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Stephen A. Smith has insensitive take on Davis' exit from Game 5

Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis. Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Stephen A. Smith has insensitive take on Anthony Davis' exit from Game 5 vs. Warriors

By Jason Clinkscales | Last updated 5/11/23

In what can be best described as dismissive, ESPN's First Take took on the injury status of Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis, who left Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Golden State Warriors due to a head injury.

In a clip posted on Twitter by founder of The Sporting Tribune and former ESPN reporter Arash Markazi, we see Smith express even more indignation than usual over Davis' apparent concussion. He expresses concern not over any symptoms the forward/center may have, but over what LeBron James may have thought or felt.

It’s wild that this is the conversation on a national talk show in 2023 the day after a player looks like they may have been knocked out of a playoff game due to a concussion. pic.twitter.com/SCrMDthGpz
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) May 11, 2023

Smith's response was a more animated one compared to what we saw last night from Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal on 'Inside the NBA' as the Hall of Fame former players spent most of one segment chuckling about Davis.

Both incidents unfortunately speak to the long running conversation over Davis' injury history, with the derisive moniker 'Street Clothes' tossed his way often by fans. Because he reportedly used a wheelchair to regain some equilibrium, you likely saw 'Paul Pierce' trending on social media, a callback to the Celtics legend's infamous 'wheelchair' game during the 2008 NBA Finals.

Taylor Twellman, Apple TV's lead Major League Soccer analyst who recently left ESPN, lambasted First Take for its approach to the topic.

As ignorant of a discussion as I’ve ever seen and only @WindhorstESPN keeps his credibility here with “seen concussions with less”. Can’t wait for @FirstTake to do a segment on “seat belts” or “smoking” next since they are operating in 1975 still. pic.twitter.com/YcGuQRhQOo
— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) May 11, 2023

Arguably the most scathing criticism comes from Chris Nowinski, a neuroscientist and founder of the Concussion Legacy Foundation, a longtime advocate for concussion safety and treatment.

Shame on you @stephenasmith. This kind of 2005 talk sends a terrible message to young athletes. You know better.
It doesn't have to look catastrophic to cause #concussion. And asking 6'10" guys who are dizzy and can't see straight to walk to the locker room is bad medical care. https://t.co/3ehVpaKUmi
— Chris Nowinski, Ph.D. (@ChrisNowinski1) May 11, 2023

If there's anyone who can speak to the devastating impact of brain trauma, it's Nowinski, a former performer with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) whose career was cut short due to concussions. His work along with the advocacy of countless medical professionals have led to wider understanding of concussions among athletes.

Yet for as much as our collective awareness about brain trauma has grown since the mid-2000s, there are still some cringeworthy moments that remind us that there's more work to be done. Fortunately for Davis, if Smith cares to know, it appears that the Lakers' big man avoided a concussion and will be available to play Game 6 on Friday night.

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