“Donovan Mitchell is the GOAT Jazz player while Devin Booker is the next Kobe Bryant”: Stephen A. Smith’s following statements prove to be a jinx in the 2021 NBA Playoffs

ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith’s statements on Devin Booker and Donovan Mitchell jinx their current playoffs run.

Television personality and First Take analyst Stephen A. Smith is often known to make the headlines with his bold statements. Smith has often been trolled on social media for his loud and pompous nature as well.

Earlier this month when the Jazz had a 2-0 lead over the LA Clippers. Smith was quoted saying how he believed Donovan Mitchell was the best player in the history of the Jazz franchise.

Many people felt that Smith’s above statements were ignorant and irresponsible. Though there was no denying that Donovan Mitchell was a generational talent but putting him ahead of Hall of Famers Karl Malone and John Stockton seemed reckless.

Malone and Stockton took Jazz to their only two NBA final appearances in franchise history. Malone was a 2x NBA MVP with the Utah Jazz as well.

Earlier this week, Smith had no qualms about declaring Devin Booker the next Kobe Bryant, especially after his Game one performance in WCF against the LA Clippers. Booker had a 40-point triple-double that night.

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Though, Booker does emulate the Mamba mentality and has some similarities with the late Kobe Bryant when it comes to their style of play. Smith’s statements seemed unwise as it is too early to come to such a conclusion.

Donovan Mitchell’s and Devin Booker’s dry run post-Stephen A. Smith’s statements

Spida Mitchell, who had a 2-0 lead, was seen losing the next 4 consecutive games to the LA Clippers. That lead to a second-round ouster from the 2021 NBA Playoffs. This came as a shock since the Jazz were considered the favorites to win the series.

The Clippers were playing Game six without their best player Kawhi Leonard, who was out due to a knee injury. Despite this, the Clippers were able to beat the No.1 seed Utah Jazz in six games.

Mitchell was clearly seen lamenting the loss as he had no words to explain what exactly happened.

“It hasn’t fully sunk in for me yet. I’m still in shock. … I don’t know what I’m going to be doing next week, Probably watching the games, mad as hell. This hurts more than last year. This is gonna eat at me for a long time.”

However, the Phoenix Suns, who were on a 9 game-winning streak recently lost to the LA Clippers in  Game 3 of the WCF. Thus ending their streak.

Booker, who had a 40-point triple-double in Game one of the WCF, seems to have hit a slump lately if his Game two and three performances are to go by.

The Phoenix star had 20-points in Game two as he shot a dismal 31.3% from the field and 33.3% from the 3-point line, he also had 8 turnovers by the end of the night.

Booker’s performance further dipped in Game three, where he had 15-points on a 23.8% shooting from the field and 14.3% from the 3-point line.

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Smith’s statements on the above stars in question have clearly cast an evil eye on them. That has seen them struggle in the playoffs recently, with Mitchell even being eliminated from the playoffs.

There is no denying that these young guns possess generational talent but comparing them to the legends, who have a full body of work and legacy behind them this early may seem slightly irresponsible.