Former ESPN host unleashes scathing Stephen A. Smith assault

Former ESPN host Jason Fitz didn’t like Stephen A. Smith’s feedback about Memphis — and known as him out for it.

Fitz, who labored on ESPN’s digital facet and the radio, claimed that Smith is commonly unprepared throughout an look throughout an look on 92.9 ESPN in Memphis on Tuesday following the “First Take” host’s controversial feedback on the Tennessee metropolis.

Smith stated on the present that whereas Memphis is a superb sports activities city some NBA begins don’t really feel secure there.,

“However there’s a component there the place cats like Jimmy Butler and others don’t really feel it’s the most secure setting. I’m speaking to the native authorities in Memphis,” Smith stated. “You’ve acquired to scrub a few of that stuff up as a result of it’s dissuasive to NBA gamers. They’ve talked about it. I do know. They’ve informed me.”

Fitz responded by calling out Smith’s preparedness.

“Stephen A. is likely one of the least ready folks I’ve ever labored with in my total profession,” Fitz stated.

Fitz talked about how he usually labored 80-hour weeks throughout his remaining fall with the community earlier than being laid off in 2023, questioning how Smith would have time to generate knowledgeable opinions on Memphis.

“Now, Stephen A. is busier than I ever was. We see him making content material 24/7,” Fitz stated. “So, I assume my query to folks in Memphis is: how a lot Memphis do you suppose he’s truly absorbed? And I imply all of it. Memphis tradition, Memphis basketball.

“What the hell does Stephen A. know in regards to the metropolis of Memphis? And the reply to that’s solely what his associates or his folks on his telephone, tweet him, or textual content him. That’s all he is aware of. He’s so separated from precise actuality. What does he know?”

Fitz additionally claimed that Smith “eats and breathes stereotypes,” whereas additionally saying that he probably has not watched a Grizzlies recreation in years.

“Stephen A. walks and talks and lives and eats and breathes stereotypes,” Fitz stated. “That’s all he is aware of… Frankly, he has to speak in regards to the metropolis of Memphis as a result of my man hasn’t watched a single Memphis basketball recreation in in all probability three years.”

“Stephen A. has a employees and information group that feeds him data in order that he can have considerably knowledgeable opinions, they usually’re often not as a result of he works too arduous to truly watch any video games,” added Fitz.

Memphis Mayor Paul Younger prolonged Smith an invite to town, and the ESPN character accepted.

“Deeply respect your phrases and the emotions that got here with them,” Smith wrote on X on Thursday. “Progress is what life is all about and on the subject of Memphis -where some pricey associates of mine reside − I want for nothing much less. The folks deserve nothing much less.

“So with that stated, I settle for your invitation to return to your metropolis, as your visitor. Let’s make it occur. I’m trying ahead to it.”