NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith raised eyebrows with his hot take on the “white dudes” making up the top players of the Los Angeles Lakers.
The ESPN host reacted Wednesday to news of the team acquiring Walker Kessler, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, just as LeBron James reportedly said that after eight years with the Lakers, he will be playing his 24th season with another team.
“I will be the first to admit that where I’m about to go is going to be uncomfortable for some people to hear, but I’m covering sports, damn it, and
I’m gonna call it like I see it,” Smith began his show.
“Where the hell the Los Angeles Lakers think they’re going with a bunch of white dudes? Your three top players are white dudes? Really? This ain’t golf! This ain’t baseball! Hell, it ain’t even soccer! What do y’all think this is? This is basketball!” Smith raged on his podcast.
3 WHITE DUDES?! The Lakers Really Think THIS Can Win a Championship?
👇 Watch the full episode. Link in the comments. pic.twitter.com/jTQ2vrDV7C
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) July 1, 2026
“In NBA history, when have you seen your three most prominent players on a basketball team all be white, and that takes you to the promised land? Somebody got to say it, so I’m saying it!” his shocking rant continued.
“This is basketball. I’m not complaining. I’m simply making the point. The Los Angeles Lakers, you ain’t going anywhere being led by three white dudes in today’s generation of basketball!” Smith added.
Viewers reacted on social media, where they called out the racist double standard.
“Stephen A. Smith, NOBODY needed to say that WILD stuff about the white starting roster of the Los Angeles Lakers”
– @EmmanuelAcho SOUNDS OFF on Stephen A Smith for being critical being able to win a championship with your three best players being whitehttps://t.co/3mPFLqGADs pic.twitter.com/lOIqX3f4ex
— Speakeasy (@speakeasytlkshw) July 2, 2026
“Name me one time someone has ever said this about Black athletes in any sport,” filmmaker Robby Starbuck noted. “Stephen admits that all 3 are great players yet he has an issue with the Lakers starting so many White players. Said about any other race this would be racist and guess what? It still is, Stephen.”
Outkick accused Smith of “anti-White bigotry.”
“We want to stress that Smith not only made these comments on-air but also had his team post the clip on social media. He and his team appear proud of his racist remarks,” the outlet noted. “Like many Black members of sports media, Smith takes pride in his anti-White bigotry.”
If that ain’t racism I don’t know what is
— Gabriel Shahin (@GabrielShahin) July 2, 2026
“The worst part is that there are no repercussions for directing blatant racism toward White people. Nothing will happen to Smith. It’s called privilege,” Outkick noted. “But imagine the message ESPN could send by suspending him for remarks that, by any ordinary definition, are racist. It would certainly make others think twice before making similar comments about White athletes.”
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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