Full Show: Nephew Josh's Post Valentine's Day Pitch. Stephen A Recaps NBA All-star Weekend. Jay-Z responds to dismissal of lawsuit.

Summary

The Stephen A. Smith Show – Episode Summary Release Date: February 17, 2025

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1. Introduction and Show Highlights

In this episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, host Stephen A. Smith delves into a variety of topics spanning sports, pop culture, and politics. The show features insightful commentary on the NBA All-Star Weekend, an engaging interaction with his nephew Josh, and a detailed discussion on the recent dismissal of Jay-Z’s lawsuit. Additionally, Stephen A. explores the swirling rumors about his potential presidential run, offering his perspectives on the current political landscape.

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2. NBA All-Star Weekend Recap Timestamp: [03:45 - 10:04]

Stephen A. Smith begins by recapping the NBA All-Star Weekend held in the Bay Area, highlighting Stephen Curry's performance. Curry captured the second All-Star Game MVP by scoring 12 points in Team Shaq's OG's victory over Charles Barkley's Global Stars.

Notable Quote:

• "Steph Curry captured the second All Star Game MVP to the delight of the fans at the Chase Center in San Francisco." [04:50]

However, Stephen A. criticizes the newly introduced round-robin format, emphasizing mixed reviews despite increased competitiveness. A significant point of contention is Draymond Green's strong negative feedback on the format.

Notable Quotes:

• "Draymond Green... gave it a zero. He questioned the addition of the rising stars... 'it sucks' and 'it ain't basketball.'" [05:43]
• "For the record, I agree with him. It's All Star Weekend. You mean Ricky All Stars, they're not supposed to be a part of basketball on Sunday evening." [06:00]

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3. Slam Dunk Contest Analysis Timestamp: [12:59 - 20:10]

Stephen A. shifts focus to the Slam Dunk Contest, celebrating Mack McClung's historic three consecutive victories. Despite praising McClung's achievements, he expresses disappointment in the overall quality compared to past legends like Vince Carter and Michael Jordan.

Notable Quotes:

• "Mack McClung has played a grand total of five NBA games in his career and he's won three slam dunk titles." [15:03]
• "LeBron James single-handedly ruined this competition. Ruined it, ladies and gentlemen." [16:13]

He laments the lack of genuine competition and proposes innovative ideas to rejuvenate the contest, including nationwide talent searches and increased financial incentives for participants.

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4. Interaction with Nephew Josh – Post Valentine's Day Pitch Timestamp: [28:44 - 45:43]

A humorous and candid segment unfolds as Stephen A.'s nephew, Josh, joins the show to pitch his ideas post-Valentine's Day. The exchange reveals familial dynamics and Josh's playful attempt to position himself as a potential vice-presidential candidate alongside Stephen A.

Notable Quotes:

• Josh: "Whatever you lack, I'm strong. That's the dynamic between us." [29:34]
• Stephen A.: "I'm not, but what does that have to do with you?" [29:55]

Their banter touches on topics like government regulations, personal freedoms, and Valentine’s traditions, showcasing Stephen A.'s ability to blend serious commentary with lighthearted interactions.

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5. Jay-Z Lawsuit Dismissal Timestamp: [46:21 - 53:40]

Stephen A. addresses the high-profile dismissal of a lawsuit filed against Jay-Z and Sean "Diddy" Combs, where Jay-Z denied all allegations, labeling the suit as "frivolous" and a "money grab."

Notable Quotes:

• Jay-Z Statement: "This is not true. You are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law." [48:00]
• Stephen A.: "Jay Z ain't that one. As far as I'm concerned, he did exactly what he was supposed to do." [48:56]

He passionately defends Jay-Z's character, emphasizing their long-standing friendship and expressing disappointment in the public's quick judgment without substantial evidence.

Notable Quotes:

• "The person that I've known for 25 years, nah, I don't believe he's capable of something like that." [49:18]
• "He spoke and said, I'm innocent. This is not true." [50:50]

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6. Presidential Bid and Political Commentary Timestamp: [55:19 - 73:40]

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing rumors about Stephen A.'s potential presidential run. Initially clarifying that he had no intentions, he gradually explores what his candidacy would entail and critiques the existing two-party system.

Notable Quotes:

• "The binary system that we're in, where we have to choose between the Democrats or the Republicans is a joke." [58:39]
• "If the American people wanted me to be the President... something I would consider." [58:54]

Stephen A. critiques both parties, highlighting perceived failures of the Democratic Party and expressing frustration with political polarization. He passionately advocates for competition beyond the traditional party lines, emphasizing free-market capitalism, strong national security, and border control.

Notable Quotes:

• "I believe in free market capitalism. I believe in patrolling our borders. I believe in strong national security." [68:34]
• "The two-party system sucks. You think I like what I see Elon Musk doing? I don't know whether I like it or not." [70:02]

He suggests that his entry into politics would be driven by a desire to address systemic issues and provide a fresh alternative, rather than personal ambition.

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7. Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts Timestamp: [73:41 - End]

Stephen A. concludes the episode by reaffirming his commitment to addressing the challenges he has outlined, whether in sports or politics. He emphasizes his willingness to bring a new perspective and fight for change, leaving listeners with a sense of anticipation for his future endeavors.

Notable Quotes:

• "I'm there to win. Our two-party system sucks. You think I like what I'm seeing? I don't know whether I like it or not." [70:14]
• "That's why Stephen A. Smith is a candidate... Because I got heart, I got guts." [73:33]

He signs off with a blend of determination and assurance, encouraging his audience to stay tuned for more impactful discussions.

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Conclusion

This episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show offers a comprehensive blend of sports analysis, personal anecdotes, and sharp political critique. Stephen A. Smith's candidness and assertive viewpoints provide listeners with engaging and thought-provoking content, maintaining his signature blend of entertainment and insightful commentary.

Transcript

[Greg Rosenthal]

What's up, everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal, and I'm teaming up with the king of spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs mock drafts to my top 101, free agents will have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents starting on March 6th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Julie Swerbinks]

What's up, everyone? Julie Swerbinks here along with former NHL player Nate Thompson.

[Nate Thompson]

We're doing a new podcast together. Here we go.

[Julie Swerbinks]

The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb.

[Nate Thompson]

Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right?

[Julie Swerbinks]

Exactly. And you'll never know who will drop by to join us.

[Nate Thompson]

Julia's pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe.

[Julie Swerbinks]

Listen to Energy Line with Nate and JSP on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I'm tired. I'm tired of it. I'm tired of talk about the NBA All Star Weekend. I'm tired of talking about the slam dunk contest. And I certainly am tired of all of this noise about me being president and whether or not I'm qualified to even run.

I got news for you. I got a surprise for you on.

That subject as well. The Commander in chief, Stephen A. Smith.

You don't know why.

It makes sense. I'm gonna tell you why. The Stephen A. Smith show in the house. Let's roll.

What's up, everybody? Welcome to the latest edition of the Stephen A. Smith Show. Coming at you, as I love to do at the very least three times a week over the digital airways of.

YouTube, YouTube and of course, iHeartRadio.

As always, I'd like to take a moment to thank my subscribers and followers.

We now eclipsed 1.08 million subscribers over the digital airways of YouTube. Not to mention the millions of downloads.

We received over the last few months, courtesy of iheartradio. Can't thank y'all for the love and support enough.

As I always tell y'all, keep the love coming, and I'm gonna keep on coming. There's no shortage, though, diminished capacity of energy this way.

I got a whole bunch of stuff.

On my mind that I want to get into.

And I thank y'all for listening to.

This show and supporting me as always.

To continue to like and follow the show.

Just click the bell to get notified for all of our new content, newest content rather.

