The Stephen A. Smith Show – Episode Summary

Title: Full Show: Really? MSNBC Opinion says I'm a MAGA megaphone. | Cooper Flagg is the Truth!
Release Date: March 28, 2025
Hosts: Stephen A. Smith, Toosie, and Guests including Peter Tilden

**1. Opening Remarks and Personal Reflections

Timestamps: [01:01] – [09:03]

Stephen A. Smith opens the show by expressing gratitude towards his subscribers and achieving significant milestones on iHeartRadio and YouTube. He announces the upcoming tour “Three Americans Live” featuring himself, Chris Cuomo, and Bill O’Reilly, emphasizing the diversity of their backgrounds and beliefs to foster respectful and meaningful conversations.

Notable Quote:
Stephen A. Smith [01:01]: “I can’t thank y’all enough for your support. Keep it coming and I’ll keep on coming to continue to like and follow the show.”

He addresses recent criticisms and media attention, clarifying his position as a centrist who values transparency and honesty in his opinions, despite being in the spotlight. Stephen emphasizes that his platform is about expressing truths based on evidence and believes in open dialogue, even if it leads to controversial headlines.

Key Points:

• Personal achievements and gratitude towards fans
• Announcement of “Three Americans Live” tour
• Clarification of his role and stance as a centrist
• Commitment to transparency and honest discourse

**2. College Basketball Tournament Analysis

Timestamps: [09:03] – [27:09]

In partnership with Prize Picks, the show delves into predictions for the NCAA College Basketball Tournament. Stephen A. Smith, alongside guest Toosie and Peter Tilden, discuss various matchups and potential outcomes.

Key Matchups Discussed:

• Duke vs. Alabama:
  Stephen favors Duke due to their size and defensive prowess, while Peter argues for Alabama’s veteran experience.
  Notable Quote:
  Stephen A. Smith [14:03]: “I can’t see Alabama beating Duke. I just can’t see that I could be wrong because it’s, I’m gonna tell.”

• Houston vs. Purdue:
  Both agree Houston has the grit to advance further in the tournament.
  Notable Quote:
  Peter Tilden [16:34]: “They got the grit for some reason.”

• Florida vs. Texas Tech:
  Stephen predicts a win for Florida, citing Texas Tech’s struggles despite being a top seed.
  Notable Quote:
  Stephen A. Smith [17:04]: “I think Florida is going to beat them. No doubt about that.”

• Auburn vs. Michigan:
  Both hosts support Auburn, highlighting their recent performance and potential.
  Notable Quote:
  Stephen A. Smith [17:19]: “I’m gonna go with Auburn. The only difficult thing is they got those two bigs, man…”

• Mississippi vs. Michigan State:
  Stephen supports Michigan State, highlighting Coach Izzo’s experience.
  Notable Quote:
  Stephen A. Smith [17:59]: “I am going with Izzo. I’m going with the coach that’s been there for before…”

Discussion Highlights:

• Analysis of team performances and player contributions
• Emphasis on experience vs. youthful energy in teams
• Strategic insights into potential playoff scenarios

Notable Quote:
Peter Tilden [14:19]: “So you’re saying you’re giving Alabama a chance.”

**3. Controversy with MSNBC Blog on Stephen’s Political Leanings

Timestamps: [33:39] – [58:47]

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to addressing an MSNBC article by Jahan Jones, which accuses Stephen A. Smith of being a "MAGA megaphone." Stephen vehemently disagrees, asserting his centrist stance and highlighting his interactions with a diverse range of political figures from both the right and left.

Key Points Addressed:

• Stephen’s Political Neutrality:
  Stephen clarifies that he identifies as a centrist, never aligning strictly with the Democratic or Republican parties.
  Notable Quote:
  Stephen A. Smith [37:12]: “I have never been a fan of listening to Elizabeth Warren. I respect her as a senator…”

• Diverse Guests on His Show:
  He lists numerous guests from both political spectrums, emphasizing that hosting them does not equate to endorsing their views.
  Notable Quote:
  Stephen A. Smith [38:02]: “Did you bring up Josh Shapiro, the governor of Pennsylvania? Did you bring up Wes Moore, the governor of Maryland?...”

• Defense Against Accusations:
  Stephen argues that engaging with right-wing commentators on his platform is essential for balanced discourse and does not equate to platforming propaganda. He criticizes the left for selectively amplifying voices while ignoring similar actions from the right.

  Notable Quote:
  Stephen A. Smith [54:07]: “The left wants to hand pick who they want to be messengers instead of listening to the public say to them.”

• Call for Dialogue:
  Stephen expresses a desire to engage directly with the article’s author but notes the lack of response, reinforcing his openness to dialogue.

  Notable Quote:
  Stephen A. Smith [33:39]: “My team reached out to Jones to have a discussion about the article. I wanted to invite him on the show to talk with me one on one.”

Conclusion of Segment: Stephen reaffirms his commitment to impartial journalism, stating that his platform will continue to feature a variety of perspectives to foster meaningful conversations.

Notable Quote:
Stephen A. Smith [58:47]: “I go on a case by case basis. I’m not an ideologue. I don’t trust that. And I don’t think that’s good for this country.”

