Memphis Grizzlies fans accept, shame ESPN's Stephen A Smith apology for sleeping on success
The Memphis Grizzlies' 10-game winning streak has them gaining more fans and respect around the NBA and from national media.
ESPN's Stephen A. Smith paid his respects last night on Twitter with an apology. After the Grizzlies defeated the Warriors 116-108 Tuesday, he praised the team and chastised himself not seeing them sooner
My apologies to the @memgrizz. I have slept on these brothers. I know @JaMorant is special, but I love their size, athleticism, depth and perimeter shooting. This team is a legitimate threat in the West. They have my attention.
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) January 12, 2022
"My apologies to the @memgrizz. I have slept on these brothers but I love their size, athleticism, depth and perimeter shooting. This team is a legitimate threat in the West. They have my attention," Smith tweeted.
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Most Grizzlies (29-14) fans didn't accept his apology but some did. Twitter was still ablaze Wednesday with fans chiming in with either thanks or annoyance that Smith finally came around after 43 games.
The story of small markets. 💪🏾 https://t.co/lQd4RytYVP
— DGriff (@survivalmanna) January 12, 2022
#GrindCity is rolling! @JaMorant #NBAAllStar https://t.co/qgBhCasPRN
— JJ LaPlante (@JJLaPlanteeee) January 12, 2022
Never underestimate Memphis #GrindCity https://t.co/bcULQ0RJkf
— Sarah V. Smith (@ssvirginia) January 12, 2022
Bout time, y’all better wake up these boys legit https://t.co/RAuk6PxHKt
— D’Marcus 🀄️ (@dj1__) January 12, 2022
Don’t apologize nowww 🤣🤣🤣 been sleeping for years
— Coach Townsend (@TownsendDarius) January 12, 2022
Either way, more are taking notice. The Grizzlies are in fourth place in the Western Conference. They've won 20 of their last 24 games and are the only team that's beaten the Golden State Warriors twice this season.
Ja Morant, who was named Western Conference Player of the Week in consecutive weeks, was third in the first returns of NBA All-Star fan voting. That total will rise this Thursday for the second round of voting.
The Grizzlies also head into a weekend where Friday's game with the Dallas Mavericks is on ESPN (9 p.m.) and Monday's game with the Chicago Bulls (2:30 p.m.) is on TNT as the annual Martin Luther King Jr. holiday game. Maybe after that, more fans and commentators will come around.
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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: ESPN's Stephen A. Smith apologizes for sleeping on Grizzlies success
