logo
'I don't think you're worth it'- Kyrie Irving explosively reacts to Stephen A. Smith's $100 million deal with the ESPN

'I don't think you're worth it'- Kyrie Irving explosively reacts to Stephen A. Smith's $100 million deal with the ESPN

Time of India2 days ago
Kyrie Irving and Stephen A. Smit, Images via Getty
Kyrie Irving
is one of the most outspoken
NBA
stars. From talking about the current condition of global basketball fraternity to criticizing an athlete due to his poor performance, Irving never minces his words.
Currently, while recovering from a torn ACL, the Dallas Mavericks star started streaming on Twitch.
He has not only given a sneak peek into the tales from basketball world, but also criticized prominent NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith during streaming. Kyrie Irving pointed out the double standards prevalent in NBA.
Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving slams Stephen A. Smith for his $100 million deal with the
ESPN
From leading the Dallas Mavericks since 2023, Kyrie Irving has never hesitated from speaking his mind on current issues in NBA. Recently, Irving took a dig at ESPN's Stephen A. Smith while talking about the double standards in NBA currently. The Mavericks star revealed his thoughts on Stephen A. Smith's $100 million deal with ESPN. The Dallas Mavericks' guard said-
'Obviously, Stephen A.,
this is for an [example]. I'm going to discuss his contract. I'm going to discuss Stephen A.'s contract. I'm gonna say, 'I don't think you're worth it.'"
As it is NBA analysts and insiders do not think once before criticizing athletes after one bad performance or a lost game. ESPN's notable figure Stephen A. Smith, is one of those NBA analysts who is quick to call out the athletes during his podcast appearance or showtime.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Online MBA with in-demand specializations
SRM Online
Learn More
Undo
Smith has hardly left anyone from the political, entertainment and NBA world when it comes to his fiery and feisty takes.
Reportedly, he had signed a $25 million contract with ESPN during the initial months of 2025. The $100 million contract between Stephen A. Smith and ESPN have increased the NBA analysts' salary above San Antonio Spurs' star Victor Wembanyama, who has been raking in $13.7 million.
Also Read:
'I don't get paid to talk to you'- Stephen A. Smith claps back at Tyrese Haliburton for his controversial comment after Game 3 victory
For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the
India vs England Test match here
.
Catch Manika Batra's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 3. Watch Here!
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Darren Watkins Jr leaves Robert Griffin III stunned after double race defeat in Estonia
Darren Watkins Jr leaves Robert Griffin III stunned after double race defeat in Estonia

Time of India

time27 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Darren Watkins Jr leaves Robert Griffin III stunned after double race defeat in Estonia

Darren Watkins Jr leaves Robert Griffin III stunned after double race defeat in Estonia (Image Via X) A wild thing just happened in Estonia. Darren Watkins Jr., aka IShowSpeed, is known for his loud livestreams and silly reactions, not for sports. But on July 15, 2025, in Tallinn, there was a gathering to watch something much different, or rather, unexpected. Darren Watkins Jr. faced off against Robert Griffin III, a former NFL quarterback, who is also known for having a lot of speed. No one believed Speed could beat a real pro. Fans pulled out phones, ready to record. The crowd got quiet. Everyone waited for the signal. What happened next shocked viewers and even made headlines around the world. Darren 'IShowSpeed' Watkins Jr. beats Robert Griffin III in back-to-back races On July 15, 2025, IShowSpeed raced Robert Griffin III twice and IShadowspeed won both races. They were involved in the YouTube Creator Games event in Tallinn, Estonia, but the race quickly stole the show. Robert Griffin III, who is 35, is a former NFL quarterback and track guy, and IShowSpeed is a 20-year-old online celebrity. Online videos pop up that show both laughing prior to the races. But once the races started, things got serious. IShowSpeed ran hard and shocked everyone by finishing first both times. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Get ₹2Cr life cover@ ₹700 p.m. ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo In one video shared on Twitter by Robert Griffin III himself, the former NFL player laughed and said, 'My knees are crying right now. But Speed's got juice!' Also Read: Ryan Clark Calls Out Robert Griffin III As Fans Erupt Over Racist Image Of Angel Reese Robert Griffin III praises IShowSpeed and calls him 'special' after Estonia race After the race, Robert Griffin III praised IShowSpeed in front of fans and media. He said, 'Speed is special. I think he could run a 4.3 in the 40-yard dash.' Robert Griffin III even mentioned that if IShowSpeed had developed properly, he could compete and beat big-name athletes like Noah Lyles and Tyreek Hill in a short distance. This was huge praise coming from Robert Griffin III, who domesticated a 4.41 at the 2012 NFL Combine and was a Heisman Trophy winner in college. Fans were so taken aback with IShowSpeed's performance but they could not stop talking about how he astonished everyone. Some even started comparing him to real athletes online. Clips from the race quickly went viral on social media. The races happened during a fan meet in Tallinn, Estonia, and were part of the Creator Games lineup. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!

