‘inside The Nba’ Stars Rip Kenny Smith Over Jeremy Lin-austin Reaves Comparison

Kenny Smith was nan main characteristic successful Inside nan NBA's first large misstep connected ESPN. During nan show's 3rd broadcast connected their caller network, Smith compared Austin Reaves to Jeremy Lin. His co-stars instantly called him out.

Smith was narrating Reaves's game-winner against nan Timberwolves erstwhile he brought up Lin successful what he thought was a complimentary manner. Ernie Johnson instantly interjected pinch Charles Barkley quickly calling Smith a "hater." Then, successful a last and existent indictment of his opinion, Shaquille O'Neal tried to take sides nan comparison.

"The Jeremy Lin comp is simply a little... a small spot of a stretch," said Johnson. Barkley past pointed retired Reaves had been bully for "a fewer years."

Reaves averaged 20 points a crippled successful '24-'25. He scored 30 aliases much points 10 times past play including a then-career-high 45 against nan Pacers connected nan day earlier nan Super Bowl. LeBron James had taken nan time disconnected because of a sore ankle aft scoring 42 points against nan Warriors 2 days earlier and Luka Dončić was still moving his measurement backmost to make his Lakers debut.

If you were going to beryllium amazed by Reaves, that would person been nan due clip to do it. And astatine slightest 2 group connected group knew that.

More NBA connected Sports Illustrated