Stephen A. Smith is refusing to back down after his viral comments dubbing the Los Angeles Lakers roster ‘White Dude Central’ sparked fierce accusations of racism.
The ESPN personality took to his YouTube channel on Thursday to aggressively fire back at former Fox Sports host Emmanuel Acho over the escalating media feud.
Earlier in the week, Smith caused a massive uproar by mocking the Lakers’ newly assembled core of Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler.
The veteran broadcaster argued that the franchise could never successfully compete for an NBA championship with an all-white group of star players leading the charge.
Acho slammed the commentary on his show, Speakeasy, declaring the take ‘racist’ and accusing Smith of feeding into stereotypes that held back Black quarterbacks.
‘You don’t have the luxury of crying out ‘racism’ and then simultaneously spewing a racist remark. We just don’t have that luxury,’ Acho stated.
Stephen A. Smith criticized the Los Angeles Lakers for their all-white ‘Big Three’
The Lakers recently signed big-name free agent center Walker Kessler to their roster
Acho added: ‘Contrary to Stephen A.’s belief that somebody gotta say it, nobody had to say it.’
Despite being on a scheduled summer break from his daily ESPN and SiriusXM duties, Smith jumped in front of a camera to issue a defiant, unapologetic response.
Addressing his critic directly on YouTube, Smith rejected Acho’s perspective as a ‘weak argument’ and doubled down on his take on the Lakers’ offseason moves.
‘I’m going to say what I feel,’ Smith declared in the video. ‘You are absolutely right. Every truth ain’t meant to be told, particularly at certain times. And I’m sensitive to that… but damn.’
Smith then pointed to the massive roster shakeup, referencing the departure of LeBron James as the primary reason for his extreme lack of faith in the new squad.
‘The Lakers recently agreed to the deal [for] Luka, you turn around and sign Austin Reaves. Not only that, you go out and you get Walker Kessler,’ Smith argued.
‘In the meantime, LeBron James walks out the building… and I’m saying, ‘Hey, these are the Lakers. That ain’t gonna cut it.”
Smith then made the confrontation personal, expressing sarcastic shock that Acho would attempt to police or censor an uncomfortable sports conversation.
Kessler forms a ‘big three’ in Los Angeles with Luka Doncic (L) and Austin Reaves (R)
Former Fox Sports host Emmanuel Acho fired back at Smith over his comments
Acho has previously built his brand around hosting ‘uncomfortable conversations’ and frequently uses highly provocative language on his own broadcasts.
‘I didn’t know you were the kind of brother that felt like certain things shouldn’t be said,’ Smith taunted his media rival. ‘That’s news to me, considering how many things you say.’
‘I wasn’t aware of that. I’m kind of surprised hearing that from you… considering the inordinate amount of subjects you tackle that nobody thinks to tackle.’
Smith concluded his rant by clarifying that he deeply respects the many white athletes who have forged legendary careers in the NBA, insisting his commentary was strictly about basketball fit rather than racial prejudice.
