Stephen A. Smith faced backlash for his comments comparing Suns owner Mat Ishbia to disgraced former Clippers owner Donald Sterling. Ishbia responded, emphasizing the severity of the comparison, and expressing his belief that Smith does not genuinely hold those views. Despite his initial remarks, Smith later apologized, acknowledging the insensitivity of linking Ishbia's name with Sterling, who faced a lifetime NBA ban for racist remarks. The incident highlights the ongoing scrutiny and public discourse surrounding sports ownership and media interactions.
"Stephen A. Smith, I don't take much he says seriously. I don't think many people do, to be honest with you," Ishbia said. "The things he said about Kevin Durant, just wrong and disrespectful. The things he said about LeBron James, just disrespectful and inappropriate."
"Mat Ishbia is absolutely right. I do owe him an apology, because I mentioned Donald Sterling," Smith said. "I certainly did not mean to compare him to a person that was thrown out of this league and has been widely recognized as a racist."
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