Apr 29, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) passes the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans during game four of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

'I’m Never Going to be Perfect to Anybody' – Oklahoma City Thunder Star Blasts Stephen A. Smith’s Criticism During the 2025 NBA Playoffs

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Sep 3, 2025 8:55 AM ET

Oklahoma City Thunder star Jalen Williams recently called out Stephen A. Smith for his past criticism of him during last season’s NBA playoffs, as the ESPN analyst once suggested that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t have enough help from his teammates.

Speaking on the Out the Mud podcast with Tony Allen and Zach Randolph, Williams explained how he shut off the outside noise en route to winning his first Larry O’Brien trophy with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

“That’s the media. I’m never going to be perfect to anybody, and I’m not. Don’t really need the league to give me flowers, I don’t really care. I have a ring. I’m really cool with it. Even the Stephen A thing; it goes from he’s inconsistent to now we’re the top 1 duo. I understand how it goes. I know how the game goes. There’s gotta be something to talk about. It’s like the news. The news is always negative,” Williams said.

Mar 8, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) watches his shot against the Miami Heat during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

“I get to be in that. That’s rare air. That’s rare space,” he added. “It’s cool. I want to experience the whole part of the NBA. So, I don’t really care what everybody else is talking about. I’m playing the games. So, it don’t matter what else is really said or going on.”

Oklahoma City Thunder predicted to “exceed expectations” in the 2025-26 season

The Oklahoma City Thunder are coming off a historic 2024-25 campaign, and ESPN’s Tim Bontemps feels that the team can do even better and repeat this upcoming season.

“The other teams to win at least 65 games in a season saw their win total drop by an average of more than seven games the following year. Only once (the Warriors in 2015-16) did a team either meet or improve on its win total from the season before,” Bontemps wrote.

“Will OKC become the third team to win 70 games? Don’t bet on it, but the Thunder could easily have the league’s best record and become the third team to win at least 65 in back-to-back seasons. There’s a reason that coaches, scouts, and executives ESPN has spoken to this summer aren’t betting against a Thunder repeat,” he concluded.