Former NBA champion hilariously trolls Stephen A. Smith with his meme for wild rant about All-Star games

The NBA's annual All-Star game has caused disappointment among the spectators with its recent iterations. This is due to the fact that many feel the players don't play hard or take it seriously. One person who seems passionate about the All-Star game returning to its former state is Stephen A. Smith.

Smith went on a rant against the players who participate in the All-Star game on Tuesday's episode of "First Take." According to Smith, if the players don't put effort into playing this year, the league should scrap the All-Star festivities altogether. The host also stated that he has called network executives and the league to share his thoughts.

Smith's rant drew the attention of Nick Young, who responded by trolling the television host with the iconic "Confused Nick Young" meme.

"Stephen Karen A. Smith lol said he making calls if the players don't play hard for him All Star weekend .. (My Meme) ...... 'AYE BOSS HE AINT WORKING,'" Young wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Young had a journeyman career in the NBA. His volume scoring and his ability to come up with a highlight play nearly every night made him a reliable sixth man.

Throughout his career, he played for the Washington Wizards, LA Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, LA Lakers, Golden State Warriors, and Denver Nuggets. It was during his one-season stint in Golden State (2017-18) that he won his only NBA championship.

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Stephen A. Smith goes on a tirade against the players for the NBA's new All-Star game format

In an effort to keep the All-Star game fresh and entertaining, the NBA has made some changes to the format several times.

The captain's draft was announced in 2017 and came into effect in 2018. This scrapped the traditional East vs. West setting in favor of having the top two vote-getters assemble their roster from a pool of All-Stars. The league also eliminated having a timed fourth quarter since 2020 in favor of reaching a target score. This was done in honor of the late Kobe Bryant.

Both the captain's draft and the target score ending were scrapped for the 2024 All-Star game. That year, the traditional East vs. West format was reinstated.

This year, fans will once again be treated to a new format. The latest iteration will feature four teams of eight players. 24 All-Stars will be divided into the first three squads, while the fourth team will be whichever squad wins the Rising Stars game.

While we are yet to hear the final verdict for this new format, Stephen A. Smith appears unhappy that the league has to keep changing the rules. In an episode of "First Take" in December, Smith said that the players are to blame for the NBA having to change the All-Star format often.

"The players have ruined the All-Star weekend, it's their fault that this has happened," Smith said (Timestamp: 3:13-3:35). "You think Adam Silver and the NBA, in concert with the Player's Association want to be huddling for weeks, if not months, trying to come up with with different formats for All-Star weekend? All you have to do is go out there and play with effort and not have it be a glorified lay-up line or shooting contest."