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The Stephen A. Smith Show
Full Show: NBA Playoff Update. WNBA Clark vs Reese blowout. Trump alleges illegal Kamala payouts.
01:04:20
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- [00:00]
Stephen A. Smith
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- [00:42]
Monica McNutt
This podcast is sponsored by Talkspace. May is mental health awareness month, and Talkspace, the leading virtual therapy provider, is telling everyone, let's face it in therapy. By talking or texting with a supportive licensed therapist at Talkspace, you can face whatever is holding you back. Whether it's mental health, health symptoms, relationship drama, past trauma, bad habits, or another challenge that you need support to work through. It's easy to sign up. Just go to talkspace.com and you'll be paired with a provider, typically within 48 hours. And because you'll meet your therapist online, you don't have to take time off work or arrange childcare. You'll meet on your schedule. Plus, Talkspace is in network with most major insurers and most insured members have a $0 copay. Make your mental health a priority and start today. If you're not covered by Insurance, get $80 off your first month with Talkspace when you go to talkspace.com and enter promo code SPACE80. That's S P A CE80. To match with a licensed therapist today, go to talkspace.com and Enter promo code SPACE80.
- [01:43]
Stephen A. Smith
That's unbelievable. It's unbelievable. This one. You see that score? You see that score? This is what we've been waiting for. We're about to go to the conference finals. We about to go to the conference finals. What's up, everybody? Welcome to the latest edition of the Stephen A. Smith show. Yes, I'm ecstatic. Yes, I'm happy. Yes, I'm off the charts because. Orange and blue skies, baby. Orange and blue skies. I appreciate the love and support for the show as always, as we come to you at least three times a week over the digital airwaves or YouTube and of course, iHeartRadio. Kid, thank y' all for the love and support. Enough. Keep it coming. And I'm gonna keep on coming. Got a lot of stuff to get into today, so let's get right into it. We'll get some politics later. Some interesting stuff coming up. I got something to say about the Patrick Bet David podcast. I got some stuff on my mind to get into about that as well, along with President, former President Biden, president, President Trump and a whole bunch of stuff going on. All right. That I got to touch on. Okay. Plus the NBA players, but not before I get to this story because we're gonna get started in the WNBA with a new season. Tipped off this weekend with several marquee matchups on the slate, most fans were excited to see Caitlin Clark and Indiana Fever take on Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky. The game was a blowout as the Fever beat down Chicago 93 to 58, with Clark's triple double leading the way. But the biggest headline coming out of the game on Saturday is the investigation the WNBA is conducting in allegations of hateful fan comments directed at Angel Reese. It happened after this play when Clark slapped at the ball and after Reese grabbed an offensive rebound and had a clear path to the basket. Reese fell to the court, got back up and tried to confront Clark, but Fever forward Aaliyah Boston got between the two women. Clark's foul was upgraded to a flagrant one, and Reese and Boston were assessed technical fouls. Here's a statement from Sky CEO Adam Fox on fans who seemed a bit unruly following the incident. Quote we welcome the WNBA's investigation of allegations of fan misconduct during our first game of the season. We will do everything in our power to protect Chicago sky players, and we encourage the league continue taking meaningful steps to create a safe environment for all WNBA players. End quote. Joining me now to discuss this is a basketball analyst for ESPN and the MSG Network. She played college basketball for the Georgetown Hoyas. That's hor. Hoya paranoia for those of you who don't know. By the way. And her jump shot, I must confess, it looks better than mine. It's pretty money right there. Pretty money right there. Please welcome the one and only Monica McNut to the show, who I affectionately call Eminem. What's going on, girl? How you doing? How's everything?
- [04:22]
Monica McNutt
Good, I say I'm good. I'm good.
- [04:23]
I'm good.
- [04:24]
I'm good. Yeah, we gotta talk.
- [04:26]
Stephen A. Smith
We. We gotta talk. But you know me. I'm a VLF just a little bit, you know. How's the hubby? How's the married life? I know you got married a few months ago. How's the life?
- [04:34]
Monica McNutt
It's lots of loving and learning.
- [04:40]
Stephen A. Smith
That's a great answer. That's a damn great answer. I got to give it to you. No doubt about that. Let's get right into it. This whole Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark brouhaha. What do you make of it from a basketball perspective? First, I'll get to the other stuff later. Your thoughts?
- [04:57]
Monica McNutt
Basketball essay, Basketball play. I mean, as much as the W has been elevated to all of these platforms, we've all pointed out that it is physical, right? I thought it was adjudicated appropriately by the officials. There's a push to Natasha Howard first. To me it appears that Caitlin takes exception to that and angel takes exceptions to the foul. I think both sides are fine here because to me, when we talk about competition, you cannot parse out the emotion of that experience. And so I thought it was adjudicated correctly. I thought both young women were cool post game in terms of their explanations or as Angel Reese said, it's a basketball play. Let's move on. It is unfortunate that I think this is sort of blown out of context because it is a play that is common throughout the wnba. Earlier today on First Take, Janae highlighted two other games that have very similar play because competing is an emotional experience. And that's okay.
- [05:51]
Stephen A. Smith
I'm gonna elaborate a little bit more on that in just a second, but before I do that, I want to ask you your thoughts about apparently some racial animus that was thrown in the direction of a. Reese. The Chicago sky have gotten involved, talking about they're going to protect their players at all cost. The NWNBA has issued a statement saying it abhors and discourages hate of any kind, et cetera, et cetera. Your thoughts about it? Here's the WNBA statement. The WNBA strongly condemns racism, hate and discrimination in all forms. They have no place in our league or in society. We are aware of the allegations and are looking into the matter. Your thoughts about that element of all of this, where you believe it emanates from and do you think it will ever subside?
- [06:33]
Monica McNutt
Oh man. The latter part of that, Stephen A. Is quite the thing to think on. I think when you go back to the impetus of the rivalry that we have between Caitlin and Andrese, I remember funny clips on the Internet about two different Americas based on the music that was being played in the Iowa locker room versus the LSU locker room. And I think at the heart of it is an issue with being able to appreciate and celebrate the humanity and the athletic accomplishments of both of these women. Right. I do not think that all Indiana fans or all Caitlin Clark fans represent any one particular belief, but it's been clear over the last couple of years that there is a sect of folks that root for her that have used her to push their agendas. I don't think Caitlin Clark has any issue, colleagues or the other women in the wnba. I think between she and Angel Reese, there is mutual respect. But anytime these conversations hit the mainstream, Right. It's easy to see that Caitlin is usually portrayed as the victim and angel is usually played portrayed as the villain. And that is rooted into my observation. Somebody could tell me I'm wrong, but it is rooted in my observation in the racial identity of these women and where they come from.
