When I lived in DC, I didn't think it could get any worse than listening to John Thompson try to talk about the NHL...
Imagine how shi**y your network is when freaking SAS is your main tv personality. Oh how far ESPN has fallen.
SAS brings views and ratings, plus they work this man like crazy Does anyone at ESPN do as much as he does? worth every penny...get that bread Stephen A.
Yeah, the fact Stephen A. Smith gets paid what he does is really an indictment of the average American sports fan than it is SAS or ESPN. They're just giving the people what they want, really. Sucks for those of us that want a little more thought in our sports news/analysis.
From what I've seen at ESPN, the people that are resonating are those that who get to the truth quickly and make it simple. SAS does that. Here are the ones that rose to the top in my opinion in terms of finding truth. Jalen Rose - He is one of the best at giving an original, honest, and clear take you may not have heard before. Mike Golic - He seems to get to the logical point quickly, but I wouldn't call them original, just smart. Steven A Smith - He doesn't have a large spectrum, but he does seem to get to a truth that most can't. Mike Greenberg - He seems to have been in the right place at the right time in Chicago, and had the look and feel of Bob Costas. He's not too original, but he's very comfortable. He's kind of the aberration to me. Jamele Hill - Although her show tried to do too much comedy in the end, and ESPN tragically moved her to highlights, she was someone who seemed to just see things clearly and express it softly. Others I think get there; Bill Walton, Cris Carter, Dan Le Betard, Bill Simmons, Van Gundy.
Stephen A Smith does whatever ESPN asks of him. He has a radio show, he is on Sports Center and ESPN shows constantly. ESPN has pushed for Smith and Shefter to expand beyond their expertise. They have pushed Shefter to cover basketball (which is a joke) and they have asked Smith to cover basically everything. People can complain about Smith but he has made himself an institution... not bad for a guy that went to school to be a hair dresser.
You don't feel that experience, talent and hard work count for anything? As someone who works off commission, the world simply doesn't work that way, nor should it.
Jim, I will explain: "Walter" is "Steven A Smith" Follow me now..."You are not wrong, Walter (or SAS, if you need reminding), you are just an *******." I am saying that (you missed this part, so listen close) SAS is not in fact wrong for anything he said. I am saying that SAS is an *******. If you still have questions...well that's a damn shame.
