Nick Wright issues harsh reality check for Stephen A. Smith after Jaylen Brown threat

Stephen A. Smith is at the top of the sports talking head food chain. He has become the face of ESPN. However, from that perch, he has participated in his share of petty squabbles with athletes ranging from LeBron James to Kevin Durant and now, Jaylen Brown. Criticism from those you're critiquing is unavoidable. These back-and-forths involved Smith threatening those who challenged him.

On a recent episode of First Take, he did so again, utilizing the A block at the start of the show to escalate his recent feud with the Boston Celtics' star wing.

"Jaylen Brown, be careful what you wish for," declared Smith. "You really want me to start reporting on that level? You understand? Locker room? How the organization might think about you? How the city may feel about you? How Jayson Tatum may or may not feel about you? Sneaker deals? Endorsement deals? The list goes on and on. The season is over, bro. You on Twitch trying to do what I do and talking about me needing to step away. It makes no sense."

He comes off poorly when resorting to that tactic. In this case, what makes him look even worse is how easy it is to poke holes in these threats. For example, Brown has built an unbreakable bond with the city he stars in. He spent the majority of the last offseason making his presence felt throughout Boston.

In April, he earned a spot among the top 10 in this year's edition of Boston Magazine's Most Influential Bostonians. Through The 7uice Foundation, The Bridge Program, and Boston XChange, his work in the community has attacked the city's wealth gap and supported underinvested entrepreneurs and creators.

He has provided young minds with resources they otherwise might not have access to. It's helped to build brighter futures for these individuals and their families. Not that this inoculates him from having detractors, but for his impact on and off the court, the city loves him.

Threatening an athlete you cover because he got under your skin is outlandish and an irresponsible use of his platform. Loading that declaration with empty calories is immature and a bad look.

Nick Wright takes aim at Stephen A. Smith

On the heels of Smith's threat towards Brown, Nick Wright responded to the comments from the First Take host.

"Talking to these guys like you're a mob boss and they better watch what they say, there's harm in it," said Wright while checking Smith on a recent edition of "What's Wright? With Nick Wright."

When the most widely seen and heard from sports talking head is acting like this, it reflects poorly on everyone else in that line of work. It's a stain on their jersey -- perhaps microphone would be the better choice of words there -- that they didn't earn.

Wright also labeled Smith's seeming belief that his popularity and intrigue are on par with those of the athletes he covers as "delusional." As the former did while addressing this pettiest of petty wars, all one has to do is look at Smith's record-breaking $100 million salary in his role compared to Brown's $304 million contract.

"The audience appreciates us as side attractions to the big tent they came for. We are the ring toss and the dunk tank at the circus. But we're not the lions jumping through flaming hoops. We are added benefit to the main event," said Wright.

"And if anybody ever gets it a little twisted that, 'No, actually, I'm the main event,' in my experience, the audience … are going to see this and be like, 'Wait, what are you saying, bro? Are you telling this superstar athlete to stay in his lane? Are you a late-50s, early-60-year-old man getting in a war of words with a 29-year-old? Is that's what's happening?' And it makes all of us look bad. And also, here's the other thing. You're the only guy who does it."

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