**4. NBA Analysis: Los Angeles Lakers and Western Conference Dynamics

Timestamps: [61:12] – [75:02]

Stephen shifts focus to the NBA, particularly analyzing the Los Angeles Lakers' recent performances and the broader Western Conference landscape.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Lakers’ Struggles:
  Stephen critiques the Lakers’ defensive capabilities, especially after LeBron James suffered a groin injury. He highlights poor shooting percentages and defensive lapses.

  Notable Quote:
  Stephen A. Smith [22:03]: “If you finish as a fourth or fifth seed, being 1 and 3 since LeBron has returned, if you sit up there and you’re going to be in a situation where you end up as a fourth seed or a fifth seed, that means that first round series, you’re in jeopardy of not having a home court advantage in it.”

• Coach Taylor Jenkins’ Dismissal:
  Discussion on the Memphis Grizzlies firing Coach Taylor Jenkins despite their fifth seed standing, citing poor performances against top-tier teams.

  Notable Quote:
  Stephen A. Smith [21:37]: “In the span of a week and a half to two weeks, they’ve disintegrated from that to you going home.”

• Player Performance Highlights:
  Analysis of specific player performances, including Cooper Flagg’s exceptional play for Duke and Austin Reeves’ clutch moments for the Bulls.

  Notable Quote:
  Stephen A. Smith [64:05]: “Cooper Flag is the real deal. He’s the real deal.”

• Endorsements and Ads:
  Brief mentions of ongoing promotions, including partnerships with Prize Picks and advertisements for Nissan Murano and Discover cards.

Notable Quote:
Stephen A. Smith [64:15]: “This brother, Cooper Flag, is the real deal. He’s probably going to win national Player of the Year the way Duke is looking right now… he might end up being the number one overall pick in the NBA draft.”

**5. Audience Engagement and Interactive Segments

Timestamps: [66:17] – [73:09]

Stephen engages with audience questions and tweets, discussing topics ranging from the best live-action Batman portrayal to the legitimacy of the Golden State Warriors as NBA contenders.

Highlighted Interactions:

• Best Batman Portrayal:
  Stephen favors Christian Bale’s interpretation, praising its impact and connection to Heath Ledger’s Joker.

  Notable Quote:
  Stephen A. Smith [71:43]: “Christian Bale, easily. His performance in The Dark Knight was spectacular.”

• Warriors’ Contention:
  He acknowledges the Warriors’ potential to be serious contenders, especially with the acquisition of Jimmy Butler, despite concerns about team size.

  Notable Quote:
  Stephen A. Smith [71:43]: “They’re good enough to get to the conference finals. I don’t think it’ll happen, but I think they’re good enough where you can label them a contender.”

**6. Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

Timestamps: [73:15] – [75:02]

Stephen wraps up the show by summarizing key NCAA tournament outcomes, particularly highlighting Cooper Flagg’s stellar performance for Duke. He reiterates his commitment to discussing a wide range of topics, emphasizing the importance of balanced and inclusive dialogue on his platform.

Notable Quote:
Stephen A. Smith [74:15]: “Cooper Flagg, he’s on. I’m telling you, he was a national championship. He’s got to win a national championship.”

He concludes by encouraging listeners to stay engaged with the show for ongoing sports analysis and diverse discussions.

Key Takeaways:

1. Centrist Stance: Stephen A. Smith emphasizes his position as a centrist, countering accusations of being aligned with the MAGA movement by highlighting his diverse range of guests from both political spectrums.

2. Sports Insight: Comprehensive analysis of NCAA basketball matchups and NBA dynamics, with a special spotlight on emerging talents like Cooper Flagg and ongoing issues within teams like the Los Angeles Lakers.

3. Commitment to Dialogue: Despite facing criticism, Stephen remains dedicated to fostering open and balanced conversations, inviting a variety of voices to his platform to discuss pertinent issues across sports, politics, and society.

4. Audience Interaction: Engages with the audience through tweets and direct questions, providing personal opinions and fostering interactive discussions.

5. Promotional Content: Regular mentions of partnerships and advertisements, seamlessly integrated into the show's flow without detracting from the main content.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Stephen A. Smith [01:01]: “I can’t thank y’all enough for your support. Keep it coming and I’ll keep on coming to continue to like and follow the show.”

• Stephen A. Smith [14:03]: “I can’t see Alabama beating Duke. I just can’t see that I could be wrong because it’s… I’m gonna tell.”

• Stephen A. Smith [37:12]: “I have never been a fan of listening to Elizabeth Warren. I respect her as a senator…”

• Stephen A. Smith [54:07]: “The left wants to hand pick who they want to be messengers instead of listening to the public say to them.”

• Stephen A. Smith [71:43]: “They’re good enough to get to the conference finals. I don’t think it’ll happen, but I think they’re good enough where you can label them a contender.”

• Stephen A. Smith [74:15]: “Cooper Flagg, he’s on. I’m telling you, he was a national championship. He’s got to win a national championship.”

This episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show provides an in-depth look at current sports dynamics, particularly focusing on NCAA basketball and the NBA, while also tackling political controversies surrounding the host. Stephen A. Smith maintains his commitment to balanced dialogue, engaging with both sports enthusiasts and those interested in societal issues, ensuring a comprehensive and thoughtful discussion throughout the episode.