And you too shall consider yourself the latest member of the Stephen A. Smith show family. And while you're doing that, make sure to pick up a copy of my New York Times bestselling book, Straight Shooter, A memoir of Second Chances and First Takes, now in paperback. Just go to straightshooterbook.com to get yourself a copy. Once again, that's straight shooter book.com perfect time to have this book out. Most folks that are thinking about running for office and stuff like that gotta write a book. I don't have to. The book's already there. It's already a New York Times bestseller, which is the creme de la creme of publishing.

Although I'm not thinking about running for office, it's nice to know that the book is out there and that work is done.

By the way, you heard me say Straight Shooter. You see that tag over my right shoulder? Straight Shooter Media.

That's because that's the name of my media company, my production company, Straight Shooter.

Named after my book, just for future reference.

So you all know that it used to be called Mr. Sas. It's now called Straight Shooter Media, and it's been that way for a few months. But I just wanted to make sure I reiterated that to y'all.

Got a lot of stuff to get into today, especially the political landscape.

Trump and Putin and Elon Musk and.

Some stuff going on there, but also involving me. And I'll explain why that is and.

How I feel about it.

But before I get into any of.

That, um, by the way, my nephew's in the house. He's gonna be coming here in a few minutes. He's invaded the residencies, the residents rather, so I gotta deal with that.

But I gotta get to NBA All Star Weekend in the Bay Area first, where hometown hero Steph Curry captured the second All Star Game mvp. To the to the delight of the fans at the Chase center in San Francisco, Curry scored 12 points in Team Shaq's OG's 4,125 victory Sunday in the 1st of 40 finale against Charles Barkley's Global Stars to win the league's new round robin tournament. The two teams had dismissed Candace Parker and Kenny Smith squads in the semifinals. Some of the players acknowledged the new format led to a more competitive product, but it was met with mixed reviews overall. Case in point, Mr. Draymond Green. The biggest headlines of All Star Weekend may have been generated by him who expressed his displeasure with the changes to the All Star Game. When asked to rate the new All Star Game format on a scale of 1 to 10 during TNT's broadcast, he gave it, quote, a zero. He questioned the addition of the rising stars to the Sunday All Star Game festivities and said the new three game format quote sucks end quote and quote it ain't basketball. End quote. Couple of things before I get into this. Number one, Draymond Green, Jalen Rose and Vince Carter were outstanding. Absolutely outstanding. No doubt about it. They did their thing yesterday. They did what pregame shows are supposed to do and in the case of Draymond Green, can't say enough, he stole the show with some of his comments. This was one of them. Now I went on Twitter and I said, for the record, I agree with him. It's All Star Weekend. You mean Ricky All Stars, they're not supposed to be a part of basketball on Sunday evening for the All Stars. So I think that Draymond Green was absolutely right and I had no problem with him expressing his displeasure. Well, what NBA All Star Weekend had deteriorated into in terms of its main event, no doubt about it. But that doesn't mean that he was complete in his synopsis and his breakdown of what disgusted him about the encore for All Star Weekend. Because you see when you point to.

The game itself and the appearance and.

The participation of rookie All Stars, Draymond Green left one thing out. One thing out.

He left out the fact that it.

Was the fault of the players, the legitimate All Stars who have basically snubbed their nose and given the proverbial middle finger to the league, to sponsors and.

Advertisers and to the fans.

Because you've shown up each week over the last two to three years minimum and you have flat out sucked. You haven't given a damn. When you couple that with the load management issues that had had had concerned the league and you consider the games missed and the activity of people missing games and announcing at the last minute that they were going to miss the.

Games and stuff like that during regular season and beyond, it became problematic. So the dereliction of duty exercised by the players on All Star Weekend and specifically the Sunday game, the main event, that stuff is what provoked rookie All Stars being added to it. Because we knew that players were going to get their backup and they didn't want to be the one going out there losing to the rookie, Rookie All Stars. And you saw that happen. You saw an extra level, an elevated level of effort. You saw all of that why? Because they didn't want to get bounced out by rookie All Stars who they know were coming for them. That's exactly why the league did it. They did it to soak in milk, every ounce of effort from All Stars who were supposed to be showing it to begin with. I will remind y'all that.

Did y'all know All Star activities is a part of their contract? Did you know that? It's a part of their contract.

And for these guys to walk up, a prominent agent in the league said.

To me a few weeks ago, he said, the problem with All Star Weekend is that the players look at the league like a bank instead of looking.

At them like partners.

You know what is a bank?

It's the place that holds your money and you allowed to come get whatever they're contractually obligated to give you based on a salary that you receive and nothing more. As opposed to looking at the league as partners who helped you get an.

11 year, nearly $77 billion deal with a league average salary being of over $10 million. Well, God's getting generational wealth. And what we're not seeing here is that you got cats that are making nine figures, well over 100, well over 200 million, in some cases over $300 million. And literally, you got cats going out there signing their contract and playing for their next contract or protecting themselves for their next contract without honoring what the present contract that they. They sign their name to and what they're obligated to fulfill before they've done anything in regards to that. Let me position myself to acquire generational wealth. But before you fulfill your obligations to earn the money you just signed on.

For, let me tell y'all something right now. NBA All Star Week is in the world of trouble. Last night was a step in the right direction because we saw some effort for the first time in a while, we. Which was a good thing. Cause I'm here to tell you right now, had they showed up and not given any effort similar to what they did the last two to three years, had they done that last night, I'm here to tell y'all right now that NBA All Star Weekend was in danger to being canceled.

I'm not guessing. I'm telling you what I know.

It was on the verge of being canceled. So please understand that that's what we're talking about here. That really, really is so.

I was pleased what what I saw.

Compared to what I saw for the previous two to three years. But it still wasn't anything to knock my socks Off.

It really, really wasn't. And I didn't blame Draymond Green 1/2 for saying what he said. I'm just saying you got to put.

The onus where it belongs, which is.

On the players who've wet the bed in terms of their effort. By the way, we got two examples last night.

Listen how you LeBron James and you're going to announce right before to the league that you can't participate. You showed up to San Francisco and you can't play.

You didn't know that beforehand.

So they could have made sure to have somebody like a Norman Powell or the Clippers or somebody else that was there to fill your spot.

Adam Silver didn't have time to name a replacement because LeBron James let him know at the last minute, though. Any of us believe that LeBron James didn't know he was going to play. Do any of us believe for one second that he decided at the last.

Minute he was going to play?

Nobody believes that. Nobody, I mean, spit. Talk about spinning somebody's face, telling them it's raining. Nobody's believing that. He could have let him know, but he did it. I got news for you too. Who says anything about Steph Curry?

I mean, the great Steph Curry?

I mean, talk about a godlike figure. I mean, to say anything negative about this brother is damn near sacrilegious because he is the quintessential ambassador. He is perfection personified as a human being. He's God fearing, he's decent, he's a family man. Don't get himself in any trouble. Don't talk bad about anybody.

Nothing.

Seth Curry special. But is it just me? Fellas, ladies, talking to my staff here, Is it just me? Am I the only one that had a problem with the fact that the three point shooting contest was taking place.

Right there in San Francisco on his home turf and he wasn't a participant? Is it just me?

Is it just me? I mean, he's only the greatest shooter God ever created. It's a three point shooting contest. I appreciate the fact that Damian Lillard was a two time champion and that he ultimately lost. It probably has something to do with all that damn activities going on where y'all interrupting their rhythm. He damn near looked like he was taking a nap on a bench before it was his turn to shoot. Maybe if y'all hadn't disrupted his rhythm, he would have been better off. But any event, it came down to Buddy Hield versus Tyler Hero. Ain't no shame in that. Both the brothers can shoot, but All Star Weekend is in San Francisco on the home turf of Steph Curry. And the greatest shooter God has ever created chose that three point shooting event to not participate. Is it just me? Is it just me?

Would have been nice to see him. Just wanted to say that.

Let me move on to the next.

Subject because we got to get to the dunk contest where we saw Mack McClung become the first player to win it three straight years, beating rookie Stefan Castle of the San Antonio spurs in the final. His first dunk was over a car. And after his performance, NBA stars John Moran and Giannis Antetokounmpo publicly contemplated participating in the Context next season. Josh said he may have to enter the fray next year and shouted out former champs Zach Levine and Aaron Gordon. And Giannis said he would participate if.

