The Stephen A. Smith Show – Episode Featuring Kendrick Perkins, Mark Kriegel’s Mike Tyson Book, and Inside the NBA’s Transition to ESPN

Release Date: June 2, 2025

Introduction and Opening Remarks

Timestamp: [01:08] – [04:39]

Stephen A. Smith welcomes listeners to another episode of his show, expressing gratitude towards his growing subscriber base on YouTube and the immense support received through iHeartRadio. He briefly promotes his New York Times bestselling memoir, Straight Shooter, available in paperback at straightshooterbook.com. Stephen outlines the episode's agenda, which includes discussions on the NBA playoffs, Diddy and 50 Cent's remarks regarding Donald Trump, and an interview with Mark Kriegel about his new book on Mike Tyson.

NBA Playoffs Analysis

Timestamp: [04:39] – [09:57]

Stephen A. Smith:
"The Finals are now set between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder. The Pacers made the Finals by putting away the New York Knicks in game six... the Pacers were deeper and exceptionally well coached." ([04:49])

Key Points:

• Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks: The Pacers secured their spot in the Finals by defeating the Knicks 125-108 in Game 6. Smith highlights the Pacers' depth and coaching as crucial factors.

• New York Knicks' Decline: Despite reaching the Eastern Conference Finals, the Knicks' performance faltered, partly due to significant trades involving Mikhail Bridges and inadequate depth compared to Oklahoma City.

• Final Series Comparison: Smith opines that the Finals featuring the Pacers and Thunder is a better matchup than if the Knicks had advanced, citing Oklahoma City's defensive prowess and depth.

Interview with Kendrick Perkins

Timestamp: [09:57] – [26:27]

Stephen A. Smith:
"You swore up and down there was no way in hell the Indiana Pacers were winning this series... What happened to the Knicks and Pacers?" ([05:34])

Kendrick Perkins:
"Unless Giannis calls and saying he wants to go to New York, I think the Knicks should run it back." ([07:40])

Key Points:

• Pacers' Success: Perkins admits he was wrong about the Pacers' chances, commending their resilience and strategic play.

• Anthony Towns' Performance: Criticizes Towns for lacking defensive strength and conditioning, emphasizing the need for him to lose weight and improve agility to elevate his game ([07:40]).

• Future of the Eastern Conference: Discusses potential contenders like the Pacers and Cavs, while expressing skepticism about teams like Detroit Pistons due to their limited depth and talent ([10:09]).

• Community and Personal Reflections: Perkins shares his deep connection with Oklahoma City, highlighting his investment in the community and the emotional bond he has with the city and its fans ([25:20]).

Prize Picks and UFC 316 Discussion

Timestamp: [12:23] – [18:09]

Kyle Forgeard:
"Sean O’Malley is a sniper... he's in incredible shape and made a lot of changes in his life." ([16:09])

Key Points:

• UFC 316 Picks: Forgeard discusses his predictions for the upcoming UFC event, favoring Sean "Sugar" O’Malley over Patchy Mix and Kayla Harrison due to his strategic fighting style and improved condition.

• Community Engagement: Encourages listeners to engage with Prize Picks through the app, enhancing their sports-watching experience by allowing them to make lineup picks and potentially win cash prizes.

• 50 Cent's Predictions: 50 Cent partners on the show also shares insights, highlighting the likelihood of O’Malley winning significant strikes and predicting outcomes for other fighters.

Transition of Inside the NBA to ESPN

Timestamp: [27:23] – [34:48]

Stephen A. Smith:
"Inside the NBA on TNT has ended its 35-year run, but the show will continue on ESPN with the same crew and production team." ([28:09])

Key Points:

• End of an Era: Smith reflects on the final broadcast of Inside the NBA on TNT, honoring the show's 35-year legacy and its beloved hosts—Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal.

• Transition to ESPN: Elaborates on ESPN's acquisition of the show's rights, assuring fans that the beloved team and format will remain unchanged despite the network switch.