- [07:43]
Stephen A. Smith
Well, I have something to say to you, Monica McNutt, that I think would be of incredible relief to you. I have no desire to debate you on this. On this platform. On this platform, I am giving you the floor and allowing you to educate me and my audience. I am completely at your mercy in that regard. I'm simply asking the questions. But I'll ask you this in all seriousness. What is your bigger concern when you highlight that Angel Reese, like Caitlin Clark, is usually the victim, Angel Reese is usually the villain. Is that your primary concern? Or is it this seemingly innate belief that people have that men can conduct themselves any way they want to, but women are supposed to operate under certain lines? I listen to you and Shanae and Andrea talk about these kind of issues constantly. And. And I really want to know what's the bigger concern in your eyes?
- [08:37]
Monica McNutt
You know, I say, as this one has unfolded, Malika and I were on the countdown desk for halftime with this one. And literally, as it's unfolding, I'm like, we'll see how this one plays out in the media, right? And I have grappled with two things being true, right? In that women should be allowed to compete in the same way that men are, but also because, to me, the sensitivity of the humans that make up the wnba, they deserve an extra level of protection. And I know that to a degree, you might say, mom, you can't have it both ways. But I think that's probably why we are at odds in the larger picture, because people don't have room for multiple ideas or even feelings to coexist. Right. And so to your point, I think with time, the younger generation appreciates competition. I think women's sports is growing across the board. I think the competition piece will become commonplace and be accepted and celebrated. But to your point, I am struggling with some of the vitriol, not some. With the vitriol that has come to an Angel Reese just to represent a swath of players who have had this experience being on the opposite side of Interactions with Caitlin Clark. Right. And I don't blame Clark at all. And I am really sort of befuddled at the solution because on the NBA side, if a player points to a fan in the stands and says that was inappropriate, the NBA, the officials, they move, those folks are usually taken out. Right. I'm not sure if the WNBA is there and there still is a learning curve, but I 100% believe essay that these women should feel safe to compete and be protected from insanity. Right. And I'm not saying you don't get rippled, but there is a line in sports and to act like that doesn't exist is just ridiculous to me.
- [10:25]
Stephen A. Smith
Well, I. First of all, I think I want to make sure that we're clear because I don't think we disagree as much as you have thought in the past or others have thought. I completely am aligned with you and your thinking. I think that where we. We separate to some degree is that it's understanding it ain't gonna happen the way we like it. Like it's unfair and it's wrong. We. We are aligned in that. But then I veer left from Monica or Shanae or anybody else when I'm saying, ladies, it ain't gonna change, it ain't right. It's not fair, but it's not gonna change. And oh, by the way, there's an advantage to peel from all of this because it contributes to the elevated popularity of the sport. So guess what? Sometimes it might be good not to really, really mind. I know it's hard. I know this is hard to. To accept, but sometimes it might not be hard. It might not be bad to accept the role of a pariah to some degree. You know why? Because. Because who's usually listened to, it's usually the pariahs. It's usually when people are polarizing, when people can be in your face, when people make you uncomfortable. That's who an audience gravitates to. And what happens is, is that if you have positive things for folks that to peel from that to edify themselves, it can end up being advantageous. So let's not get caught up in the wrong because we know they wrong and we know they ain't going to change. Let's pay more attention to what we can peel from it. That's where I'm coming from. To that you say what?
- [11:54]
Monica McNutt
And I understand that. I just. And I have not personally been in a game versus Clark or versus Indiana. I can tell you what my mentions look like every time we have a conversation about it, right? I do understand where you are coming from, but I just wonder, you know, last year, folks showing up to team buses and team hotels, like, I just. My concern is how far does this go, right? Because for someone to heckle in the audience and cross a line verbally or even across the line on the Internet, that's. That's one step, right? But if you are that committed to that, how many steps are you away from really crossing the line and safety is a concern, does that make sense to you?
- [12:39]
Stephen A. Smith
Total sense. You're absolutely right. I mean, as a guys, you got to worry about it too. And. And I think that for the ladies, what I would say to you is that we need to be significantly more concerned when men are trying to cross the barriers and getting ladies faces as opposed to ladies getting another lady's face. In other words, dudes got to deal with dudes, ladies got to deal with ladies. But when you. That punk dude that's trying to deal with the women that way, we all need to deal with you on that level. You see, that's how I'm looking at it. But you're absolutely right. I. I can't. I can't knock you for that. Do you think that that WNBA can end up elevating even more because of the attention this kind of stuff might bring from a competitive fervor standpoint?
- [13:23]
Monica McNutt
You know, I say again, I am making space for multiple emotions in my experience as the W continues to move into the spotlight. Fair, yes, but at what cost, right?
- [13:37]
Stephen A. Smith
Okay.
- [13:37]
Monica McNutt
Lately, you want people to come and love the league. If Kayla becomes your favorite player, amazing. If angel becomes your favorite player, amazing. If it's Asia Wilson, if it's Nafeesa Collar, if it's Brianna Stewart, amazing, Amazing. Amazing. I just, I feel that the league, and we've kind of seen this in maybe missteps in conversations last season. The league has a responsibility to. All right? And I don't know. I don't know how they navigate this idea of a responsibility to. All the statements are great, right? I say this one boggles my mind because if we can have this conversation and then put a button on it and then get to how great the games were in the top three opening weekend experiences or. Or performances. Right? That's one thing. But I think to your point, the people that allowed us about this stuff, the conversation stops there for them. There is no depth in terms of appreciating the league at large. And honestly, like, outside of. Caitlin is great. Like I mentioned to you as we started this conversation, she's used for whatever agenda folks have. And so I think for the. For the league to really grow, it's not controversial topics. It's being able to celebrate the beauty of the game. And that includes Caitlin and the Indiana Fever.
- [14:54]
Stephen A. Smith
Right.
- [14:54]
Monica McNutt
Who are going to have a real chance to contend this year for a title. So I don't know. I don't know if good in terms of these kind of conversations being good for the game.
- [15:05]
Stephen A. Smith
Well, I would say to you, though, I think that when it provokes conversation like we had this morning, when the world gets to hear Monica McNutt and it gets to hear Shanae Ogumike elaborate extensively, not just on what the league is, but. But what it aspires to be and how we all can serve a role in embracing the good and alienating the insidious nonsense that don't need to be a part of the league. That may be the best hope that the league and all of us from a societal perspective have in order to make things exactly what you think they should be. Eminem maybe that's what the answer to this is.
- [15:48]
Monica McNutt
You know what? I. I will give you credence, but like I said to you, also in our show, we highlighted great performances. Right. And so I'm just.
- [15:56]
Stephen A. Smith
Right, right, right.
- [15:56]
Monica McNutt
I think, I guess if we had to go with that being a positive, you hope folks come at it with a willingness to hear. You ultimately may not agree.
- [16:06]
Stephen A. Smith
Yeah.
