Joe and Jada Podcast

Episode: Stephen A. Smith DEBATES LeBron's NBA future, Trump & Mamdani, ESPN contract
Date: November 25, 2025
Hosts: Fat Joe & Jadakiss
Featured Guest: Stephen A. Smith (ESPN/First Take)

EPISODE OVERVIEW

In this lively episode, hip-hop icons Fat Joe and Jadakiss sit down with sports journalism powerhouse Stephen A. Smith. The trio dives deep into heated debates about LeBron James' NBA trajectory, the Knicks' postseason hopes, New York politics, CTE in sports, Chetrit Mamdani's socialist mayoral run, the Trump-Biden dynamic, Smith’s own record ESPN contract, and—true to form—share stories packed with personality and urban authenticity. The show blends layered sports analysis, cultural commentary, and hilarious New York storytelling.

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS

1. Intro & Stephen A. Smith’s Bronx Roots

• (03:44-08:35)

  • Light-hearted banter about Stephen A.'s upbringing; clarifies he was born in the Bronx ("Whole Avenue") before moving to Hollis, Queens.
  • Vintage NYC name drops (Luther Vandross, Webster Ave, etc.), setting an authentic tone.

  “Born in the Bronx. Whole Avenue.” – Stephen A. Smith [06:29]

2. Dak Prescott, CTE, and Mental Health in Sports

• (08:41-15:09)
  • Dak Prescott Debate: Joe refuses to apologize for calling Dak a "bum," Stephen A. pushes back: “He’s not a bum…Draymond know better…A cat that don’t step up in the moment, but that’s still not a bum.” [09:26]
  • Discusses the impact of poor team defense and the limitations of blaming quarterbacks individually.
  • NFL Mental Health: Touches on Dallas player Nealan’s suicide and links to CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy).
  • Antonio Brown’s Downfall: Stephen A. references the infamous Vontaze Burfict hit: “Since that hit, he ain't been the same.” [12:44]

3. New York Knicks: From Tibbs to Finals Dreams

• (15:40-22:22)
  • Knicks Assessment: Stephen A. critical of the Knicks’ defensive slide after replacing Tom Thibodeau: “Defensively, they’re not the same...Trying to figure out a rhythm under Mike Brown.”
  • Issues with minutes distribution: “Tibbs is playing them till they die. I feel like Mike Brown ain't playing them enough.” – Joe [18:41]
  • Urgency for the Knicks to reach Finals: “This is it. You gotta get to the Finals, okay? If you don’t… it ain’t gonna be easier in years to follow.” – Stephen A. [19:05]
  • Knicks trade capital vs. going after Giannis: “I’d give the damn team away...Giannis in New York—yes, in a heartbeat.” – Stephen A. [20:21]

4. NBA Star Power – Wembanyama, Luka, LeBron

• (22:26-39:47)
  • Wembanyama’s Ascendance: Raves about Wemby’s impact: “I saw this brother step on the court—I said oh shit, 7’5 with a handle and a fallaway J!” – Stephen A. [23:19]
  • Makes NFL/NBA cross-sport analogy: “He reminds me of Prime Deion Sanders! ...Wemby stands with his hands down half the time because he wants you to shoot so he can snatch this shit out the air.” [24:27]
  • Predicts Defensive Player of the Year and possible MVP for Wembanyama.
  • Tito on Houston, Dallas, and league parity.
  • LeBron James’ Future (Big Debate):
    • Joe floats LeBron being on the trading block or coming off the bench.
    • Stephen A. calls that “ignorant,” re-emphasizes LeBron’s value: “LeBron has shown he can figure out what he needs to do where he doesn’t hurt the team. The problem now is Austin Reaves is coming... Are you gonna fuck it up or figure out how you mesh in?” [38:06]
    • Explains the Lakers’ challenge of balancing aging star power with up-and-coming talents.

5. NFL & MLB Hot Takes

• (43:12-50:14)

  • NFL: Seattle’s defensive prowess; quarterback questions; Joe admits to being an NFL “bandwagon” and roots for Kansas City/ Mahomes.
  • MLB: Shohei Ohtani praised (“out of this world”); Smith calls Barry Bonds the best hitter ever, but Ohtani the greatest “complete player” since Babe Ruth.

