Ahead of the NBA Cup semi-finals in Las Vegas, the TNT 'Inside the NBA' crew put on a shooting contest, where 2x NBA champion Kenny 'the Jet' Smith would face ESPN TV personality Stephen A. Smith in a free-throw challenge.
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Kenny thinks he's "too good" for this 👀
Which of the guys do you think should square off against @stephenasmith? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/wXvLFVQcge
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) December 11, 2024
Notably, Stephen A. has been training months for this moment, as he even hired world-renown shooting coach 'Lethal Shooter' to teach him how to shoot.
I understand it now https://t.co/8LHqKESl1k
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) December 14, 2024
Yet Kenny, who had a 82.9% career free-throw percentage during his 10-year NBA career, still seemed to underestimate him as he said he would shoot left handed for the competition to "make it fair."
Stephen A. Smith took down Kenny 'The Jet' Smith in a free throw competition 😂pic.twitter.com/fINB2h3XjK
— DraftKings (@DraftKings) December 14, 2024
Kenny ended up going 1-for-5, while Stephen A. went 3-for-5.
And then everyone thought it would be a good idea for Stephen A. to go head-to-head vs. Shaquille O'Neal in a three-point contest, where there was seemingly $20,000 on the line.
As NBA on TNT host Ernie Johnson said out loud, "it has to be better than the free-throw shooting contest," ...he may have spoken too soon.
Stephen A Smith vs Shaq in a 3 point contest shooting nothing but airballs 😂😂
— Mark Jackson’s Burner (@casualtakeking) December 14, 2024
After air-balling their first handful of long-range shots, Kenny Smith stopped the contest, and jokingly said, "Wait, wait... I'll give $10,000 to your charity if you hit the rim."
Following this, Stephen A. Smith threw up yet another air ball and Shaq also did the same.
Fans couldn't believe how they could air ball every single one of their shots.
One user on X wrote, "Air ball shooting contest! C'mon Stephen A. Smith! To be fair, Shaq is in dress clothes — and, well, he is Shaq."
Right after Ernie said, "This could go on all day, and it probably will," Stephen A. decided to clutch up and finally sink a shot.
However, it may not save him from being a part of arguably the worst three-point contest in basketball history.