• Personal Connections: Shares personal connections with the hosts and expresses excitement for their future on ESPN, emphasizing continuity and maintaining the show's integrity.

Interview with Mark Kriegel on Baddest Man: The Making of Mike Tyson

Timestamp: [42:23] – [62:38]

Stephen A. Smith:
"Mark Kriegel’s new book delves deeper into Mike Tyson's humanity beyond his public persona. What can we expect from this book that we haven’t already heard?" ([50:09])

Mark Kriegel:
"This book explores Tyson's humanity, his personal losses, and the psychological aspects that shaped him beyond the ring." ([51:03])

Key Points:

• Humanizing Tyson: Kriegel emphasizes that the book aims to portray Tyson as a multifaceted human being, delving into his personal struggles, such as the loss of his mother and battles with addiction, which contributed to his complex persona.

• Relationship with Cus D’Amato: Discusses the profound impact of Tyson's trainer, Cus D’Amato, highlighting the psychological conditioning that transformed Tyson into a fearsome boxer and questioning the cost of this transformation on his humanity.

• Unveiling Untold Stories: Promises revelations about Tyson’s early life, his relationships, and the internal conflicts that were not fully covered in previous narratives, providing a more nuanced understanding of his life and career.

• Authorization and Cooperation: Clarifies that Tyson did not authorize the book, yet was cooperative and generous in his interactions, offering insights without formal endorsement.

Discussion on 50 Cent’s Comments Regarding Donald Trump and Sean "Diddy" Combs

Timestamp: [62:38] – [70:50]

50 Cent:
"Donald doesn't take well to disrespect and doesn't forget who chooses to go against him." ([65:20])

Key Points:

• 50 Cent’s Stance: 50 Cent openly criticizes Donald Trump’s potential pardon of Sean "Diddy" Combs, expressing strong disapproval and threatening to reach out to Trump to oppose the pardon.

• Stephen A. Smith’s Perspective: Smith argues that pardoning Combs should be based on the validity of the charges and the court's judgment rather than personal vendettas or public opinions as expressed by 50 Cent.

• Moral and Legal Considerations: Emphasizes the severity of the charges against Combs—sex trafficking and racketeering—and the importance of upholding justice irrespective of personal affiliations or perceptions.

• Lack of Details on Beef: Points out the absence of clarity regarding the personal feud between 50 Cent and Diddy, expressing curiosity and seeking more information on the origins of their conflict.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Timestamp: [70:50] – End

Stephen A. Smith wraps up the episode by reiterating his excitement for upcoming NBA Finals coverage and expressing gratitude towards his guests, Kendrick Perkins, Mark Kriegel, and Kyle Forgeard. He emphasizes his desire for a competitive Finals series, hoping for a six or seven-game showdown between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder. Stephen signs off with well-wishes to his listeners, promising to return with more insightful and engaging content.

Notable Quotes

• Stephen A. Smith on NBA Finals Quality:

  "This is a better final series than the Knicks would have given Oklahoma City Thunder." ([03:10])

• Kendrick Perkins on Anthony Towns:

  "The problem with Corey Anthony Towns is strength and conditioning. He has to lose 15 to 20 pounds." ([07:40])

• Mark Kriegel on Tyson’s Humanity:

  "This book explores Tyson's humanity, his personal losses, and the psychological aspects that shaped him beyond the ring." ([51:03])

• 50 Cent on Trump’s Potential Pardon of Diddy:

  "Donald doesn't take well to disrespect and doesn't forget who chooses to go against him." ([65:20])

Conclusion

This episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show offers an in-depth analysis of the NBA playoffs, a heartfelt interview with Kendrick Perkins, insights into Mark Kriegel’s portrayal of Mike Tyson’s complex life, and a contentious discussion on 50 Cent’s stance regarding Donald Trump’s potential pardon of Sean "Diddy" Combs. Stephen A. Smith navigates through sports, personal stories, and societal issues with his characteristic fervor, providing listeners with a comprehensive and engaging discourse on current events in sports and beyond.