Category: Josh Hart

Stephen A. Smith Didn't Like Bob Myers Suggesting He Tears Teams Apart
10 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Stephen A. Smith Didn’t Like Bob Myers Suggesting He Tears Teams Apart

The Boston Celtics hosted the Dallas Mavericks in Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Finals on Sunday night. During the "NBA Countdown" pregame show, Malika Andrews, Stephen A. Smith, Mike Wilbon, Bob Myers and Josh Hart discussed Mavericks coach Jason Kidd saying that Jaylen Brown was the Celtics best player. While the panel didn't have much to disagree on during the segment, it did lead to an interesting moment between Smith and Myers.

Myers was talking about how Kidd's comments might be an attempt by the Mavericks coach to divide the locker room, as Myers pointed out that's what happens when a team is on top. The former Golden State Warriors general manager also pointed out that more than ever, people are trying to tear teams down and suggested that Stephen A. Smith was one of the people who might be doing exactly that.

Smith took exception and blamed social media instead.

"The Celtics are on top, right," said Myers. "And anytime you're on top people used to come at Curry and Durant. They'd come at you in the media. They come at you on the street. And the point is—and Josh knows this—what matters is your locker room. The fabric of that locker room and what they can withstand. That Knicks fabric, you had that this year, but it is hard to find. We tear teams apart more than we ever have. Maybe on purpose, maybe not, maybe that guy down there."

That's when Smith jumped in to defend himself by saying, "Not me. Not me. Not me. That's social media. That's not me."

While the rest of the panel laughed, Myers joked about how he must have been mistaken. "Maybe you might," Myers asked. "That's somebody else? I thought it was you for a second there."

This marks the second time in a week that an ESPN colleague has called out Smith on-air after Monica McNutt put him on the spot on First Take for not using his platform to promote women's basketball before the Caitlin Clark era. When that happened, Smith took serious offense. And he clearly did not enjoy this moment either. We'll have to wait and see if he lets this one go tomorrow. It would certainly be interesting to hear him explain how he doesn't play some part in this exact kind of thing.

Bob Myers, ESPN, Josh Hart, Malika Andrews, Media, Mike Wilbon, NBA, Social Media, Stephen A. Smith
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Josh Hart's Pregame Caffeine and Candy Consumption Not Appreciated By Team Nutritionist
30 Apr 24 Jimm Sallivan

Josh Hart’s Pregame Caffeine and Candy Consumption Not Appreciated By Team Nutritionist

Josh Hart has endeared himself to New York Knicks fans, players and coaches thanks to a willingness to do whatever he can to help the team win. He averaged 33 minutes per game during the regular season and is logging nearly 45 minutes a night during the team's series against the Philadelphia 76ers. In those minutes he's averaging 16.8 points and 12.8 rebounds per game, which is especially impressive when you consider Joel Embiid leads Philly with 9.0 rebounds per contest.

So how does Hart do it? How does he keep his engine humming while playing Tom Thibodeau minutes on the biggest stage? Why, he does what any normal person would do and loads up on candy and caffeine before games. Much to the chagrin of the team nutritionist.

People want to focus on Hart getting into arguments with the team nutritionist, but "I’m like let’s get ready to run around," is the kind of motivational phrase that deserves to be stitched on a throw pillow.

Hart's love of Mike and Ike has become a story of its own during the postseason. After a clip of him discovering some leftover candy in his pocket went viral, he revealed how much he loved the candy and how he hoped to have his picture on the box someday. That day was yesterday, as it turned out.

There's clearly a blueprint for celebrities to get an unlimited supply of whatever they like, but there's just something endearing about a professional athlete becoming so synonymous with a candy that a partnership becomes inevitable. Someone making tens of millions of dollars a year getting a lifetime supply of $2 boxes of candy shouldn't seem so heartwarming, but when it happens organically, it's actually kind of charming.

Now let's get ready to run around.

Joel Embiid, Josh Hart, NBA, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers
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