Stephen A. Smith slams ‘nonsense’ decision to eject NBA star Nikola Jokic and says there’s ‘no regard for the fans’

Stephen A Smith expressed his dissatisfaction with the NBA officiating.

ESPN star personality Stephen A Smith sounded off on the referee’s decision to throw out the NBA’s reigning finals MVP in his game Tuesday night.

The 55-year-old expressed in a passionate rant on Wednesday’s edition of First Take and blasted the decision to eject Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic.

Stephen A. Smith called out the NBA officials on First Take on Wednesday Credit: ESPN

Stephen A slammed the NBA decision to eject Jokic Credit: ESPN

He was joined by host Molly Qerim, guest Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo, and Brian Windhorst to discuss the Nuggets 114-106 loss to the Chicago Bulls.

Molly kicked off the segment, asking the panel their thoughts on the ejection and whether it was “too much.”

Stephen A. went into detail on the popular ESPN show after and criticized NBA officials for tossing Jokic that fast, called it a “travesty,” and believes the referees need to understand that fans didn’t come to see them.

“Absolutely, it was too much. That is a travesty.

“Listen, I was at the in-season tournament in Las Vegas, and I was walking in the hallway with a couple of officials.

“I’m like, look, y’all gotta stop this. We ain’t coming to see y’all,” Stephen A stated.

He continued to describe how Jokic pointed out in his post-game interview how he hears foul language used by some players, and it’s not a foul, which Stephen A believes is an issue.

“I know, and Windy [Windhorst] knows that man is telling the truth.

“There are a lot of brothas in the league that use the language that he used. It’s a tech, not an automatic ejection,” Stephen A. said.

Smith finished his rant by condemning the decision to toss Jokic on Serbian Heritage night when a lot of NBA fans wanted to see him in Chicago.

“Here’s where I’m rilled up. The NBA has become an iconic global brand. The Serbian population in Chicago, from what I’m told, is pretty thick.

“It’s not an accident he’s there on that particular night when they’re celebrating Serbian heritage. You think the NBA didn’t arrange for the Denver Nuggets to be in town?

“To eject him over that. What about the audience in attendance…

“You can not have this kind of nonsense taking place,” Stephen A. expressed.

Jokic was ejected from the Nuggets 114-106 loss to the Bulls on Tuesday Credit: Getty