Throughout Stephen A. Smith’s sports media career, there’s been no shortage of pundits for the ESPN personality to verbally spar against. While the hot take artist covers a wide spectrum of sports, the NBA is arguably his top area of expertise. And when it comes to which former NBA star he’d most like to have as a debate partner on First Take, it appears there’s one name that stands above the rest.
Speaking as a guest on Podcast P with Paul George on Monday, Smith named Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett as the retired player he’d most like to go head to head against, and he lauded the former NBA champion for his authenticity.
“I would tell you this, the person that I would love to sit on a set with me or across from me any day of the week is Kevin Garnett,” Smith said. “Cause he’s a real one. First of all, being real is one thing, but your ability to articulate your position with presence and force matters.”
Before mentioning Garnett, Smith also named Charles Barkley of the NBA on TNT as the “obvious” answer. Of course, the Big Ticket certainly has flashed his on-camera chops numerous times, perhaps most notably with his turn on the silver screen playing himself in the 2019 drama Uncut Gems.
Whether or not Garnett and Smith ever cross paths on First Take, it’s a pairing that would be sure to draw plenty of eyeballs.
