Stephen A. Smith does not believe Allen Iverson was drunk when he spoke about “practice” 22 times during a press conference in 2002.
During ESPN’s First Take and The Stephen A. Smith Show on Friday, the host refuted the claims of writer Kent Babb. Babb, in his new book about Iverson, suggested the retired NBA star was intoxicated for that press conference.
In the above segment, Smith said Iverson behaved the way he did because he was upset by the possibility of being traded by the Philadelphia 76ers:
“There are claims that Allen Iverson was drunk during that whole rant about practice … I spoke to Allen Iverson this morning for 45 minutes … and more importantly, I’ve known him for 19 years … Allen Iverson was not drunk during the press conference … Allen Iverson was disturbed because the Philadelphia 76ers were talking about trading him … You think I’m lying?