NBA · 20 hours ago

Stephen A. Smith on Lakers: Your three top players are white dudes

Bo Marchionte

Host · Writer

Stephen A. Smith: Talks Lakers Big 3 Being White
The Utah Jazz are probably the best modern comparison for what Stephen A. Smith was talking about because, for much of the 1990s, they had a predominantly white core that won consistently at the highest level.

From 1991 through 2003, Utah made the playoffs every season and reached back-to-back NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998.

The Caucasian Core Included
- John Stockton (Hall of Fame point guard)
- Jeff Hornacek (three-time All-Star)
- Greg Ostertag (starting center)
- Adam Keefe (key reserve)
- Howard Eisley (important backup guard)
The franchise revolved around Stockton and Hall of Fame power forward Karl Malone, but Hornacek became the third major piece after arriving in 1994. While Malone was the team's biggest star, the Jazz regularly featured three or four white players in prominent rotation roles.

Jazz at a Glance
- 20 consecutive winning seasons (1983–2003).
- Reached the NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998.
- John Stockton remains the NBA's all-time leader in both assists and steals.
- Jeff Hornacek was a three-time NBA All-Star and one of the league's elite shooters.
- Greg Ostertag started more than 500 games for Utah.
Stephen A.'s point is the Lakers' top three headliners of Doncic, Reaves, and now Kessler are all white, which is a much rarer construction in the modern NBA.

That's what makes his comments such an interesting historical discussion.
Stephen A. Smith: Talks Lakers Big 3 Being White
Stephen A. Smith Says the Quiet Part Out Loud

Sometimes the biggest sports stories aren't about statistics they're about observations everyone notices but few people are willing to say publicly.

During Wednesday's edition of his SiriusXM program, Stephen A. Smith delivered one of those moments while discussing the Los Angeles Lakers.

"Where the hell the Los Angeles Lakers think they gone with a bunch of white dudes?"

Los Angeles now has a big three of sorts led by Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and today’s addition of Walker Kessler via sign-and-trade with the Utah Jazz.

He didn't stop there.

"Somebody got to say it, so I'm saying it. Your three top players are white dudes."

And then came perhaps the quote that will fuel sports talk for days.

"Really, this ain't golf, this ain't baseball, hell, it ain't even soccer."

Smith doubled down by pointing to the NBA's history.

"This is basketball in NBA history. When have you seen your three most prominent players on a basketball team all be white?"

Whether you agree or disagree with Smith's opinion almost misses the point.

His comments open the door to an interesting historical conversation. In today's NBA, where the league has long been dominated by Black stars, it is genuinely uncommon to see a contender whose most recognizable players are predominantly white. That's not a criticism or praise it's simply an observation.

The question becomes: When was the last time we saw something similar? That's where NBA history gets interesting
Stephen A. Smith: Talks Lakers Big 3 Being White
Stephen A. Smith Doubles Down

Stephen A. Smith made it clear his comments weren't intended as an attack on Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves or Walker Kessler. In fact, he repeatedly praised each player. His point was about history, perception and whether a franchise like the Lakers can realistically strike fear into the rest of the NBA with its current foundation.

"This is basketball. I'm not complaining. I'm simply making the point, ladies and gentlemen..."

Smith then reminded listeners who has traditionally worn the purple and gold.

"The Los Angeles Lakers... Tinseltown... a place where everybody from Wilt (Chamberlain) and Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar and Shaq (O'Neil) and Magic (Johnson) and Kobe (Bryant)... yes, Jerry West before them, yes, George Mikan..."

For Smith, the Lakers have always been synonymous with larger-than-life superstars. He contrasted today's roster with teams like the Jazz, noting that even Utah's successful teams still revolved around Karl Malone despite having John Stockton and Jeff Hornacek.

"Even in Utah, when you had Stockton... you still had Malone."

His strongest takeaway came near the end of the segment.

"Being led by three white dudes in today's generation of basketball... it ain't happening."

Yet Smith also acknowledged the talent involved.

"Luka's a bad brother, and Austin Reaves is no scrub... they both have earned what they have earned..."

His conclusion, however, didn't change.

"Those two and Walker Kessler... you ain't scared anybody with that."

Looking back the Boston Celtics and Utah Jazz come to mind and maybe the Sacramento Kings, but Smith is right in the modern day era of the NBA that the Lakers will at least look different than most starting units.
Stephen A. Smith: Talks Lakers Big 3 Being White
Lakers Push Their Chips to the Middle

Stephen A. Smith didn't simply point out the Lakers' roster construction, he explained how Los Angeles arrived at it.

On Wednesday's SiriusXM show, Smith recapped the franchise's aggressive offseason, beginning with a massive commitment to Austin Reaves.

"The Los Angeles Lakers, over the last week, you signed Austin Reaves to a four-year $185 million deal, making him and Luka Doncic the cornerstones of your franchise."

Smith then shifted to the move that sparked the narrative.

"And just today, a couple of hours ago, it was announced that the Los Angeles Lakers have signed this big boy, Kessler from Utah. Walker Kessler from Utah, seven-foot-two, averages 14 and 10, rim protector, and was considered one of the two A-list big men available.”

Viewed together, the moves paint a clear picture. The Lakers didn't accidentally assemble this roster they intentionally built around Doncic and Reaves before paying a premium to land Kessler, one of the league's premier young defensive centers.

The result is a trio unlike almost anything the NBA has seen in decades.

