulge him. Some highlights:

"I just looked in the mirror, fellas, and I said, 'You know, I'm 41 years of age, I've got a little cash stashed away. ... I'm a proud single daddy, no question about that, but it's just one those things, man, where I reached a point where at age 41 with about 20 to 25 years left in this business, me doing my public-speaking engagements around the country, me representing the communities, especially the African-American community, throughout this county, being one of the preeminent voices out there.' ...

"If this is where I stop, then at age 41, I'm not growing anymore, and I couldn't live with that."

Geez, he was just dumped for being a self-promoting, self-aggrandizing, self-congratulatory, race-hustling, blowhard and sports know-nothing and he still was unable to subjugate his bombast long enough to allow you a minute to feel sorry for him.

Yep, despite all ESPN's media platforms, it no longer had room for a wildly popular, in-demand fellow who's one part Martin Luther King and one part Daniel Webster (but mostly like Sean Salisbury). Smith's so delusional he'd insult those he considers his greatest admirers. He apparently feels that black Americans find him less full of it than everyone else.

At least I don't have to be yelled at now when I watch anything about the NBA on ESPN.

[tb727]

Good riddance!

Now if only Dick Stockton can be let go 

[yall hate]

you truly just made my night.

[Amir]

Ill miss him. Made me laugh, and had incredible inside info on NBA athletes. I dont care that people think hes a scumbag.

[mahonedog88]

Am I the only who actually likes Stephen A.?  I'm actually very disappointed by this.  His pompusnous actually didn't bother me...there was something about it that I found humorous and he was very entertaining in my opinion.

He also knew the game of basketball really well and I loved to hear his opinions on things.

[Rida]

whooooo whooo hooooooooo

Fantastic news I can't stand screaming A. He is also a big time Celtics hater due to his philly roots.

[Amonkey]

I actually think he was getting away from that persona towards the end of his ESPN career.  Maybe it was because he wasn't on as often, but it seemed like he was sticking more to straight basketball knowledge than any of his luggage the last few times I had seen him.

The sad think is that I actually think he knows his sniff.  He knows basketball and he does have inside info.  It's just the delivery that bothered the public.  People can see right through the act.  If only FOX News and MSNBC viewers could do the same.

[Neurotic Guy]

Stephen A. reminds me of Howard Cosell, a pompous characature whose personality more than sports expertise led to his 'man you love to hate' popularity.  Howard had his detractors, but many people felt that his presence alone added something to the events he broadcasted -- and he was likely the one who believed this the most.  Stephen A. seems to enjoy making himself part of the story in the way he delivers the information or opinion.  I found him entertaining and hope we haven't seen the last of him.

[BirdNerd]

I never will understand the venom directed at Stephen A.   The dude was wild, but flat out had me laughing at his anger and sarcasm. 

Isn't sports commentary about entertainment?  Half these dudes, ESPECIALLY ex-coaches outside of Van Gundy put me to sleep. 

[celticmaestro]

Great news. Screamin' A Smith is an idiot.

[housecall]

whooooo whooo hooooooooo

Fantastic news I can't stand screaming A. He is also a big time Celtics hater due to his philly roots.

He grew up in NY...not far from Yankee stadium.

[Junkyard Dawg]

you can count me among people who didn't mind him.. can't say he was my favorite, but c'mon, you turn on FOX or CBS every sunday during football season and you get a roundtable session of blowholes that are worse than Stephen A. 

I am glad to hear Salisbury is gone though, that guy was putrid.