The Golden State Warriors defeated the Boston Celtics last week to win the NBA championship.
Stephen Curry was incredible from start to finish in the series, ultimately claiming his first ever career Finals MVP along the way.
One person who wasn’t impressed with his efforts? Fox Sports broadcaster Skip Bayless.
In a rant on Undisputed, Bayless went after Curry’s skin color while criticizing his play.
Skip bayless wildlin 😭
Shannon:”what did you not see this series ?”
Skip:”Steph curry was so lightskin in the finals I couldn’t see him anymore because he into a ghost” pic.twitter.com/WzFT1bMb7x
— Shannon Sharpe Burner Account (@shannonsharpeee) June 17, 2022
“I don’t care what Twitter says, I don’t care what anyone says, I just know what I did and did not see from little light-skinned Steph,” he said.
“There have been too many times when he got so light-skinned in the Finals I couldn’t see him any more, because he turned into a ghost. He just went ‘Poof!’ right before your very eyes.”
Yikes. Understandably, folks on social media had some strong reactions to Bayless’ commentary:
A white man making lightskin jokes is allowed now? Skip a clown but we gotta draw the line some where. He movin like he Pac pic.twitter.com/RNALHNB1fl
— Beke (@BK9419) June 17, 2022
Everyone is making jokes about how “wild” @RealSkipBayless was for calling @StephenCurry30 “light skin.”
No matter what apology he delivers Monday I, and hopefully others, will no longer be watching @undisputed
— Kristofer Stubbs, Ed.D. (@doctor_stubbs) June 17, 2022
Yo, I don’t like Skip calling Steph “light skin”…..
— Bone (@SkiKnowsBest) June 17, 2022
I’m sorry I thought we was supposed to be talking sports not skin tones ! Baffled that this man runs his mouth the way he do! Obvi No cat wants that tongue! Maybe he’d be less bitter🤷🏾♀️ https://t.co/jAiQrcxIha
— BindiBerrri (@BindiBerri90) June 19, 2022
The sad thing is @ShannonSharpe cornball ass thinks it’s funny. These Steppin Fetchin handkerchief negros on TV will do and agree with anything for a check from Massa. He is like yes suh Massa @RealSkipBayless. Grinning like a fucking slave. https://t.co/rk2nufebsj
— George (@Georgedrkman) June 18, 2022
This is some racist bullshit, @RealSkipBayless! Apologize and be better than this. https://t.co/Z3Xbh5BBeJ
— Dustin (@DustyH0907) June 18, 2022
Bayless is obviously no stranger to stirring up drama involving athletes (or their wives, for that matter). But there is a line, and some believe he may have crossed it here.
It’s also hard not to wonder if certain celebrity friends haven’t emboldened Bayless to the point where he feels he can speak some type of way about people of color.
Ayesha knows how to celebrate. https://t.co/i7tezKVDVN
— Game 7 (@game7__) June 19, 2022
Either way, this feels like something Bayless will need to address next week.
Will he end up doing so?
Time will tell.
Related: Real Reason Anthony Davis Hasn’t Been Practicing This Offseason
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
