Stephen A Smith and John Wall are at odds following a Twitter rant by the NBA analyst.
News came out on Saturday that Wall would undergo season-ending surgery on his heel. Smith went on Twitter and blasted Wall for the timing of the decision to have the surgery and suggested the Washington Wizards guard did not enter the season in shape.
….with the Wizards looking like trash half the time? Is the pressure too much???
See why we should love LeBron James? No matter what, he shows up. Each and every single season! In Shape! Ready to perform! Getting paid mega-dough but playing like he’s broke.— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) December 30, 2018
But I’m hoping for more than that. I’m hoping this brother returns IN SHAPE, ready to validate that $170 mil he’s about to get over the next 4 seasons……instead of leaving us wondering if he’s calling it a season because he ain’t about to make an All-Star team…
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) December 30, 2018
Smith’s criticism seems unreasonable. He’s saying he’s not doubting the legitimacy of the injury but questions how he played well at times despite it. He also suggests Wall is to blame for the injury by not being in shape. That’s a lot of blame to put on a player for an injury, and it doesn’t seem fair.
On Monday, Wall spoke with reporters and responded. He said he feels like Smith has a personal problem with him and suggested the media personality talk to him.
John Wall just talked to reporters for the first time since news of his surgery. It seemed like he has a problem with the Twitter rant by @stephenasmith suggesting he shut down because he wasn’t going to be an All-Star: “Talk to me as a man, 1-on-1.”
— Chase Hughes (@ChaseHughesNBCS) December 31, 2018
John Wall on who is almost certainly Stephen A. Smith: "You know who the guy is… It's like this, if you have a personal problem with me, come talk to me like a man… when you want to take things to a personal level, you can have a conversation with me 1-on-1 as a man."
— Chase Hughes (@ChaseHughesNBCS) December 31, 2018
Smith saw Wall’s comments and responded via his Twitter account. He insisted he’s shown up a few times to talk with Wall and Wall declined. He says he remains open to meeting with Wall.
Hey @ChaseHughesNBCS, just saw your tweet regarding @JohnWall. Quote this: I don’t want to hear a damn thing from Wall about talking to him man-to-man. I showed at one game and waited for him in the locker room; he wouldn’t come out. I showed up again when they played @celtics
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) December 31, 2018
And @JohnWall still didn’t want to talk, @ChaseHughesNBCS. I’ve said nothing to take back and I damn sure don’t hide from anyone. What I said about Wall not being in great shape and struggling periodically was FACT. His appearance at the Rose Bar was courtesy of TMZ, not me!
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) December 31, 2018
And as for my questioning the timing of @JohnWall possibly having surgery, that’s what we feel as fans from witnessing what’s unfolded over this season. Wall knows me. Rich Paul knows me. And there isn’t a soul in sports who doesn’t know how to find me. Any time @ChaseHughesNBCS
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) December 31, 2018
So the next time @JohnWall or any player tells you they are looking for me for a man to-man convo, @ChaseHughesNBCS, tell them to name the time and place and I’ll show up. I’d welcome it…even on my damn vacation. I’m not the one hiding. Never have! Never will!
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) December 31, 2018
The beef between them has been an ongoing issue. Back in November, Smith was critical of Wall for partying too much.
Whether Smith is right about Wall being out of shape and that leading to his injury is up for debate. But it’s clear that Smith has been riding Wall hard this season, and the guard’s decision to undergo surgery during a lost season so he’s ready for next year makes perfect sense.