Morant entered the contest, which basically means neither.

Neither of them are going to participate.

Because we know John Moran is just talking. Now, this is a brother that has been a Skywalker for years, but suddenly you gonna want to participate.

Who you fooling?

Don't believe it, ladies and gentlemen, until we see it.

I'm so sick of this stuff.

I really, really am.

It really, really rakes my nerves.

And by the way, Giannis, you're seven feet. I'm not that interested in seeing you.

In the dunk contest.

Honestly speaking, if we really, really think about it, do we really care to see a seven footer in a dunk contest? You barely have to come off your.

Tippy toes to dunk.

Now, Mac McClung ain't Smud Webb, but the brother special. And props to Mac McClung because that brother can dunk. White dudes can jump, evidently. Remember the movie White Men Can't Jump? With Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson? White men evidently can dunk. Cause that brother, Mack McClung, not one, not two, but three times. Back to back to back champions.

Having said that, with all the credit.

This kid deserves, can we take a moment to pause to give it some proper perspective?

Sherry, don't laugh too much. Griff, don't look Sad because Mac McClung.

Looks like you and you're looking out for your brother. Just listen to me.

Can we just be very, very honest.

And realistic about something here? Ladies and gentlemen, Draymond's assertions about All Star Game should also apply to the slam dunk contest.

Do you know that Mac McClung is in the G League? Do you know that he has three slam dunk championships and it almost matches the number of NBA games he's. He's actually played in his NBA career. Do you know that Mack McClung has played a grand total of five NBA games in his career and he's won three slam dunk titles. This is not to throw any shade on him whatsoever. It's to show how disgraceful the players are. Nobody can participate in this. Ladies and gentlemen, let me stay for the record right now, this is not piling on because LeBron James is the second greatest player in the history of basketball who I believe is grossly underpaid, is worth more than he's being paid, is an ambassador for this league, is a marquee, and has spent the vast majority of his career showing up in every way one can imagine, except for.

One thing, and that is slam dunk contest of all star weekend.

LeBron James single handedly ruined this competition. Ruined it, ladies and gentlemen.

To get.

Mac McClung out the way. Y'all do understand that Mac McClung, those are prop dunks.

That's right.

I said it. Griff, don't be offended. Don't be afraid of not talking about your brother like that.

It's the truth. It's the truth. He doesn't dribble. Even Dominique Wilkins, who didn't have much of a handle, used to dribble. He doesn't dribble what he dunks. There's always assistance or he's always getting some running start. Did you see Vince Carter in 2000? Huh? Did you see it? I saw it. Did you see Zach Levine in 2015? That wasn't even his best. Did you see him in 2016 against Aaron Gordon? Did you see it? I saw it. Did you see it? I mean, these brothers were sensational. Did you see Jordan in 88 against Dominique Wilkins? Did you see him, see him cuff the ball? You see Dr. J back in the day? You see Spud Webb? You see Jason Richardson? Did you see Dwight Howard vs. Nate Robinson? I appreciate so much what Mac McClunk did over the last three years to save the dunk contest, but let's not. Let's stop talking about him like he's.

On those brothers level.

It's not true. It's not true. He's not.

But you have to make it seem that way because at least he had the decency to be fearless enough to participate. Which is more than we could say for a whole bunch of brothers legitimately.

In the N B A who are.

Stars who want no part of this competition. And it all started with LeBron. Dr. J participated. David Thompson participated. Dominique Wilkins participated. Michael Jordan participated. Vince Carter participated. Tracy McGrady participated. Kobe Bryant participated.

All the mega stars who played above the rim participated until LeBron James refused. He ruined the slam dunk contest. Which is why, if you can have a Matt McClung coming from the G.

League, I would strongly advise people to embrace my suggestion. Remember when I said over the airwaves before, not just this show, but on espn, I would personally attach my name to a nationwide contest going throughout the.

Cities of America to find the top 10 slam dunkers in the country to come to All Star Weekend.

And what I would do is use 10 all stars to sponsor the players that they support, that they think would win, where they could be active participants but play the role of cheerleaders and sponsors while you let them dunk. First prize, a million dollars. Second prize, half a million dollars. Third prize, $100,000. We got brothers in the streets starving for a portion of those dollars at a hundred thousand, let alone 500,000, a million. Could you imagine what they would do to participate in a slam dunk contest on All Star Weekend? It would be the best slam dunk contest maybe ever.

That's what we should be thinking about. That's what we should be thinking about.

Again, props to Mac McClung.

Appreciate his contribution. But let's stop acting like we ain't seen better. We have. I gave you a plethora of examples.

And boy of Zach Levine gets back.

In it next year and Aaron Gordon gets back. And I think it's too late for Aaron Gordon. Too old to be doing that, but.

Zach Levine, John Morant certainly has the ability, but he didn't want to do it. So what you want to do it now for? I don't believe it.

Zach lavine already did it twice.

He doesn't owe us that. But if he gave us the gave it to us a third time, boy.

What a treat it would be.

That's all I wanted to say about that. Before I get to back to Draymond Green about something else, here's a word.

From our our sponsor.

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All right, folks, I need you all.

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Prospects, yo.

Run your game today. I'll give you my picks on two games as the NBA returns from the All Star break. The Charlotte Hornets are visiting the Los Angeles Lakers Wednesday night, and the Cleveland Cavaliers are at the Brooklyn Nets Thursday night. So let's get to it.

First up with the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James.

Will he score more or less than 23 and a half points against the Charlotte Hornets? I'm going with more. The brother had a break, right? He's got his breast right, didn't play All Star weekend, right? I mean, and you look at it from that standpoint. I know he's trying to get Luke involved in all of this other stuff, but LeBron is LeBron. And with the criticism he's going to get for sitting out and letting the NBA know at the last damn minute that he was sitting out, not giving Adam Silver an opportunity to name a replacement, he's going to take some heat. When LeBron James senses heat, he responds the best way he knows how to on the court. And considering the fact that it's against the Charlotte Hornets, I think he'll be fine. 23 and a half points is easy.

He'll handle that.

Next up, will the Charlotte Hornets Miles Bridges score more or less than 23 and a half points? I'm going to go with less. I'm going to go with less. He's up and down some games. He's definitely capable of having big games. No doubt about that. But 23 and a half points against the Lakers is suspect as their defense is from time to time. I think they can handle it. I don't think he's going to have that big of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers this Wednesday night. I could be wrong because he could give it to them. I just suspect that Wednesday night's not.

Going to be one of those nights.

Next up with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Will the Cleveland Cavaliers Donovan Mitchell score more or less than 23 and a half points? Ladies and gentlemen, I'm thinking about saying that the Cleveland Cavaliers gonna win the championship. I'm not there yet, but I'm getting there. That's primarily because of that brother right there. I love me some Donovan Mitchell. I wish he was a New York Nick. I don't give a damn what size issue it would have existed with him and Jalen Brunson. Could you imagine what those brothers would be doing on the offensive side of the ball if that brother was on the New York Knicks? I don't give a damn what anybody says. I'm of the mindset, excuse me, that this brother is going to do his thing. I'm always going to pick him to score over 23 and a half point. Damn it. Even when I'm wrong, I'm right. Or when I'm right, I'm wrong. It don't matter. Finally with Cleveland Cavaliers. Will the Cleveland Cavaliers Darius Garland score more or less than 20 and a half points? They've been playing phenomenal basketball all year long. Darius has got his game back. Atkinson, Kenny Atkinson, the new head coach.

Has done his, done his due diligence.

They've got the top of the best record in basketball. Dari Garland has a lot to do with that. I'm gonna go with more on this one too. So it's more with Garland, it's more with Mitchell. Okay. It's more with LeBron James. It's less with Miles Bridges. That's where I'm at with it. Okay. That's just where I'm at with it.

