LeBron James, Kevin Durant approve of Denzel Washington’s jab allegedly aimed at Stephen A. Smith

Academy Award winner Denzel Washington made headlines with his comments about the sports media on Thursday. The actor hit out at talking heads during an interview with Sports Illustrated.

"Everybody's got an opinion, we're living in a world of opinionnaires, that is what I call them, opinionnaires," he said. "A bunch of guys that have played, but most of them who haven't, who have an opinion on what something should be, when they haven't done it. Those who can't talk about those who can.

"Too much talking, everybody has an opinion, everybody sitting around getting fat. Thinking they know how to do it. Just because you can sit behind a desk and chit-chat doesn't mean he can do a damn thing."

While Washington didn’t name anyone, many fans believed the remarks were aimed at Stephen A. Smith.

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Washington's comments drew reactions from several NBA stars, including LeBron James and Kevin Durant. James showed his support by liking Sports Illustrated’s post, while Durant chimed in with a series of emojis.

"🔥🔥🔥," Durant wrote.

Michael Jordan's former teammate, Etan Thomas, had a similar reaction.

"🔥🔥🔥," Thomas wrote.

LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Etan Thomas react to Denzel Washington's comments on the sports media (Source: Instagram/Sports Illustrated)

Former NBA star Austin Rivers seemed to know who Washington was talking about.

"We know who he talking about..." he wrote.

Austin Rivers comments on Sports Illustrated's post

Smith has a history with LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Earlier this year, Smith had a heated discussion with James during a Lakers game after he referenced Bronny James during a broadcast. He also went back and forth with Durant in March after the forward labelled him a "clown."

Draymond Green reacts to Denzel Washington’s sharp response to sports media

Denzel Washington’s candid interview with Sports Illustrated drew plenty of attention as he delivered a sharp critique of the “opinionnaires” in sports media.

Draymond Green re-shared the post on his story and agreed with Washington's statement.

"Some Can! Most Can’t! SHUT UP!!!!" he wrote.

Draymond Green echoes Denzel Washington's statement on sports media (Source: Instagram/ Draymond Green)

Washington’s statement has received widespread approval from athletes across different sports.

About the author

Arian Kashyap is a basketball journalist at Sportskeeda with over two years of experience at Essentially Sports and Spice Bite and a Bachelor's in Physical Education and Sports Sciences.

Arian's favorite team is the Miami Heat and it’s mainly down to Dwyane Wade being his favorite player of all time. Arian loved how explosive Wade was as a player and he had all the attributes, whether that be shooting, defending or passing. Arian really liked how he won titles both with and without a dynasty behind him.

Arian has also worked with Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools and was the manager for a Delhi-based women’s team called Garwhal Untied. Garwhal won the Delhi league and were runners-up during his tenure.

Arian has judged essay writing competitions for the Commonwealth Students Welfare Group of India in 2023 and was a part of the U-14 team for the Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools academy that qualified for the AIFF Round in 2023.

When not working or watching sports, Arian likes riding his motorcycle and reading.

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Edited by Chaitanya Prakash