Stephen A. Smith has Malika Andrews’s back.
The ESPN star recently defended the “NBA Today” host, who faced backlash when she brought up former Alabama forward Brandon Miller during the 2023 NBA Draft and him being described as a “cooperating witness” in the shooting death of 23-year-old Jamea Jonae Harris on Jan. 15, in Tuscaloosa.
Andrews, who became the first woman ever to host the NBA Draft in June, asked NBA front office insider Bobby Marks how that off-court situation played a factor in how teams evaluated Miller — before he was selected by the Hornets with the No. 2 overall pick in the draft.
“She was getting crucified leading into the [2023 NBA] Draft because she’s asking Brandon Miller a question or bringing up somebody’s past,” Smith said during an appearance on “Podcast P with Paul George” on Monday.
“She had an obligation to ask those questions. She did her job. If she doesn’t do her job, she’s off the air.”
Smith was discussing the relationship between athletes and journalists when he hashed up the situation with Andrews — as well as the heated moment he shared with her while discussing Ime Udoka’s suspension on “First Take” in September 2022.
Andrews has not yet addressed the NBA Draft matter or Smith’s recent comments.
Miller, who represented Charlotte in the NBA2k 2023 NBA Summer League, was associated with the capital murder case of his former teammate, ex-Alabama forward Darius Miles and another man, Michael Lynn Davis, who were charged in the fatal shooting of Harris in January.
A police investigator in February claimed that Miles texted Miller, asking him to bring Miles’ gun in the early morning hours of the shooting.
Miller has not been accused of wrongdoing or charged with a crime.
Smith and Andrews appear to be just fine with each other after their heated on-air exchange.
Additionally, Smith’s latest defense of rising ESPN host signals that it’s water under the bridge.
As for Miller, Charlotte is expecting big things out of the 6-foot-9 rookie forward, who led the Crimson Tide to the No. 1 seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
The Hornets open the 2023-24 regular season on Wednesday, Oct. 25, when they host the Hawks at Spectrum Center.
Miller and the Hornets will face the No. 1 overall pick, Victor Wembanyama, and the San Antonio Spurs on Jan. 12.