Maybe I'm right, maybe I'm wrong. Just know this, I'm not wrong too often. Flow with me on this. Please flow with me.

[Hunter]

I'm Hunter, host of Hunting for Answers on the Black Effect Podcast Network. Join me every weekday as I share bite sized stories of missing and murdered black women and girls in America. There are several ways we can all do better at protecting black women. My contribution is shining a light on our missing sisters and amplifying their disregarded stories. Stories like Tameka Anderson. As she drove toward Galvez, she was in contact with several people talking on the phone as she made her way to what should have been a routine transaction. But Tameka never bought the car and she never returned home that day. One podcast, one mission. Save our girls. Join the search as we explore the chilling cases of missing and murdered black women and girls. Listen to Hunting for Answers every weekday on the Black Effect Podcast Network, iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jamie Petras]

September 1979. Virginia's top prison band, Edge of Daybreak, is about to record their debut album Behind Bars in just five hours.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Okay, we're rolling.

One, two, three, four.

[Jamie Petras]

I'm Jamie Petras, music and culture writer. For the past five years, I've been talking to the band's three surviving members. They're out of prison now and in their 70s, their past behind them. But they also have some unfinished business.

[Stephen A. Smith]

The everyday break Eyes of Love was supposed to been followed up by another album.

[Jamie Petras]

It's a story about the liberating power of music, the American justice System, and ultimately Second Chance. Listen to Soul Incarcerated on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Now let me get to the whole.

Draymond thing, because I don't know if y'all saw this last night, but Draymond went a bit beyond All Star Weekend. Started talking about his Golden State Warriors.

Obviously, he was in front of his.

Home on his home turf to Chase center, outside with that crowd watching them. And Draymond Green had this to say. Ladies and gentlemen, I need you to see it. Put this up on the full screen, please, because I need them to see it.

He said to that crowd outside.

And the Jalen Rose and Vince Carter. I think we're going to win the championship. Oh, I'm sorry. I lied. I said, I think we're going to win a championship, but again, I lied. We are going to win the championship. Draymond Green, I. I don't think he's.

Smoking something, but I don't think they're gonna win.

But I will say this. Jimmy Butler does bring a different dimension.

Andrew Wiggins and those brothers brought.

He gets to the free throw line. I got to the free throw. He's only been there four games.

Got to the free throw lines 40 times.

That stalls the action. That gives Steph Curry an opportunity to.

Rest, which means that when you're running the flow of your offense and this brother's getting loose, looking to launch, you got them in a better position. Plus, Jimmy Butler defends as well.

So Jimmy Butler defends along with Draymond Green. There's no shortage of heart in that locker room. There's no shortage of ability between Steph and Jimmy. With Draymond's abilities outside of shooting the basketball, I don't think Golden State could be okc. I don't think they could be the healthy Dallas. I don't believe they could be the healthy Denver. I'm not sure they could be the healthy LA. I think they got a chance against a healthy LA, because it's LeBron and Luke offensively. But the Lakers got some size on them. But I don't know. I don't. I don't. I think they could beat the Lakers. One thing I will say about Draymond, he has made the latter part of.

This NBA season, these last 27 games very interesting. Very interesting. Because you know he's gonna go out.

There trying to back it up. Steph Curry said he ain't had no problem with what Draymond said, so he's ready to back it up. And you know, Jimmy Buckets ain't backing down from no damn body. So it's about to get. And Steve Kirk and coach his ass off. So it's about to get very, very.

Interesting on that, I will say.

But before I go to break, I got a guest in the house. I'm out of town, but my nephew is in.

And when I'm not in town, he.

Loves sitting behind my desk, acting like.

He'S running the show. My nephew Josh. No, it's not nephewtism, but that's what.

He likes to call it. Look, why you look like you got a beanie on or something. What the hell are you wearing? What kind of hat is that?

[Josh]

It's about five degrees out here. Feeling like Buffalo, to be honest with you.

[Stephen A. Smith]

All right, move to your left. Cause you got a sense. See, this shows your amateurism. Move a little bit to your left. You ain't even centered. See what I'm trying to say?

[Josh]

This is what it's going. As long as the next Knicks emblem was showing, somebody gotta show somebody.

[Stephen A. Smith]

As long as the next emblem is showing.

[Josh]

Yeah.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Why are you in studio sitting in.

My chair, acting like you running the show? What's going on with you?

[Josh]

I have a few announcements. They calling me jvp.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Jvp?

[Josh]

Yes.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Jeff Van Gundy.

[Josh]

Well, you're running for president, aren't you?

[Stephen A. Smith]

I'm not, but what does that have to do with you?

[Josh]

Well, people putting you on polls and stuff like that. No funny stuff. But you're gonna need a vice. No.

[Stephen A. Smith]

What the hell? I'm supposed to have you as a vice president.

[Josh]

Whatever you lack, I'm strong. That's the dynamic between us, so.

[Stephen A. Smith]

But I'm not lacking.

[Josh]

What happened? So you'll be the perfect candidate. Politician. There's no such thing. So whatever you're.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Listen, there's no perfect.

There's no perfect candidate, but I'd be pretty damn good. And I think that I'd beat any Democrat that's out there, to be quite honest with you.

[Josh]

No, but how would you make people like me want to vote for you?

[Stephen A. Smith]

Well, first of all, I'm going to look out for you. Because. Just because I don't smile and sit up there and wave the. And wave the black fist and talk about black power don't mean I'm going to Forget my own. I'm going to always look out for my own as number one. Number two, I'm going to look out for the American people. See, there's a way to do both. There's a way to do both. And you got to articulate your position as opposed to creating enemies. The thing about it is we can't act like what we need is a smile. And we need somebody in our face. See, I had to give you tough love, you understand? Because you know what? Grandma smiled enough in your face. Grandma sat up there and pacified. Pacified your baby ass self. I mean, that's what grandma did. I'm not gonna do that.

But don't I love you? Don't I look out for you?

Do I not?

[Josh]

As the Vice president. There are a few things that I would, you know, that I would work on and I feel like you wouldn't think about it, but you would back me up.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Like what? Give it to me.

[Josh]

Like, for instance, why do we get tickets for not wearing our seatbelt? It's my safety. Why I gotta pay for it if I'm ignoring it? That's just one.

[Stephen A. Smith]

If you don't have on your seatbelt. So in other words, you're saying that you should have the right to harm yourself?

[Josh]

I should.

[Stephen A. Smith]

That's. That's that. What are you all you, a motorist? A Kevorkian motorist now? Something.

What the hell are you talking about?

[Josh]

It's not that. I just feel like the government sometimes just sticks their nose where it doesn't belong when there's real issues out here.

[Stephen A. Smith]

What real issues are out there, Josh? Because you just brought up seatbelts.

I mean, that's a real pertinent issue.

[Josh]

I mean, that's just a small part. All right, so why is the weekend only two days? Yeah.

[Stephen A. Smith]

What are you trying to say?

[Josh]

Why can't Friday be a part of? Isn't that something that the President can sit there and decide why Friday can't.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Be an official weekend? No, it is not.

It is not. And a weekend is Saturday and Sunday. That's a weekend.

[Josh]

Yeah, that's a week.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Universally recognized as the weekend. What's the problem?

[Josh]

Universally recognized? No, that's this nation and also this nation. Why can you only have one wife? It was just Valentine's Day. I was looked at as a villain. Cause I had three. I'm not cornered into just having one valentine. What is that? What'd you do this weekend?

[Stephen A. Smith]

Did you just say on video that you have three valentines?

[Josh]

Yeah.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Is that what you just Said what happened? You don't think that that's gonna get you in trouble, running your mouth like this?

[Josh]

No. I mean, unless if I told my valentine, yes, you were my only valentine, that'd be a lie. That's not what I did.

[Stephen A. Smith]

What did you do, Josh? What did you do?