- [16:06]
Monica McNutt
But I think we have to hold space for one another's experiences. You know what I mean? Like, as this thing went through last year, you know, I talked to folks that felt like they were alienated because it almost seemed like to be a Caitlin Clark fan was a bad thing. And that was never what was said. If that is the sentiment of some folks, that's unfortunate. But I do think, again, as much as we want to make sport about sport, and that is beautiful, these women can shoot, dribble, rebound, all of that, we still have to acknowledge the society in the existence of the beings that we're talking about, and that will always find its way into the conversation.
- [16:36]
Stephen A. Smith
Well, I got to give you credit where credit is due. I think part of the solution also is people like myself and other male commentators being a bit more deferential to y' all when it comes to the wnba, because, damn it, y' all know more about it than us. Y' all know more about the experiences than us. You damn sure know more about being a woman than we'll ever know. So therefore, all of those things come into play. Let me get to one Two last questions before I let you go and thank you so much for your time. Let's get to the product on the field. Okay, that was a 93 to 58 beat down. Is Indiana that good or the sky that damn bad? How about that question, Eminem?
- [17:13]
Monica McNutt
I think it's somewhere in the middle. I do believe that Indiana legitimately has a chance to be one of the last four teams standing. The moves that they made this offseason. Caitlin coming in as a rookie last year, blowing records to smithereens, getting stronger this summer. I think at one point during the game her, her arms was a trending topic because you could see her gains in the gym. Indiana is going to have a chance to compete for real. I think I'm going to give about 40% of that performance to opening weekend nerves. Chicago is in a position to rebuild. Tyler Marsh is terrific. He has been a part of the Aces championship as a part of Becky Hammond's staff. But they are figuring it out. They are sort of in a rebuild Indiana, they made the moves this summer that needed to be made. They went and got a coach and Stephanie White that has been to the WNBA finals in the last two seasons. They went and got the league's. I believe she's top three on the list. She tied Tina Thompson in terms of all time scoring and Dewana Bonner. That and Natasha Howard, they're in it. Indiana is really, really in it. And so. And dejuana only has seven points in that game. I say like she didn't even get cooking yet. So Indiana is really in it. I think the sky are building. I think they'll be better than what they showed in game one. But the sky in a different position than the Fever are for sure.
- [18:27]
Stephen A. Smith
And, and, and the team to beat in the WNBA is. Whom is it the Liberty? Is it the Aces coming back trying to vent? Who's it? Who is it?
- [18:36]
Monica McNutt
Just the Liberty. The Liberty because we talk about big moves this offseason. Natasha Clow is a big move for the already champions. Right. She won a title in D.C. with the Mystics. She adds a dimension defensively that I don't know they had outside of Benijah Laney on the wing. Bany Hamilton is actually out this season with the knee injury. So yeah, Natasha Clow is a big difference maker offensively and defensively. I would say though sleep on the Minnesota Links. Shell Ree has a track record. Every other she gets to the finals might lose but comes back the next year and wins and they were in the finals last year and Lost. And I think Nafisa Collier has a real shot at MVP this year as well.
- [19:14]
Stephen A. Smith
And they got. They got vengeance on their mind because they felt they were robbed last year by the Liberty with some. You know, I get that part as well. Switching to the NBA before I let you get out of here, Ms. Radio Voice, color commentary extra. Color commentator extraordinaire for MSG with Knicks games or whatever. Knicks in the conference finals. I mean. I mean, Liberty ain't the only one that got. You know, they got a championship, but the Knicks got a shot. How much of a shot, Eminem? How much of a shot do you give the Knicks to get to the finals and ultimately to win it? Last question.
- [19:44]
Monica McNutt
I'll say. I got the Knicks getting out of this series in seven games. So do I got to stay healthy? They've got to control the pace, and that doesn't necessarily mean that they need to slow it down and be ISO all in the half court, but they need to be deliberate about their opportunities to run and deliberate about their opportunities to execute quickly in the half court if they find themselves chasing Indiana.
- [20:06]
Stephen A. Smith
I don't like it.
- [20:07]
Monica McNutt
I think Indiana is really, really good. I take nothing away from that group. Tyrese Halliburton, Pascal Siakam. I think Andrew Nemhardt and Niecemith don't get enough credit in terms of their defensive versatility on the wing.
- [20:20]
Stephen A. Smith
Totally agree.
- [20:21]
Monica McNutt
This is. This is going to be a slugfest, and it's really going to be the battle of styles in it. So, yeah, like, they're deep, they're fast. I. I really enjoyed the opportunities I've had to chat with coach Carlisle. I had one of their games versus the Milwaukee Bucks in that series. I don't. You can look at Cleveland, the Cleveland series, and say, all right, well, they were hurt, and I think that's fair. But I still don't take anything away. Just like the Knicks, they had to make the most of the mishaps that the Celtics made. Indiana made the most of the mishaps for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and I don't take anything away from them.
- [20:56]
Stephen A. Smith
Eminem, I appreciate you so much. Thank you so much. I could just say thank you, but you know me, I'm gonna do a little extra. Come on. Thank you so much. Thanks a lot. Take it easy. All right, I'll see you soon.
- [21:08]
Monica McNutt
Okay.
- [21:09]
Stephen A. Smith
The one and only Monica McNutt in the house right here on the Stephen A. Smith Show. She's special, special talent for us. Really, really appreciate her taking time out of busy schedule. She didn't have to do that. So I really, really am thankful for. She's a great girl. Great analyst, by the way, doing big things. Proud to call her a colleague. Coming up, former president Joe Biden is diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. I'll get into that straight ahead. But first, we'll get into the NBA playoffs and the conference finals. The Knicks will host the paces and the Thunder will host Ant man and the T Wolves. I know I just talked to Eminem about it, but damn it, I'm gonna elaborate even further. We'll break it all down next right here on the Stephen A. Smith Show. Don't go away. All right, folks, you need to all stop what you're doing and listen up. You know I love this time of year, right? The NBA playoffs are in full effect and with all this action jumping off, the Stephen A. Smith show wants to make sure you take advantage of it all. That's why we've partnered with Prize Picks, the best place to win cash while watching sports. The app is easy to use. You know, just pick more or less on a few player stats and you can win up to 2, 000 times your cash on a single lineup. Best of all, Prize Picks will give you fifty dollars when you play your first five dollar lineup, you win or lose. You'll get fifty bucks just for playing. Use promo code SAS and download the app now. Again, download the app and use code SAS to get 50 instantly after your first $5 lineup. Prize picks. Hey, hey, run your game. My New York Knicks are bowling. In case y' all missed it. In case y' all missed it. They now face the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden for game one of the Eastern Conference finals this Wednesday night. So I'll give you my picks, okay, for game one. So let's get to it. First up, will Jalen Brunson score more or less than 28 and a half points? You know, I think this game, it might be less. I think this game, it might be less. You know, he'll have 25, 26, 26, something like that, but I think he might have less than 28 and a half points in this particular game. He'll size him up and then slay him later on in the series. But game one, 28 and a half points. I'm gonna go with slightly less than that when it comes to Jalen Brunson for game one. Next up will call Anthony Towns Catman. Score more or less than 22 and a half points. I'm going to assume he's going to score more because Indiana's defense is not elite, he's had success against them this season. I think him scoring more than 22 and a half points is not unreasonable. I'm going to go with more with this particular one. Next up, Will Tyrese Halberton Mr. Overrated according to NBA playoffs who are fools score? Will he score more or less than 18 and a half points? I'm going with less for him with game one as well. I think he'll size folks up looking to get everybody involved. I see him having a double double, but is he going to score more than 18 and a half points? Although he could easily. I'm suspecting that won't be the case in Game one rest of the series. That remains to be seen. Finally, with Pascal Siakam score more or less than 18 and a half points now, I think he's going to get off. I think he's going to get off. I think he's going to look to be aggressive. He's going to look to be aggressive not just in shooting perimeter shots, but driving into the paint, putting the ball on the floor that way. I think he'll do that and I think that in a probably in a losing effort, he'll still be aggressive and he'll score more than 18 and a half points. So let's recap. Less for Jalen Brunson, more for Carl Anthony Towns, less for Tyrese Halliburton and more for Pascal Siakam. That's it. Those are my picks for Game one this coming Wednesday. Go to Prize Picks app and check out the Stephen A. Smith Show. Community play it's boosted 25%, y' all.
