The 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center was supposed to be a celebration of future stars, but ESPN’s coverage turned into a talking point for all the wrong reasons. As Duke sensation Cooper Flagg went No. 1 overall to the Dallas Mavericks, ESPN attempted a pre-draft segment with him—except it wasn’t him. Instead, the network mistakenly showed Rutgers guards Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper in separate moments, misidentifying both as Flagg.
The mix-up was widely slammed online, not just for the blunder itself, but for the optics. Fans questioned how such a high-profile network with vast resources could make such a basic—and avoidable—mistake.
Adding fuel to the fire was Stephen A. Smith’s commentary throughout the night. While known for his larger-than-life personality, fans felt his presence detracted from the draft’s focus. “Get him off television,” one fan posted after Smith compared Jeremiah Fears to Kyrie Irving in a way many found out of touch. Others criticized ESPN for sidelining analysts with real scouting experience.
All in all, what should have been a flawless showcase of young talent turned into a frustrating viewing experience, leaving NBA fans and insiders disappointed by the coverage from ESPN’s top-tier broadcast team.
(This is a building story…)
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