There's no question that women's basketball has seen more coverage in the media this season. Subsequently, there has been a spotlight on the type of coverage Stephen A. Smith and the ESPN's "First Take" crew give the WNBA considering the show is the flagship program of the Worldwide Leader in Sports.
Earlier this month, Smith took criticism from his own colleague Monica McNutt live on "First Take" for the lack of coverage of the WNBA over the last three years. The "First Take" host ended up taking offense to the push back, though the two ultimately resolved their issues and McNutt has found herself consistently present on Smith's show.
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But Smith now has a new critic on the topic — this time its former NFL wide receiver Dez Bryant. And he called out Smith's "First Take" partner Shannon Sharpe as well.
Bryant questioned Smith's coverage of Angel Reese
The ex-Dallas Cowboy tweeted at Smith and Sharpe following the Chicago Sky's win over the Indiana Fever in which Reese dropped a career-high 25 points and added 16 rebounds. She's recorded eight consecutive double-doubles, the first rookie in WNBA history to achieve such a feat.
"I don't see much praise on the historic rookie run Angel Reese is having in her Rookie year," Bryant wrote on X while tagging the two "First Take" hosts.
I don’t see much praise on the historic rookie run Angel Reese is having in her Rookie year @stephenasmith @ShannonSharpe where y’all at?
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) June 23, 2024
She deserves the high praise right now!
Smith seemed to take offense to the call out from Bryant, saying that he's thrown a ton of praise at Reese and claiming that Bryant's call out is a an attempt to encourage engagement.
"We've talked about her on @FirstTake," Smith wrote. "If you want notoriety, just say so, bro! You need attention? Just ask to come on the damn show. But stop lying!"
Man, for once, will you stop your B.S. @ShannonSharpe has praised her continuously. So have I, even profiling her excellence on numerous occasions. It’s on our social media pages @stephenasmith. We’ve talked about her on @FirstTake . If you want notoriety, just say so, bro! You… https://t.co/yVc2JO2oGh
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) June 24, 2024
Smith, Sharpe and the "First Take" crew followed up the comments by speaking about Reese's historic performance on the show on Monday, June 24. Speaking with McNutt and LaChina Robinson, Smith and Sharpe both chose Reese as their WNBA Rookie of the Year ahead of Caitlin Clark if the decision were to be made for the award today.
"Both are having outstanding seasons, but right now, 20-plus games into the regular season, I'd have to go with Angel Reese," Sharpe said. (Reese's Sky has played 15 of 40 games this season so far, while Clark's Fever has played 18.)
Smith credited Reese for raising the ceiling for a Sky team that had low expectations entering the season due to a depleted roster.
"Your Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky, you're playing with an entirely new roster and what have you and because of that, expectations were considerably low and now they're knocking on the door," Smith said.
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Bryant has responded on X after taking the jab from Smith as well as criticism from users.
The former NFL star said that his comment wasn't "rude" and doesn't understand why Smith took offense to it.
I didn’t say nothing rude about sharpe and Stephen A…
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) June 24, 2024
He got offended for some odd reason lol https://t.co/ObA9JmqaTn
In response to Smith's comment about him wanting notoriety, Bryant called out Smith for his previous criticisms of players and said he could have "sold out" in the same way if he desired.
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Bruh really talking dumb.. made a living off hating on folks… if I wanted crazy notoriety I would have sold out like him a long time ago https://t.co/b2TigegLNN
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) June 24, 2024
Bryant did not mention Clark in his original tweet, but that didn't stop people from mentioning Clark in response to his comment. One said that Bryant is "jealous" that a white woman, which it can be inferred is referring to Clark, is receiving more attention than a black woman, which is likely referring to Reese.
Bryant said that he's "supported both" and loves both.
This wild…
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) June 24, 2024
I’m a fan of both I’ve supported both on the same level…
I love CC and Reese.. I love sports… https://t.co/O4xYGlBb7O
He also questioned why race needs to be included in all the discussions about Clark and Reese.
You can’t talk about Angel Reese or Caitlin Clark without race being involved…
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) June 24, 2024
Fucked up world 🌎
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