  “Shohei Ohtani is the greatest since Babe Ruth…But Barry Bonds is the best hitter I’ve ever seen.” – Stephen A. [48:37]

6. Stephen A. Smith’s ESPN Contract & Professional Growth

• (53:38-58:57)
  • Pulls back the curtain on his $20 million contract, revealing it was negotiated not for salary, but for freedom:
    • “The issue for me in the fight all of those months was my rights, my freedom...I didn't have that freedom with how much love I was getting, but I didn't have that kind of latitude, that leverage.” [54:47]
  • Compares path of hip-hop icons/athletes vs. traditional media employees.
  • Explains new ventures (political show, SiriusXM) and profit-sharing.
  • Joe playfully suggests Stephen A. for president (“I see it all day…Steve, I'm with you.”) [58:42]

7. Politics: Mamdani, Trump, the Tax & “Free” Debate

• (59:57-81:02)
  • Electoral System Critique: Smith distances himself from traditional parties; wants to debate politicians: “I would never...Every single day, I’d be hunkered down just to make sure I knew the issues. And when I show up on stage… eat everybody alive.” [59:59]
  • Dissects Chetrit Mamdani’s socialist policy proposals:
    • Warns of “collateral damage” and economic impracticality: “Nothing’s free in this world...It's fool's gold to think that you can just simply choose to tax people who are making money all the damn time and continue to raise taxes.”
    • Predicts GOP will weaponize Mamdani against Dems.
  • Trump-Biden Back-and-Forth:
    • Joe reflects on immigrant communities’ perceptions of Trump, PPP, and broken promises.
    • Smith blunt about Trump’s vendetta if reelected: “He’s coming…you tried to throw him behind bars. He coming.” [78:32]
    • Warns about Pandora’s box of political vengeance: “If you open that...there’s a Democrat that might gain office…that can have that power because you set that precedent.” [81:02]

8. Faith, Pastors, and Urban Nostalgia

• (67:07-69:32)
  • Joe and Stephen A. swap stories about pastors, giving, and the desire for “the free word.”
  • “I want to hear the word. The only other pastor I ever loved was Martin. Because Martin’s my favorite sitcom.” – Stephen A. [68:59]
  • Bonding over love for Martin sitcom, classic New York living, and Fat Joe’s story of helping Phil Rizzuto in Harlem.

9. Closing Stories: Yankees and Knicks Allegiances

• (84:33-89:54)
  • Stephen A. jabs at Joe for not being as “synonymous” with the Yankees as with the Knicks, blaming him (jokingly) for a Yankees loss due to a performance mix-up:

    “I blame you for the Yankees losing to the Dodgers last year. You full of shit, Steve.” – Joe [84:47]

  • Mutual respect, humor, and the enduring New York rivalry spirit round out the show.

NOTABLE QUOTES

(With Timestamps)

• “He’s not a bum...But that’s still not a bum.” – Stephen A. Smith [09:26]
• “This is it. You gotta get to the Finals, okay? If you don’t get to the Finals, it ain’t gonna be easier in the years to follow.” – Stephen A. Smith [19:05]
• “I’d give the damn team away... Giannis in New York—yes, in a heartbeat.” – Stephen A. Smith [20:21]
• “Wemby stands with his hands down half the time because he wants you to shoot so he can snatch this shit out the air.” – Stephen A. Smith [24:27]
• “He’s not going to get nobody’s name right the whole show.” – Stephen A. Smith teasing Joe [23:06]
• “LeBron has shown he can figure out what he needs to do where he doesn’t hurt the team.” – Stephen A. Smith [38:06]
• “The issue for me in the fight all of those months was my rights, my freedom.” – Stephen A. Smith [54:47]
• “Nothing’s free in this world...It's fool's gold to think you can just simply choose to tax people who are making money all the damn time.” – Stephen A. Smith [71:57]
• “He coming…you tried to throw him behind bars. He coming.” – Stephen A. Smith [78:32]

TIMESTAMPS FOR IMPORTANT SEGMENTS

• Stephen A.’s Bronx Roots: 03:44–08:35
• Dak/CTE/Mental Health: 08:41–15:09
• Knicks’ New Era: 15:40–22:22
• Wembanyama & NBA Future: 22:26–25:48
• LeBron’s Fate Debate: 34:23–39:47
• Smith’s ESPN Contract Reveal: 53:38–58:57
• Presidential Aspirations & Political Rant: 59:57–62:45
• Mamdani, Taxes & Free Debate: 69:57–73:24
• Trump, Biden, and Political Payback: 75:31–81:02
• Yankees vs. Knicks Home Turf: 84:33–89:54

TONE & STYLE

The show is conversational and combative with the old-school flavor of uptown New York. The trio combines “barbershop” sports talk, real-life storytelling, raw honesty, and shaded humor, with Stephen A. riffing as both professor and provocateur. Banter, trash talk, and classic hip-hop brotherhood define the vibe.

CONCLUSION

This episode is an essential slice of modern urban culture, with spirited debates about basketball legacies, the economics of celebrity, and the future of American politics. Stephen A. Smith flexes as both insider and iconoclast, giving listeners sharp sports takes, inspiring words on self-empowerment, and the kind of transparency about deals, leverage, and legacy rarely shared at this level. Fans of both hip-hop and sports media get an authentic, high-energy download.