Stephen A. Smith’s strong response to Max Kellerman’s reason for leaving First Take

Stephen A. Smith did not hold back when he addressed Max Kellerman’s recent explanation about their First Take split. Kellerman discussed the topic during a conversation with Bill Simmons, which prompted Smith to examine the comments and react in detail on his Straight Shooter show.

Smith said he first laughed for “the last 36 hours” after hearing Kellerman touch on his work habits and his desire to operate as a “solo act,” Complex reports. He admitted he asked his researchers to confirm the comments, then took a more serious tone once he processed everything. Calling Kellerman his former “sparring partner,” Smith laid out what actually happened.

He praised Kellerman as “extraordinary” with boxing and called him “phenomenal” with fight analysis. Smith then shifted the focus to First