There was plenty of chatter regarding the clash of shooting stars that took place during All-Star Saturday Night.
The masses were tuned in when Stephen Curry battled Sabrina Ionescu for the title of world’s best shooter. By and large, the reaction to the duel — a 29-26 Curry victory — was positive. Curry reaffirmed his status as the finest marksman to ever grasp a ball, while Ionescu broke barriers and reminded fans that there’s no talent gap between the NBA and WNBA.
One person who did not appear pleased, however, was TNT’s Kenny Smith. The “Inside the NBA” co-host showed contempt for the competition while offering his musings from the broadcast booth on Saturday.
Smith repeatedly remarked that Ionescu — despite pouring in 26 points, the same amount that Damian Lillard, Trae Young and Karl-Anthony Towns scored in the 3-Point Contest that preceded Curry and Ionescu’s duel — should have taken shots from the WNBA 3-point line (22 feet and 1.75 inches) as opposed to the NBA’s 23 feet and nine inches marker.
MORE: Best reactions to Stephen Curry vs. Sabrina Ionescu challenge
Ionescu had already agreed to face Curry at NBA-level. She put on a helluva display, firing off feather after feather en route to a dominant 26-point showing.
Smith was unconvinced. And after Curry claimed his victory, Smith made sure to let the whole of the TNT crew know his thoughts — much to TNT colleague Reggie Miller’s chagrin.
“I think she should’ve shot from the women’s line,” Smith said. “That would’ve been a fair contest.”
Kenny Smith wanted Sabrina Ionescu y
To shoot from the women’s 3-point line and Reggie Miller wasn’t having it pic.twitter.com/s64X1VOOxh— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) February 18, 2024
Basketball Twitter was not having Smith’s foolishness. Numerous social media users were vocal in their disapproval of his antics, including the reigning MVP.
MORE: Damian Lillard captures second consecutive 3-Point Contest crown
Here are some of the more pointed reactions from those who watched along:
Kenny Smith during Steph vs Sabrina battle pic.twitter.com/3NJjXWyozW
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) February 18, 2024
Kenny smith is embarrassing himself by suggesting Sabrina should’ve shot from the women’s line. She shot just as well as the plays in the main competition.
— Yami Sukenegro (@Sua_Jante21) February 18, 2024
Kenny saying that Sabrina should have shot from the women’s line when she was 4 pts away from beating him is🗑️
— LaChina Robinson (@LaChinaRobinson) February 18, 2024
Kenny Smith needs to shut up man just give Sabrina her flowers lol. Saying a bunch of non sense bruh
— 🅾️🅿️timistic W🅰️rriors Fan 💥 (@30problemz) February 18, 2024
Kenny hating on Sabrina cause she used a WNBA Ball is LAME.
— HTB ♨️ (@HenryTheBlasian) February 18, 2024
Everyone to Kenny Smith after that Steph Vs Sabrina contest pic.twitter.com/vXFKshpeRt
— Kellen (@Krush59) February 18, 2024
kenny smith during steph vs. sabrina: pic.twitter.com/5GbWMiRCBo
— Devin Walker (@Devin_Walker2) February 18, 2024
Kenny smith been drinking lmao
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) February 18, 2024
Kenny Smith covering a Steph Curry vs. Sabrina Ionescu three-point competition for charity:
“Give her a real ball.” pic.twitter.com/ESjP4Ho8ip
— Jake (@JakeAndBall) February 18, 2024
No Kenny need to hush! Sabrina wanted to shoot from nba 3 point line stop it smh lol
— Chris Williamson (@CWilliamson44) February 18, 2024
Kenny Smith should let everyone just enjoy Steph vs. Sabrina.
We don’t need a debate.
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) February 18, 2024