- [24:35]
Monica McNutt
In case you didn't know, this podcast is sponsored by Talkspace. May is Mental health Awareness Month, and Talkspace, the leading virtual therapy provider, is telling everyone. Let's face it, in therapy, by talking or texting with a supportive licensed therapist at Talkspace, you can face whatever is holding you back. Whether it's mental health symptoms, relationship drama, past trauma, bad habits or another challenge that you need support to work through, it's easy to sign up. Just go to talkspace.com and you'll be paired with a provider, typically within 48 hours. And because you'll meet your therapist online, you don't have to take time off work or arrange childcare. You'll meet on your schedule. Plus, Talkspace is in network with most major insurers and most insured members have a $0 copay. Make your mental health a priority and start today. If you're not covered by Insurance. Get $80 off your first month with Talkspace when you go to talkspace.com and enter promo code SPACE80. That's S P A CE83 to match with a licensed therapist today go to talkspace.com and Enter promo code SPACE80.
- [25:36]
Amy Robach
Amy Robach and TJ Holmes here Diddy's former protege, television personality platinum selling artist Danity King alum Aubrey o' Day joins us to provide a unique perspective on the trial that has captivated the attention of the nation.
- [25:50]
TJ Holmes
Aubrey o' Day is sitting next to us. Here you are as we sit here right up the street from where the trial is taking place place. Some people saw that you were going to be in New York and they immediately started jumping to conclusions. So can you clear that up? First of all, are you here to testify on the Diddy drop? Aubrey will offer her opinions and expertise based on her firsthand knowledge from her days on making the band as she emerged as the breakout star. The truth of the situation would be opposite of the glitz and glamour.
- [26:19]
Monica McNutt
It wasn't all bad, but I don't know that any of the good was real. I went through things there.
- [26:26]
Amy Robach
Listen to Amy and TJ presents Aubrey O' Day covering the Diddy trial on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [26:39]
Stephen A. Smith
Welcome back to Stephen A. Smith show. Let's get to the NBA playoffs in the conference finals which tip off tomorrow night with the Thunder hosting the Timberwolves. But we're not gonna begin there by the way. No, we're gonna start Easton Conference where my New York Knicks will host the Indiana Paces. The Knicks have made the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years and I'm here for it all. Here's the deal, y' all. I'll elaborate more on this Wednesday leading into game one. But I couldn't be more ecstatic than I have been. Orange and blue skies, baby. I'm just getting emotional. Just getting emotional. I waited a long time for this long time. And here's what I want to say. You know you got a lot of people out there, man. You know you can't be room for them. Y' all kiss my ass. I root for whoever I want to root for. I've been a die hard New York Knick fan all my life. Y' all weren't telling me not to be a fan when their ass was going home. You wasn't telling me not to be a fan when they stunk. You wasn't telling me not to be a fan when they were awful, you understand? And they were basketball purgatory and they were in embarrassment. And you see all of us right there, a whole bunch of New York Knick fans everywhere. My man Jalen Brunson came up to me. Let me share with y' all what he said. He said, I'm not going to even say nothing to you. That's what he said to me. Because I was the fool who thought. Who said, I didn't see a first round pick in the draft when he was coming out of it. I said, I don't feel see a first round pick out of Villanova. Let's talk about him. He reminds me of that every time he sees me, you understand? Because he knows I got to eat crow. I've been eating crow since he helped the Dallas Mavericks get to the Western Conference finals when Luca was hurt. I've been eating crow since he arrived in New York. You know the brothers averaging 30, 30 a game since he arrived in New York, in the postseason. 30 a game in the postseason. That's who he is. Lead the score in the postseason. That's Jalen Brunson, the brother spectacular. Gotta give him love. Gotta stand down, gotta bow down, gotta acknowledge he's special. And I completely underestimated him. You know what makes it even more excusable? His daddy, Rick Brunson, had told me the brother was going to be special, but I didn't listen because Rick Brunson and I go back years. I covered Rick Brunson when he was playing at Temple. That's how far back we go. And he told me his son Jaylen was going to be special. And he's right. He's right. I have to stand down and concede this. Brother, son, special. I'll get into that matchup between him and Tyrese Halliburton later on Wednesday, to be specific. The only other thing that I want to add is this. I could be wrong in a lot of people's eyes by saying this. I don't think that I am. Not that it's on anybody's mind, but I've gotten to a point where I'd like to see Tyrese Halliburton's dad back in the stands. I don't want him on the court. I don't want him taunting players. He was certainly misbehaving. What he did with Giannis was inexcusable. And he's been. You know, he apologized. He showed contrition. All of us make mistakes. All of us are better than our worst moments. One would like to believe. I wouldn't mind seeing his dad back in the stands while Halliburton is doing what he's been doing. He deserved to be banned from the games, even though it appears voluntary, you know, mutually agreed upon and all that. But he deserves it. He deserves the criticism he received. What he doesn't deserve is a lifetime conviction, which I know he's not getting, but I don't think he deserves even this end, this entire playoff exclusion because you don't know whether his son's gonna be back or not. So I'm just saying that all of us, you know, he was wrong, but that doesn't deprive us of having a heart and saying, okay, let the man come see his son. Let me transition to the Western Conference. I'll talk about the Knicks and paces again. Game one is Wednesday, so I'll be back on the air before the game, but I want to transition to the Western Conference. As mentioned, Oklahoma City