During the 2025 NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Kevin Durant took a jab at ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith after a fan spotted Smith playing Solitaire on his phone in the middle of the game. The incident sparked widespread criticism from basketball fans who questioned why a highly paid $100 million analyst would be disengaged during a live game rather than focusing on his role. This controversy highlights growing tensions between players, analysts, and viewers over the perceived quality of sports commentary.
Background of the Tensions Between Analysts and NBA Stars
Stephen A. Smith has become one of the most influential sports broadcasters in the United States, hosting ESPN’s popular show First Take, which regularly leads in ratings. Despite his prominence, Smith has faced backlash from NBA players who publicly dispute his commentary. LeBron James notably confronted Smith over comments regarding his son, Bronny James, resulting in a heated exchange that ultimately appeared to favor James in public opinion.
Kevin Durant has also frequently challenged Smith’s viewpoints, most recently mocking his dramatic analysis of the USA versus World All-Star game format. Smith has responded to Durant on various occasions, but Durant seized the latest opportunity after Game 4 of the NBA Finals when he reacted to a photograph showing Smith not focusing on the game.
Kevin Durant Calls Out Stephen A. Smith for Playing Solitaire
A fan captured a photo of Stephen A. Smith during Game 4 of the NBA Finals, revealing the analyst engrossed with his phone rather than giving attention to the live game. The image showed Smith playing the card game Solitaire during the third quarter, which bewildered Durant and fans alike given Smith’s role as a lead NBA analyst.
C’mon Steve.
Kevin Durant wrote on IG
Durant’s message highlighted disbelief that Smith would be distracted during an intensely contested Finals match. This incident came just a day after Smith had initiated a contentious back-and-forth with Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton over the athlete’s contract situation, further fueling criticism against the analyst.
Fan Backlash Over ESPN Analyst’s Conduct During Live Game
The revelation that Stephen A. Smith was playing Solitaire during a live NBA Finals match ignited outrage among fans, many of whom expressed disappointment that an analyst earning $100 million annually was not paying full attention to the most important basketball event of the year. Skeptics questioned whether Smith relied on producers for analysis while disengaged and accused ESPN of failing to hold him accountable for his conduct during broadcasts.
Social media users called out Smith’s apparent lack of professionalism and undermining of the NBA’s stature by diverting focus during a high-stakes game. Some pointed to Smith’s questionable basketball knowledge and previous inaccurate commentary as signs that he might not be a genuine fan or expert.
Yea, he spent a LOT of time with his nose in his phone. For someone PAID to analyze basketball, you’d think he’d actually watch. pic.twitter.com/9sXwFFDys4— Kimberly (@BleedBlue1986) June 14, 2025
This dude thinks he is so above the sport of basketball it is frustrating I would die to have a career that allowed me to go to the nba finals to cover it what a joke— Holden Snodgrass (@SnodgrassHolden) June 14, 2025
Some fans have urged the NBA to address Smith’s behavior with ESPN, fearing his large platform is used to elevate his own profile at the expense of respecting players and the game. However, due to his significant influence within ESPN and the Walt Disney Company, it remains uncertain if any formal action will be taken.
Stephen A. Smith’s Defense After Solitaire Controversy
In response to the backlash, Stephen A. Smith took to X, formerly Twitter, to defend himself by stating that he was playing Solitaire during timeouts and was capable of multitasking during the broadcast. He shared a photo showing Solitaire alongside the Game 4 scoreboard to demonstrate that he was not distracted during live gameplay segments.
Yep! That’s me. Who would’ve thought….I can multi-task. Especially during TIMEOUTS! Hope y’all are enjoying the NBA Finals. This is going 7 games now, peeps!
Stephen A. Smith wrote on X
Despite this defense, the original photograph’s uploader insisted that Smith was playing the game during ongoing action, not during a timeout. Many fans remain skeptical, with some accusing Smith of posting an altered image to excuse his behavior.
Broader Implications for Sports Analysis and Viewer Expectations
The Solitaire incident with Stephen A. Smith underscores rising frustrations among fans about the authenticity and professionalism of sports analysts. As broadcast rights and salaries reach astronomical figures, viewers expect analysts to provide engaged, insightful coverage, especially during marquee events like the NBA Finals.
Criticism directed at Smith reflects a broader demand for accountability and respect toward athletes and the game itself. Meanwhile, players like Kevin Durant continue to publicly express dissatisfaction when commentators seemingly prioritize personal agendas or distractions over genuine analysis.
With the NBA Finals extending to a full seven-game series, attention will remain on how analysts like Smith perform under scrutiny and whether networks may reconsider roles or introduce stricter standards for coverage quality in the future. Fans will be watching closely to see if this controversy prompts changes in sports broadcasting or remains a moment of social media outrage.