[Josh]

Well, this year, I chose me. Let's start with that. I got tired of the same old. Like, I buy something, I buy something ground shaking and get back. Like a beard comb or something like that. Or my favorite, oh, you come out with something laced with nothing in your hands.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I don't care.

[Josh]

I had that before. Where's my gift?

[Stephen A. Smith]

So let me get this straight.

On Valentine's, you're looking to receive a gift as opposed to give them?

[Josh]

Yeah, and it's because I want to start a new tradition. A tradition is started by people, so I want to start a new one. Valentine's Day is about me. If you with me, Valentine's Day is about me. Because all year round, I'm about you. Right? That's what you taught me to do. Be all about your lady.

[Hunter]

Right.

[Josh]

So what's the one day could I get? It's not Valentine's Day. Then what is it? That's another thing.

[Stephen A. Smith]

How about your birthday? How about that?

[Josh]

She got a birthday, too. So why she get that and Valentine's Day?

[Stephen A. Smith]

Because she's your lady.

[Josh]

I'm her man. That's it. We gotta start establishing value in ourselves. I got you. I got you. Stop taking ethanol. What else are you talking about? Got my notes here.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Back with more of my nephew Josh in a second.

We gotta take another break for Prize Picks. My God. Oh, my Lord, that headache.

All right, everybody, listen up. With all the big time sports action.

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Cologuard a Non Invasive Colon Cancer Screening Test so I want to talk about colon cancer screening for a second here. I know you might hear that and.

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You contaminate the airways even further with your drivel, you know what I'm saying? You know you.

I. I know you. You know What I'm saying, Very few people on the planet know you better than your uncle. And I know you just talking smack. Cause you know better than really legitimately thinking and acting the way you proclaim. We ain't. We ain't owning that something wr. You okay?

[Hunter]

I'm Hunter, host of Hunting for Answers on the Black Effect Podcast Network. Join me every weekday as I share bite sized stories of missing and murdered black women and girls in America. There are several ways we can all do better at protecting black women. My contribution is shining a light on our missing sisters and amplifying their disregarded stories. Stories like Tamika Anderson. As she drove toward Galvez, she was in contact with several people talking on the phone as she made her way to what should have been a routine transaction. But Tameka never bought the car and she never returned home that day. One podcast, one mission. Save our girls. Join the search as we explore the chilling cases of missing and murdered black women and girls. Listen to Hunting for Answers every weekday on the Black Effect Podcast Network, iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Jamie Petras]

September 1979. Virginia's top prison band, Edge of Daybreak, is about to record their debut album Behind Bars in just five hours.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Okay, we're rolling.

One, two, three, four.

[Jamie Petras]

I'm Jamie Petras, music and culture writer. For the past five years, I've been talking to the band's three surviving members. They're out of prison now and in their 70s, their past behind them. But they also have some unfinished business.

[Stephen A. Smith]

The everyday break Eyes of Love was supposed to have been followed up by another album.

[Jamie Petras]

It's a story about the liberating power of music, the American justice system, and ultimately second chances. Listen to Soul incarcerated on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Stephen A. Smith]

But we'll talk about this later. You saw All Star Weekend. What were your thoughts about All Star Weekend? You heard what I had to say. What were your thoughts?

[Josh]

It's. It wasn't the worst. It was bad. It wasn't the worst though. And I feel like they are going towards fixing it. I feel like I got the solution. You wanna hear it?

[Stephen A. Smith]

Okay.

All right, I wanna hear what the solution is.

Go ahead.

[Josh]

I think they got it right with the little part of the younger team playing one of the older teams. But I think that that should be the All Stars. You should have All Stars under 28 and then All Stars over 28 and have them play each other. I think pride kicks in with that. Or you could do The Europeans and.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I mean the international players.

[Josh]

Yeah, dynamics, I think.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I think. I think soccer is a litmus test.

In this regard, Josh.

In all seriousness, when you look at the competition overseas and how rabid that fan base is and how serious they take it, the players have no choice because, listen, it's. It's not safe for them when they lose, when they give 100% max effort. So if they were lackadaisical in any way, could you imagine how those folks would act? So I think that because of the pride that they take in representing their homeland, wherever that may be, you put the international players up against the US Players. Since this is where the sport was born, you put it up against the US Players, and the US Players go up against the international players. And that's how you have All Star Weekend. And I also think you put it in different places. One year you put it in the States, another year you put it in Paris. Another year you come back to the States. Another year you go to England. Another year you come back to the States. Another year you might go to Croatia or. Or Sweden or. Or Finland or some place like that. Amsterdam, which is, I hear, is a party town and all this other Croatia, something like that. I think you do that. Or rather, let's say, for example, you got Luca, he's from Slovenia, all right?

You have other, you know, Wembanyana is from France.

You have Embiida, somebody who's from Congo. I think you go to those places where one of those players are represented and you have the All Star festivity there. I think that's how you do it. I think that's the only thing that could potentially save the event. To that you say, what?

[Josh]

Well, hopefully you do have one of the best ideas, because, like, you blame LeBron for the dunk contest. This is all your fault.

[Stephen A. Smith]

His fault or mine?

[Josh]

No, no. The All Star Game and the season where people are like, load managing and stuff like that, that's you. You wanna know what?

[Stephen A. Smith]

Why?

[Josh]

You are one of the main starters of championship or nothing. So now they ignore the journey and listening to you say it don't count. We don't care if you got 40, 10 and 10 tonight. Let's see what you do in June. You were saying that about LeBron for about a decade.

[Stephen A. Smith]

So it was like, all right, that's inaccurate. I'm sorry, that's inaccurate. What I said was that in terms of. Yes, once you show what you can do and what your abilities are, you gotta close. You can't be one of them brothers that's doing it with games that don't matter. But then when the games matter most, you shrink because the great ones didn't do that. That's what I say, and that's what I hold them accountable to. You don't take away from their greatness as a talent. What you're saying is to validate it, to close the deal, you got to show up in the moments that count.

And last time I checked, you agreed.

With me because you brought up his four championships.

[Josh]

I agree with you a little bit, but a little bit, I'll see LeBron average 34, 18 and 7 in the Finals and lose. That's not him not closing. That's.

[Stephen A. Smith]

That's if time, time. If LeBron is averaging 30, but in the fourth quarter like he did against Dallas, you going up against Jason Terry or, you know, J.J. berea, and you can't score on them in the fourth quarter, what the hell you want me to say?

[Josh]

That's, that's, that's, that's only Dallas. I'm talking about the other nine.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Well, that's a big deal.

Let me ask you a question. When did that ever happen to Jordan? Who, by the way, congrats.

Happy birthday to Jordan.

Cause it's his 62nd birthday today.

[Josh]

How old?

[Stephen A. Smith]

62.

[Josh]

62.

[Stephen A. Smith]

So Michael Jordan, it's his 62nd birthday today dot he had those kind of moments.

[Josh]

I mean, well, he was 1 in 8 before Scottie Pittman came on the team. And you know how I feel.

[Stephen A. Smith]

No, he wasn't. No, no. 1 and 8 in what?

[Josh]

In the playoffs.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Excuse me, two first rounds sweeps. That's fine. Two first round sweeps. You mean when he dropped 63 and Larry Bird called them God and gym shorts? You mean when he had nothing but.

Him, himself and a bunch of mail.

Men working with him?

Excuse me, Is that what you're talking about?

Are you kidding me?

Are you, are you, are you. Are. Are you on drugs?

[Josh]

No, I'm not on drugs. And as a matter of fact, LeBron in 2007, what was his team like?

[Stephen A. Smith]

Well, I gave him credit for getting.

Up to the championship against the Spurs.

I've never held that loss to the spurs against him.

But in Dallas, when he was with D. Wade and botching those boys and, and he went to bed in the fourth quarter? That's a fact.

[Josh]

That's the one.

[Stephen A. Smith]

You know this. You know this.

[Josh]

That's the one.