Thunder, led by presumptive MVP MVP Shea Gilgis Alexander, will host the Minnesota Timberwolves led by Anthony Edwards. This is a pick em series to me. If Minnesota is hitting perimeter shots, Minnesota should win this series. I just find it hard to believe they're going to be able to do that consistently considering how elite Oklahoma City's defense is. Did you see that defense Alex Caruso was playing on Jokic the other on Sunday afternoon? Did you see Shay Gilgis Alexander defending against Aaron Gordon? Did you see Lou Dort defending against everybody? Did you see Hardenstein and Chet Holmgren doing their thing? Oklahoma City's got a bunch of piranhas on defense. Nas Reed is touch and go. Sometimes he's giving you perimeter shots, sometimes he's not. Jada McDaniels Sometimes he's giving you perimeter shots, sometimes he's not Rudy Gobert. Listen, I think it's safe to say he ain't gonna look like he did against the Lakers. Going up against men going up against Oklahoma City. Which means in all likelihood it probably comes down to Ant man versus Shea Kill just Alexander. It comes down to an ability to close. I'm not ignoring Jalen Williams. That brother showed up in Game seven three previous games. He was awful, but he played like I know he can play in Game seven. In Game seven and I believe that that man, if he shows up, Oklahoma City goes to the Finals. If he struggles and Ant man rises to the occasion, which he can, Minnesota is going to win the series. My hope is Minnesota in seven because I want them against the New York Knicks. This is a pick EM series leaning towards Minnesota in seven. By the way, before I go to break last quick comment. You know, a lot of people think I've been hard on Sam Presti, head of basketball operations for the Oklahoma City Thunder, who's been there since 2007, who's been running the operations for 17 plus years and has never won an NBA championship. I'm not backtracking 1 inch from what I have said about that man. You know why? Because people are ignoring what I've truly said. I know he's great. I know he's unfirable. I know that he has shown extreme loyalty to the Oklahoma City Thunder organization when he's had ample opportunities to leave and has never chosen to do so. I know that this man is an elite executive. He has my profound respect. I'm just saying from a big picture perspective, anybody else who's acquired the level of talent that he has acquired through the draft, through free agency, through development over the years, from KD and Russell Westbrook and James Harden to Sergio Blacker, Reggie Jackson, Paul George, Victor Oladipo, Carmelo Anthony, I mean, the man has had everybody. Anybody else would have been asked, where's the chip? That's all I'm saying about Prince and Presti. I'm not saying he should be fired. I'm not saying he shouldn't be the reigning executive of the year. I'm not saying not wonderful at his job. I'm saying where's the damn chip? That's all I'm saying. And I stand by that. Where's the chip? Always be closing. Glenn Glary, Glengarry Glen Ross, Alec Baldwin. Always be closing. I need Sam Presti to close and for once walk away with an NBA championship, not an appearance. That's all I'm saying. So I'm saying, coming up, Donald Trump says he plans to call for an investigation into the high profile endorsements of Kamala Harris during the 2024 election. I'll tell you why he's doing that. Plus, former President Joe Biden is diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. We'll touch on that too. And of course, I'll make sure to touch on Patrick Bet David and his podcasting crew. They had a lot of things to say about your boy. I'm not gonna be quiet in my response. More to Stephen A. Smith show coming your way in a All right everybody, listen up. With all the big time sports action that's happening each and every day, the Stephen A. Smith show wants to make sure you are taking advantage of it all. That's why we've partnered with Prize Picks the best place to win Cash while watching sports the app is really easy to use to make a lineup. All you have to do is pick more or less on a few player stats. 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- [36:05]
Monica McNutt
This podcast is sponsored by Talkspace. May is Mental Health Awareness Month and Talkspace, the leading virtual therapy provider, is telling everyone let's face it in. By talking or texting with a supportive licensed therapist at Talkspace, you can face whatever is holding you back. Whether it's mental health symptoms, relationship drama, past trauma, bad habits or another challenge that you need support to work through, it's easy to sign up. Just go to talkspace.com and you'll be paired with a provider, typically within 48 hours. And because you'll meet your therapist online, you don't have to take time off work or arrange childcare. You'll meet on your schedule. Plus, Talkspace is in network with most major insurers and most insured members have a $0 copay. Make your mental health a priority and start today. If you're not covered by Insurance, get $80 off your first month with Talkspace. When you go to talkspace.com and enter promo code SPACE80. That's S P A CE80. To match with a licensed therapist today, go to talkspace.com and Enter promo code SPACE80.
- [37:05]
Amy Robach
Amy Robach and TJ Holmes here, Diddy's former protege, television personality, platinum selling artist and Danity King alum Aubrey o' Day joins us to provide a unique perspective on the trial that has captivated the attention of the nation.
- [37:19]
TJ Holmes
Aubrey o' Day is sitting next to us. Here you are as we sit here, right up the street from where the trial is taking place. Some people saw that you were going to be in New York and they immediately started jumping to conclusions. So can you clear that up? First of all, are you here to testify in the Diddy trial? Aubrey will offer her opinions and expertise based on her firsthand knowledge from her days on making the band as she emerged as the breakout star. The truth of the situation would be opposite of the glitz and glamour.
- [37:48]
Monica McNutt
It wasn't all bad, but I don't know that any of the good was real. I went through things there.
- [37:55]
Amy Robach
Listen to Amy and TJ presents Aubrey O' Day covering the Diddy trial on the iHeartRadio app. Apple Podcasts or Where Am I? Wherever you get your podcasts.