Jeff Teague picks Isaiah Thomas over Jalen Brunson despite the star's All-NBA rise and playoff run
Jeff Teague picks Isaiah Thomas over Jalen Brunson despite the star's All-NBA rise and playoff run

Time of India

time27 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Jeff Teague picks Isaiah Thomas over Jalen Brunson despite the star's All-NBA rise and playoff run

Jalen Brunson now play for the NY Knicks (Image via Instagram / @jalenbrunson1) Jalen Brunson has a chance to leave his stamp on the NBA history and become one of the New York Knicks' greatest players as the upcoming season approaches. Although it's never easy to compete for a championship, his rise to fame has helped the team finish close to the top of the East in recent years. However, NBA All-Star Jeff Teague, isn't convinced that Jalen Brunson is superior to former Boston Celtics' star Isaiah Thomas. Jeff Teague downplays Jalen Brunson's rise, claims Isaiah Thomas was the better scorer and overall player Jalen Brunson, the star of the New York Knicks , has been nothing short of extraordinary since he moved to Madison Square Garden in 2022. He helped the team come around and even led them to their first Eastern Conference Finals in 25 years this past season. Thanks to the star player, the New York Knicks are now able to contend for a championship. He has developed into one of the league's best guards since coming to New York. He further led the team to the third-best record in the East last season. Jeff Teague ARGUES Isaiah Thomas is BETTER than Jalen Brunson | 520 in the Morning However, the former NBA All-Star Baron Davis realized that Jalen Brunson alone would not be enough to bring an NBA championship. This happened after the team lost to the Indiana Pacers in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals. Baron Davis pointed to Indiana's pressure and restricting Jalen Brunson's movement. He further stated on Paul George's Podcast P: "Nobody can stop him… But if you watch what Indiana did, the half-court became another defender. His space got limited. They need another guard to handle pressure, bring the ball up, and let him operate one-on-one late in games." On the other hand, Jeff Teague isn't convinced that Jalen Brunson is superior to Isaiah Thomas. The former was a 5-foot-9 MVP candidate in Boston in 2017. Although his career was brief, he was among the league's finest, which is why Jeff Teague sided with him in a dispute. During his appearance in Club 520 Podcast on July 15, he said: 'I'm taking IT… I am, they do the same s—, and IT do it better really.' Jalen Brunson is a talented player (Image via Instagram / @jalenbrunson1) When asked who is a better scorer as well as a better player, Jeff Teague went all out. He continued: 'I swear to god I'm not being biased… I watched Jalen Brunson grow up, but [Thomas] averaged 30. He averaged 30.' In 2016-17, Isaiah Thomas had his best season. However, next season, Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks will have a chance to put an end to this dispute on the floor. Also read: Jalen Brunson raises eyebrows with unexpected take on New York Knicks' coaching situation Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!

How Oscar Robertson's Bold Lawsuit Changed the NBA—and the Quiet Revolution that Changed All of Pro Sports
How Oscar Robertson's Bold Lawsuit Changed the NBA—and the Quiet Revolution that Changed All of Pro Sports

Time of India

time43 minutes ago

  • Time of India

How Oscar Robertson's Bold Lawsuit Changed the NBA—and the Quiet Revolution that Changed All of Pro Sports

Oscar Robertson (Image via NBA) When the history of player empowerment in modern sports is written, Oscar Robertson 's name deserves to be in bold. While fans remember him as the triple-double king, Robertson's greatest legacy may be his courageous legal battle against the NBA—a lawsuit that upended the league's labor system and laid the foundation for modern free agency across all major sports. A League Locked Down Back in the 1960s, the NBA wasn't the player-friendly league we know today. Athletes had little to no control over their careers. The 'reserve clause' allowed teams to endlessly renew contracts, even after they expired. Players couldn't switch teams freely; if they refused to re-sign, they were left with no income or options. The draft and a looming merger with the ABA only tightened these restrictions. In this system, team owners held all the power, while even the league's brightest stars had little say in where or how they played. The Big O Takes a Stand Against Monopolistic Control Over Players On April 16, 1970, Oscar Robertson, then president of the National Basketball Players Association, led a group of players in filing an antitrust class-action lawsuit against the NBA and its teams. Their mission: to challenge the league's monopolistic control over player movement and pay. The lawsuit demanded: - A block on the NBA-ABA merger until fair labor conditions were established. - The end of the 'option' clause that tethered players to teams indefinitely. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it legal? How to get Internet without paying a subscription? Techno Mag Learn More Undo - Sweeping reforms of the draft and other rules that limited freedom and earnings. Oscar Robertson's stance wasn't just about fairness—it was about reimagining the league in a way that treated players as valuable professionals, equal to entertainers in other industries. How Oscar Spent Years in the Courts What followed was a legal marathon that spanned over half a decade. The NBA fought hard, lobbying Congress for the same antitrust exemptions that protected the NFL during its AFL merger. But legislators, now sensitive to player rights, didn't bite. Over 250 depositions and multiple hearings later, federal judge Robert L. Carter—known for his role in Brown v. Board of Education—sided with the players' concerns. The pressure built until, just days before the case was set for trial, the league gave in. The 1976 Settlement: A New Era Begins On April 29, 1976, the NBA and players reached a groundbreaking agreement. Key outcomes included: - The elimination of the reserve clause, allowing true free agency. - Limited 'right of first refusal' for teams, rather than absolute control. - Greater flexibility in the NBA Draft process. - $4.3 million in retroactive compensation for players active between 1967 and 1976. Only after these changes did the NBA-ABA merger proceed, bringing four ABA teams into the NBA and officially ushering in a new labor era. Oscar Robertson's Lawsuit Had a Ripple Effect Across Sports The impact of Oscar Robertson's lawsuit stretched far beyond basketball. Once NBA players gained more freedom, athletes in MLB and the NFL followed suit. Critics who claimed the changes would bankrupt franchises were proven wrong. Instead, the NBA exploded in popularity—and revenue. Thanks to free agency, player salaries skyrocketed. Athletes gained leverage to chart their own careers, influencing trades, team-building, and even league marketing. The modern 'player empowerment' era—where stars like LeBron James and Steph Curry drive league narratives—was born from Robertson's vision. The Legacy of Oscar Robertson Oscar Robertson wasn't just a Hall of Fame player—he was a pioneer who challenged the very structure of professional sports. As a Black athlete leading a union and confronting institutional power, he set an example for generations to come. His lawsuit paved the way for: - Multimillion-dollar contracts for superstars and fairer pay across the board. - Increased diversity and player movement in the NBA. - A league where athletes are no longer owned by franchises, but are partners in the business. 'It's terribly wrong for anyone to limit anyone's ability to earn more money.' — Oscar Robertson, Congressional testimony, 1970s Oscar Robertson didn't just change basketball—he changed the way professional athletes are treated across the board. By standing up to an unjust system, he gave players a voice, a choice, and a future. Also read: Jaylen Brown's Deep Regret and Lasting Tribute to Kobe Bryant: How the Lakers Legend Shaped a Celtics Star The next time a superstar inks a massive deal or demands a trade to chase a championship, remember who made it all possible. The Big O didn't just play the game—he changed it forever. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store