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Stephen A. Smith: 2022 NBA Slam Dunk Contest Was ‘National Atrocity’

“It was so bad, it’s one of the rare moments that I think we should actually hide the trophy… That’s how bad it was.”

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Other than the All-Star Game, the highlight of NBA All-Star Weekend has often been the Slam Dunk Contest. But this year, the exhibition was, well, anything but a slam dunk.

The contest was widely panned on social media, largely for competitors missing so many dunks. But lack of creativity and a serious lack of star power — something that’s plagued what used to be a showcase for the league — were also cited as major problems.

Simply put, when the league’s most explosive dunkers (hello, Ja Morant) aren’t participating in the contest, it’s a huge problem. The days of Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins wowing fans seem so long ago.

So it probably shouldn’t be a surprise that Stephen A. Smith would be ready to unleash on the NBA Slam Dunk Contest during Monday’s First Take. And unlike Juan Toscano-Anderson, Cole Anthony, Jalen Green, and eventual winner Obi Toppin, Stephen A. did not disappoint.

“That was the worst slam dunk contest in the history of basketball,” Smith said as Molly Qerim and Kendrick Perkins sat back in anticipation of the fury to come. “It was a national atrocity. It was awful. Somebody needs to say it, so I’m gonna say it.”

OK, plenty of people were saying it. However, they’re not Stephen A. Smith and they don’t have the national platform of ESPN’s First Take. Apologies for the interruption. Let Smith continue.

“Now I’m happy that a Knick won something. We actually had a New York Knick that won something. That was Obi Toppin,” Smith added, compelling Qerim to cover her face with her notes. “It was so bad, it’s one of the rare moments that I think we should actually hide the trophy. We should actually hide the trophy. That’s how bad it was.”

The clip above has to be watched in its entirety to get the full effect, including Smith saying he, at 54 with bad knees, could have missed as many dunks as the professionals who participated and his proposal for a national slam dunk tournament to find athletes who can put on a show.

Sure, Stephen A. could have celebrated Steph Curry’s 50-point performance in Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game. And he did, calling him the face of the NBA right now over LeBron James. But greatness doesn’t work up nearly as much outrage as mediocrity or failure. And the tirade wouldn’t have been nearly as memorable. That probably wasn’t an All-Star Stephen A. rant, but it was a good one.

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Curt Menefee and Joel Klatt to be Lead Fox Sports UFL Broadcast Team

Curt Menefee, Joel Klatt, and Brock Huard will make up the first XFL on FOX announce team, while Kevin Kugler, Devin Gardner, and Jake Butt are the #2 team.

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FOX is ready for the United Football League (UFL) season and recently announced its broadcast lineup for the upcoming season. Curt Menefee returns to the booth alongside Joel Klatt to make up the primary UFL commentary team. Joining Menefee and Klatt from the sidelines will be former NFL and University of Washington QB Brock Huard.

Menefee and Klatt will call the season-opening matchup between the defending two-time USFL Champion Birmingham Stallions and the reigning XFL Champion Arlington Renegades on Saturday, Mar. 30 at 1 p.m. ET. The second team of Kevin Kugler and former Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner will call the second game of the day when the St. Louis Battlehawks take on the Michigan Panthers at 4:00 p.m. ET on FOX. Former Denver Broncos tight end Jake Butt will man the sidelines for that game.

Former NFL and USC QB Mark Sanchez was also mentioned in the FOX news release but details of his involvement were not made clear.

The UFL season kicks off on FOX this weekend and continues over on ESPN. Both networks will split coverage of the league all season long.

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CBS Sports Host James Brown To Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at Sports Emmys

“I am incredibly humbled by this award. I know full well that it’s not as much about me as it is about all the people with whom…I worked over all these years.”

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James Brown
Courtesy: Mary Kouw, CBS

Longtime CBS Sports host James Brown will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 45th Sports Emmys. The awards show announced the news via its X account last night:

Brown is a three-time Sports Emmy winner for his work on CBS’ The NFL Today and previously FOX’s The NFL On FOX, and HBO’s Inside the NFL. Brown’s career spans more than 30 years and includes numerous accolades such as the Pete Rozelle Award from the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Uncommon Award from Tony Dungy.

He was named “Best Studio Host of the Decade” by Sports Illustrated in 2010 and was honored with the 2009 Dick Schaap Memorial Award for Media Excellence. In 1998 he was awarded the Golden Mic Award by the Black Broadcasters Alliance. Brown was elected into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2021.

“I am incredibly humbled by this award,” Brown said via the Sports Emmys. “I know full well that it’s not as much about me as it is about all the people with whom and for whom I worked over all these years. Thank God for the blessing!”

Sports media came together to honor Brown’s achievement:

Brown and other award recipients will be honored at the Sports Emmys award ceremony in May.

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John Anderson Announces Retirement from SportsCenter on ESPN

“I don’t really know what’s quite next, I have some things in the fire. But SportsCenter will not be it.”

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Longtime SportsCenter anchor John Anderson has announced that when his contract comes up at the end of June, he will no longer be doing SportsCenter for ESPN. Anderson, who joined ESPN in 1999 does plan to continue covering certain events, but after 25 years he believes it is time to stop doing ESPN’s flagship show. Anderson spoke on his podcast, The Inside Wisconsin Show and prior to the episode’s release tomorrow, a clip was released:

“My contract runs out at ESPN at the end of June,” Anderson said. “I have decided that that will be the end. I’m going to leave the company. I’m going to sort of retire from ‘SportsCenter.’ I’m going to get to do a few track-and-field things, I’m going to get to continue to do the Boston Marathon and the New York Marathon – which I love – and some NCAA track meets and some SEC stuff.

“I am incredibly excited about that. It’s been a good run…I feel like it’s been a good run. The operation has changed. I don’t know that it’s passed me by, but it’s taken its toll and I still want to be able to do the best shows that I can, and I don’t know that if in years 26 or 27 I have the stamina to do it again.  

“So, I’m done…I don’t really know what’s quite next. I have some things in the fire. But SportsCenter will not be it.”

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