- [38:08]
Stephen A. Smith
Welcome back. Now let's get to D.C. for a variety of reasons, by the way, but first we'll start where President Trump is calling for an investigation into the high profile endorsements of Kamala Harris during the 2024 campaign. The move comes after Bruce Springsteen criticized the president last week during his European tour. Springsteen called the Trump administration, quote, corrupt, incompetent and treasonous in front of a live audience. President Trump didn't take those words too kindly and went on Truth Social with the following quote, how much did Kamala Harris pay Bruce Springsteen for his poor performance during her campaign for president? Why did he accept that money if he is such a fan of hers? Isn't that a major and illegal campaign contribution? What about Beyonce? And how much went to Oprah and Bono? I'm going to call for a major investigation into this matter. Candidates aren't allowed to pay for endorsements, which is what Kamala did under the guise of paying for entertainment. In addition, this was a very expensive and desperate effort to artificially build up sparse crowds. It's not legal for these unpatriotic entertainers. This was just a corrupt and unlawful way to capitalize on a broken system. Thank you for your attention to this matter. End quote. The post from Trump revives previous accusations that the Harris campaign paid Oprah Winfrey and others for campaign appearances and endorsements of the Democratic nominee. Here's the deal. Couple of things to point out. First of all, I wanna say this. I think calling for an investigation is a bit extreme. Just because somebody says something negatively about you, Mr. President, I think you got bigger fish to fry and more important, more important things to matter. You still got the tariff war going on. I know there's a 90 day reprieve with you in China and us in China rather than, I get that part, Ukraine and Russia calling for an immediate ceasefire according to you. Still important matters, the Israeli Hamas conflict, what's happening, the folks, the Palestinian women and children and stuff like that. And, and, and you having to resolve that issue with Israel and Hamas, Iran being involved. Masine is a proxy to Iran. We get all that. There's a lot of stuff to deal with man, this ain't that important. So using the word investigation and saying that you're going to call for it is a bit extreme and, dare I say, dictatorial and unnecessary, period. Having said that, let me articulate that. I don't disagree with President Trump about everything he said. I do think there's something to be said about going outside of this country and speaking about this country and its present administration that way. Let other people say that. But you being an entertainer going across the world, going across the ocean wherever Bruce Springsteen was, and I forget for the moment where he was, and speaking against the president of the United States that way is problematic. Perfect. To give you hypothetical, Stephen A. Smith has been outspoken. But if I'm overseas in France, Europe, Switzerland or wherever I'm or Germany or someplace, I'm not going to be sitting in a foreign country talking about my president that way. Even if I didn't vote for him, he's still a president of the United States and I'm not going to go someplace else speaking about him that way. I might touch on the issues. And I'm not saying you can't disagree with them. I'm not saying that you don't like a policy or an abundance of policies. Well, I don't like the terror. You could say I don't like the tariffs. You can say I don't like what's going on with the war. You can say I don't like the state of our economy. You don't say I don't like the state of our politics. But when you say corrupt, inept and stuff like that on foreign soil, I don't have a problem with the president having a problem with that. There's a time and place for every truth. Michael Aaron, Sherry, there's a time and a place. We're not debating truth or falsehood here. We're saying if you are an American, if you about the red, white and blue, there's certain places you don't go and speak that way. There's a time and place for everything. Bruce Springsteen knows that better than anybody. Every truth ain't meant to be told at every single time. There's certain things you don't do. As it pertains to Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party paying folks to endorse them. This is not the first time those stories have been broached. Remember Oprah's production company and what it purportedly received? Remember even though there's no evidence that Beyonce was paid a dime, remember what they were saying about her in terms of the connection how the camp the Harris campaign was able to convince her to endorse her publicly. We've seen a bevy of folks in Hollywood speaking out for Kamala Harris, but we also knew that they had spent about $1.5 billion. And we're asking ourselves where that money went and who got some of it and for what purpose. Those are legitimate questions, whether we like it or not. Whether we like it or not. So, again, I think the president should have bigger fish to fry. I don't think this should be a focal point. And I do think he comes across as a bit dictatorial, responding to Bruce Springsteen that way. However, don't sit here and say definitively he's wrong. We don't know that. Now with all the lies we've heard the Democratic Party talk about us. Let's just get that out the way right now. Now let's talk about former President Joe Biden for a quick second who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. The news came from his personal office on Sunday and the cancer has spread to his bones. Here's a portion of the statement from Biden's office. Quote, Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms. On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer characterized by a Gleason score of 9 with metastasis to the bone. While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone sensitive, which allows for effective management, end quote. And here's a photo and statement from Biden himself that he posted this morning on X. It says, quote, cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for list lifting us up with love and support, end quote. The first order of business is to say best wishes and good luck to our former President, our 46th President of the United States, Joe Biden. For me personally, it always hits home because we all know my mother passed away in 2017 of cancer. It is an issue that is highly sensitive to me and to millions upon millions of Americans and people worldwide. Cancer has ravaged so many lives in this world. And regardless of what people say about us beating cancer, I never feel like we've beaten cancer. And the likelihood is that I'll never will because it took away from me the greatest human being I have ever known, my father, who suffered from Parkinson's and ultimately departed because cancer had sifted through to his spine, my Uncle Frankie, my Aunt Norma, all cancer victims. So that's the human personal side of me that is sitting here wishing the very, very best for Joe Biden, yet with a palpable fear of the worst. So I'm really wishing and praying for the best for him. Having said that, in the interest of full disclosure, I think it's important to point out that hearing of his diagnosis doesn't come with its own suspicions. It is not about him. Once again, it's about the Democratic Party, at least for a second. Until we read that the news was just given to him by his doctor as it pertains to the severity of his condition. You did find yourself thinking, well, how well was he before the other day? How much or how bad off was he before we learned this news? How long was that portion of all of this going on? And what did the Democrats know? Because once again, we get to a point where whether it's Trump or it's other members of the GOP or it's even independence with heightened suspicions. The bottom line is the Democratic Party has shown itself to be, at least to some degree, some of the things they've accused the GOP of being. Disingenuous, not forthcoming, a bit scandalous, dare I say, if not flat out liars. See all the news coming out about what they knew about Joe Biden. See these reports sifting and circulating everywhere. Where was all of that? Do y' all know who the Democratic Party could easily be compared to right now? Not right now. In a second. I'm talking about how they were conducting themselves leading up to the 2024 election. Do you know who they could be compared to? Lance Armstrong. Remember the cyclist extraordinaire, seven time Tour de France winner? Remember that dude? I think it's seven. Eleven. I think it's seven. That's that same Lance Armstrong who won seven Tour de Frances was the dude that was accused of performance enhancement use for years. And what did he do? He terrorized the accusers knowing he was lying. What did the Democratic Party do when people brought up Joe Biden and his debilitation? They didn't just deny it. They attacked and attempted to ostracize those who would dare question it and come to find out as the days and the weeks and the months go by, how so many knew all along. And not only did they not admit it, they condemned those who said so. That's how I'm comparing them to Lance Armstrong. Think about it. Now let me spend the rest of my time getting into the path. Patrick Bet David folks. All right, this is before we get to your tweets I want to address some sound that I heard from the Patrick Bet David podcast regarding yours truly and my chances as a potential presidential candidate. Listen to this, please.
- [50:59]
Vinnie
I like Stephen A. I like the sports talk. And you know, he's a great freaking. He's. He's the best in the game.
- [51:05]
Stephen A. Smith
You're not with it. You're not. I'm not.
- [51:06]
Vinnie
I'm not.
- [51:07]
Stephen A. Smith
I'm not. Just because he didn't vote for Trump.
- [51:09]
Vinnie
No, not vote.
- [51:10]
Stephen A. Smith
No. He.
- [51:10]
Vinnie
It's the flip flop of every single person.
- [51:13]
Stephen A. Smith
You're calling Stephen Andy a flip flopper.
- [51:15]
Vinnie
Every single one of these guys that were on the left, every guy's girl now, from the Chanks to the Stephen A's to the Chris Cuomo to all these people. I'm not buying it at all, okay? And you say this all the time. It's the market. What does the market want? They're shifting because of the market. Don't.
- [51:33]
Stephen A. Smith
I don't.
