Stephen A. Smith recently guested on Paul George’s podcast, and one of the most interesting parts of their discussion centered around his 15-year-old rant against Kwame Brown.
In 2008, the Los Angeles Lakers struck a blockbuster trade deal with the Memphis Grizzlies for Pau Gasol. LA’s massive package included Kwame Brown. At that time, Smith went on a lengthy rant about Brown being included in the deal, even going as far as saying that the former No. 1 overall pick was a “bonafide scrub.”
Stephen A. Smith Wants to Take Back 15-Year-Old Kwame Brown Rant
A decade and a half later, it is clear that Smith’s hurtful words still resonate with Kwame Brown. The former NBA journeyman called out Stephen A in his own lengthy rant as he blasted the ESPN anchor for his recent basketball camp:
Former NBA player Kwame Brown blasts Stephen A Smith for charging kids $3,000 to attend Basketball camp pic.twitter.com/8HwUpQzjf4
— Dowop Robinson (@dowop_robinson) August 9, 2023
Instead of clapping back at Brown, Smith took the opportunity in Paul George’s podcast to admit his regret over his slanderous take some 15 years ago:
“There is no denying — even though I hate bringing up his name because it just gives him a reason to gain attention — but Kwame Brown,” Smith said (h/t Ahmad Austin of Media ITE). “I know what I said. I did mean it. I ain’t gonna sit here and tell you I ain’t mean the s**t I said; but I didn’t know it was gonna be like this. Remember, I said it before Twitter, Facebook … I didn’t know, man. I didn’t know that 20 years later, 15 years later, they’re gonna have memes and videos. I didn’t know, y’all. I really, really didn’t, man.
“I wish I could do that over. I wouldn’t do it.”
"Kwame Brown… I know what I said. I did mean it… But I didn't know it was gonna be like this. Remember, I said it before Twitter, Facebook."
Stephen A. Smith on the one thing in his career that he would do over again
(via @PodcastPShow)pic.twitter.com/3pjIvmXHcz
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 14, 2023
In light of Smith’s regret over what he considers to be one of the biggest mistakes of his career, we will no longer post the video of his aforementioned rant here.
Kwame Brown was a Milwaukee Buck?
Yes, he was. Although, Brown never suited up for the Bucks. He was part of the 2012 blockbuster trade centered around Andrew Bogut. In exchange for Bogut, the Warriors sent a package to Milwaukee that included Monta Ellis, Ekpe Udoh, and yup, Kwame Brown.
The Dubs shipped off Brown to the Bucks in the middle of the 2011-12 season. However, he did not play a single game for Milwaukee. The 6-foot-11 big man signed with the Philadelphia 76ers that summer, which incidentally, turned out to be the final stop of his colorful NBA career.
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