[Stephen A. Smith]

And by the way, why the hell do you have on that tight ass.

New York Knicks jacket? I mean, why, why is it so tight?

[Josh]

Oh, nah, it wasn't tight like a month ago. You got me in the gym. So my stuff's starting.

[Stephen A. Smith]

That's what it is. So you working out?

[Josh]

My stuff's starting tonight.

[Stephen A. Smith]

So you working out?

[Josh]

Yeah, I'm busting out my clothes company.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Are you busting out your clothes company card?

[Josh]

I need some new clothes.

[Stephen A. Smith]

You.

[Josh]

You and my. I'm coming down tonight. Don't worry about it.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Goodbye, man.

Get the hell out of here. I'll see you later.

[Josh]

Don't come down.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Yeah, we're done. Don't come down. Don't come down.

You'll probably complain about your flight arrangements.

Anyway with your spoiled ass self.

Coming up, I'm in the news. Stephen A. Smith as President of the United States. Everybody want to know if I'm serious.

Or if I'm bluffing.

Stick around and you'll find out exactly where I stand.

But before that, we got to get.

In the hole and some legal action.

That has evaporated before our very eyes.

The kind of legal action that was.

Being taken against them.

Puff gone.

We'll discuss that next right here on the Stephen A. Smith Show. Don't go away.

Welcome back to Stephen A. Smith show right here over the Digital Airways of YouTube. And of course, I hard radio. Let me get into some pop culture, please.

I'm not going to call this entertainment.

The woman who accused Jay Z and Sean Diddy Combs of raping her when she was 13 years old has dropped her lawsuit against both men less than four months after it was filed. Court records show that the suit was dismissed with prejudice, meaning the plaintiff cannot refile a suit. The suit included disturbing details of how the woman was allegedly lured by a limousine driver outside the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards and assaulted by the two rappers at an after party. Jay Z strongly denied the claims and his attorneys had been seeking to get the case dismissed.

In a statement on Saturday, Jay Z.

Shawn Carter himself said the claims were, quote, frivolous, fictitious and appalling and called the suit a money grab. The statement continued, I would not wish this experience on anyone. The trauma that my wife, my children, my loved ones and I have endured can never be dismissed. This one, 800 lawyer gets to file a suit hiding behind Jane Doe. And when they quickly realize that the money grab is going to fail, they get to walk away with no repercussions. The court must protect victims, of course, while with the same ethical responsibility the courts must protect the innocent from being accused without a shred of evidence, end quote. On Saturday, Combs attorney said the suit dropped On Friday will be the first of many that will not hold up in a court of law.

End quote.

Jay Z ain't that one. As far as I'm concerned, he did exactly what he was supposed to do. He didn't sit idly by and watch his name be raked through the coals and sullied the way that he did. Most of us would have. Most of us would have let our lawyers handle it. We would have shut up. We would have kept silent. He didn't do that. And I remember I was taking a lot of heat for coming to Jay Z's defense. My initial question is, where the hell are y'all now? And to the people who have smiled in Jay Z's face, who were supposed to be his friends, who are supposed to be supportive of his. Where y'all at? Where y'all at? Let me be very, very clear. None of us were there. We don't know what happened to whatever the case may be. That's fair. And if you have a microphone and a camera in front of you, you have an obligation to say that.

But in the same breath, what was.

I being attacked for?

Ladies and gentlemen, if you, if you.

Will recall, what I said was the man that I have known and I have been friends with for 25 years, there's no way I believe he's capable.

Of something like that.

See, the bigger issue is.

The, the.

Damn punks that society has turned us into. You can say two things at once. You can say, I wasn't there and I have no factual evidence to prove my position. But the person that I've known for 25 years, nah, I don't believe he would do that. I want to stake, I want to make sure that I'm clear because I got friends and loved ones and people like that in my life. If y'all ever handle some stuff with me the way that some of these people handle this stuff with Jay Z, y'all kiss my ass and you go to hell. Because at the very least, somebody should be able to say, I've known STEPHEN A.

For 20, 25, 30 years, 40 years. What? Nah, I can't see him doing it.

You just gonna go silent and just leave him hanging like that? When it ain't like he was silent. It ain't like he hiding and leaving others to talk for him. No, he spoke and said, I'm innocent. This is not true. And nobody can stand up and say.

Nah, that brother that I know, I can't see that a 13 year old girl, yes, you are guilty.

You are Innocent until proven guilty in.

A court of law, and we understand it in the court of public opinion.

It shifted in this day and age.

You know what the sad part is? Some of you out there might have believed Jay Z was totally innocent. But you know what?

It wasn't clickbait to say that.

So what you want to do is throw it out there and give a reaction for clickbait purposes. That's sad.

It really, really is.

If I'm attorney Busby, I watch my back because Jay Z coming. I don't believe for one second that Jay Z's gonna sit idly by and stop there. I don't believe it. I don't believe it. You don't have to hang out with people. Everybody. Oh, Steven, you trying you name drop. You trying to act like you cool as that where they. You know how many times I've been to 40?

40.

Know how many times me and Jay Z were hanging out in the back with, with OG Juan and the rest of the crew, talking sports, hanging out, playing cards, playing fantasy football or whatever it is? You know how many times I've been around these people? You know how you know, you don't know who I know. You don't know who anybody knows. But you don't have to be around people every day. Ladies and gentlemen, one of my best friends in the world is my boy Pulley. You know Pulley that love the big women. You got to be a minimum of £250 for him to look at you. Beyonce could be in front of his face and he'd be like, what the hell am I supposed to do with that? She's too small. That Pulley. Pulley was raised in Hollis, Queens with me. I'm lucky if I see Pooley once a year. Once a year, I'm lucky if we talk more than five times a year. The one thing you will never hear me say is that there's somebody on this planet earth that is my best friend over him. I grew up with him.

I've known him for over 50 years. 55, actually. That's my dog. I don't give a damn if I don't see him or I'll talk to him. As much I love my brother and if he ever needs me, I'm only a call away.

This notion that you got to hang out with people and got to fraternize all the time and got to be in front of their face all the damn time for them to be friends.

Y'all know that's not true. I've known jay Z For 25 years, I never believed he was guilty of such a thing, ever. It's a damn shame that the only voice I heard say that was myself. It's pretty messed up.

He's a better man than me, though.

He'll probably move on. I wouldn't forget any of y'all asses. Wouldn't do much. Wouldn't say much. But I'd know you and you'd know I know you. To J. Beyonce and the family. Hope y'all continue to live life wonderfully and prosperously. I'm glad this specific ordeal is over and I hope you never have to deal with anything like this again. That's all I got to say. Cause anything else I say, I might just cuss people out. Can't speak up for nobody. That's how much punks we are in this day and age. Can't speak up for anybody.

Coming up, all bunch of stuff is.

Going on with Donald Trump showing us strength or capitulating to Putin.

We don't know how I might be of assistance if I were in the Oval Office.

I don't know about that either, but.

I'm about to speculate on a very.

High level to kill some noise once and for all.

If you didn't know where I stand.

Before on my own politics and how I feel, you're about to find out.

Hold on to this because I don't.

Like repeating myself too often.

Last block of the Stephen A. Smith.

Show coming up in a minute.

Welcome back to the Stephen A. Smith show, right here over the digital airwaves.

Of YouTube and of course, iHeartRadio. Let me switch to a subject near and dear to my heart, me.

Because once again I'm in the news and you would think it would be about something else other than what I'm in the news for, but one thing after another has appeared. I had a couple of articles that I had to pay attention to this week and there is no way around this. So I'm going to tackle it with.

The fervor that it deserves and let.

You know what I'm thinking. The Daily Beast last week wrote, the headline is Top Dem A Lot to like about Stephen A. Smith's Presidential Bid. That is House Minority Speaker Hakeem Jeffries, who I hope will be on this.

Show in the very near future.

Another article came out this weekend by the New Yorker. Headline stephen A. Smith for president, new yorker.com check it out. I must admit, I got on like.