- [51:34]
Vinnie
Listen, with all due respect, I'm not buying none of that shit from none of them, okay? Because they still. They were still on Kamala. They were still on Biden. They're still on that anti American bullshit sentiment. Because if you want to put in people like Biden and you want to put in people like. If you voted for Kamala Harris, what the hell do you even stand on? What was your thing? Just not Trump. So I just shifted all that Trump hating. He's the worst. He's Hitler. I'm not saying Steven said this, but all of them, all of them were anti Trump. We've been saying Trump is this guy since when? Since 2016. We've had this guy's back. And it's not just blind loyalty, Tom. It wasn't that. It was the proof in the pudding. He came in with Russia collusion, Obama and all these guys freaking spying on him. He had all this shit. He had Covid. He had all this stuff. Russian asset. All that bullshit Putin talk, all right? And then now he's back. Everybody voted for him. And they're all changing their tune because they have to.
- [52:31]
Stephen A. Smith
Oh, Lord. Vinnie, respectfully, specifically, on this particular topic, I don't give a. What you give a. About. I' ma say it twice so we know that I wasn't stuttering. I don't give a. What you give a. About as it pertains to this particular subject, because the one here that is at least somewhat wrong but clearly devoid of empathy or compassion or understanding is you. Now, before I get any further, let me say this. I love Vinnie I do as I do Adam, as I do Tom, as I do Patrick Bet Davis. And in the interest of full disclosure, before I get any further, I got a lot of love for them and their podcast, but I got a lot of love on a personal level for a guy by the name of Patrick Bet David, the leader of that crew who's become a great friend and somebody that has helped me. And I'll put it out on Front Street. He was one of the people that I was receiving advice from when I was negotiating a couple of my contracts. So I have a personal affinity and affection for that man. And Adam, too. And Adam. I got love for Adam, too. He knows why. That's my brother right there. Vinnie, this is directed to you. Could you calm down, please? Because you act like we had to have voted against Trump for the specific reasons that you're articulating. The border is a primary issue with you. We understand that. So how could anybody possibly vote for Kamala Harris? Well, what if their issue wasn't the border? What if their issue was avoiding chaos? What if their issue was not wanting a president in office that was willing to pad his own wallets and his own coffers while being the statesman that sits in the presidency of the United States of America? What if the priority wasn't safety in the streets? What if the priority was that they were for woke culture? There's a bevy of reasons. Why are you acting like everybody has to be a monolith? Like they have to be of one set of thinking and of one mind in order to vote this way? I watched the whole episode with you and Patrick bet David and Adam and Tom. Patrick bet David. Pbd. The man himself asked you specifically, all three of them, what was your top two priorities for the election? Each of y' all gave a different answer. A different answer. You talked about the economy. PBD talked about woke culture. Tom talked about safety, industry. I'm sorry. To produce. I'm sorry. Behind the scenes. Talked about safety in the streets. Adam talked about the borders. And I forgot what else. And I'm sorry if I forgot the other part about you, Vinnie. But the point is, all of y' all had different reasons. It's America. You're gonna have different beliefs.
- [56:05]
Vinnie
So what?
- [56:06]
Stephen A. Smith
So what? Now let's get to me, because I'm who you were talking about that you lumped in with other people. Even though I do appreciate you pointing out that I didn't say those incendiary things about President Trump. I appreciate that. Seriously. And I got number. Love for you, we just disagreeing on this particular issue. I'm not monolithic in my thinking. We live in a binary system. There's shit I didn't like about both of them. I have always been against woke culture. I have always been against open borders. I'm totally aligned with Patrick bet David on the issue of woke culture and parental influence, or lack thereof, that the administration and the left were trying to impose imposed upon the will of the American people. How dare them. They were wrong. I didn't like it one bit. But how about whether it's Charlottesville, whether it's the riots in the streets, because in the aftermath of the George Floyd killing, whether it's Project 2025 or a host of other things that you can point to that, dare I say, would make somebody in my position because last time I checked, we look a little different, bro. Certain things might be of a concern for me, that might not be of a concern for you. And we were thinking about that. Now you end up looking right, but how will you end up looking right? I'll give you the borders because. But we're aligned on that. I don't know about the tariff war with China. I hope it works. I see the 90 day reprieve, but I don't know if it's gonna work. I'm hopeful. But were you cool with Trump's original strategy where he was alienating a whole bunch of allies and basically encouraging them to consider doing business with China because they were willing to go up against us because they didn't like the way he was acting, because he seemed a bit chaotic and haphazard. It might have been strategic on his part, but we don't know that until the results come in. And yes, trillions of dollars have been promised to the American economy courtesy of companies that are willing to pledge their commitment to what he's doing. And I understand that, but we gotta see it to believe it, right? We can't. You agree with everything about Trump. I spoke to Candace Owens. She don't agree with everything about Trump. I spoke to Officer Tatum. He don't agree with everything that Trump has to say. I. I spoke with Bill O'Reilly. He didn't agree with everything. I'm quite sure if I spoke to you, Vinnie, you wouldn't agree with everything. Patrick, Ben David, you wouldn't agree with everything. Tom, Adam, you wouldn't agree with everything. I mean, damn. Come on, Vinnie. Come on, baby. It ain't got to be like that. Everybody talk about switching sides. All ain't no switching. Let me Speak for myself, because I'm not gonna speak for everybody else. Let me speak for myself right here. I don't want to hear a damn thing about switching. I've been an independent my entire adult life, okay? I've said if it wasn't Trump, if it was a Nikki Haley or somebody, I would have voted for them over Kamala Harris. I would have voted for them over Biden. I have spoken out totally. Being against open borders, that's not going to keep our economy swirling. That's not going to keep our streets safe. But I'm a guy that believes in being in the middle, meaning open to compromise, understanding. Everybody can't get what they want. Vinnie, you seem like if you can't get everything you want, you pissed. So, damn it, it's all or nothing. That's not reality. You go to work every day. Patrick bet David tells you everything you want to hear and gives you everything he want you want, and he never says no to you. I know Patrick bet David a little bit. I sincerely doubt that's reality, but you deal with it, don't you? That's how it goes. That's how it goes. I'm looking at Trump right now. There are certain things that I don't like, but I'm keeping an open mind. He might be right about these tariffs. Maybe. Let's see. He's definitely right about the borders. Pat. PBD always been right about the whole world culture thing. No shade here. War in Ukraine, between Russia and Ukraine. Is that gonna get resolved when we resolve the Israeli Palestinian conflict? Not that we will, because I don't think that will ever be resolved. But if that's resolved in some way, shape, form, or fashion is the definition of resolution. Having Trump resorts in Gaza and beyond? I don't know the answer to that question. Do you, Jared Kushner, is he really patting his wallet significantly? Are the Trumps, the sons, Don and Eric, who are running his business and doing business in Saudi Arabia? Is the wallet of the truth Trump family getting patted here? And if so, fine, because all politicians find a way to get their share, their peace. But