Former NBA player Stephon Marbury called out Stephen A. Smith for constantly castigating Black athletes but not having the same energy when discussing white athletes by referring to Smith as “one of the biggest uncle Tom’s on the planet.”
“We are witnessing one of the biggest Uncle Tom’s on the planet in [Stephen A. Smith],” Marbury tweeted.
We are witnessing one of the biggest uncle Tom’s on the planet in @stephenasmith https://t.co/I1Ar1M2EGA
— I AM PEACE STAR (@StarburyMarbury) May 1, 2022
The tweet comes days after Smith slammed NBA player Kyrie Irving for still receiving income after missing over 50 games because he refused to get the COVID-19 vaccine and was injured. Smith tweeted a video of his Irving rant with the caption:
“We are witnessing one of the most delusional athletes in American history,” tagging Irving in the post.
We are witnessing one of the most delusional athletes in American history. @KyrieIrving pic.twitter.com/WWgSouy0zg
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) April 29, 2022
In response to being called out by Marbury, Smith started by saying he wasn’t going to insult Marbury before he actually started insulting him.
“I’m not going to insult Stephon Marbury,” Smith began. “I will say Stephon Marbury has had a problem with me since 2009 because we thought he was a bit bizarre when he was eating vaseline. Literally on video. Like it was a bunch of cheeseburgers. Like gobbling vaseline.”
Marbury replied on Twitter.
“Lol. I had a problem [Smith] when you was calling yourself a source after Larry Brown was feeding you information, which were lies that you reported to build your reputation,” the former NBA player tweeted. “You never put your name on the lies. You break down black athletes for gain and fame.”
Lol.. I had a problem @stephenasmith when you was calling yourself a source after Larry Brown was feeding you information which were lies that you reported to build your reputation. You never put your name on the lies. You break down black athletes for gain and fame. https://t.co/RkVA9mrYbU
— I AM PEACE STAR (@StarburyMarbury) May 3, 2022
Twitter users jumped into the debate voicing varied opinions on the matter.
“[Sic] HES SPEAKING FACTS, y’all letting your love for Kyrie blind you of the dumb s**t he does,” a Twitter user wrote, agreeing with Smith.
HES SPEAKING FACTS, y’all letting your love for Kyrie blind you of the dumb shit he does 🤦🏾♂️
— Trey (@oliver_trey) May 1, 2022
Marbury clapped back with, “If it walks like a duck quack like a duck, it’s a [duck]. People hate what they can’t break, and [Irving] is stone [steel], and that’s real.”
If it walks like a duck quack like a duck it’s a 🦆. People hate what they can’t break and @KyrieIrving is stone steal and that’s real! https://t.co/rx8tZGr2ie
— I AM PEACE STAR (@StarburyMarbury) May 1, 2022
“Stephen A is the biggest uncle tom every other day but not today. This was straight fact,” another tweet read.
Stephen A is the biggest uncle tom every other day but not today. This was straight facts!
— Sensitive Cindy ⟁ (@freethewolv) May 1, 2022
He fired back at the user, saying, “This has nothing to do with what he’s saying in this video. I was making a statement. He’s been talking about [Irving] for a year + straight. TV is a form of programming, if you didn’t know. Eventually, your brain gives in if you don’t have the mind width to discern.”
This has nothing to do with what he’s saying in this video. I was making a statement. He’s been talking about @KyrieIrving for a year + straight. TV is a form of programming if you didn’t know. Eventually your brain gives in if you don’t have the mind width to discern. https://t.co/uvY9ISVQqy
— I AM PEACE STAR (@StarburyMarbury) May 1, 2022
Regarding Smith constantly talking about Irving, a Twitter user agreed with Marbury.
“His obsession over Kyrie has reached a disturbing level,” the tweet read.
His obsession over Kyrie has reached a disturbing level.
— MisterBelton (@sportscashlife) May 3, 2022
“Case and point,” Marbury responded. “Trying to stamp him as a mentally unstable person when it’s really him, the dude who sold his soul for the [money].”
Case and point. Trying to stamp him as a mentally unstable person when it’s really him the dude who sold his soul for the 💴 https://t.co/iLmaXd1df1
— I AM PEACE STAR (@StarburyMarbury) May 3, 2022
Marbury isn’t the first to point out Smith’s tactics. Smith’s homie, actor Jamie Foxx, spoke on his malfeasance for dragging Black athletes and not doing the same for white athletes after Smith blasted Ben Simmons for being on the sidelines this season.
“That is completely unfair,” Foxx said in an Instagram comment. “[Ben Simmons] has a family, this man has people that love him, and this man just plays basketball but to be dragged through the mud like this is unfair… and why is it [Stephen A. Smith] you only go at basketball players… You completely mute when it comes to the Tom Bradys, the Aaron Rodgers of the world… You get where I’m going… stop it, bruh, it’s out of bounds.”
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Smith reacted to Foxx’s comment by jokingly saying he lacked the credibility when it comes to sports because he’s a Dallas Cowboys fan.
“Jamie Foxx knows better,” Smith said. “He’s just highly protective of the Black athlete, as he should be because they deserve our protection, to be quite honest with you in a lot of situations.”
“Ain’t got nothing to do with brotherhood to me. I protect brothers all the damn time,” he added. “It’s what I don’t say that proves my protection.”
Smith also refuted that he didn’t criticize white athletes like Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Steve Nash, and Steve Kerr.
“Here’s the problem where it gets a bit serious,” he continued. “It’s a big issue that I think needs to be addressed because this problem exists within the Black community. All I’m talking about is Black athletes? First of all, that’s false. Secondly, I’m only supposed to be complimentary? I’m calling out a Kyrie and a Ben Simmons because of their impact and effect on the Black athlete.”
Watch the whole rant below:
