After the 2024 election, Charles Barkley slammed the Democratic Party for not having a clear strategy. “You guys lost because y’all stupid. Come up with solutions.” One person who came up with the solution was none other than Stephen A Smith. The veteran analyst recently signed a $100 million deal to stay with ESPN, but his plans seem to be to work in the Oval Office. But Chuck, who previously issued warnings, does the same this time as well.
Let’s not forget that both will be working under the ESPN roof from next season. As Inside the NBA will be aired on the network, where SAS already has his shows. Although the recent focus of the ESPN analyst seems to be more about his presidential run. Smith posted to X in April that he is “leaving all doors open” regarding the possibility of running for president, but said he “hate(s) the thought of being a politician.” In fact, Charles Barkley recently stated what moves Smith can avoid to receive less hate.
“I was in the studio last night and I saw he was going to be on ‘Law & Order’ tonight. I mean he is already on ‘General Hospital.’ He’s already on ‘General Hospital,’ now he is going to be on ‘Law & Order’ tonight, and I was just laughing. I was like, ‘Yo man, you are starting to be too much right now.’” Sir Charles thinks Smith is on TV too much and that people could get “sick” of him.
“Like, you are going to be on CNN, you are going to be on ‘Fox & Friends,’ now you on ‘General Hospital,’ now you on ‘Law & Order,’ I’m like, ‘Yo man, knock it off. Stop being on every TV show’ because at some point people are going to get sick of you, and you are going to be like, ‘Yeah I probably did too much.’ But once you do too much, it’s too late and people don’t take you serious, and I think he’s got to be careful in that aspect.” This assessment from Charles Barkley is because on his personal preference.
The Suns legend said he wants to be on TV less and less, because “less is more.” Which is why Chuck says he will only be on TV for 2 or 3 more years. This time his advice was real, and last time he just shot down any notion of SAS and his future POTUS plans.
Charles Barkley becomes blunt to pour water over Smith’s aspiration
“I’ve been approached by people on Capitol Hill. I’ve been approached by people who are elected officials in office, whether it’s governors or mayors or what have you. People have legitimately, seriously, asked me about it.” Smith acknowledged that the current political landscape needs to change. His statement indicates that other influential people want this, too. But strike Charles Barkley off that list.
Feb 16, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Team Stephen A coach Stephen A. Smith looks on against Team Shannon during the All Star Celebrity Game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
“Calm down, Stephen A.—and Stephen A. is one of my friends,” Barkley told Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina. “C’mon, man. Stop it. C’mon. It had to start out as a joke and he started taking it serious. C’mon, man. All I would say is ‘knock it off.’ And that’s the best way to phrase it.” If there are still doubts about whether the Suns’ legend will cast the vote for ESPN analyst, the answer is “No,” Barkley reaffirmed. “Hard no.”
The TNT analyst is sure he doesn’t want his friend SAS to run for the Presidency. Plus, he wants him to have less TV space to make sure that ESPN analysts keep his voice relevant and don’t spread himself too thin. Meanwhile, another NBA icon advised Smith to stay away from that lane. Will Stephen A. listen to Chuck and make the decision, or will he fulfill his other friends’ wishes? Only time will tell.
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