ESPN's Stephen A. Smith is the latest media personality to call out Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White following the events that occurred on Wednesday night.
The Fever hosted the New York Liberty at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and the home fans made their feelings about White abundantly clear. The packed crowd booed the Fever head coach during the pregame introductions. There was no doubt that many Indiana supporters were not pleased with how White reacted to the Sophie Cunningham incident on Saturday against the Chicago Sky.
Sky star Dijonai Carrington was ejected in the first quarter after a Flagrant 2 foul on Cunningham. After the game, White revealed that she did not see the play in real time, while also praising Carrington, whom she previously coached during their time together with the Connecticut Sun.
White received significant backlash for her comments. Fans were not pleased with how she did not defend Cunningham after the hard foul, instead speaking fondly of Carrington.
White addressed the pushback on Wednesday ahead of the Liberty game. The former WNBA Coach of the Year went on an impassioned tirade about backing her players 100%. She blatantly called out anyone and everyone who believes otherwise.
Cunningham came to her coach's defense after Indiana's 106-92 win over New York. Caitlin Clark also did the same as both players expressed their support of their embattled coach.
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Stephen A. Smith Slams Stephanie White
Smith, however, is not having any of it. On Wednesday's episode of "The Stephen A. Smith Show," the veteran sportscaster did not hold back on the Fever coach.
"There are folks in Indiana at a home game booing you!" Smith exclaimed. "You ain’t the road team. You’re the home team, you're the home coach, and they’re booing you."
According to Smith, even Clark and Cunningham defending her won't be enough for White. The outspoken ESPN anchor then called out White over the initial Cunningham-Carrington incident.
"How are you the head coach on the sideline during the play, covering the game or coaching the game, and you didn't see the play? I'm just asking," Smith continued.
"I'm not saying it's impossible, but I'm like, what do you mean you didn't see the play? What? You not watch it? We saw it. You're coaching the game, up and down the court. It's your job to coach the game. Watch the game. How did you not see the play?"
Smith will continue to keep a close eye on White and the Fever, as will the entire basketball world. How this team responds to all this in the coming days and weeks is likely to have a significant impact on their season and their title hopes.
