This business — sports media — is about attracting attention. Whether it’s as a writer, podcaster, television personality, or all of the above, grabbing viewers/readers/etc. is key to surviving.
Stephen A. Smith is surviving all right — he’s a glutton for hot takes. To be honest, he’s the absolute best at it and his funniest bits give me bit of a soft spot for his antics. But for every “Kwame Brown?” or “Stay off the weeeeeeeeed!” moment, there are 100s of takes like this:
"Kevin Durant, I'm sad for you bro. … You have no help.