Celtics guard Jaylen Brown challenges ESPN’s Stephen A Smith to Harvard or MIT debate

Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown challenged ESPN head Stephen A. Smith to a live interview. Yes, this is a real article in 2026.

At first, the argument between Brown and Smith was very funny. The two have been fighting each other on various social media platforms, including television, iX (formerly known as Twitter) and Twitch.

It turned out to be a bit of a hoax, given Smith’s tendency to get into beefs with famous NBA players. Arguments often feel effective, but they seem to draw public attention to Smith. He has clashed with LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Russell Westbrook and Draymond Green.

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This one started because Smith appeared on ESPN’s “First Take” and criticized Brown for calling the 2025-26 season his “favorite” even though the Celtics lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Philadelphia 76ers. Not only did they lose, but the second-placed Celtics won the series 3-1 against the seventh-placed 76ers.

Brown shot, Smith shot, Brown shot, Smith shot, and on and on.

For those who thought it was over, you are very wrong. Brown decided to throw in one last challenge. In a recent Twitch stream, Brown brought up his feud with Smith, too.

“Listen, I’m not focused on Stephen A.,” Brown said, according to Celtics Wire. “I’m really focused on the industry he represents. Obviously I have my conflicts with Stephen A, but I also have my conflicts with the industry itself. Stephen A. is the face of the industry and his determination to serve his people at the top is a great cause for concern, and it causes frustration, but it’s not really about him.”

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown dunks the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the NBA playoffs. (Photos by Bill Streicher/Imagn)

Afterwards, Brown challenged Smith to a live interview.

“Why don’t we have a live audience debate, the traditional media versus us runners? And let’s do a live debate in front of a live broadcast audience at a place like Harvard or MIT and let’s talk about it. Let’s see who comes out on top. It should be easy. It should be a piece of cake,” Brown added with a sneer.

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Brown even had suggestions for where the debate could be held.

“Traditional traditional media vs. athlete. Let’s stop it. Harvard, MIT, live and see who comes out on top. You know where to find me. We know where to contact my team. Let’s set up a live debate in a collective place and talk about it. Traditional vs. nontraditional. Middle-class media vs. the top jock’s,” Brown concluded.

Stephen A. Smith is no stranger to public spats with NBA stars. (Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)

Honestly, with the current state of top universities like MIT and Harvard, the debate between NBA star and NBA analyst seems perfect.

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But what exactly would these two argue about? That part was not specified.

And that’s probably the funniest aspect of the whole thing. When I was growing up, people argued with each other. Having a problem with someone? OK, fix “outside.” Interestingly, challenging someone seems to be more common in these social conflicts than physical altercations.

Maybe that means society is improving and people are using their words instead of fists. As for this actual debate between Smith and Brown, it probably won’t happen.

But if it happens, yes, I will watch it. So will you.