Kenny Smith has spent the past 26 years working with Turner Sports and TNT’s NBA coverage in some capacity. And as a co-analyst on TNT’s Inside the NBA, fans expect Smith to have expert familiarity with today’s NBA. After all, that’s what he gets paid to talk about on TV.
Saturday, though, was not Smith’s best effort. He told on himself all night and even had Reggie Miller utterly perplexed with some of the remarks he made.
Smith drew harsh criticism for his comments about Sabrina Ionescu using the NBA three-point line in her showdown with Steph Curry. But during the regular three-point contest, Smith was admittedly surprised that the Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton could shoot threes at such a high frequency.
Kenny Smith: “I didn’t know, Reg, that [Haliburton] could shoot the ball with this frequency.”
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
— Hardwood Junkies (@hardwoodjunkies) February 18, 2024
It was such an odd remark for an NBA analyst to make on national TV that Miller responded with, “Do you watch the games?”
Miller had a point. It’s not like Haliburton suddenly started shooting a high percentage this year. He’s a career 40-percent three-point shooter, and he’s been taking six threes per game throughout his entire career (and nearly eight this season). He shoots threes a lot and shoots them well. Smith should have known that one of the game’s best three-point shooters could, well, shoot.
Fans were also not impressed with Smith’s performance on the night, and they were glad that Miller called him out.
This was how Twitter reacted
Shoutout to Reggie for calling him out https://t.co/2enx2cG7BQ
— Surya (@ayruuus) February 18, 2024
So Kenny was just an idiot the entire time last night lmao https://t.co/8falTFXz8C
— A Washed Kang (@AnthonyCanton_3) February 18, 2024
They’re 1000% not watching games. Just further proof. https://t.co/Qyys88hAmE
— Ryan (@ImRyan) February 18, 2024
Kenny had a roughhhh night last night. Idk what he was on https://t.co/gMWPVwi2aS
— Edwardian. (@DepressedDETN) February 18, 2024
Kenny was dying a slow death out there all night. Even outside of the Sabrina comments, he was just awful lol I felt embarrassed for the sport and anyone who had to share that platform with him https://t.co/Ndly9dg0d4
— Kal-El Atreides (@Superfan_K) February 18, 2024
We’ve been saying it forever. TNT crew is great for their funny shenanigans and comedy, but when it comes to actual basketball analysis they are some of the worst in the game. https://t.co/tJf6GfqMD2
— maddy 🍉 (@phxsunz25) February 18, 2024
when Reggie is the voice of reason…you’ve lost it https://t.co/QWn1TnDBcK
— P (@P_Funk36) February 18, 2024
this is why basketball coverage is in the mud because they DO NOT watch the games at all https://t.co/qRHV6WnLE9
— Adrian (@_YO_ADRIAN) February 18, 2024
Reggie really was about to cut this man’s mic off during the first comp. They’re just hanging out in that studio!! https://t.co/HnVYdpGtoK
— Chel (@chel_talksports) February 18, 2024
Getting paid millions to dissect the game for the common fan, and consistently showing he doesn’t watch the games 😂 or if he is, doesn’t understand it https://t.co/707K8S1Fml
— DIGGZ (@Dmarco_Barnes) February 18, 2024
Career 40% + shooter btw https://t.co/tZ4lFSAPr3
— Slim (@2RagSlim) February 18, 2024
Man had Reggie flabbergasted https://t.co/DvBl1BwiZ7
— Adam Mantium (@SoulBrother_89) February 18, 2024
