ESPN host Stephen A. Smith has ignited controversy with his recent commentary on the Los Angeles Lakers' new roster, specifically referencing the race of the team's top players.
Following recent NBA free agency moves, the Lakers have assembled a new core that includes center Walker Kessler, point guard Luka Dončić, and re-signed guard Austin Reaves. Smith addressed this new lineup on his podcast, stating, "I'm saying it. Your three best players are white dudes. This ain't golf."
He further questioned the team's direction in the context of the league's player demographics, contrasting it with the composition of Team USA. "And we got a whole bunch of brothers on Team USA. This is basketball, what y'all think this is?"
The remarks have drawn a range of reactions and commentary. Other media personalities and fans have also weighed in on the Lakers' roster changes. Bomani Jones observed that the Lakers "ain't been this white since they left Minneapolis," referencing the franchise's history. Chris Ryan, on 'The Ringer's Bill Simmons Podcast,' reportedly discussed the team's GM Rob Pelinka, with colleagues reportedly referring to his moves as "Making The Lakers White Again." Online, some fans created nicknames for the team, such as the "Snowtime Lakers" and "Tres Leches."
The Lakers' current prominent players, Dončić, Reaves, and Kessler, represent a departure from the league's general demographic. Approximately 70 percent of NBA players are Black, while fewer than 20 percent are white. In addition to the core trio, the Lakers also signed Georgian center Sandro Mamukelashvili and acquired guards Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton.