The Curry-Ionescu showdown sparked a gender equality discussion in basketball, but was overshadowed by TNT commentator Kenny Smith’s dismissive and sexist comments.
Ionescu’s impressive performance, tying the highest score in any round of the contest by shooting from the NBA three-point line, should have been celebrated as a moment of NBA-WNBA unity.
However, viewers criticized Smith for suggesting that she ought to shoot from the shorter line used in the WNBA, expressing disapproval of his comment.
While Smith may have intended to imply fairness in his suggestion, his remarks were perceived by many as undermining Ionescu’s skill and belittling female basketball players in general.
The immediate backlash was evident, with fellow commentator Reggie Miller even accusing Smith of wanting Ionescu to be playing with dolls instead.
Kenny Smith’s Reinforcement of Stereotypes
The online community echoed the sentiment, with Atlanta Hawks assistant coach Brittani Donaldson and basketball beat writer Jackie Powell among those calling out Smith for perpetuating stereotypes about women’s basketball.
Powell emphasized that the challenge was meant to promote inclusivity and equality, not reinforce outdated biases.
Kenny Smith’s missteps didn’t end there, as he also fumbled with names and made questionable remarks throughout the broadcast. From mistakenly calling Miller Ernie to botching the name of dunk contest judge Darnell Dr. Dunk Hillman, Smith’s performance was less than stellar.
Furthermore, his surprise at Jaime Jacquez Jr.’s dunking abilities and ignorance regarding Tyrese Haliburton’s shooting prowess only added to the night’s awkwardness.
Despite the criticism directed at Smith online, his fellow Inside The NBA cohorts didn’t hold back in their critiques, highlighting the magnitude of his blunders.
In the end, while the Curry-Ionescu showdown had the potential to showcase unity between the NBA and WNBA, Smith’s remarks served as a stark reminder of the work still needed to achieve true equality in the basketball world.
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