NBA Analyst Kenny “The Jet” Smith Faces Backlash for Controversial Take on Curry vs. Ionescu 3-Point Contest
During the recent NBA All-Star weekend, Kenny “The Jet” Smith, an NBA analyst, found himself in hot water for his controversial comments about the 3-point contest between Stephen Curry and Sabrina Ionescu. Smith repeatedly suggested that Ionescu should have shot from the WNBA 3-point line instead of the NBA 3-point line, implying that it would have given her better odds of winning against her male counterpart.
Smith’s on-air colleague, Reggie Miller, strongly disagreed with his comments and praised Ionescu for her courage in shooting from the men’s line. Miller questioned why Smith was placing boundaries on her and emphasized that she wanted to shoot from that distance.
In response, Smith argued that it would have been a fair contest if Ionescu had shot from the 3-point arc she was accustomed to. He compared it to the distinction between women’s and men’s tees in golf.
Despite Smith’s controversial remarks, Ionescu’s performance in the showdown with Curry was impressive. Her score of 26 would have matched Damian Lillard’s winning tally in the regular 3-point contest on All-Star Saturday. In other words, Ionescu could have won the men’s 3-point contest if she had participated.
It’s worth noting that initially, Ionescu was supposed to shoot from the WNBA line in the Curry versus Ionescu 3-point challenge. However, she chose to shoot from the NBA line to prove that women are capable and willing to compete on an equal playing field.
In conclusion, while Smith’s comments stirred controversy, Ionescu’s performance showcased her skills and ability to compete at the highest level.
Sabrina Ionescu, the talented basketball player, recently made history with her impressive performance against Curry. After this game, Ionescu expressed her interest in teaming up with collegiate sharpshooter Caitlin Clark to take on Curry and his chosen partner in next year’s NBA All-Star festivities. She mentioned that she is open to any partner who can help her win and take the belt away from Curry.
The idea of Curry and a partner facing off against Ionescu and Clark in a 3-point contest has caught the attention of NBA analyst Reggie Miller. Miller suggested that the matchup should include the four best shooters on the planet, with Damian Lillard joining Curry as a team and Ionescu potentially being joined by Clark if she decides to leave college. Miller expressed his excitement about the possibility of seeing these two teams compete.
During the broadcast of the 2024 NBA All-Star Game, Miller proposed his idea for the next All-Star Weekend, emphasizing the importance of showcasing the best shooters. He suggested a 3-point shootout between Curry and Lillard against Ionescu and Clark. The idea of these talented shooters going head-to-head has generated a lot of excitement among fans.
Sai Mohan provides coverage of the NBA, keeping fans updated on the latest news and events in the world of basketball.
According to the Source heavy.com