Stephen A. Smith rants about Kendrick Perkins before NBA Finals Game 7 [VIDEO]

Stephen A. Smith’s Game 7 Rant at Kendrick Perkins Sparks ESPN Backlash

Tonight, just before tip-off of Game 7 of the NBA Finals on ABC, ESPN’s “NBA Countdown” show erupted into controversy after Stephen A. Smith launched a heated rant against fellow analyst Kendrick Perkins. The topic? Perkins’ optimistic prediction about Chet Holmgren scoring over 15 points in the pivotal game. Smith didn’t just disagree—he turned the discussion personal, calling Perkins “really annoying” and questioning his understanding of Game 7 pressure despite his championship pedigree.

“Somebody’s palms are gonna get sweaty. Backside gonna get tight. It always happens in a Game 7,” Smith shouted. “But [Perkins] acts like everybody that’s been producing all year long is just gonna deliver like it’s just another game. It’s not. It’s very, very different—and he knows this because he’s a champion.”

This exchange was caught on ESPN’s live pregame coverage, with the now-viral graphic on-screen reading: “Over or Under: Chet Holmgren scores 15 Pts in NBA Finals Game 7”. Smith’s animated delivery was highlighted in a 63.01-second video clip and his rant quickly drew both laughs and criticism.

Bob Myers Fires Back

Bob Myers, the former Warriors GM and now ESPN analyst, responded with the night’s most cutting line: “Just because you yell something doesn’t mean it’s true.”

His calm, deadpan delivery stood in stark contrast to Smith’s emotional outburst. For many viewers, Myers’ comment resonated as the voice of reason in a segment otherwise dominated by shouting.

Chet Holmgren Prop Bet Becomes Flashpoint

At the heart of the debate was Chet Holmgren’s expected performance. The over/under line was set at 15 points—a number Holmgren had surpassed earlier in the series, including a 22-point showing in Game 5. Perkins backed the over, citing Holmgren’s growth and poise under pressure. Smith, however, emphasized that Game 7s come with a unique intensity, warning against assuming regular-season consistency translates to championship moments.

Yet instead of deep analysis on Holmgren’s performance or matchups, the conversation devolved into personal attacks—a trend that critics argue has plagued ESPN’s coverage throughout the playoffs.

Viewer Reactions on X: Frustration and Fatigue

The clip posted to X (formerly Twitter) drew over 593,000 views and 2,000+ likes, but the tone in the comments skewed heavily negative.

• @JakeBrendTV: “ESPN should be ashamed.”
• @StankyCaniac: “This is just hard to watch.”
• @JerseyMack1331: “Same drama, different day.”

Users slammed ESPN’s choice to prioritize personal squabbles over real basketball insight. @PhotosByErik wrote, “Game 7 should be about the players and teams. Apparently, those three didn’t get the memo.”

@LakerGMC_ added, “Myers is the voice for all of us.”

Media Coverage and Critical Response

Several outlets picked up on the controversy, adding further fuel to the conversation.

• For The Win called the incident “a smoldering mess” and slammed Smith’s continued antics, including his previous mid-game Solitaire controversy.
• Awful Announcing described the rant as “very loud and very intense,” crediting Myers’ line as the evening’s viral moment.
• TNJ.com previously highlighted ESPN’s lackluster NBA Finals presentation, from stale graphics to clunky studio flow.

In the past, Stephen A. Smith has gained a lot of attention for his rants. On YouTube, there are fan compilations that are created that put his most viewed rants together in one clip. Additionally, there’s a Facebook page dedicated to his rants, called “Stephen A. Smith Rants.” Tonight, the fans were looking for more commentary about the game, though.

Not the First Time

This wasn’t an isolated incident. On May 3, Smith questioned Perkins’ body fat live on air, drawing widespread backlash and prompting Bob Myers to step in then as well. Days before Game 7, Pacers fans mocked both Smith and Perkins with “Dumb and Dumber” costumes during Game 4—another viral moment that reflected the growing disconnect between ESPN’s talent and its basketball audience. Then, during one game, Kendrick Perkins actually bit Bob Myers.

The repeated focus on internal drama over game insight has become a pattern, and viewers are growing tired.

Broader Pattern: Sensationalism Over Substance

Smith and Perkins are known for their strong personalities, but ESPN’s reliance on dramatic conflict—especially during high-stakes moments like the NBA Finals—has become a focal point of fan frustration.

Multiple media voices argue that the network is chasing viral moments at the expense of basketball coverage. Instead of breaking down matchups, coaching adjustments, or player trends, airtime is consumed by personal bickering and soundbite-driven debate.

As @CriticGm wrote, “ESPN and the NBA need to remove Stephen A jackass from the NBA Finals coverage.”

Another user, @raptor10340, sarcastically added, “Can’t wait for these guys to do the Finals next year.”

Sean Rohacik (@sean_rohacik) chimed in, “I so am not looking forward to when ESPN/ABC has the Super Bowl.”

What Should ESPN Do?

The backlash following this segment suggests a clear message: NBA fans want more game, less noise. ESPN has a deep bench of talent and access to elite basketball minds like Bob Myers—yet it continues to lean into chaos over content.

This latest rant, while meme-worthy, is a missed opportunity to elevate the game and the coverage.

With the NBA Finals Game 7 expected to be a historic showdown, viewers tuned in hoping for high-level analysis. Instead, they got another televised turf war. Over the years, Stephen A. has built his brand off of rants. Since joining ESPN, Kendrick Perkins has emulated that formula. As a result, it’s always entertaining when Stephen A. and Perk face off.

However, tonight the fans were wanting and expecting more from their commentators. After a thrilling back-and-forth, tonight a champion was going to be crowned. So, the fans wanted to see the commentators get back to basketball.

Final Thoughts: A Pattern That Needs to Break

Stephen A. Smith’s rant about Kendrick Perkins may have lit up the internet, but it also spotlighted everything wrong with ESPN’s NBA approach. Game 7s should be about basketball, not personalities.

Until ESPN recalibrates its focus, it risks further alienating a passionate and knowledgeable basketball audience.

For now, fans can only hope the actual game delivers more than the pregame show did.