ESPN's Stephen A. Smith is known for speaking his mind, and this week he's taking on a new firestorm: the controversy over how the San Antonio Spurs handled the national anthem before Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs' towering French star, was caught on camera with his arms crossed as "The Star-Spangled Banner" played at Frost Bank Center. Social media erupted, with some calling the gesture disrespectful. But Smith isn't buying it.
"This is patently false," Smith posted on X after Thursday's episode of First Take. "There are plenty of people who listen to the Nat’l Anthem and simply bow their heads with their hands in front of them or behind their backs and pay respects. Holding your hand over your heart is not a requirement."
Smith's defense comes after OutKick's Bobby Burack shared footage of the moment, captioning it: "New 'face of the NBA' Victor Wembanyama kept his arms crossed during the entire National Anthem ahead of the NBA Finals." The post sparked a wave of criticism, but Smith insists the Spurs weren't being disrespectful. "Who is anyone to say they were just over that gesture? That is utterly ridiculous!!!" he added.
The debate has overshadowed Wembanyama's performance in Game 1, where he scored 26 points but shot just 6-of-21 from the field. The Spurs lost to the New York Knicks, setting up a must-win Game 2 on Friday night.
Smith didn't mince words about the stakes. "Y’all better win [Friday] night or we ain’t coming back," he said, via NJ.com. He painted a vivid picture of what awaits if the Spurs fall again: a raucous Madison Square Garden crowd ready to bury the series. "If you lose Game 2, you have let the New York Knicks know, 'Wait a minute. We can go to the Garden and we don’t have to come back to The Alamo?' Oh my Lord, the New York Knicks fanbase..."
Smith, a longtime New York sports figure, knows the energy of Knicks fans firsthand. He warned that a 2-0 deficit would make Game 3 in New York an unforgettable spectacle. "I’ve been covering sports for 30 years, I will never experience what I know I’m going to experience Monday in New York City," he said.
The anthem controversy adds another layer to an already intense Finals series. Some fans have questioned whether Wembanyama's gesture was intentional, while others defend his right to show respect in his own way. The discussion echoes broader debates about anthem gestures in sports.
Meanwhile, the Spurs are focused on the court. Game 2 tips off at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC, with the series shifting to New York for Game 3. Whether the anthem controversy lingers or fades, one thing is clear: Stephen A. Smith has the Spurs' back, even if he's already dreaming of the Garden's roar.
