‘Mad Dog’ Russo Torches ESPN for Having Cameras on Stephen A. Smith Arriving at NBA Finals: ‘Dumbest Thing I’ve Ever Seen’

Chris “Mad Dog” Russo called out Stephen A. Smith for the way ESPN filmed him walking into arenas during the NBA Finals as if he were a player.

Smith was present for the NBA Finals as part of ESPN’s coverage of the championship, and the network made the bizarre decision to include him in the pre-game montages that show players arriving at the arena.

In fact, ESPN’s been doing it since at least the second round of the playoffs.

During his weekly segment “What Are You Mad About” on Wednesday’s episode of First Take, Russo finally let Smith know how he felt about it.

“This is ridiculous,” Russo said. “He thinks he’s playing. How about him walking into Game 4 with the Celtics on Sunday night in Dallas. Steve, this is stupid. You got a guy behind you. You got the cameras. What do you think, you’re gonna score 36 this night with the sunglasses on? I mean, this is the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen in my life! How about going to the ballgame with a t-shirt on and a pair of shorts, sitting in the upper deck and having a beer with the fellas? Why are doing this? Look at this! This is laughable! We know you’re a star, Steve. OK? We know you’re a star. You don’t gotta show off!

”

First Take host Molly Qerim joked that Smith walked into the arena with “irrational confidence” as if he were LeBron James.

Smith defended the shot of him walking into the arena by explaining how it’s not even his choice.

“I don’t ask for this,” Smith told his colleagues. “I roll up out of my car. I walk into the arena like I always do. I didn’t ask them to have a camera following me to show the walk!”

Despite not asking for the coverage, Smith still used the opportunity to pat himself on the back for his appearance.

“When you’re gonna roll up in an arena — to the fellas out there, the players — that’s how you need to look,” he said. “Take notes.”

Watch above via ESPN.