A lavender blazer with a lavender shirt and a purple tie. I I was Looking pretty fly if I should say so myself. I just want to throw that out there. Just want to throw that out there. Okay.

And now the latest is courtesy of tmz. Now mind you. USA Today, Washington Post, usa. You know, various other publications have written about this as well. Stephen A. Smith I am not running for U.S. president. This is when TMZ caught me coming out of a Shannon Sharp's party in New Orleans during Super bowl week. And I guess they ran this recently. And I wanted to go there because I wanted to make sure that I.

Put this to bed once and for all.

I have no intentions of running for.

The Presidency of the United States of America.

I do not believe I am an aficionado. I do not believe that my pockets are deep enough for me to ignore the financial strain that that could potentially have on me. Because obviously I earn more than the President of the United States.

Right now. He makes about $400,000 a year. That position there is.

Senate and Congressional figures make anywhere from 170 to 270,000 a year. Needless to say, I make more money than that. And so I'm not really interested on that level. But here's a reason why, while being honest about having zero desire whatsoever to.

Be a politician because I consider them beggars, donors, you know, campaign donations, you know, sponsors and you know, political figures. And even when you get into office.

You gotta curry favor with politicians to.

Get legislation pushed through.

And all of this other stuff, I mean, it's just no peace in my life. Plus it's giving you a license because I'm asking to legislate the lives of 350 plus American citizens that gives you a license to get into my personal business that I don't want you in.

That all of that's true. But there's a reason while. There's a reason that while saying what.

I've said and meaning it, I've often said, even in a half joking way.

If the American people wanted me to be the President of the United States and I knew that I had a really, really good shot to win, I can't deny that it's something I would consider.

Let me tell you why I say that. Because I think our system sucks. I think the binary system that we're in, where we have to choose between the Democrats or the Republicans is a joke. I think it dissuades a vast majority of American citizens from wanting to be a part of the political process. And I think that something needs to be done about it in order to bring America back To where it should have always been. Ladies and gentlemen, I cover sports for a living.

Griff, Sherry, Rashawn, everybody listen up.

Cause I'm only gonna say this once. It's very, very important.

Cause I know like I told America.

Before, I've got a bunch of liberals working for me. Some are closet Republicans. They don't want to admit it, but it's true. We got a bunch of liberals working.

For me in the whole bit.

Let me be very, very clear about where I stand. Wes, you need to listen to.

Damn it.

You got a family.

Listen to me. Listen when I'm talking to you.

Ladies and gentlemen, I cover sports for a living.

I like competition.

I want legitimate competition between the Republican and the Democratic Party over your ideas of what the country should be and how we can get it there.

I hated when the left. Because I firmly believe they politicized a whole bunch of legal stuff against Donald Trump. I'm not questioning the legitimacy or lack thereof. I don't know. You got the 11,000 votes he was seeking in Georgia. You got the 34 felony convictions he received in New York. Some people said his hush money money. Others said, what's the difference between that and an NDA? Damn it. The man cooked up with a porn star and didn't want anybody to know before the election. Oh my God. Stop the presses. John Edwards got loose as a Democratic nominee or a Democratic candidate when he was running for the presidency. He didn't want people to know. I'm quite sure he would have hit it if he could got. If he could have gotten away with it. Gary Edwards did the same thing. You don't think Clinton tried to submerged evidence against him with the whole Monica Lewinsky scandal? Come on. I think it was politicized to some degree anyway. And I hated that because what I was saying is beat him. Go back to the tapes, Griff. Nod your head if I'm lying. I was saying beat him. Don't pussy foot around. Don't depend on the legal system to wipe him out so you don't have to go against him in the polls. Beat him. What's one of the reasons? I think he lost. I think he won because he was saying you can't beat me. You're using this to get help because you can't beat me on your own. And sure enough, election day rolls around and the Democrats got their kicked. I don't want to hear this noise about how he get 50% of the vote. 49.8% he got. Kamala got 48.3. The man won 50 counties and went up in every one of them. He won all six or seven swing states. The black vote, the Hispanic vote, the young voters all voted for him. He won. He won because we didn't want to engage in competition on the left. We were looking for the courts to help us. Now we fast forward and what are we saying here? I'm reading an article right here. New York Times. I'm reading it right here. New York Times headline venting at Democrats and Fearing Trump Liberal Donors Pull Back Cash. I'm going to read a couple of.

Excerpts from here from you. The small dollar online spigot that powered opposition to the first Trump administration has slowed to a trickle as shaken liberal voters withhold their donations. Charitable foundations that are long supported causes like voting rights, LGBTQ equality and immigrants rights are pulling back the voting time.

To prepare for expected investigations from the Republican led Congress and some of the country's biggest legal donors.

Liberal donors, I'm sorry, have paused giving.

Frustrated with what they see as Democrats lack of vision and worried about retaliation from a vengeful president, some Democrats say a few of their reliable donors are now openly supporting Mr. Trump or at least looking to curry favor with him. In another paragraph, it says, while Mr. Trump has not taken action against any liberal groups or lawmakers, Democrats worry his frequent threats of retribution during the campaign have led to a chilling effect on the charitable foundations and nonprofit advocacy groups that have long been pillars of the country's civil society. Jeff Skoll, a Silicon Valley billionaire and.

A longtime friend of Elon Musk, said there was an awful lot of pressure.

To side with Trump this month. Mr. Scoal, who's donated tens of millions to Democratic candidates and causes in recent.

Years, but said he did not vote in 2024 presidential election, posted a photo.

On social media of himself standing with Mr. Trump backstage at the inauguration. On Friday. He had breakfast in Palm Beach, Florida, with Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the minority leader, where they discussed the.

Prospect of Mr. Schumer's using Mr. Scoal.

To back channel ideas to the President.

Mr. Schumer recalls the conversation differently, according to an aide. Okay, but here's the biggest thing, and I'll stop the reading after this quote. There are people who are absolutely against Trump, never Trumpers, who fear that they'll be retaliated against and they'll have to leave the country, Mr. Sco said. Folks who wish to oppose them, it may take some time before they gather up the courage. But listen to this.

The result is a political environment that.

Is strikingly different from 2017, when money poured into Democratic causes, fortifying existing organizations and seeding a flowering of new groups to fight different parts of Mr. Trump's agenda. Now, some of those same organizations are struggling to survive, in part because few.

New major liberal donors have emerged since 2017. Groups that support LGBTQ rights, promote gender.

Equity, and champion other progressive causes have.

Cut staffing and announced that longtime leaders are leaving. End United and Citizens United, a left leaning group that aims to overhaul campaign finance laws, laid off its six senior staff members last month as part of a restructuring.

Run for Something, which works to elect.

Liberal down ballot candidates, laid off 35%.

Of its staff late last year. And Gelson Glsen, a group dedicated to protecting LGBTQ students, laid off 25 people last month. Let me tell y'all something. If you're the Democrats, that's why Stephen.

A. Smith is in the news, because y'all don't have anybody. You don't have anybody.

Who you got?

Who you got? Kamala Harris better not run. She better not run. She's not going to win a presidency in 2028. Keep in mind respect for her. I'm not going to disrespect the former Vice President of the United States. I will never do that. But we got to be real about something here. When she ran for election on her own, she couldn't make it to Iowa in 2020. She ultimately positions herself against the vice presidency. They win the election in 2020. Joe Biden is feeling himself after the liberals won the midterms. And instead of being a transitional president like he promised, the man backstabbed the liberal party and turned around and said, I'm staying. They wanted him out. So what did everybody? We all notice now?

Boo, boo.

