There is no doubt that women's basketball has had more media coverage this season. Subsequently, attention has been focused on the type of coverage that Stephen A. Smith and ESPN's “First Take” team provide to the WNBA, considering the program to be the flagship program of the world leader in sports.
Earlier this month, Smith received criticism from her own colleague Monica McNutt live on “First Take” for the lack of coverage of the WNBA over the past three years. The “First Take” host ended up taking offense at the rejection, although the two eventually resolved their issues and McNutt found himself a constant presence on Smith's show.
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But Smith now has a new critic on the subject: this time his former NFL wide receiver Dez Bryant. And he also called out Smith's “First Take” partner, Shannon Sharpe.
Bryant questioned Smith's coverage of Angel Reese
The former Dallas Cowboy tweeted Smith and Sharpe following the Chicago Sky's win over the Indiana Fever in which Reese scored a career-high 25 points and added 16 rebounds. She has recorded eight consecutive double-doubles, the first rookie in WNBA history to accomplish such a feat.
“I don't see much praise for the historic rookie career Angel Reese is having in his rookie year,” Bryant wrote on x while tagging the two “First Take” hosts.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet”>
I don't see much praise for the historic rookie career Angel Reese is having in his rookie year. twitter.com/stephenasmith?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@stephenasmith twitter.com/ShannonSharpe?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@ShannonSharpe Where are you?
She deserves high praise right now!
-Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) twitter.com/DezBryant/status/1805004438014472428?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>June 23, 2024
Smith appeared to take offense to Bryant's call, saying that he had high praise for Reese and stating that Bryant's call is an attempt to encourage commitment.
“We've talked about her on @FirstTake,” Smith wrote. “If you want notoriety, just say it, bro! Do you need attention? She just asks to come on the damn show. But she stops lying!”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet”>
Man, for once, could you stop your nonsense? twitter.com/ShannonSharpe?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@ShannonSharpe He has continually praised her. Me too, and I even profiled her excellence on numerous occasions. She is on our social media pages. twitter.com/stephenasmith?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@stephenasmith. We have talked about her in twitter.com/FirstTake?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@First take . If you want notoriety, say it, brother! You… https://t.co/yVc2JO2oGh
– Stephen A. Smith (@stephenasmith) twitter.com/stephenasmith/status/1805092138595811806?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>June 24, 2024
Smith, Sharpe and the “First Take” team followed up the commentary by talking about Reese's historic performance on the show on Monday, June 24. Speaking with McNutt and LaChina Robinson, Smith and Sharpe chose Reese as their WNBA Rookie of the Year. by Caitlin Clark if the award decision were made today.
“They're both having tremendous seasons, but right now, after 20-plus regular season games, I'm going with Angel Reese,” Sharpe said. (Reese's Sky have played 15 of this season's 40 games so far, while Clark's Fever have played 18.)
Smith credited Reese for raising the ceiling for a Sky team that had low expectations entering the season due to a depleted roster.
“Your Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky, you're playing with a completely new roster and whatever, and because of that, the expectations were considerably low and now they're knocking on the door,” Smith said.
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Bryant responded on x after receiving Smith's hit and criticism from users.
The former NFL star said his comment was not “rude” and he doesn't understand why Smith was offended.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet”>
I didn't say anything rude about Sharpe and Stephen A…
He got offended for some strange reason hahaha. https://t.co/ObA9JmqaTn
-Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) twitter.com/DezBryant/status/1805101488080814567?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>June 24, 2024
In response to Smith's comment about wanting notoriety, Bryant criticized Smith for his previous criticism of players and said he could have “sold out” the same way if he wanted to.
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- The investigation into the WNBA champions became more serious
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet”>
Bruh, he really talks stupid… he made a living hating people… if he wanted crazy notoriety, I would have sold out like him a long time ago. https://t.co/b2TigegLNN
-Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) twitter.com/DezBryant/status/1805111843217944730?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>June 24, 2024
Bryant didn't mention Clark in his original tweet, but that didn't stop people from mentioning Clark in response to his comment. One said Bryant is “jealous” that a white woman, who can be inferred to be referring to Clark, is getting more attention than a black woman, who is likely referring to Reese.
Bryant said he “supports both” and loves both.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet”>
This savage…
I am a fan of both, I have supported both at the same level…
I love CC and Reese… I love sports… https://t.co/O4xYGlBb7O
-Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) twitter.com/DezBryant/status/1805123366908518484?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>June 24, 2024
He also questioned why it is necessary to include race in all discussions about Clark and Reese.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet”>
You can't talk about Angel Reese or Caitlin Clark without race being involved…
Fucked world
-Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) twitter.com/DezBryant/status/1805279058122653999?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>June 24, 2024
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