4 years after Stephen A. Smith admitted wanting Max Kellerman removed, ex-ESPN analyst doesn't hold back on infamous exit

Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman worked together as debate partners on ESPN's "First Take" from 2016 to 2021, before the latter was unceremoniously removed from the network. In August 2021, Smith said that he had tried to get Kellerman off the show for the past three years so the show could run solely around himself.

Now, more than four years after Smith's comments on his former First Take host, Kellerman has hit back at the ESPN analyst.

“Stephen A. has no hot takes,” Kellerman said on "The Bill Simmons" podcast last week. “Stephen A., almost never, I can’t think of any counter-intuitive conclusions he ever reaches. That’s not his job on the air; his job is to be the big reactor to a counter-intuitive conclusion, a reactor. He’s there to hear the crazy conclusion that his partner has come to and actually be the everyman with a loud voice, like ‘You are crazy!'”

“Stephen A.’s opinion will not diverge into counter-intuitive, almost ever. So his big take will be, but he’ll deliver it theatrically, is, ‘Steph Curry is the greatest shooter that God' … who does not know this.”

Stephen A. Smith joined ESPN in 2003. He has been part of the network's "First Take" show since April 2012.

By his own admission, Smith told ESPN's executives in the summer of 2019, 2020, and 2021 that he did not want Kellerman to return to the show.

Smith eventually got what he wanted on the third time of asking.

Stephen A. Smith calls for Pittsburgh Steelers to part ways with HC Mike Tomlin

NFL: ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith - Source: Imagn

On ESPN's "First Take" last week, Stephen A. Smith advised the Pittsburgh Steelers to part ways with Mike Tomlin as their coach, amid the team's struggles this season. The Steelers are currently tied for the top spot in the AFC North with the Baltimore Ravens, both of whom have a 6-6 record.

"It's time, it's over," Smith said. "I know that's a bit shocking for most people to hear, especially coming from me, a Steelers fan, who loves me some Mike Tomlin. I have loved and admired him for years. I am in no way implying that this man is not a head coach, is not a quality head coach, (or) not a Hall of Fame head coach.

"I'm not trying to imply that at all. I am quite sure that the minute he is gone from Pittsburgh, there will be at least 20 teams that will want him, and deservedly so. This is about Pittsburgh."

Tomlin has been coaching the Steelers since the 2007 season. He won the Super Bowl with them in 2009.

Tomlin has never posted a losing season at Pittsburgh. However, the Steelers have not won a playoff game since the 2016 season.