Stephen A. Smith and JJ Redick were giving each other the silent treatment after the bust-up on the first take, a source told The US Sun.
Two insiders on the show, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed that now LA Lakers coach and Stephen A. Huddled behind the scenes and didn’t speak “for weeks”.
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ESPN big-hitter Stephen A’s wage demands have reached an unsettling “all-time high” on the show, as revealed by The US Sun.
But a source says the on-screen treatment of highly-rated NBA tactician Redick has fanned the flames of discontent even more.
Motormouth Stephen A. And known for his quirky sports scenes with on-screen pal Shannon Sharpe, Reddick has earned his stripes by calling the two out on occasion.
The basketball veteran, who has now left a spot in ESPN’s top NBA booth alongside Mike Breen and Doris Burke, “doesn’t stand for their BS,” according to a source.
However, he Stephen A. and created some serious problems between Redick.
When the 42-year-old was recently named the Lakers’ top man, any problems on show were quickly extinguished.
But since the beginning of the year, the problem has been getting worse, causing problems among other staff members as well.
Flames of discontent
Some are angry about the way Redick has been “unfairly” targeted for not dancing to Stephen A.’s tune and constantly dropping controversial bombs.
“People on the team told Smith that it was unfair to bash JJ for not being like him,” a reporter who worked on the show told The US Sun.
“His way is controversial, always going against others in arguments. He has criticized Redick for his career choices, which has led to them not speaking to each other in the last few weeks.”
Reddick, known as Stephen A. Described as an “acquired taste,” joined ESPN in 2021 and has proven a savvy addition to First Take’s punditry roster.
He did not shy away from taking Stephen A., who wrote The US. As revealed by The Sun, some staff members are so upset with the push for a new deal, they are threatening to quit the show.
The pair were embroiled in a fiery exchange earlier this year that got the former 76ers, Clippers and Orlando Magic star so heated that he was forced to assure viewers there was “no problem” between them.
It is very annoying to deal with.
Take the insider first
However, problems continued to mount before Redick put his pundit career on hold and returned to the NBA.
“The situation was getting ridiculous,” the insider added. “Something had to change.”
Burning issues
Redick became one of ESPN’s top basketball analysts after Doc Rivers returned to coaching with the Milwaukee Bucks in January.
He retired from the big time just three years ago but has long been touted as a future media star after becoming the first active player to start a podcast.
The Old Man and the Three launched in 2016 and is still going strong.
Yet there remains a bad feeling behind the scenes at First Take.
“Everyone is doing their part to make the show the best it can be on TV, and there is a lot of tension between the journalists, the pundits and the production crew,” said another staff member.
“It’s very annoying to deal with.”
When the US First Take didn’t comment when asked about the situation by The Sun, but insisted that the show’s June ratings were “up 7%, continuing a 23-month streak of growth.
“It wraps up the first six months of 2024, the best first six months of the year for the show.”
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