Steve Nash's Offense Under Scrutiny: Kenny Smith Reveals Impact of Criticism

In October 2012, the LA Lakers started the season 1-4 with a roster built around Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Dwight Howard, and Pau Gasol. Inside the NBA spent that week criticizing the offense head coach Mike Brown was running, and within days, Brown was gone.

Kenny Smith, speaking on the MaXed Out podcast with Vernon Maxwell, recalled the moment he and Charles Barkley realized their TV takes could spill into the real NBA world. Smith said, "We had a day where I said one thing on the show, and Charles backed it up, and the coach got fired the next day."

At the start of the 2012-13 season, Smith and Barkley openly questioned Mike Brown's offense on Inside the NBA. Brown later defended himself publicly, citing Steve Nash's ability to play pick and roll and his feelings of being "as fresh as he's ever felt in his career" due to the offense.

Inside the NBA won 19 Sports Emmy Awards during its run on TNT, and it has consistently ranked among the best sports analysis shows on American television since the early 2000s. Smith and Barkley have kept the standard of sharp analysis while avoiding calls for coaches to lose their jobs since that night in the back of the set.

The idea that two analysts on a postgame show could contribute to the timing of a coaching decision isn't as far-fetched as it might sound, especially in a league where narrative shapes perception quickly. Smith and Barkley have tackled the same players, coaching decisions, and debates fans expect from them, but they have kept the line between analysis and calling for someone's dismissal in place.

Smith joined Inside the NBA full-time in 1998, with Barkley following in 2000. By the early 2010s, the show had spent over a decade gaining popularity, such that its opinions had consequences in front offices.

Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley continue to provide sharp analysis on Inside the NBA, now on ESPN. They have settled into a reduced broadcast schedule, which Barkley publicly criticized. However, they remain committed to their standard of analysis, avoiding calls for coaches to lose their jobs.

The lesson Smith learned from the Mike Brown incident still matters today. The influence of their platform is undeniable, and they have chosen to wield it responsibly. As the NBA continues to evolve, the impact of Inside the NBA's analysis will remain a significant factor in shaping the narrative around the league.

Smith's comment on the MaXed Out podcast serves as a reminder of the power of media in sports. The line between analysis and advocacy is thin, and Smith and Barkley have chosen to prioritize responsible commentary. As the NBA moves forward, their approach will continue to shape the way we discuss the game.