Whether the formula ultimately produces championships remains to be seen, but it unquestionably gives the Lakers a unique identity entering the season. That uniqueness is exactly what Stephen A. Smith was highlighting, and why his comments immediately became one of the league's biggest talking points.

Lakers at a Glance
- Austin Reaves reportedly agreed to a four-year, $185 million contract extension.
- Luka Doncic remains the centerpiece of the Lakers' championship plans.
- Walker Kessler gives Los Angeles an elite shot blocker and rebounder.
- Kessler averaged roughly 14 points and 10 rebounds while emerging as one of the NBA's top young interior defenders.
- The Lakers' new core has reignited a historical conversation about roster construction rarely seen in the modern NBA.
Stephen A. Smith: Talks Lakers Big 3 Being White
Boston Celtics (1980s into Early 1990s)

Long before the NBA became the global, star-driven league it is today, the Boston Celtics featured one of the most recognizable white cores in league history. Built around Hall of Famer Larry Bird, Boston paired elite talent with toughness, basketball IQ, and unselfish play to create one of the greatest dynasties the sport has ever seen.

The Celtics Caucasian Core
- Larry Bird (Hall of Fame forward)
- Kevin McHale (Hall of Fame forward)
- Danny Ainge (guard)
- Bill Walton (Hall of Fame center)
- Jerry Sichting (guard)
Bird was the face of the franchise, while McHale developed into arguably the greatest low-post scorer of his generation. Ainge provided outside shooting and toughness, Walton anchored one of the league's best benches during the 1986 championship season, and Sichting gave Boston valuable minutes in the backcourt.

Celtics at a Glance
- Won NBA championships in 1981, 1984, and 1986.
- Reached five NBA Finals during the 1980s.
- Larry Bird won three consecutive NBA MVP awards (1984–86), a feat accomplished by only a handful of players.
- Kevin McHale was a seven-time All-Star and six-time All-Defensive Team selection.
- The 1985–86 Celtics (67–15) are widely regarded as one of the greatest teams in NBA history.
The Celtics remain the benchmark when discussing prominent white NBA cores. While Stephen A. Smith's comments centered on today's Lakers, Boston's 1980s dynasty is the historical standard against which every similar roster is measured.
Stephen A. Smith: Talks Lakers Big 3 Being White
The Utah Jazz are probably the best modern comparison for what Stephen A. Smith was talking about because, for much of the 1990s, they had a predominantly white core that won consistently at the highest level.

From 1991 through 2003, Utah made the playoffs every season and reached back-to-back NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998.

The Caucasian Core Included
- John Stockton (Hall of Fame point guard)
- Jeff Hornacek (three-time All-Star)
- Greg Ostertag (starting center)
- Adam Keefe (key reserve)
- Howard Eisley (important backup guard)
The franchise revolved around Stockton and Hall of Fame power forward Karl Malone, but Hornacek became the third major piece after arriving in 1994. While Malone was the team's biggest star, the Jazz regularly featured three or four white players in prominent rotation roles.

Jazz at a Glance
- 20 consecutive winning seasons (1983–2003).
- Reached the NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998.
- John Stockton remains the NBA's all-time leader in both assists and steals.
- Jeff Hornacek was a three-time NBA All-Star and one of the league's elite shooters.
- Greg Ostertag started more than 500 games for Utah.
Stephen A.'s point is the Lakers' top three headliners of Doncic, Reaves, and now Kessler are all white, which is a much rarer construction in the modern NBA.

That's what makes his comments such an interesting historical discussion.
Stephen A. Smith: Talks Lakers Big 3 Being White
Stephen A. Smith Says the Quiet Part Out Loud

Sometimes the biggest sports stories aren't about statistics they're about observations everyone notices but few people are willing to say publicly.

During Wednesday's edition of his SiriusXM program, Stephen A. Smith delivered one of those moments while discussing the Los Angeles Lakers.

"Where the hell the Los Angeles Lakers think they gone with a bunch of white dudes?"

Los Angeles now has a big three of sorts led by Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and today’s addition of Walker Kessler via sign-and-trade with the Utah Jazz.

He didn't stop there.

"Somebody got to say it, so I'm saying it. Your three top players are white dudes."

And then came perhaps the quote that will fuel sports talk for days.

"Really, this ain't golf, this ain't baseball, hell, it ain't even soccer."

Smith doubled down by pointing to the NBA's history.

"This is basketball in NBA history. When have you seen your three most prominent players on a basketball team all be white?"

Whether you agree or disagree with Smith's opinion almost misses the point.

His comments open the door to an interesting historical conversation. In today's NBA, where the league has long been dominated by Black stars, it is genuinely uncommon to see a contender whose most recognizable players are predominantly white. That's not a criticism or praise it's simply an observation.

The question becomes: When was the last time we saw something similar? That's where NBA history gets interesting

Stephen A. Smith on Lakers: Your three top players are white dudes

The Caucasian Core Included

Jazz at a Glance

Stephen A. Smith Says the Quiet Part Out Loud

Stephen A. Smith Doubles Down

Lakers Push Their Chips to the Middle

Lakers at a Glance

The Celtics Caucasian Core

Celtics at a Glance

The Caucasian Core Included

Jazz at a Glance

Stephen A. Smith Says the Quiet Part Out Loud

BETTING NEWS

FUTURES

EDITOR'S PICKS

For the Best of SportsGrid, Grab the App

BETTING NEWS

FUTURES