ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith blasted Philadelphia 76ers guard Michael Carter-Williams for calling him out in a recent Players' Tribune article. Smith launched into a lengthy retort on Twitter and warned the second-year pro not to call him out.
Carter-Williams apparently fired the first shots with some comments he made in his Players' Tribune article, which challenged the notion Philadelphia was tanking for a better chance at landing a higher lottery pick.
"The media creates this (tanking) narrative and repeats it over and over. That's how Stephen A. Smith ends up in our locker room with a big smile on his face," Carter-Williams wrote. "I'm not picking on him. I know he's playing a character. He knows he's playing a character. But what happens when we break the streak by going out and beating Detroit that night? Now it's another story. After the game, a lot of the reporters didn't even stick around. ... Stephen A. didn't really stick around. I guess he had a plane to catch.
"Believe me, I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure he doesn't come back for the same reason."
Those remarks didn't sit well with Smith, who fired back on Twitter.
MCW is misinformed. First, never once have I accused any player of throwing games; the finger was pointed at the org. Secondly, that was
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) November 14, 2014
Last year, not this season. Thirdly, it was the absolute truth. Fourth, most folks think it still is -- but I haven't said so. Fifth: if MCW — Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) November 14, 2014
We're paying attention, or had spoken to numerous employees who have been friends of mine for years, he would've known I stuck around for
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) November 14, 2014
2 hours. I was actually in the back of the locker room with his coach AND GM. As for sticking around, what to you want me to say: Congrats.. — Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) November 14, 2014
On ending a 26-game losing streak? You've got a bright future MCW. I respect you. I root for the 76ers. But be careful who you try and call
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) November 14, 2014
Out. You'll never have the last word. Ask some folks within the Sixers organization, they'll tell you. They know first-hand. Wrong-brother! — Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) November 14, 2014
Philadelphia, though, is 0-8 to start the season and appears to be on track for another lottery pick in 2015. They visit the Houston Rockets on Friday.