at what cost to the American people? I'm not allowed to ask that question? Vinnie, come on, bro. You better than that. You talking about people switching or whatever. You have some people in our country that wish it was the way that it would have been under the Harris or the Biden Harris administration. Some people didn't mind open borders. Some people didn't mind world culture. Some people thought, hey, they said our economy was the envy of the world. What is he messing with it for? They ain't. They ain't paying attention to a $37 trillion deficit. I personally roll with you. I think it is a reason to be concerned so much so I'm not ruling out voting for the damn GOP assuming I don't run a cost. And if I did run, I've already been on the record. The party would change. Purge was too strong of a word. And I don't want to call politicians professional beggars anymore. I do think that's disrespectful to them. I don't mean it that way. I'm simply saying you're needing. You got your hand out for support. You got your hand out honor and favors. You're at the behest of people who contribute to your campaigns, their donors, etc. I don't want to live that kind of life. And I do appreciate believe I do agree with you, the whole PBD team when you say the apparatus that exists within the Democratic Party from superdelegates on down would be problematic if not impossible for somebody like myself. But I. I got news for you. I've been known to pull off the impossible. I have no desire to be a politician. I don't want to be a part of that world. I don't want to give up the money. I work diligently all of these decades to position myself to finally earn. All of that is true. And I got more coming by the way. I'm just getting started. The flip side to that, however, is this. I don't like people telling me what I can't do. I'm a black poor kid from the streets of New York City who got left back in the fourth grade because of a first grade reading level, who had dyslexia, who a guidance counselor once laughed at just because I told her I wanted to go to college and I graduated with honors and became a journalist. And I'm one of the top pundits in the world who's getting paid handsomely for it, by the way, on a level I never dreamed or fantasized about in my life. And as an aside, I'm a New York Times best selling author who wrote every single syllable of my own book. Who would have thought that? So I'm of the mindset anything I put my mind to, I could pull off anything if I want it bad enough. But you know the number one reason that I'm confident in myself, Vinnie, and I'm not speaking derogatorily towards you, my brother. I'm speaking with love, because I do like you. I love your whole crew. But I'm speaking to you directly. Don't look at the book as by its cover. So what? I didn't vote for Trump. It doesn't mean I ignored the good he could potentially do. I just had questions as to whether or not I believed he would do it, or would he be on a revenge tour, engaging in a kind of behavior that distracts him from doing the best job he could possibly do? I had questions about that. I was willing to vote for Kamala Harris because I believe there was a better chance of her working across the aisle if we ensured that the Republicans had the House and the Senate, because she would have to deal with them and work with them in order to get things done. And somehow, some way, we'd have a better shot at getting to the center. So now Trump has an opportunity to show me that he ain't going to lean far right, that he's going to be somewhat of a centrist, just the way he was as a businessman when he was being a donor to a whole bunch of Democrats and rife with Democratic ideology sifting through his blood. We don't have to go to how liberal he was in certain ways. That's why I voted for Kamala Harris. But why do I believe that I could pull off anything or I could be any damn thing that I want to be? You know why, Vinnie? It's because I could talk to people like you and Tom and Adam and my brother Patrick bet David and I could look at them and say, you know something? You got a good point. You're right. And I'm gonna rethink this, and I'm gonna move in a different direction. When have we heard a president do that? When have we heard senators do that? When have we heard representatives do that? As opposed to coming across as if they're at the mercy of lobbyists and others. People who are sensible and reasonable and isn't thinking about themselves before the best interest of the country. That's who I would be. I'd be in the Oval Office, and I'd come on the PBD podcast, and if you made suggestions and you was right, I say, damn it, you make a good point. From your lips to God's ears. I got to think about that, and I'd move forward. And you know why it would work? Because it would give the country a feeling of ease, that people are reasonable and being and working together. And as a result, they're coming up with a the best ideas. That's in the best interest of the country as opposed to being opposite ends of the spectrum. Two polarizing figures serving to divide us, all of the Americans, and leaving us in the streets to sift through it. And having you, Vinnie, spew your pissed off attitude towards everybody instead of saying, let's see what works and let's see what doesn't. That's all of any. That's all. All of these people switching gears. You ain't talking about me. I've never been a left on the left's gear. I've always decried some of the things the Democrats have done. I just look at the Republican Party and I say, what you got for us? And maybe I made the wrong decision this time around. Maybe I shouldn't have voted for Kamala Harris. Maybe I should have voted for Trump. Maybe next time I will for somebody else. I'm not gonna lie to you. I don't know about J.D. vance. Cause I remember those extreme positions he took. But I wouldn't hesitate to vote for Marco Rubio in a heartbeat. That's reasonable. See, I'm willing to be reasonable, Vinnie. And I wouldn't call you a flip flopper or denigrate or decry your position just because it's different from me. If you had a pretty damn good reason to feel that way, which we did. Based on Trump's first go round. We just found out in the aftermath how much Democrats were willing to engage in similar behavior to what they accused the other side of doing in hiding stuff about Biden and about their own transgressions is called learning and evolving through human error. Last time I checked, Vinny, you're human. Honestly, you're pretty good, brother. Pretty damn smart, fiery, passionate. As is the case with the rest of y' all. And I love y' all for it, and I learn from it every day. But it doesn't mean you can't learn a thing or two, Vinnie. Think about that, my brother. And by the way, I'm coming to town soon. And when I come, I expect you to treat me to a drink so we can talk about this even more. You're paying. Take it easy, y' all. Take it easy, buddy. That's it for this edition of the Stephen A. Smith Show. Hope y' all enjoyed it. Until next time, ladies and gentlemen. I'll be back with you before the Knicks host the Indiana Pacers. Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. For now, I gotta hop on a plane and get to OKC in time for game one of the Western Conference finals between the Thunder and the T Wolves. I hope y' all will continue to watch me as these playoffs continue to unfold again. Thanks to the wonderful Monica McNutt, my contemporary, my partner at ESPN doing an outstanding job covering not just the WNBA but the NBA as well. Really appreciated her insight about the whole Angel Reese, Caitlyn Clark situation. Anyway, I got to get on out of here, but I'll be back in a couple of days. Until then, ladies and gentlemen, Stephen A. Signing off, peace of love.
- [70:02]
Amy Robach
Amy Roach and T.J. holmes. Here Diddy's former protege, television personality Danity King alum Aubrey O' Day joins us to provide a unique perspective on the trial that has captivated the attention of the nation.
- [70:15]
Monica McNutt
It wasn't all bad, but I don't know that any of the good was real. I went through things there.
- [70:23]
Amy Robach
Listen to Amy and TJ presents Aubrey O' Day covering the Diddy trial on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [70:32]
Monica McNutt
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- [70:58]
Stephen A. Smith
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