NBA fans share their thoughts on the idea of ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith becoming a DLC player for the sports game NBA 2K26.
Over at X, NBA fans reacted to an ad featuring Stephen A. Smith and Karl-Anthony Towns for the game NBA 2K26.
“Where’s Stephen A. Smith Legacy Edition? I want to buy that!” the fan said.
From First Take to first option 😤@stephenasmith can do it all 🏀 pic.twitter.com/3tVz3v5as1
— NBA 2K (@NBA2K) November 11, 2025
Another fan, however, was more concerned about game bugs than a potential Stephen A. Smith DLC.
“Can we just get simple bug fixes that crash the game?” they said. “Or even fix the gameplay so there is no lag when cross-platforms play against each other?”
The New York Knicks released a 30-second comedy spot for NBA 2K26 that pairs ESPN pundit Stephen A. Smith with center Karl-Anthony Towns, using Smith’s larger-than-life persona for the punchline. The ad blended in-game footage with staged banter as Smith hypes an unnamed “game changer” before revealing in a deadpan manner, that he’s talking about himself.
Karl-Anthony Towns played the straight man to Smith’s bombast, reacting with genuine enthusiasm that shifts to bewilderment when Smith delivers the final line, a contrast that drives the spot’s comedy and timing.
However, despite what looked to be in-game footage, the game developers did not confirm whether Smith would be a playable character wearing a New York Knicks uniform, or if the footage shown was only made for the ad and not meant to be perceived as a new in-game feature or content.
Stephen A. Smith, meanwhile, has never played for the NBA. He had a short stint playing college basketball, but injuries cut his budding career short, and he eventually transitioned to sports journalism and reporting instead.
NBA Fans React to Stephen A. Smith Becoming an NBA 2K26 Player
Over at X, fans discussed the idea of ESPN analyst and sports commentator Stephen A. Smith becoming a fully playable player in the video game NBA 2K26. For some, the idea of Smith making it to the game is something that is hard to grasp.
“They really added Stephen A. Smith, lml,” one fan said.
They really added Stephen A Smith lml
— E (@Enieves1322) November 11, 2025
Some, however, are all-in on the idea of Smith becoming a playable character in the game.
One fan said: “That’s it, I’m SO buying this now. Ya’ll are looking like the old 2K from 1999, and I’m here for it.”
Despite a few good reactions, NBA fans are on the edge about whether they want a Stephen A. Smith playable DLC or not, something that has never happened in the game franchise’s history so far.
For more basketball content, click on Hardwood Heroics. Sabel Reyes can be reached through sabelreyes22@gmail.com. Other websites under the Sports Heroics umbrella are Gridiron Heroics and Wisconsin Heroics.
Sabel has been working as a field reporter for People’s Television Network (PTV), mainly about the Philippine Basketball Association since 2016 and has been elevated to Executive Producer for sports in 2022. Aside from being on top of the Philippine sports scene, she is also a running enthusiast. You can also follow her on X at @SabelReyes2 and Instagram at @msabelreyes.
