Stephen A Smith Makes Claim About NBA Wanting White Stars

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(Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for SiriusXM)

NBA pundit Stephen A Smith often makes controversial points, but he took it to another level during this week’s First Take appearances. Smith discussed the globalization of the NBA and the league trying to get more talents from around the world. Adam Silver books a handful of international games in other countries each year, and more international players enter the draft to seek the NBA dream.

Smith made a bold statement when he claimed that the league’s global effort is about finding more white superstars:

“When you talk about globalizing the sport, certainly money has everything to do with it. Okay? Well, a lot to do with it. But the other part in globalizing your brand is whitening the sport too.

Because when you’ve got the Luka Doncic’s of the world, the Dirk Nowitzki’s before him, the Manu Ginobili’s and others, because you didn’t have enough white American players to excel on a level that could make the sport more profitable.”

The take from Smith claims that the league wanted to find more white players with star potential due to most of the league’s best players being African American in the 1990s and 2000s. Smith thinks the international factor allows them to market more white talents like Luka Doncic and Dirk Nowitzki.

Smith Referenced Cooper Flagg To Make Point

Smith’s point went back to how few white-American stars have emerged since the 1990s boom. Cooper Flagg was referenced by Smith as the player that the NBA has lacked in recent memory since he’s a rarity in today’s league.

The following quote from Smith added to his point:

“From David Stern to Adam Silver, these guys have supported these brothers, but America hasn’t always done so. If there were a bunch of Cooper Flagg’s running around, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. I’m talking about white American born. That’s a rarity in terms of superstar status in the US for the sport of basketball.”

Smith certainly argued in favor of his point, but it has led to polarizing reactions online. Many have called out Smith for trying to create a controversial topic for no reason. However, some did support him offering a valid point for NBA marketing.

International Appeal Has Changed NBA Landscape

Regardless of the overall intent, the NBA going more international has certainly impacted the game in a positive manner. Superstars like Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo became superstars seemingly out of nowhere since fans weren’t familiar with them before the NBA.

Star talent can be discovered anywhere, and the right team developing said talent could lead to massive potential being revealed from prospects all over the world. Despite Smith’s loud claims, many great international players are non-white players of color from various backgrounds.

Any conversation about race is a sensitive subject, and Smith loves to gain attention from sensitive topics. However, he does believe what he says and has alluded to this in the past. Adam Silver has talked about his love for the international appeal and hopes to keep increasing the league’s popularity around the world.

Joey Haverford Joey Haverford is a seasoned sports content writer with over 12 years of experience. He has covered the NBA, WNBA, MLB, NFL, and professional wrestling in the sports industry. More about Joey Haverford