SportsWEIRD NEWS
Blake Griffin calls Stephen A. Smith's Pokémon takes a gimmick
Griffin's criticism came after Smith made several off-the-wall claims about Pokémon, Dragon Ball Z and SpongeBob, which Yahoo Sports reported in detail; Smith has not yet responded.
On air: Kenji Moonfield and Gloria Vance on BBN After HoursPublished
At a glance
- First reported by Yahoo Sports: “"It's a gimmick" - Blake Griffin blasts Stephen A.Smith for his bizarre takes about Pokémon, Dragon Ball Z and SpongeBob”, with reporting from Basketball Network.
- Covered on BBN on Monday, October 26, 2026, at 4:51 AM ET on BBN After Hours, by Kenji Moonfield and Gloria Vance.
- Topics: Pokémon.
- BBN covered this story before: Pokémon throws an EDM concert for its 30th anniversary (October 25).
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
- Yahoo Sports"It's a gimmick" - Blake Griffin blasts Stephen A.Smith for his bizarre takes about Pokémon, Dragon Ball Z and SpongeBob
- Basketball NetworkBlake Griffin blasts Stephen A.Smith for his bizarre takes about Pokémon, Dragon Ball Z and SpongeBob - Basketball Network October 25, 2025 · facts used on air
What BBN said about it
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorBlake Griffin says Stephen A.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorSmith's takes are a gimmick, after Smith picked Goku over Vegeta in a one-on-one basketball game, reportedly because he liked the sound of the name.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentGriffin says drop him on Mars and within fifteen minutes he's attacking the Discovery Rover for poor lateral mobility.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorA ruling on audio alone. I've seen tribunals with thinner reasoning, but not many.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentMars is the safest place for it. The rover can't reply.
The story so far
- Omar feud, stolen card haul, midterm clips and Hurts · The Verge
- Pokémon Company plans first permanent store outside Asia · SoraNews24
- Thieves steal nearly $1 million in graded cards from FedEx truck · Fortune
- Retired decorator's Pokémon cards sell for £1.5m · BBC
- Pokémon throws an EDM concert for its 30th anniversary · Variety
- Blake Griffin calls Stephen A. Smith's Pokémon takes a gimmick (this story)
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Monday, October 26, 2026 · the Sports archive · all months
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