Saturday night’s NBA All-Star events featured some top-tier performances, but in the eyes of fans, players and many others who took to social media, TNT analyst Kenny Smith was not among the night’s winners. The longtime member of Inside the NBA received backlash for numerous comments, including some about WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu, who went toe-to-toe with Stephen Curry in a three-point shootout.
Ionescu lost by just three points to Curry in their head-to-head matchup while tallying the same total as three-point shootout winner Damian Lillard in his final round (26). However, Smith’s comments following the competition belittled Ionescu’s performance.
“She should have shot it from the women’s line,” Smith said. “That would have been a fair contest. I still root for Sabrina … But she should have shot from the three-point line that the women shoot from.”
Reggie Miller then asked Smith why he was putting “those boundaries” on Ionescu when she wanted to do the challenge from the NBA three-point line, and the analyst proceeded to double down.
“She should have shot from the line. There is a women’s tee in golf and there is a men’s tee for a reason,” Smith added.
Sucks that Kenny Smith tainted a really special moment in basketball historypic.twitter.com/6ijjqUnmKS
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzellNBA) February 18, 2024
This was just one bit of what Smith said on Saturday that played a large part in sending the internet into a frenzy, and the reactions poured in immediately.
Kenny smith been drinking lmao
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) February 18, 2024
Did Sabrina Ionescu shoot the lights out from NBA range last night? Yes.
— Coach Russo (@MrRussoHealth) February 18, 2024
Did Sabrina Ionescu use a WNBA regulation sized basketball? Yes.
Did Kenny Smith have to point that out while the NBA is clearly trying to promote & uplift women’s sports? No.
pic.twitter.com/CA0IZhoNlp
Kenny Smith was an absolute clown last night lol
— Savage (@SavageSports_) February 18, 2024
Sabrina Ionescu narrowly loses to Steph Curry in the 3 point contest.
She would’ve tied the other men for the lead.
And all Kenny Smith has to add is “she still should’ve shot from the women’s 3 point line”
NBA probably… pic.twitter.com/wUxUEZ2HXe
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 Smith has been awful tonight. Really, really awful.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) February 18, 2024
The absolute condescension dripping off Kenny Smith after Sabrina's performance is so utterly disappointing. "I want her to shoot where she shoots from." Sir, she just tied the number needed to make the NBA three-point contest finals. Thank goodness for Reggie Miller.
— Caroline Darney (@cwdarney) February 18, 2024
Still thinking about Kenny Smith’s commentary during the Steph/Sabrina event. Sabrina ended up with the same amount of points Dame did when he won the three point contest. To say she should’ve shot with a women’s 🏀 and from WNBA distance came off condescending as hell.
— JustinTinsley (@JustinTinsley) February 18, 2024
It didn’t stop there, either, as Smith made multiple comments on various topics that left Miller as one of many who were a bit baffled.
I'm still thinking about how horrible Kenny Smith was last night, between not getting who Jaylen Brown was tributing, questioning how JJJ was honoring Mexico, getting Darnell Hillman's name wrong, and saying Sabrina Ionescu should've shot closer. That was a total embarrassment.
— Velodus✨ (@velodus) February 18, 2024
Kenny Smith: “That surprised me though, I did not know [Jaime Jaquez Jr.] had ups. When they said he’s in the contest I thought he was in the three point contest.”
— Hardwood Junkies (@hardwoodjunkies) February 18, 2024
This guy does not watch basketball at all. https://t.co/VlLZja0LmI pic.twitter.com/6v367Xmyj7
Kenny Smith: “I didn’t know, Reg, that [Haliburton] could shoot the ball with this frequency.”
— Hardwood Junkies (@hardwoodjunkies) February 18, 2024
Reggie Miller: “Don’t you watch games?”
Kenny: “No, this year. As he’s doing this year.”
Reggie: “Like, what are y’all doing in the studio?” pic.twitter.com/kQnKrnconk
I actually have to watch every highlight from yesterday on mute because Kenny Smith ruined everything
— ❄️🤍 (@CellBoomin) February 18, 2024
Reggie Miller: “This is exciting, man! You’ve got four guys at 26.”
— Hardwood Junkies (@hardwoodjunkies) February 18, 2024
Kenny Smith: “I’m not saying it’s not exciting, Reg, but the building isn’t exploding. Do you remember when Vince Carter jumped & dunked?”
Some of these commentators don’t even like basketball man, it’s insane. https://t.co/CohMq3bKo5 pic.twitter.com/XD148nwHuV
*Lauri Markkanen shooting in the 3-point Competition*
— Jake (@JakeAndBall) February 18, 2024
Kenny Smith: “This guy is not a No. 1 option on a championship team.”
??? 😂
In honor of Kenny Smith’s horrific commentating last night
— Coy (@WickedCoy) February 18, 2024
This was one of his dunks in the dunk contest 😭 pic.twitter.com/2WXnFOTtyl
