How do you face the fans after a disaster? Do you want to know? Well, ask Mat Ishbia. The Phoenix Suns owner met the media on Tuesday and did not mince words. He had to make the press conference happen and take accountability for the 36-46 record, blunder of a season, and everything that unfolded. However, one thing that he very particularly couldn’t leave behind was his protective nature for players like Kevin Durant and the team in general.

Do you remember that one time KD called out Stephen A. Smith? “Clown,” he said without batting his eyelids. Mat Ishbia shares the Slim Reaper’s emotions. Although the boss didn’t use single words to aim at the ESPN veteran, he didn’t hold back either.

Smith has been blatant about his feelings towards the Phoenix Suns and Kevin Durant this season. The worst team owner in the history of the sport—isn’t that what he keeps saying in his angry rants? So, now this ‘worst’ owner spoke up. Mat Ishbia clearly stated: “Yeah, so Stephen A. Smith, I don’t take much he says seriously. I don’t think many people do, to be honest with you. The things he said about Kevin Durant, just wrong and disrespectful. The things he said about LeBron James were just disrespectful and inappropriate.”

He added, “With that being said, I don’t think Stephen A. believes that. What he said, I think he’s doing his thing. He’s on the mic, and he’s doing what he’s doing. And I think he’ll apologize to me, because I think it’s disrespectful to put my name in a line with anybody who was kicked out of the league, or no longer part of the league.”

Just so you know, only on the rarest occasions have we seen SAS apologize for his words. Therefore, Mat Ishbia‘s hopes to receive an apology are a question for the future. Moreover, Ishbia further broke down his stance against Stephen A.’s words and put forth a different perspective.

Mat Ishbia presents a different outlook for Stephen A. Smith while taking a jab

Stephen A. remarked that since the two and a half years Ishbia purchased the franchise, they couldn’t win a championship. Seems fair. But then, hasn’t the veteran analyst said the same thing about almost all the franchises? “But yeah, we had high expectations, and we didn’t win. We spent a lot of money, and we didn’t win. Yep, yep, be critical of me on that,” Mat Ishbia admitted. At the same time, he explained what it means to be a good owner.

The Phoenix Suns boss specified: “My job, I’m definitely not shooting. You don’t want to see me shoot, or play, or coach. What am I supposed to do? And my job is to provide resources so that when my GM, my front office, my coach wants something, wants a player, I say yes. I don’t focus on profitability, I focus on winning. I focus on the community, I focus on the fan experience.”

Mat Ishbia defends his ownership with actions, not words. From slashing concession prices to investing $100M in Mercury’s facility, he’s focused on impact. Moreover, he made all Suns games free on TV, hosted both NBA and WNBA All-Star Games, and gave millions to the community. Still, he admits—winning matters too. Yet, being compared to others? He calls it disrespectful and moves on.

So, call him bold, call him delusional—but Mat Ishbia won’t flinch. While Stephen A. Smith throws jabs and labels him the “worst,” he shrugs it off with a smirk. He’s not chasing clout, he’s chasing legacy. And if that apology ever comes, don’t expect him to clap.

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