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This week, Matt Barnes called out NFL analyst Emmanuel Acho for praising Shedeur Sanders’ recent performance after lambasting the Cleveland Browns rookie just weeks prior. According to Barnes, Acho is among members of the media who are “trying to jump the bandwagon” after Sanders performed well against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
This led Acho, a former linebacker for the Browns, to deliver a scathing response to Barnes. Among other things, Acho called out Barnes’ credibility as an analyst. In the process, Barnes’ “All the Smoke” partner Stephen Jackson was dragged into the fray.
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“You’re a fan. I’m an analyst. There’s a large delta between you and I,” Acho said on his “Speakeasy” show. “Matt and Stak, they do this often. They tether themselves to polarizing black issues…they need that to leverage their brand.”
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Barnes would fire back on Instagram, claiming that the fans who typically follow Acho do not put much stock into the “Speakeasy” host’s comments on Sanders.
“So this is it??? @emmanuelacho @speakeasytlkshow tell me there’s more?” Barnes commented. “your own fans don’t even believe the b***s*** you saying right now.. Read the room & your comment section”
Barnes went on to address the edge that Acho supposedly holds in terms of credibility as an analyst.
“You played 3yrs in the nfl 2012-2015 & became & analyst 2016. I retired from the nba in 2017 after a 15yr career & went right into an analyst roll,” Barnes added. “So you got 1yr on me. I woulda got here sooner but I was busy playing!”
This verbal exchange on social media appears to be far from settled, and all it takes is one remarkable Sanders performance for these two to go at it again.
“He’s one of the nicest, coolest guys”: Matt Barnes defends 4x NBA champion from disrespect
For his part, Barnes is as generous with praise as he is vicious when pushed to the limit.
In a recent edition of “All the Smoke,” Barnes decided to speak up on behalf of Klay Thompson, whom he played with in the twilight of his NBA career.
“Klay Thompson disrespect around the NBA has crossed the line. He’s one of the coolest, nicest guy that doesn’t bother anyone. Klay has Megan now and obviously people are gonna hate on that,” Barnes said.
Barnes played alongside Thompson, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant when the Golden State Warriors won the NBA title in 2017.
Edited by Simoun Victor Redoblado