The fool can see what happened now. You knew he had lost a step. We don't know what the hell was wrong with him. But clearly his fastball was gone. So you have no primary. You fix it so he doesn't have to face a primary. And then you put him on stage last June 27 for a debate. He embarrasses himself and three weeks later, he has to bow out. So Kamala Harris had come in as a Democratic nominee for the presidency of the United States of America. And at a time when they didn't have any time to put somebody else in to compete with her. You don't overcome that after losing the election. America ain't gonna go for it on the left. They gonna go for it. Who else you got? Hakeem Jeffries. I personally support Westmore, the governor of Maryland, but I don't know how much of a national figure he is. I already interviewed Josh Shapiro and oh, by the way, to the Republicans listening out there, you're welcome to come on.

The Stephen A. Smith Show.

I'm not one sided. See, this is why my name is in the election. You hear me? Griff, you hear me? Wes, you hear me? Sherry, you hear me? Rashad, you hear me? The Stephen A. Smith team I'm talking to. That's why I'm in the news. I'm not in the news because I'm here. I'm in the news because the Democratic Party is here. Damn it. Lower than that, down at the bottom. They suck right now. Horrible. Cuz they don't have a voice. Where the hell is the voice everybody want to sit up there and talk about? I mean, I need a voice. We don't need a voice. We don't need a voice. We don't need a voice. Well, guess what? Somebody got to send a message. How the hell can somebody receive a message if there's no messenger? You got to do it and they don't have anybody. That's why Stephen A. Smith is a candidate. Who the hell told y'all I'd want.

To be a Democrat? I have conservative ideas. I believe in free market capitalism. I believe in patrolling our borders. I believe in strong national security.

But you are right. I'd probably be a Democrat, a moderate, a centrist, leaning left. I'm about that Bill Clinton, Newt Gingrich agreement. I'm about that surplus when Clinton walked out of office. I'm about Obama deporting more than Trump did, but American public didn't notice. I'm about a strong economy. I want Griff to get paid. I want Sherry to get paid. I want Galen to get paid. I want Rashawn to get paid. I just want to get paid too.

You really, really think that Stephen A. Smith would tolerate crime in the streets to the point where you got to let three people in the store at a time?

Do you know anything about me?

Do you know what I would do as commander in chief if I saw a crime raiding through our streets and it was affecting jobs and safety and ultimately the economy? Do you know who the hell you're.

Talking to or listening to how Trump might not have anything on me with that? I ain't having it. I ain't having it. So I'm just saying to y'all, that's.

Why I'm a candidate.

It ain't because I want to. It ain't because I'm some expert. It ain't because I'm some aficionado who's.

Saying that I know more.

You know how much I would have to learn?

Hell, I don't even know how to.

Pronounce most foreign dignitaries names. The sad part is that I'd still.

Beat any Democrat out there right now.

Because who the hell is resonating with the American people?

Hell, even Josh Shapiro came on the.

Show, who I like a lot, by the way, and even he talked about. I'm just concentrating on Pennsylvania.

What, what we need more than that.

I have no interest in getting involved more so than punditsy and commentary.

But you better hope I stay feeling that way.

Because let me tell you something right now. I said I'll bring the rain.

I lied. I bring hell. Hell, cuz I ain't playing.

I'm there to win. Our two party system sucks. You think I like what I see Elon Musk doing? I don't know whether I like it or not.

I don't know if he could be trusted. I don't like the fact that he's getting billions from our federal government while he's doing business on behalf of the President.

And the President is talking about, I'll police him myself. I'll watch him.

Well, I'm supposed to trust that? No.

But President Trump has a right.

To do it because he won. Because y'all in beat him.

Because while he was talking about the economy and he was talking about the price of goods and he was talking about inflation and he was talking about our borders and he was talking about crime in the streets, the Democrats was talking about LGBTQ and transgender rights and.

1% of the population at the expense.

See, and this is the part that.

I want to make sure I'm clear about. This was the crime. It's not that they were talking about transgender rights.

It's that they forgot 13% of the population in the black community and they forgot nearly 20% of the population in the Hispanic community who supported them at.

The expense of the 1%.

How stupid can you be? I don't believe that's Kamala Harris fault. I believe that's zealots on the left, on a progressive side who somehow someway manage to pull these people to their side. Nobody center left simply looked at them in the face, whether it's AOC or anybody else from the squad, and asked a simple question. Where the hell are you going? If you don't vote for us, what you gonna do? Go vote. Vote for. Vote for Trump. You gonna vote right and you on a progressive left.

If you all the way left, okay, if you all the way left, what you gonna do? A way right. You might not like where somebody is center left, but at least they're closer to the left than the other side. And the center left was capitulating to that. Why? Because you had no strong leadership. You had nobody to tell them to sit their ass down, shut up, and follow my lead. I'm the Democratic nominee for the presidency.

Of the United States, not you.

We gonna do this my way.

They don't have that on the left.

And now you got a whole bunch of people running scared, talking about leaving.

The country because they scared of Trump.

Well, maybe if you didn't try to.

Use warfare to get him and you just sat up there and competed with him fair and square about your policies.

Being better than his and articulated that message to the masses, maybe it wouldn't be this way. But you didn't do it.

That's why Stephen A. Smith is being polled as a presidential nominee. It ain't because I'm qualified. It damn sure ain't because I'm the smartest dude in the room. It's because I got heart, I got guts. And if we gonna have a fight, let's get down, let's get it on. America knows I would do that much. And I'd have a clue as to what I'm talking about, and I'd have a clue as to what not to talk about.

Like something that's less than 1% of the population.

Think about this last point I'm going to make.

President Barack Obama deported more people than.

Trump ever did, and you barely heard about it. He just did it.

Knowing that Joe Biden opened borders. They could talk about how you could open it, but you couldn't necessarily close it after you opened it because of COVID and all this.

I don't want to hear that the streets of America were ravaged with illegal immigrants in our nation.

And Joe Biden.

And his administration did nothing about it after Obama had done everything about it, other than pass comprehensive immigration reform, which takes both sides of the aisle.

President Obama did his job.

Joe Biden did not.

And the Democrats, who are progressives, that.

Means looking forward, stood up during his State of the Union knowing that he was approaching 82 years of age, and chanted, Four more years. You have no authenticity. You have no legitimacy. Your heart might be in the right place with some of the policies that you're trying to implement, some of the things that you're trying to move forward while it appears Trump may be trying to turn the clock back.

But it's the price you pay when.

You'Re incompetent, selfish, tone deaf, devoid of impact. That's what the Democratic Party. That's where the Democratic Party is at right now. And it's exactly why some sports analyst on national TV is a candidate for the presidency of the United States of America. I have no desire whatsoever to compromise my quality of life for this. But I'll say this much about myself. I don't blame millions of Americans if they want me to, because what the hell is the alternative? Look at y'all. Look at y'all. I'm talking to the Dem specifically. What a travesty. Everybody's jumping shit from y'all party has to change. It has to be purged. And those who got in Kamala Harris's ear and told her that that was the strategy they needed to exercise in those 107 days before the election, all of them should be gone. Every living ass. Every one of them. What an egregious plan to put forth. She didn't lose this election. Y'all lost it. And with it, you took her presidential aspirations with her and threw it away. That's why I'm a candidate.

And even though I have no desire.

To be one, I don't mind the noise. Hopefully it'll make y'all uncomfortable to get y'all back up so you can get your act together and do what the hell you supposed to do. If not that, holla at me in three years. I might have changed my mind by then. Till next time. Peace and love, everybody. Stephen Evans.

[Josh]

Foreign.

[Greg Rosenthal]

What'S up, everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal, and I'm teaming up with the King of Spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs mock drafts to my top 101 free agents will have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday. Keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents starting on March 6th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Julie Swerbinks]

What's up, everyone? Julie swearbinks here, along with former NHL player Nate Thompson.

[Nate Thompson]

We're doing a new podcast together.

[Julie Swerbinks]

Here we go, the Name Energy Line with Nate and jsb.

[Nate Thompson]

Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right?

[Julie Swerbinks]

Exactly. And you'll never know who will drop by to join us.

[Nate Thompson]

Julie is pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe.

[Julie Swerbinks]

Listen to Energy Line with Nate and jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.