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NBA fans mock Stephen A. Smith for popularity comments during Game 1

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 7, 2026, 11:38 AM

Last updated Jun 7, 2026

NBA fans mock Stephen A. Smith for popularity comments during Game 1

Summary

NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith attracted ridicule from fans after claiming he felt too popular to sit in the stands during Game 1 between the Spurs and the Knicks. Instead, Smith chose to watch from a tunnel, citing concerns over crowd interactions. His comments sparked a wave of mockery on social media, with fans questioning his self-perception and comparing his popularity to that of actual NBA players. The backlash emphasized Smith's polarizing presence in sports media, where he has been both revered and criticized by fans and players alike.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Stephen A. Smith watched Game 1 from a tunnel, citing his popularity.
•Fans trolled Smith on social media for his comments about crowd interactions.
•The analyst has faced criticism for his controversial views in the past.
•Game 1 involved the Spurs and the Knicks.

Latest Updates

11:38 AMYahoo Sports — “Guy Thinks He’s A Superstar”: NBA Fans Mock Stephen A. Smith Claiming He Can’t Sit At Stands Due To His Popularity

What they're saying

"
NBA fans are massively trolling Stephen A. Smith after the analyst admitted feeling that he is a little too popular to be sitting in the stands with the fans. Smith is obviously a pretty well-known figure, but his opinions did not sit too well with the public. Smith revealed that he did not sit in [...]
— Yahoo Sports

Related Teams & Leagues

New York Knicks San Antonio Spurs NBA Basketball