Stephen A. Smith: Carmelo Anthony’s Social Activism Puts Pressure on Him to Win Games

It’s day two of the post-Skip Bayless era on First Take, and Stephen A. Smith is wasting no time trying to put his stamp on the program.

During a debate with co-host Max Kellerman about New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony, Smith said that Anthony’s recent high-profile social activism increases the pressure on him to win basketball games.

“While I deeply, deeply, deeply appreciate all the things he is doing in the community to bring attention to the plights that we’re all suffering from… I’m also a Knicks fan. And I’ll be damned if there’s less pressure on him because of this,” Smith said.

After calling Kellerman “crazy” for disagreeing with him, Smith added the following:

“Black Lives Matter, social issue, I get it. I’m with you. Tell me when and where. I’m showing up. But when I roll up into the Garden, and I’m watching you in that uniform, I expect more.”

Watch the video above for more of this scorching hot take from Smith, via ESPN.

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