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Hunter
Are you still quoting 30 year old movies? Have you said cool beans in the past 90 days? Do you think Discover isn't widely accepted? If this sounds like you, you're stuck in the past. Discover is accepted at 99% of places that take credit cards nationwide, and every time you make a purchase with your card, you automatically earn cash back. Welcome to the now it pays to Discover. Learn more@discover.com credit card based on the February 2024 Nielsen report.
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.
Stephen A. Smith
What's up, everybody? Welcome to the latest edition of the Stephen A. Smith show, coming at you over the Digital Airways of YouTube and of course, iHeartRadio, as I love to do at the very least three times a week. As always, I'd like to take a moment to thank and pay gratitude to my subscribers. We've now eclipsed 1.04 million subscribers. We'll probably be at 1.05 million by the time you're watching this show. Uh, we've picked up over 50,000 subscribers over the last couple of weeks. Not to mention the fact that there's been millions of downloads over the last few months on iHeartradio. The love and support that y'all have given me is always appreciated, and I can't thank y'all enough. Keep the love coming and I'm gonna keep on coming to continue to like and follow the show. Just click the bell, get notified for all of our new content, and you too shall be considered the latest member of the Stephen A. Smith show family. And while you're doing so, 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 straightshooterbook.com to get yourself a copy. Got a lot of stuff to get into today. Got the wildfires in Los Angeles. You've got a twist to the story because former stars on the show the Hill. The Hills, they've been out there, they lost their home, their parents home, and they've been out on TikTok. And somehow, some way, they've been able to generate an exorbitant amount of money, at least in some people's eyes. And so we're going to talk to them about what's going on and how they've been able to twist this catastrophe that has taken place in Los Angeles and its surrounding areas to show, you know, what they're doing and how they're making these times work for them. That's been a story that's been generating virally over the last couple of days or so. So I felt the need to talk to them about it. Looking forward to getting into that. Definitely going to get into some stuff in the National Football League because we got the playoffs coming up. Gonna do that. I'm gonna touch on something about Drake as well. But before I get into all of that, I gotta get started with some sports business news involving LeBron James, longtime business partner Maverick Carter. Maverick. He's been hired as an advisor by a group of investors seeking to raise $5 billion to form an international basketball league that would essentially rival the NBA. The story was first reported by Bloomberg. The investor group, which includes multiple private equity funds, wants to form the league made of six men's teams and six women's teams playing games around the world. By the way, LeBron James is reportedly not involved in the efforts of this new league. As for the NBA, they have not faced a significant rival 5 on 5 league since the 1970s when it merged with the American Basketball association and absorbed four of its teams, the Pacers, the Nets, the Nuggets and the San Antonio Spurs. Don't expect this to be competition either. Let's get that out the way right now. It's not going to be competition, not going to be some five on five league rivaling the United States in the National Basketball association, to be specific. First of all, most places don't have the money, not in Europe. Most of the money goes to their soccer talent, not in other places, just primarily the Middle East. And what's the chances of you getting guys, particularly superstars, to form some kind of league, some kind of five on five league? It's not going to happen. So let's just get that out the way first. Secondly, we're going to get another thing out of the way. We're going to stop acting like anytime we hear the name Maverick Carter, it doesn't include LeBron James, we're not falling for that lie anymore. We're not trying to hear that now. I love me some Maverick Carter. He's a good brother and he's done great things, and I'm happy for him. And I applaud LeBron James for always looking out for his boys. Whether it's Maverick Carter, whether it's Rich Paul, whether it's Randy Memphis, it doesn't matter who it is. All of them have done well for themselves and they deserve all the love and respect one could give them. Especially in the case of Maverick and Rich Carter. I'm sorry, Rich Paul. Especially in their cases. Rich Paul has proven to be an absolutely outstanding agent. Clutch sports is clutch sports. You can't deny the work that he's been doing. In the case of Maverick, there's a lot of power brokers that love and respect Maverick Carter. But we gonna stop acting like this has nothing to do with LeBron James. LeBron James got his fingerprints all over stuff like that. Doesn't matter what it is. Now, I understand in this particular instance why you want to make sure to let the world know you have nothing to do with this. Because LeBron James aspires to become an owner. An owner of an NBA team, preferably an expansion franchise to be placed in Vegas as opposed to Seattle or someplace else. And that's where this story really takes fold. Because let me tell y'all something. LeBron James is reportedly worth about $1.2 billion. To get an expansion franchise in the NBA. In Las Vegas, it would cost about 7 billion. Obviously, equity in the NBA via ownership of a franchise is very, very important. We understand it. We get it. No doubt. But let me be very, very clear to you, that ain't all it takes in order to become an owner of an NBA team. It's not just the money that you have to have. It also has to be a board of governors consisting of those other NBA owners, along with the commissioner's office who wants you to be an owner in their league. And I'm here to tell you right now, everybody don't want that for LeBron James. See, we gonna be real about LeBron James. We should miss him once he's gone. We should treasure his greatness and the commitment to excellence that he has clearly had in being in considerable shape and conditioning to be as phenomenally great as he has been in his entire career being number two on the Mount Rushmore of basketball. In my eyes, behind everybody but Mike, ahead of everybody, rather, but Michael Jordan. But he's the same Lebron James that decided to take his talents from Cleveland to South beach. And former Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert had to find out on the news, like everybody else, he's the same LeBron James that I personally will contest has ruined the slam dunk contest and arguably All Star Weekend. You got people with. Once upon a time, it was Jordan, it was David Thompson before him, the Connie Hawkins, the Julius Irvings of the world, ultimately the Vince Carters and the Tracy McGradys and the Kobe Bryant of the world. All Stars with an aerial assault to their game, participated in a slam dunk contest until LeBron James decided not to be one of those dudes. He wanted to use layup lines prior to games to do all of that. Teasing the NBA and its fan base into salivating for him and clamoring for him to be a participant in the slam dunk contest. And he never did it. And then last year happened. You might not remember this, Dr. J. Jur serving Larry Bird. Guys like that walk in and they want to talk to LeBron James. And when they want to talk to LeBron James, I'm sorry, they want to talk to the team, the NBA all star team. And LeBron James obviously was one of those guys. And they wanted to talk to them about taking it seriously and putting forth a decent effort and going out there and competing for the fans. And the NBA thought that those guys reached those All Stars inside their soul until they saw LeBron James give the players a side eye. And once that happened, once that happened, they went out there and embarrassingly allowed nearly 400 points to be scored, playing no defense whatsoever. And what's inexcusable about it, ladies and gentlemen, is that when you are working out in the summertime, playing pickup basketball with your contemporaries, you play harder than these guys play on All Star Weekend. And they know it. They have ruined All Star Weekend. I want no parts of All Star Weekend because of what they've done to the game. The, the, the, the three point shooting contest is the only contest worth watching. The slam dunk contest ain't worth watching. The new rules that would have been implemented in order to make, to try something new and different and make it more competitive. It wouldn't be necessary if you went out there and played with a shred of effort, but they didn't care. And when they looked to leaders, just the same way Everybody looked at LeBron when it came to playing in the bubble during COVID Like Patrick Beverly has said back then, let us all stop fronting, let's stop BSing. We all going to do what LeBron does. We all going to do what Lebron wants us to do. We all know it. That's what he said. Because LeBron was that kind of leader. And so that kind of impactful individual can go a long way towards doing things where you don't have to worry about load management as well as much you're not looking for your next deal. The second you sign this deal and all of that other nuance, all those other nuances that come with it, people look at LeBron James, fair or not, he's the blame in a lot of those owners eyes. I'm not asking you, I'm telling you, I ain't guessing. I'm telling you what I know. And because that's the reality, when it comes time for him to want to be an owner and they get to say yay or nay, and they are. Even when there are other comparable offers on the table, who's to say they got to pick LeBron James when they could find somebody else? Particularly in this day, this day and age of hedge funds, private equity, et cetera, when they can pick somebody else. Now that's not to rule out it being impossible. Because all of us should be demanding that LeBron James, if he wants to become an owner and he has the assets and resources necessary to have equity in an NFL, NBA franchise, he should be allowed to do that. He's done too much for the game for you not to do that for him. But some of the owners feel otherwise. And when it's time for him to get his comeuppance in any way they can deliver it to him, chances are some of them will. I'm telling you what I know. So when you saw this story about a five or five team and LeBron James has nothing to do with this. What Maverick Carter does, that's bad enough for them. Because even though it's not a threat, how dare you support anything that will compromise our bottom line. That's how they'll think. And it doesn't even have to be accurate. It'll just be an excuse to have negative feelings towards LeBron because some owners look for it anyway. Some form of. Some executives for other teams look for it anyway. He is not the most liked dude in the world, not in NBA circles. That's just a fact. I'm not saying he did anything wrong. I'm not blaming him. I'm just telling you there are people in very powerful positions associated with the NBA who feel otherwise. I'm not guessing. I'm telling you what I know, I'm telling you what I know. So it would behoove LeBron, if he wants ownership down the line, to try and play nice with some people, just to get things done so he can be the owner of an NBA team. I'm just saying it's just a suggestion. Now I want to talk about Drake, who for the second time this week is making headlines. On Wednesday, we talked about the rap superstar suing his own record label, Universal Music Group, for promoting Kendrick Lamar's Not Like Us. Now, the Canadian born rapper and rappers and Raptors global ambassador, as in the Toronto Raptors, has been reportedly banned from commenting on their games. The one year ban reportedly stems from his controversial remarks about former Raptors star DeMar DeRozan. You may recall back in November when Drake appeared on a live broadcast and called DeRozan a a goof. Take a listen.
Daniel Jeremiah
Speaking of national treasure.
Stephen A. Smith
Yes. If you ever put a DeRozan banner up, I'll go up there and pull it down myself. That's the answer question. Is that what you're going to ask? No, I didn't mention.
Daniel Jeremiah
Well, you know, and Kyle.
Stephen A. Smith
Yeah, well, shout out to the statues are next. Well, yeah, they are. I'm a New Yorker.
Tameka Anderson
What is, is this going to be them like this?
Stephen A. Smith
These remarks sparked backlash and the Raptors organization have now decided to respond. But before I respond, I be remiss in neglecting to show you DeMar DeRozan's response immediately upon hearing what Drake had to say about him tonight's broadcast, Drake said, if you ever put up the Rosen banner up, I'll go up there.
Spencer Pratt
And put it down myself.
Daniel Jeremiah
What's your action to that?
Spencer Pratt
Well, he gotta, he gonna have a long way to climb to take it down. So tell him good luck.
Stephen A. Smith
Drake is looking weaker and weaker every day. I said the other day, I understand how he could be a bit sensitive when he's got to take his kids out of school. The mother of his kid along with his child has to move out of Toronto because of the treatment they were receiving in light of Kendrick Lamar's Not Like Us song blowing up the spot. I got it. But I also felt like if somebody gets the better of you in the studio, you either stand down and say they got me or you come back with something stronger. When you're as great as Drake is, why can't you do that? But this DeMar DeRozan thing took it a bit too far. DeMar Russell, Westbrook and those guys, they're from that area. They're from the same spot as Kendrick Lamar, when they're listening to the song, they like the song or whatever. You on stage at its concert, dancing the way that they were. Drake was salty about that. What the hell's wrong with you? DeMar DeRozan, star for the Toronto Raptors for nine years. DeMar DeRozan has an average less than 20 points a game in the last 12 years of his NBA career. DeMar DeRozan, his crime is one crime and one crime only. He could not beat LeBron James. That's about it. He was an elite NBA player for the Toronto Raptors and was always cool with Drake. And because Kendrick Lamar got you, you got to turn around and it's like, yo, you gonna hate on Demar DeRozan. Now, I personally think that this was said in November. I don't know why the hell the Raptors are coming out now talking about Drake is banned from talking about him. Of talking, you know, comment. Commentating for a year where free speech is free speech. Who the hell are you to say you can't speak for a year? You understand? I'm just saying that if you're Drake, really, do you want this reputation, bro? You want the reputation as being somebody that's that. That is that weak, can't get you. Listen. Ain't nobody look, listen. And if you look, look at the lyrics. He didn't specifically and directly call you a pedophile. Kendrick Lamar, he did not do that. But ain't nobody thinking about whether or not you a pedophile or not. When they listen to the music, they just saying, damn, he ripped you to shreds. What you gonna do about it? You gonna respond? Are you gonna stand down? That's all. That's all. Ain't nobody looking at you differently. They looking at you as a bit soft because every time we turn around, there's a reaction from you that sparks a reaction from somebody else. Because you've taken what Kendrick Lamar did to you to heart very, very significantly. You damn near making people look at you and wonder what you are because of how. Not because of Kendrick Lamar's music, but because of how you're reacting to it and other people vibing with the song. DeMar DeRozan ain't looking at you like some pedophile or something like that. He liked the song like the beat. Saw Kendrick Lamar going at you. They from the same hood. He on stage dancing, support him. So what? So what? That's just me. I just think that in these kind of situations is great as somebody like Drake is. You're minimizing your own cachet. You're compromising it rather because you're making people look at you in a different light because of how you're compelling people to react to you because of how you've reacted to people just because of a song. Universal Music Group represents both y'all. I get it. Put they in the money making business. If you came out with a song and you've tried, but if you came out with a song that checked Kendrick Lamar to the degree that he checked you and they could make money off of that, Kendrick Lamar would not like it. But I think when we look at him and we see him, you know what we suspect he would not have went to the courts. He wouldn't have been about suing the music group or you for you getting at him in front of the mic or behind the mic. He'd either stand down or he come back at you anytime. We see a different story now as a basketball player and the team, the Toronto Raptors, who DeMar DeRosa doesn't even play for any longer. He played in San Antonio, he played in Chicago. Now he's with the Sacramento Kings. Hasn't played for them in years. Even they said you were banned from comment, commenting or commentating for a year. Even they are salty and want to separate themselves from you. Come on, Drake, it's just a song, bro. You too great for this. You too great to be in the news for this kind of stuff, man. Too much you bring to the table, bro. Come on, man. Come on. Coming up, President elect Trump is getting ready for the inauguration on Monday while his cabinet picks faced confirmation hearings this week. I'll get into all of that, but first, the Supreme Court upholds a law that could be band tick tock here in the United States of America. I'll get into why everyone should be paying attention to this story next right here on the Stephen A. Smith Show. Don't go away. All right, y'all, listen up. We've got the NFL playoffs this weekend in the college football national championship is Monday. So with all this action going on, the Stephen A. Smith show wants to make sure you take advantage of all the action. That's why we've partnered with prize picks. The best place to get real money action. While watching your favorite sports, you see with prize picks, you pick two or more of your favorite players and then you simply select more or less on their projected stats for the game. Pick Joe Burrows passing yards, Devonte Smith's receiving yards or Jared Goff's passing yards all in the same entry. And don't forget Prize Picks is offering a free pick kick off your college football lineup with a 0.5 passing yards projection for Ohio State's Will Howard. The free pick is live. Now jump into Prize Picks app or website to make sure you're not missing out. The free pick will be live until kickoff on Monday, so download the app today and use code SAs to get 50 instantly after you play your first five dollar lineup. Again, download the app and use code SAs to get 50 instantly after your first five dollar lineup. Prize picks Run your game now let's look at my picks for Sunday's matchups. First up, we've got LA wide receiver LA Rams wide receiver Puka Nakua facing the Philadelphia Eagles secondary. More or less the 88 and a half receiving yards. Ladies and gentlemen, I'm going with less. You've seen the Eagles defense, have you seen them? Have you seen these brothers play? Vic Fangio got them balling right now and they got pressure that can get at you without needing the blitz. I think it's going to be a tough, tough day for Matthew Stafford. If anybody can overcome it, this him and Sean McVeigh. I just don't think they will. I'm going with less for puking the cool on this one because they going to target him. They're going to make sure to limit him. They're going to try to make Cooper cup or Higsby or somebody else beat them. Next up, wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles, Devonte Smith. Fifth facing the Los Angeles Rams. More or less than 39 and a half receiving yards. I'm gonna go with more on this, okay? They're gonna key on A.J. brown. They're gonna dare Devontae Smith to beat them. It's going to give Jalen Hurts an opportunity to throw him the ball more than he could throw it to AJ Brown. I could see Devonte Smith getting more than 39 and a half yards receiving. Next up we've got Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews facing the Buffalo Bills defense. More or less than 38 and a half receiving yards. I'm going to go with more on this one as well. If you are Mark Andrews, you're going to be targeted because you're going to be the guy running in between the numbers and Lamar Jackson's going to take advantage of that. He's going to feed you the football. I can see you get more than 39 and a half receiving yards. Finally, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakur over Khalil Shakur facing the Baltimore Ravens. More or less than 51 and a half receiving yards. I'm going to go with more for this, brother. I still think even though Baltimore Ravens defense has been pretty impressive over the last six, seven weeks of the season, I still think if you're a receiver you can get off against their secondary. So I'm gonna go with more on this too. That's how I feel about it. My guest is a top prize picks partner and founder of the sports content company Book It Sports. He's known as the Fade God or as I've called them, the guy everyone goes against. He's been here before. Please welcome back to the show the one and only Trent Attia, known to the world as Book it with Trent. Trent, it's good to see you again my man. You saw my picks up there. Any issues with it whatsoever?
Daniel Jeremiah
Stephen A. It's an absolute pleasure to make it back on the show. Thank you so much for having me. I was just looking at your picks. Honestly, they look pretty surgical. I'm not gonna lie. I can get behind them.
Stephen A. Smith
Oh really? So you saw me put a Nakua at less? You ain't got no problem? You don't have a problem with that? You like I don't have a problem.
Daniel Jeremiah
I don't have a problem with that at all. You know why? Because I had a lot of money pending on Cooper cup in that game last week and he was no show. No show at all. And so I expect one reception. One one reception. He had zero targets up until the last two minutes of the half. It was ridiculous. It was tough to watch. But I just think Cooper cup the game plan for the Eagles is going to have to be to stop Pukinakua which is going to allow Cooper cup to have more opportunities get the ball. So I do not mind that less than even though a lot of other people are going to think why would you go less than on on Puka? I think it's a great play to be honest with you.
Stephen A. Smith
I appreciate it man. I hope you're right. I hope you're making me look good. You know your last appearance and our follow up interaction revolved around your NFL goat Whale lineup which was your season long prospects lineup around five player projections for the year at the end of the regular season on January 5th to be exact the lineup cash for a hundred thousand dollars. So let's just get it out the way. You hit a trash talk. You hit a trash talk man.
Daniel Jeremiah
You know I am Stephen A at the a couple months ago you told me that Josh Allen was 1000% throwing 13 intercept. And I'm happy to tell you he didn't even throw half that. Stephen. A six of them.
Stephen A. Smith
Yeah, you got me there. You got me there. I can't front. You do goat whale lineups for every major sports for every season. Is this the first time you successfully completed one in full?
Daniel Jeremiah
Finally, the first time I was able to do it. I've done it in the NFL, NBA, mlb. All the sports are my favorite to do this season long. But this one felt so good to finally get. And the way it cast was so great. I mean, Saquon Barkley literally hit by week eight. Josh Allen was never a sweat. Jamar Chase had 17 touchdowns and Bijan and Jared Goff both did their job. So it was amazing.
Stephen A. Smith
You weren't hurt, you weren't worried at all that that Jamal Chase would get himself hurt or would or was slow drag it because he was in a contra, you know, he couldn't get a contract. I know he had the $50 million insurance policy, but I give Jamar Chase a lot of love for going out there and playing the way he played this year.
Daniel Jeremiah
Oh, my gosh, it was phenomenal to watch. I'm sad he's not in the playoffs to be able to keep watching, but I was absolutely concerned because I placed this goat whale and then all the contract drama eventually came out leading up to the season starting and I had no idea this was going to happen. So I was very worried about that one. And it ended up being the freest one out of them all, which was insane.
Stephen A. Smith
You're on a hot streak. I think it's with the 86,500 win in the college football players across two lineups. How have you. How have these two projections affected your fan base and how does it feel to prove people wrong?
Daniel Jeremiah
It feels fantastic. For years I've been known as the guy to go the complete opposite of is the fade. God. So it feels great to finally have a great end of 2024 and hit my first demon slip. Actually, I had five legs all demon and in the college football playoffs and that one, I cannot believe it was it hit. Shout out. Jeremiah Smith and the quarterback for Notre Dame, Riley Leonard. They're both amazing. I can't wait to watch them in the finals too.
Stephen A. Smith
Are you concerned about messing up your brand? I mean, yo, Trent, I mean, you made a reputation to getting it wrong. And people gravitated to you because you got it wrong getting it right. They might be like, damn, what's the purpose now? Are you worried about affecting your Brand in a negative way.
Daniel Jeremiah
It's a completely valid question for sure. I've had that been asked a couple times because people are so used to me never winning and then to go out and win damn near 200,000 in the last month and a half on prize picks. People are confused. But it does feel great to finally actually see one go through the hoop and have something go my way for once. But you know, the last couple of days have been back to regular, regular scheduled programming with some losses. But hopefully, you know, I can turn it around here in a bit in the NFL playoffs and the college football playoffs too.
Stephen A. Smith
I got you on that. So let's get to your prospects. NFL playoff lineups, right? In the nfc, the Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Detroit Lions. Who you got?
Daniel Jeremiah
Oh yeah. So for prize picks in that Lions Commanders game, I love Sam Laporta in this matchup. The DBs for Washington I think are going to have their hands full with Jameson Williams and Aman Raw, which is going to allow Sam Laporta to be able to get open and on some short passes. I think more than 49 and a half receiving yards for Sam Laporta is going to be green at the end of the game.
Stephen A. Smith
I mean, why? I mean, come on man, it's Detroit Lions, they got a top rated offense in the National Football League and you acting like it's a big deal to say more than 49 and a half yards. You couldn't be a little bit more risque than that? I'm saying you at least say 69 and a half for La Porta. You couldn't do that.
Daniel Jeremiah
The demon, I don't mind it one bit. I think that Washington secondary is not going to be able to stop all these weapons for Detroit. I've got a big, big futures bet on the Lions to win the super bowl. So I'm very confident for them to handle business passing the ball. Jared Goff, you know, he just cast me for a hundred thousand for his season long passing yards and I don't see him slowing down in the playoffs one bit. So give me one of his favorite targets. Sam LaPorta. More than 49.
Stephen A. Smith
All right, let's transition to the AFC, Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills. Who you got here?
Daniel Jeremiah
Yeah, I think this is probably one of my favorite squares of the weekend. It's a combo square, actually. Both quarterbacks, both MVPs. Potentially. We don't know who's going to win yet, but they're both fighting for that MVP trophy and I think they're going to do what they do best, and that's run the ball. We saw Lamar run the ball 15 times in that last playoff game. And we saw Josh Allen run it damn near ten times as well. I don't see it changing at all in this matchup. This is actually the most exciting game of the weekend, without a doubt. And I think we see both these quarterbacks use their legs to their advantage. And it goes more than 99 and a half rushing yards for both Lamar and Josh Allen.
Stephen A. Smith
Wow.
Daniel Jeremiah
Okay, I love that square.
Stephen A. Smith
All right, I got that. Book it with Trent. That's what they call you. Book it with Trent. Even though they usually go the opposite direction this time. We might not need to do that. I mean, you on a little roll right now. You're on a little road. Trent Atia. Appreciate you, my man. Always good to see you, man. Definitely looking forward. Hope your Lions get to the Super Bowl. I want to see him in the Super Bowl. I ain't going front. I would like to see him in the Super Bowl.
Daniel Jeremiah
I would love that. I want to know real quick before we go, who do you have winning the NBA Finals? Stephen A. Smith.
Stephen A. Smith
I'm staying with Boston until further notice. I think that they won a championship last year. They're not concerned about Cleveland having a better record than them being the number one seed or whatever. Brown and Tatum are stars. If Porzingis is healthy and they get to the playoffs fully loaded and healthy, I think that Boston is still the team to beat, no matter who you put out there, Oklahoma City or whatever. But I will say this. When Jamal Murray plays the way that he played last night.
Daniel Jeremiah
Oh, yeah.
Stephen A. Smith
For Denver. When he, when he plays the way that he played the other day for Denver, rather when he dropped 45. If that Jamal Murray shows up with Jokic. Different animal. Different animal. But I'm still gonna go with Boston for now.
Daniel Jeremiah
Okay. I feel that respect that. I'm a big OKC fan and you know me.
Stephen A. Smith
You know me. I, I got, I got, I, I voted Shay Gil just Alexander as my MVP last year. So, you know, I got him as my MVP now. The way he's been balling, was it 35 straight games with 20 plus points. The brother's special. He's just special. He's just special. He really is.
Daniel Jeremiah
Yes.
Stephen A. Smith
All right, Trent. Appreciate you, bro. Thank you. Of course.
Daniel Jeremiah
Thank you so much, Stephen. A. Good luck this weekend.
Hunter
Are you still quoting 30 year old movies? Have you said cool beans in the past 90 days? Do you think Discover isn't widely accepted if this sounds like you, you're stuck in the past. Discover is accepted at 99% of places that take credit cards nationwide. And every time you make a purchase with your card, you automatically earn cash back. Welcome to the now it pays to Discover. Learn more@discover.com credit card based on the February 2024 Nielsen report I'm Hunter, host.
Tameka Anderson
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 Blackffect Podcast Network, iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Stephen A. Smith
Welcome back to Stephen A. Smith Show. I'll get into the NFL playoffs in a moment, but first I want to address an important story that will affect at least 170 million Americans who use TikTok. Earlier today, the Supreme Court unanimously upheld a law that would effectively ban the social media platform in the United States this coming Sunday. The court rejected an appeal from the app's owners that claimed the ban violated the First Amendment. In its opinion, the Supreme Court acknowledged that for 170 million Americans, TikTok offers, quote, a distinctive and expansive outlet for expression, means of engagement and source of community, end quote. But the court said Congress was focused on national security concerns and that was a deciding factor in how it weighed the case. They said, quote, congress has determined that divestiture is necessary to address its well supported national security concerns regarding TikTok's data collection practices in relationship with a foreign adversary, end quote. The foreign adversary would be China. So what happens next? The focus now shifts to President Elect Donald Trump, who can intervene after he takes office on Monday. Speaking to CNN after the ruling, Trump said, quote, it ultimately goes up, goes up to me. So you're going to see what I'm going to do, end quote. Trump also acknowledged that he spoke to Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier today. Again, roughly 170 million Americans and more than 1 billion people worldwide use Tik Tok, according to the company. I'm torn. But let me be very clear. I'm only torn because of the moment that we're living in. We're about to have on a guest who, along with his wife, is making some money, money they desperately need because they lost their home in the fires and Palisades. Their parents lost their home as well. And a guy's name is Spencer Pratt, and he's about to come on here in a few minutes to talk to us about what he lost, how he lost what he was able to retain or to save and conserve, and what he ultimately had to forfeit because the fires wouldn't allow otherwise. He encouraged people to go and listen to her music and what have you. Apparently, people have been doing that and they've been using that as, you know, music on TikTok and stuff like that, and it's gone viral. And as a result, they're generating some revenue off of that. And there's no crime in that. When you see something like that, you make money any way you can, legally, any way you can in such desperate times. They're not robbing anybody. They're not killing anybody. They're not doing anything. So as far as I'm concerned, hell, YouTube. Why we got a show on YouTube. Why does everybody got a podcast and it's running on video and YouTube and other platforms? Because you're going to generate revenue for it. So I get that part. But national security is national security. And if Congress has a concern about that, maybe the appropriate decision would be to delay it for about a few months or so, as one Democratic representative is suggesting. Maybe that's something that you do. I don't know. I'm just reading from an article here on the Verge. I believe it says the Supreme Court couldn't have been more direct. The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Control Applications act, as applied to TikTok, withstands First Amendment scrutiny and can take effect. On January 19th. The court agreed that the government had a compelling national security interest in passing the law and that its rationale was content neutral. The solution proposed forcing Chinese parent company ByteDance b y t e ByteDance to divest TikTok or see it ousted from the US was ruled appropriately tailored to meet those needs. So essentially, here's the deal. Somebody out there needs to be able to purchase this from Bite Dance. So it's no longer under Chinese authority, because evidently we've got an issue with the Chinese government using TikTok to influence so many American citizens, especially the youth amongst us. Now, I do know that TikTok is banned in places like Iran, Afghanistan, Somalia, places like that. Why is it banned there but not here? Who else is thinking about banning TikTok? What's their rationale behind it? Evidently, the Chinese government has figured out a way to utilize TikTok not only to spy on American citizens, but also to influence the youth amongst us. And it's so. It's so alarming that the United States government has considered it a national security concern. I say those security concerns usurp our preferences. I got my daughters crying about Tick Tock, talking about, it's not fair. I don't like it, it's not right, Daddy. I'm like, wait a minute, I happen to believe you on Tick Tock too damn much myself. And what the hell are you looking at on there? And why do you believe that that's the best source of news that you can find? Because we can't stop everything. You could take the phones away. They got an iPad or a laptop, they use it. Then they use other people's phone, they exchange messages. They're reading the news, they're acting like it's the. It's the modern day ABC News or something. That's how these kids feel about TikTok. So I don't blame the government for feeling this way, but national security is national security. I don't blame the government for being concerned. But to sort of meet your middle ground, maybe Trump comes in and you delay this decision from being made for a few months until folks get their bearings under them. Maybe that's what you do. Anyway, to my next guest, the former star of the hit MTV reality show the Hills. He and his wife, Heidi Montag, recently lost their home in the Palisades fire. Please welcome to the show, Mr. Spencer Pratt. Spencer, how are you? How you feeling? How you feeling these days? I know there's a lot going on. Put in the words, how you feeling, man?
Josh Smith
I just been on highs and lows, an emotional roller coaster. So thankfully, a lot of positive things are happening us now that I can stay focused on. So I don't, you know, I try not to call my mom because, you know, she lost her house also. So, you know, if I call my mom, you know, then we go sideways. And so I try to just stay on the. Stay in the light because a lot of. A lot of sad things going on, you know, but I'm looking at the positives.
Stephen A. Smith
Take me back to the evening of January 7th. When did you realize you were going to have to evacuate? The fires were coming and you were going to have to evacuate.
Josh Smith
So the night before, I looked out the wind, our sun at, like, 104 degree temperature. So we're up real late at night. And the winds out the. It looked like out of that Twisters movie. I never seen anything like it. And my. I just got hit with the worst feeling. I was like, if there was a fire, we're in big trouble. I never had a feeling like that. So then in the morning, you know, everything's going normal. And our. Our nanny that was helping that day, she went to take our child up on our hiking trail. And she runs down, and she said, the construction workers just said, there's a fire, and you need to get out of here. And respectfully, to her, you know, I've lived there in Palisades my whole life. I know there's little fires pop up, and they hit it with the plane. So I said, let me go check it out, see how, you know, what we're talking about. So I hiked up the trail where we always hang out, and I see a few ridges over, you know, some smoke. But it's. It's not like I haven't seen flames yet. And I'm thinking, okay, I call my wife, and she's. I said, you know, maybe pack some stuff up. You know, I think we're good. When these planes hit this, we're gonna be good. I think we can calm down. So the next thing you know, the two yellow planes just start hitting it like out of an action movie. I mean, we're talking as close as you could get to the ground, maybe. I got videos of. It was the coolest thing I'd seen before when it was a positive. And they're going and getting out of the ocean, and they're coming back. And I said, oh, we're good. They got this under control. But then I see from my vantage point that it creeped down from this one ridge, and I see it start heading towards, like, you know, it's far away still. So I'm thinking, okay, the fire truck goes on that street and stops it on that house. We're still good. So I'm watching it creep down from this hill, and it hits the first house. And this is the first time I've ever seen a house catch on fire. And, you know, I'm seeing people riding by. You know, this is far away, but I'm, you know, seeing it. And I've seen people riding by on bikes. I'm like, okay, they must know, you know, the firemen are coming. It must not look that bad. Because it doesn't look like everyone's freaking out and driving away. So that house I see way down the way catches on fire. And now a little while later, the planes kind of, you know, they were hitting it for a good long time. So I don't want to like be like, they just bounce right away. But now the planes leave, the planes are gone. And now I'm starting to see the flames come. And now I call my wife. I'm like, oh, this is not looking good, you know, unless a fire truck gets here on our street. Because thankfully I always had such confidence because we did have one of those water reservoirs. And these guys came and I saw them turning it on and water was coming out of the top. And I said, is that for those helicopters that dip the thing in? He's like, yeah, yeah. I'm like, when they come in here, like we don't know. So I was still like, oh, they got the water here. The helicopter is going to come and they're going to drop it on it. We're going to be good. That didn't happen. No fire truck came. So I called 911 and they connected me to the fire department. The fire department was like, I'm sorry, we don't have the assets. There's no fire truck coming. So I said to my wife, you better pack anything you ever want to keep. And so that's when I knew it was getting real. So she loaded up fast and she left to go to my parents house, which is so far from our house in the like, you know, when I say so far in the Palisades, the idea of that not being a safe place, like go to my parents house, you'll be safe. Because you could never comprehend up on our top hill.
Stephen A. Smith
Like where?
Josh Smith
The top of the Palisades, you know, where it makes sense that a fire could hit. But when my parents live, it's like down by the ocean side of the Palisades. So like my parents house, 125 years old. And I said to my dad when I found out he had no insurance, I'm like, you don't have insurance? He said, the house at 125 years old, I knew if it ever burned down, it would mean the whole town would have to burn down. And unfortunately, horribly, that's what happens. So Heidi goes with the kids to my parents house with all our belongings and my older sister because we're not watching the news because the kid was sick, our son was sick with 104 degrees or watching Blue Ear, Curious George, whatever I keep calling him like put on the news like what's going on? She's like, I can't, you know, when the kids only, you know, it is what it is. We probably should have looked on the news. But I guess what we weren't aware of, we're like the last people still in the Palisades. Everybody had already evacuated and got stuck on the streets on Sunset with the fire hitting them and people are running down the street and they had to. So in the positive out of that is we didn't get stuck in that where everyone got trapped in the cars and they abandoned the cars because we weren't watching the news and we didn't know. I was just watching one piece over by our house. But that house that I saw that initial one, it started going down that street and then it went down into the town, crossed Sunset and now it's coming up on some mescal canyon by Pali High. And now it's coming at my parents house. So my older sister calls like, get out of there. So that my mom took nothing. Like we're not like, you know, we got some teddy bears and some kids clothes and you know, like three suitcases quick, just my mom got nothing.
Stephen A. Smith
I want to ask you because I remember, if I remember correctly, I saw you doing an interview on Good Morning America and you were essentially detailing the shock of, of the loss of your home and how you didn't have fire insurance. Can you explain first of all, is that accurate? And secondly, why was that the case when it came to you? I understand what your dad and all because the house was 125 years of age. But what about yourself? Why was that?
Josh Smith
So we had farmers like the great. Like I would be set right now if I still had farmers, but they. After the Woosley fire, I think farmers. Don't quote me exact. I don't know about. I thought I heard mercury. I know farmers dropped us and a lot of people in the Palisades after those fires. So the only thing we could get and honestly thank God we got is this thing called California Fair plan. But it just covers, I'm talking, you know, it's not covering anything that our house had and what was in it. I mean maybe a little bit, but not like a real insurance. So you know, I'm thankful we even got that little something. But it's not enough to rebuild the house. You know, we put all the money we've been hustling for for 17 years. It was just in our house from, you know, the kitchen knives to the dishes to the sheet. Like, you know, we just had a nice little setup, and we didn't have some mansion. The house was 3,000 square feet. Let's be clear. Like, you know, people just think the palace is always this hunter. Millionaire rich people, movie stars. Like, I've been in the Palisades since I was born. It was just became all these rich people came and jacked up all the. The prices in the last, like, six years. I feel like. So this is like a new thing where you think of the palate. Like, when I was growing up, it was not like these all ballers. It was a small little town. And it's like, that's all my friends and family that lost their house. You know, it's horrible that anybody lost their house. But when people are like, you know, you see a lot of negativity, like, oh, these are just, you know, rich people. It's like, these are people have been the Palisades 60 years. My next door neighbor, Calliope, the lovely Greek lady, she's been in the palaces for, like, I want to say 70 years. I don't want to, like, say she's a hundred. But my point is, everyone on my block have, like, they're lost everything. They're not these, like. So that's this disconnect, you know, the disconnect.
Stephen A. Smith
And I want to get to that because, you know, you've been criticized on social media for your emotional interview and for wearing a shirt promoting your wife's music. Obviously, by promoting your wife's music, y'all been able to generate some. Some revenue for yourself. I don't see. I don't see the problem with that, especially during a time like this. But I wanted to know what you had to say and what your thoughts were about what the critics were having to say about you and your wife.
Josh Smith
But first off, people have been following me for, like, the last solid two years on Snapchat. They know I only have Heidi merch shirts. So when I evacuated, I got my Heidi merch shirts, like, seven of them. These. That's really my only clothes. And even if I have more clothes, I'd only be wearing the Heidi shirts. Because you can go back a year every single day on Snapchat. Every shirt I ever wear is Heidi. So just because it's tragedy, I've been. I'm not, like, changing my style and my appearance. I wear your shorts, and I wear a Heidi shirt every day to promote my wife's music. So I didn't, like, switch up like, oh, I'm On Good Morning America. Let me get some merch to put on. You know, this has been my identity since I started. You know, goes way back. And then for critics, okay, that are saying that, you know, they're all. I always dealt with negativity and trolls and I'm fine with it. I love the engagement thing. But this time it just truly makes no sense because I'm trying to rebuild a life for my two kids and my parents and a family. It's like I'm trying to get money any way I can on TikTok lives. Getting gifts, Snapchat, selling crystals, T shirts, Heidi's music. Like there's full transparency. So they. Critics. That's not a critic to me. That's just somebody describing exactly what I'm going to do until we rebuild a house for ourselves and we rebuild a house for my mom. I told my mom I'm going to get all things she collected or hula dolls replaced and anything I can. I'm gonna make sure that my mom, when she looks back at this, it's not the end of her life. And she's like, my son helped rebuild our. Our world.
Stephen A. Smith
Spencer, what kind of money are we talking about here? And did you ever anticipate that you would be able. You and your wife would be able to generate this kind of revenue? And again, I. It's not a crime you're asking. You're not robbing anybody or anything like this. I just want to stay for the record. I have no problem whatsoever what with what you do. And I'm just curious as to how. How successful this has been for you. And I'm hesitant to use that word in light of the circumstances. You and your parents losing their home. Please understand that.
Josh Smith
100. So we've never made. I have no idea about music. Everyone's like, you're not actually making that money. You get.000 0.1% of streams. So I don't even know like you don't get the checks for like three months. I guess. Again, this is new where Heidi's a global music pop star. So I can't be like, oh, last month. And you know, this is brand new four days old. So I have no idea how much money the music is going to generate, God willing. But you know, I'm like, you know, tick tock. Here's the craziest thing about, you know, I went up a million followers in a week. So the way these rpms work on these videos, because I'm in the creator fund and somebody explained it to me And I only get 10 cents. So I gotta make a minute video minute and one second video, and I get 10 cents back if like a certain amount of millions of people watch it, engage and watch that minute. So like on TikTok, I made 400 million views worth of videos. And I. I'm not kidding. We'll check the screenshots. I'll send to your producers evidence. I don't think I made more than $6,000. So it's not like, oh my God, you know, on the TikTok lives when people choose to send me, you know, you go live and people choose to send me their gifts. They don't have to. They can tap the screen, they can share. And I tell people, you don't got money, don't send it to me. I just, I'm happy you're here supporting. But the other night, you know, I went live for 30 minutes and there, you know, which was a big night. It was incredible. It was $18,000, which is a miracle, you know. You know, we got a long way to go to get these millions. I'm trying to get, obviously, but, you know, that was a huge blessing and I was so thankful. But it's not rolling in. You know, I'm hustling to get to like, you know, people keep calling me a rich celebrity. Is it like. And I'm like, a week ago, my Google network for the last 15 years was like washed up Z listed with $1,000. But now I'm getting hate for like trying to hustle to get. Become an actual rich celebrity. So it's just weird. Like, oh, now, now rich celebrity wants. My, my. Nobody's calling me a rich celebrity for the last 15 years. So. And then one of our friends in Georgia just, you know, a random guy that I met on TikTok Live that became a close friend through social media on TikTok. Not random. Now he's a good friend. But him and his wife, when this all happened, with nothing to do with us, they made a GoFundMe, which was a miracle because I wasn't, I didn't. I was hustling. I didn't even know what. So they did that. And that's been. I think that's over. You know, the other day I read through on TikTok, every single person at the time, their name, and I thank them for their donation. And again, people are like, oh, he's asking me. It's $5, it's $5. It's $5. Which I'm not complaining about, but people are Just buying me a nice latte, you know, like, these aren't people like, oh, he's, you know, so you know, there's some nicer people and maybe have more money that did put more than that. But if you go look, the average is $5, $7. So it's not this like crazy how Spencer's asking people to give them theirs paychecks, you know, it's just, you know, so it adds up with volume. So that's incredible. Another miracle.
Stephen A. Smith
There's no crime in that. No, I know you're making money on social media the way a whole bunch of people have made money on social media. It's no big deal.
Spencer Pratt
But.
Stephen A. Smith
But let me ask you this because I'm thinking about Heidi. Your album, she did it was released in 2010 and fans have supported you all. In light of what's going on, it reached number one for both song and album this week on the itunes charts. Your thoughts on the potential of Tick Tock getting banned come January 19th? You thought about that at all? What are your thoughts?
Josh Smith
Yeah, I've thought about it a lot. So of course, like the thing that haunts me the most is the flames coming down my street. When I drove away and I was watching and I've been comparing it in my brain. Tick Tock being banned now is like a new flame coming down the street to trying to burn up everything I have that I built. Because in the last week, the power and the love and community, the people on TikTok, you know, obviously I got great people on Snapchat and IG, but TikTok's power, the way everybody gets together, like somebody said, what they're doing for us is the greatest group project that's ever existed on the Internet where everyone's come together and they're making remixes and they're tagging and they're reaching out and they're making sure famous people posted. And it's just like this organization of so many humans from all over the world. That's why Heidi was number one in Australia, Oman, Netherlands, Canada. I mean the list was 15 number ones out of America. And it's all because of Tick Tock. I mean, we don't have presence in these places. So it's just the most insane, horrible extra little like of the. All the weeks I've needed something more. Just dealing with that stress of now and that anxiety of like the. The most powerful platform that's helping us rebuild our lives is being taken away is. It's another tragedy.
Stephen A. Smith
Well, listen man, all the best to you, your wife, your parents, of course you're. You're doing nothing wrong. You're not robbing, the stealing from anybody. People are making. So hell, I'm doing this show with you. It's going to be on YouTube. You understand? We ultimately generated revenue because of that. There's no crime in what you're doing. You do what you have to do. As long as it's legal and it ain't hurting anybody, the hell with all of them. You do what you got to do to take care of yourself and your family, my man. You take care of yourself. All right?
Josh Smith
Thank you so much.
Stephen A. Smith
Spencer Pratt right here on the Stephen A. Smith Show. And I mean that. I know. What's he doing wrong? What's he doing? What's all the noise about? So the noise about. I don't get that. I don't understand that. You got people making money, talking shit about people at every turn. That's what they doing. This man lost his house, his parents lost their house. They're trying to rebuild, and they found a way to generate money on TikTok. And we got people got a problem with that. Makes no sense whatsoever. Thanks again to my guest, Spencer Pratt, for taking time out of his schedule to come on here. Clearly, he has better things to do with his time, but he still made the time to come on the show, and I really appreciate it. Coming up next, of course, I promise you I would get into some NFL playoff action, and I will do that as well. But I will also engage in what a new word I've learned called nephewtism. Is that what they call it? Because my nephew Josh is going to be in the house and he wanted to come on the show, so who am I to stop him? Y'all seem to like him. I have no idea why, but y'all do. He'll be up next with yours truly right here on the Stephen A. Smith Show. Don't go away. All right, everybody, listen up. With all the big time sports action that's happening each and every day. NFL games, NBA games in the college football playoffs, the Stephen A. Smith show wants to make sure you are taking advantage of all of it. That's why we've partnered with Prize Picks, the largest fantasy sports platform in all the land, to help you cash in on all your sports knowledge. You see, Prize Picks is a daily fantasy app where you pick two or more of your favorite players and then you select more or less on their projected stats for the game. Choose from any of your favorite players. Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes, and Shay, Gildous, Alexander all in the same entry. Then sit back and watch. The list is endless. And now with Prize Picks Flex Friday option, you can still cash out even if your lineup isn't perfect. That's right, every Friday. Just look for the protected play. So win or your cash back and get this prizepix now offers MasterCard for quick and easy deposits into your account during this sports season. Make your picks in less than 60 seconds and turn your sports opinions into real money all season long on prospects. So download the app today and use Code SAS to get 50 instantly after you play your first five dollar lineup again, download the app and use Code SAs to get $50 instantly after your first $5 lineup. Prospects run your game.
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Tameka Anderson
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 podcast.
Stephen A. Smith
Welcome back to the Stephen A. Smith Show. Now let's get into the NFL playoff picks in the divisional round kicking off this weekend. But first, my next guest wants a long introduction, but he ain't getting it. He's my nephew. I know he introduced me to the word nephewtism. I give it to him. I give him credit for that. That was a good one cuz. I never heard of it in my life until he brought it up. But this is what he is. What's up man? How you doing? What's up Josh.
Spencer Pratt
I'm all right.
Stephen A. Smith
Nephew Josh, ladies and gentlemen.
Spencer Pratt
You like my sweater?
Stephen A. Smith
Ple. Please tell me, first of all, you're not sitting at my desk. You sitting at my desk in my studio.
Spencer Pratt
I'm sitting at my desk today.
Stephen A. Smith
And you're wearing my sweater.
Spencer Pratt
Yeah, they gave me a. They gave me a degree because we're related. They gave you.
Stephen A. Smith
Josh, Josh, Josh, Josh. That sweater was not only in my closet, it was in my drawer, folded up. You went into my closet and took my sweater out and wore my damn sweater.
Spencer Pratt
Well, it fits me like this, so there's no way it could fit you. So I don't know if you had it for show, but it looked good though. Like how it look on me. Run DMC hat. We rich. What we talking about today, man?
Stephen A. Smith
Listen, I'm gonna. You know what? I don't know how much you even know about football. You should know since you, you know, you, you, you raised. Practically raised by your uncle, but nevertheless, we gonna get started. With the Texans heading to Kansas City on Saturday to face the top City Chiefs, there's word out of Houston that running back Joe Mixon injured his ankle this week in practice. So he knows what his availability is going to be. By the way, Josh, I don't give a damn whether he's available or not. You don't have Stephon Diggs, you don't have Tank Dell. As far as I'm concerned, the Kansas City Chiefs are completely healthy. With the Patrick Mahomes, with the Travis Kelce. With all of these brothers getting their rest, including Chris Jones and what have you, who can get at CJ Stroud. By the way, I don't give Houston a snowball's chance in hell of winning this game. What does my nephew have to say about this?
Spencer Pratt
Nah, I got Pat Mahomes. You see the numbers. He don't really lose this early in the playoffs. Like you said, the Texans are a pretty incomplete team right now. And the Chiefs are reversed. I got Kansas City.
Stephen A. Smith
Got Kansas City.
Spencer Pratt
Yeah.
Stephen A. Smith
All right. There's hope for you. After all, you ain't as knuckle headed as I thought you were in every situation. Let's go to the next game in nfc. Jaden Daniels and the Commanders head to Detroit to face the super bowl favorite Detroit Lions. Listen, this is. I think it's gonna be a thriller. I don't think you Detroit and you wanna be in a position where it's a one score game even if you're up and Jaden Daniels has the ball in his hands late. We see what he's done this year, 35, 168 yards, 69% completion percentage, 25 touchdowns, just nine interceptions, a 100 passer rating, rush for nearly 900 yards. The brother's no joke. But Jared Goff, look at the season he's had. Look at the weapons he has available to him. Running the football as well as catching the football. And even though they had a multitude of dudes on the injured list, on the defensive side of the ball, being in Detroit in Motown, I think spells doom for the commanders. What about you?
Spencer Pratt
Nah, I got. I got Jaden Daniels with the upset, and I really got him going all the way. I don't see nobody beating him. He's like a younger version of Pat Mahomes to me.
Stephen A. Smith
So you're telling me that you got Jayden Daniels winning the super bowl championship as a rookie?
Spencer Pratt
I do.
Stephen A. Smith
What possible explanation could you have to justify that thinking he performed?
Spencer Pratt
He's the best clutch quarterback in the league this year. You only got one example to use from him.
Stephen A. Smith
Well, actually, Patrick Mahomes has had more, you know, game winning, you know, TDs, than. Than Jaden Daniels, just so you know. I mean, go ahead. Touchdown, stuff like that.
Spencer Pratt
Yeah. Pat Mahomes heroics this year is more about the defense. Jaden Daniels then came through a lot, and I'm. I'm gonna. I'm gonna go with him. I'm gonna go with Jayden Daniels.
Stephen A. Smith
All right. All right. I'm gonna let you slide on that. On Sunday, the Rams head to Philly to take on the Philadelphia Eagles. They're supposed to snow. It's cold. They're accustomed to being in Los Angeles. I'm not. Listen, they got a chance because Apuka Nakua and Matthew Stafford is a veteran and a Super bowl champion. Sean McVay is a great head coach, but I can't see them beating Saquon Barkley and the Philadelphia Eagles. What say you?
Spencer Pratt
Yeah, I don't see them beating the Eagles neither. I got Saquon, too.
Stephen A. Smith
Okay. Say it with your chest, man. You don't sound that damn confident.
Spencer Pratt
I didn't like the way Jade the quarterback looked for the Eagles neither, though.
Stephen A. Smith
Jalen hurts.
Spencer Pratt
Yeah, I was watching first take earlier and I was agreeing with Shannon. I just ain't like the way he looks, so.
Stephen A. Smith
Really?
Spencer Pratt
Yeah, I ain't like it.
Stephen A. Smith
Whatever. Whatever. Finally, the marquee matchup of the week, and Lamar Jackson and the Ravens head to Buffalo to take on Josh Allen and the Bills, the leading candidates for MVP this season, by the way. Both men are looking to get over the hump and play in their first Super Bowl. This is a pick them. This could go either way. I'm of the mindset that, you know what? I know it's in Buffalo. It's going to come down to the wire. But the way Lamar Jackson has looked this year, having Derrick Henry at his disposal, King Henry, as they call him, I think the Baltimore Ravens might go on the road and pull this out and we gonna have a rematch of the AFC Championship game last year between Kansas City and Baltimore. What are your thoughts?
Spencer Pratt
Zay Flowers. Is he playing?
Stephen A. Smith
They don't know. I don't think he will be.
Spencer Pratt
I don't even know why I asked that. Cause I really do believe Lamar Jackson is fast enough to throw the ball to himself. Then he has Derrick Henry, too. I'm gonna go with Baltimore.
Stephen A. Smith
Did you just finish saying he's fast enough to throw the ball to himself?
Spencer Pratt
I believe he can. He's fast enough.
Stephen A. Smith
Did you say that on the airwaves?
Spencer Pratt
Yes.
Stephen A. Smith
Let me move on to a different subject. I just can't deal. I just. Some of the things you say I just can't deal with. His dad just can't deal with it.
Spencer Pratt
Being that I have the Bills getting stomped by Lamar. It's always cold in Buffalo. So let's see if the temp is. So let's see if the temp is low enough to freeze some of the tears. 22 degrees, January 19th. How you think that's gonna work out? Am I supposed to be holding or something?
Stephen A. Smith
I'm stuck on you grabbing the damn microphone, working out with that big ass microphone and going up to the screen. Sorry, you didn't know that. You ain't supposed to grab the microphone.
Spencer Pratt
It's my first day on the job.
Stephen A. Smith
First day. But you think you should have my job?
Spencer Pratt
Yeah, it's my first day.
Stephen A. Smith
And by the way, what are you drinking? What are you drinking?
Spencer Pratt
It's coffee. I had a long day.
Stephen A. Smith
What? You had a long day?
Spencer Pratt
Yes.
Stephen A. Smith
How did you have a long day, Josh? What have you been doing that you had a long day?
Spencer Pratt
I took the bus here because you wouldn't buy me a car. But anyway, we. It's gonna be 22 degrees in Buffalo. Do people live here by choice?
Stephen A. Smith
Yes. Don't be rude to people in Buffalo.
Spencer Pratt
I would run out of time.
Stephen A. Smith
A lot of people don't mind the car.
Spencer Pratt
I would never leave the house.
Stephen A. Smith
What's the weather like in New York right now?
Spencer Pratt
This is the weather for the rest of the week in Buffalo. So we gonna see how depressing it'll be. Four degrees on Tuesday. What are you doing? Four degrees?
Stephen A. Smith
What that got to do with Sunday's football game? Josh?
Spencer Pratt
No, this is, this is, this is Buffalo. This is what, this is what they have to deal with after the L.
Stephen A. Smith
So you talking about after the L they gonna suffer from? That's what they gonna have to deal with? I mean, did it ever occur to you that since that weather is not foreign to them, they may be more prepared to play in those weather conditions on Sunday instead of Baltimore?
Spencer Pratt
Nah. Cause most players are from down south. So once you won the Bills, it's like that's why they. When's the last time they've been to the Super Bowl?
Stephen A. Smith
Oh my Lord. You are so clueless. Man. Sit your ass down over there. Get back to the desk. Get back to the desk. Just get back. Did you see, by the way, what happened on the Eagle sideline Sunday with wide eyed AJ Brown on the bench reading a self help book called Was it Inner Excellence? By the way, the book, Originally published in 2020, is now number one on Amazon. Before I let you go, what did you make of that?
Spencer Pratt
I don't think it was a problem. Like if he was reading a double XL magazine or something like that. Okay, but if it's called if that's the name of the book.
Stephen A. Smith
And inner excellence.
Spencer Pratt
Inner excellence. He was trying to tap into that during the playoffs. Like he only had what. He had a catch, one reception.
Stephen A. Smith
He had one catch for 10 yards. He had one catch for 10 Yards.
Spencer Pratt
I was gonna put my top three books that I would have been caught reading.
Stephen A. Smith
Hold up. Make her chase you.
Spencer Pratt
Yeah.
Stephen A. Smith
Oh my Lord.
Spencer Pratt
So if anybody wants to know why I am the way I am, blame D'Arcy Carter. She's a pretty good author. This is number three on my list. Can we show number two, make or Chase youe Part Two? And can we round out my top three really fast? Make her chase you. Part three.
Stephen A. Smith
Make her chase you.
Spencer Pratt
It's a book that.
Stephen A. Smith
Those are the books. Let me ask you a question. You've read those books all three?
Spencer Pratt
It's my Bibles.
Stephen A. Smith
What did you learn from the book? Tell me. Tell me. Tell me the tricks that the book taught you. I'm interested now you got my interest piqued. See, what is what you learned from the book, John.
Spencer Pratt
See, don't make it seem. Seem like I'm into trickery with the ladies and stuff like that.
Stephen A. Smith
You're the one that presented the book.
Spencer Pratt
I'm saying it's no tricks involved. Now we disrespecting Darcy Carter, the author that came up with all of these methods on how to meet her.
Stephen A. Smith
Okay, so I'mma ask you again. What methods did you peel from parts one, two, and three of the book, make or chase you?
Spencer Pratt
Well, I learned. Well, she taught us to be appealing and then to run away. You don't. You know, your advice to me is find a honey, settle down. You know, something that somebody's pushing 60 would say, Darcy. Darcy caught her. You know, she has different suggestions. I don't want to expose it. Cause I really support her. And I want y'all to go out and get her booked.
Stephen A. Smith
You talked about, you know, making yourself appealing, right? How would you say you've done that? What did you take for the. I mean, what is it that's appealing about you?
Spencer Pratt
Um, you know, the shades that I get from your house, this hoodie. I can't wait to see what they say about me today. Cause I really put, put, put all of. All of this together. Let me spin all the way around for him. And you come back. I don't want y'all to miss the. We rich on this side of my. You know, that's appealing you in my end.
Stephen A. Smith
Did you just admit. Did you just admit to the public you didn't run away? You run away. Just admit that.
Spencer Pratt
No, you said run away.
Stephen A. Smith
Yeah, that's what it is. You gotta leave. You depart. You run away.
Spencer Pratt
Like, avoid seriousness if I'm not ready for it. She doesn't believe in misleading ladies into making them believe that that's what you want to do.
Stephen A. Smith
That.
Spencer Pratt
That's not.
Stephen A. Smith
And you. And you. You would never mislead anybody. I mean, you. That's just not you. There's nothing about you that would do that. That's what you said, right?
Spencer Pratt
Yeah. I'm an open book.
Stephen A. Smith
Well, I have encouraged you to be that. I don't know whether you've listened to that.
Spencer Pratt
You've encouraged everything. You've encouraged everything.
Stephen A. Smith
I don't encourage everything. Don't do that. Don't do that. And by the way. And by the way, I don't know if you notice that your mama, your mama all Arlene Smith, Your mama, you know that she text me the other day, she loves, absolutely loves you on the show. And I'm sitting there like this. What are you watching? How do you approve of this? And you're his mother. What the hell is this world coming to? I've said that to her. She said, oh, that's true. I didn't really think about it that way. I'm gonna go and you know what she said next? I'm gonna go pray for him.
Spencer Pratt
So you're not gonna tell him that when you was in the mall in Miami that they called you Josh Smith's uncle? I'm no longer just known as Stephen A's nephew. That's not our dynamic no more. Now you're Josh Smith's uncle. And not only that, I have a problem with Google, too. When you Google Josh Smith, Josh Smith from the Hawk still comes up. Now, why would that happen? What?
Stephen A. Smith
Lord help us all, man. Get out of here. I'll see you after the weekend. Now get the hell outta here. Coming up, more on President elect Donald Trump, who decided to move Monday's inauguration indoors. I'll get into that in these crazy confirmation hearings next on the Stephen A. Smith Show. Don't go away. Welcome back to the Stephen A. Smith Show. On Monday, President elect Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States. The inauguration will officially mark Trump's return to the White House after losing to Joe Biden in 2020. By the way, the event has been moved indoors due to the frigid temperatures forecast in Washington, D.C. on Monday. The last time an inauguration was held indoors was back in 1985 when Ronald Reagan was sworn in for his second term as president. Meanwhile, six of Trump's big office nominees faced Senate confirmation hearings this past week. Some of the candidates include Pam Bondi for Attorney General, Marco Rubio for Secretary of State, Sean Duffy for transportation Secretary, and John Radcliffe for CIA director. The confirmation hearings were often contentious for many of the candidates. Take a listen to some of the sound from Wednesday when Pam Bondi sat down before the committee.
Hunter
Are you prepared to say today, under oath, without reservation, that Donald Trump lost the presidential contest to Joe Biden in 2020?
Pam Bondi
Ranking Member Durbin. President Biden is the President of the United States. He was duly sworn in and he is the President of the United States. There was a peaceful transition of power. President Trump left office and was overwhelmingly elected in 2024.
Hunter
Do you have any doubts that Joe Biden had the majority of votes, electoral votes, necessary to be elected president in 2020?
Pam Bondi
You know, Senator, all I can tell you as a prosecutor is from my firsthand experience, and I accept the results. I accept, of course, that Joe Biden is President of the United States. But what I can tell you is what I saw firsthand when I went to Pennsylvania as an advocate for the campaign. I was an advocate for the campaign and I was on the ground in Pennsylvania and I saw many things there. But do I accept the results? Of course I do. Do I agree with what happened? And I saw so much. You know, no one from either side of the aisle should want there to be any issues with election integrity in our country. We should all want our elections to be free and fair and the rules and the laws to be followed.
Hunter
I think that question deserved a yes or no. And I think the length of your answer is an indication that you weren't prepared to answer. Yes.
Stephen A. Smith
I try to keep my cool. And all of this, I don't like having our time wasted. The Democrats in this particular situation look utterly pathetic. It's the year 2025 and you're talking about election results from 2020. Clearly, there are millions of American citizens who believed it was rigged. Do I believe they were wrong? Yes. Do I believe that Trump lost in 2020 fair and square? Absolutely. Do I believe that Joe Biden won the election? Absolutely. I also believe that most people didn't vote for Joe Biden. They voted against Donald Trump. Just like I don't believe most people voted for Donald Trump in this election against Kamala Harris. I believe they were voting against woke culture, period. That's how I feel. No matter what your feelings are. You want me to tell you the idiocy of what transpired with some of the Senate confirmation hearings this week, particularly with Pam Bondi? She was an attorney representing Donald Trump in 2020 election interference in Pennsylvania. Why would she admit otherwise? She's working for. She was fighting against the state of Pennsylvania about the election in 2020. That's what she was doing. Why would you even ask her that? And why would we sit up here now with her in line to be the next Attorney General for the United States of America and asking her about whether she believed he truly, truly lost in 2020? Clearly, she did it. If she was representing him, or even if she did, she was willing to make an argument to support his point. If she supported this point all of these years, why would she come up on Capitol Hill and say otherwise? You knew that you also atone death. That's how you're coming across if you're a Democrat, because nobody cares about that anymore. He's about to be sworn in as the 47th president in the United States of America, period. He was impeached twice. They didn't care. It was 34 felony convictions on a hush money trial that everybody was saying. What's the difference between him going through his lawyer to pay hush money to A former porn star. What's the difference between that and an NDA? They thought it was rigged. They thought the Democrats was using lawfare to keep him out of office because they couldn't beat him on their own. And then he showed up on Election Day and showed them they couldn't beat him. You would think in the face of all of that, you would be quiet, or you would strictly stick to the questions pertinent to an attorney general. But they sounded like they were still on the campaign trail, talking to constituencies in front of mass rallies, spewing the rhetoric that would dissuade them from even thinking about Donald Trump. No, the election is over. He won. You lost. Here's a better question, and this one is for the Democrats, as opposed to them asking the question to the other side. When you gonna get a candidate that could beat him? And in him. I don't mean him literally, because he ain't running for office again. I mean J.D. vance, because the way y'all look up on Capitol Hill is so sad. You gonna get J.D. vance elected, and you're gonna have a whole bunch of conservatives winning these elections because they're looking at you with your head in the sand, not embracing reality. You lost. Nancy Pelosi is not gonna show up to the inauguration.
Josh Smith
Fine.
Stephen A. Smith
At least she's consistent. She doesn't like if she doesn't want to be there. Michelle Obama's not showing up to the inauguration. Fine. No problem. She doesn't want to be there. Their positions are consistent. Joe Biden called them a racist. Now you working with them. Kamala Harris said a whole bunch of things about him. She's gonna be on that stage. Y'all tried everything. You lost. And the inability to accept the fact that you lost, not just the White House, but the House and the Senate as well. And the inability to look at yourself and to see how tone deaf you are and how annoyed people are at the fact that you are that way. Let me tell y'all something. Looking at that for what it is, you're going this way, you're going this way. Folks are tired of it. They want the economy addressed. They want our border security address. They want the streets of America safe. That's what folks want. And if you want to look at him as a criminal, you know what the right said. You know what the conservative said? To hell with it. He's still a bit closer to normalcy than y'all. That's what they're saying. That's how they're looking at the left. And knowing this you showed up at a confirmation hearing. This wasn't Hegseth that you're talking to with allegations about his sexual behavior or whatever the case may be. This wasn't Gates, who you absolutely despised and you didn't want an office and that was the right decision, by the way. This is her, Pam Bondi, whose qualifications nobody questions. All you doing is showing the same level of desperation you showed with Trump and he beat you anyway. Until you learn to live with it, all of you Democrats on Capitol Hill, until you learn to live with that reality, you're not going to resonate with anybody. A matter of fact, you're going to lose a lot of people. Because I ain't about to call myself a Republican and I ain't about to swear to you that I'm gonna vote conservative and Republican everywhere down the line. But I will say this. I've got no problem avoiding supporting you based on what I'm seeing. It's utterly ridiculous. That's it for this edition of the Stephen A. Smith Show. Y'all have a wonderful weekend. I'm going to enjoy my NFL playoff weekend in the national new championship game coming up Monday night, too. I'll see you on Monday. Until then, everybody, Stephen A. Signing off. Peace and love.
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.
Stephen A. Smith
What's up, everyone? Julie Swerbinks here along with former NHL player Nate Thompson.
Daniel Jeremiah
We're doing a new podcast together. Here we go.
Stephen A. Smith
The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb.
Daniel Jeremiah
Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right?
Stephen A. Smith
Exactly. And you'll never know who will drop by to join us.
Daniel Jeremiah
Julie is pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe.
Stephen A. Smith
Listen to Energy Line with Nate and.
Pam Bondi
Jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
The Stephen A. Smith Show: Episode Summary – "We Rich" Nephew Josh is Back with NFL Picks. Congrats to Maverick Carter, but LeBron's NBA Relationships Are Newsworthy Too
Release Date: January 18, 2025
1. Opening Remarks and Acknowledgments
Stephen A. Smith kicks off the episode by expressing immense gratitude to his growing subscriber base, highlighting over 1.04 million subscribers and millions of downloads on iHeartRadio. He promotes his New York Times bestselling book, Straight Shooter: A Memoir of Second Chances and First Takes, urging listeners to pick up a copy.
2. Impact of Los Angeles Wildfires on Former "The Hills" Stars
Smith delves into the recent wildfires in Los Angeles, focusing on former stars from the reality TV show The Hills who lost their homes. Despite their tragedies, these individuals have leveraged platforms like TikTok to generate significant revenue, a story that has gone viral. Smith emphasizes the resilience and ingenuity of these stars in the face of disaster.
Notable Quote:
"They lost their home, their parents' home, and they've been out on TikTok. And somehow, some way, they've been able to generate an exorbitant amount of money." (02:15)
3. LeBron James, Maverick Carter, and the New Basketball League
A substantial portion of the discussion centers on LeBron James’ longtime business partner, Maverick Carter, who has been hired as an advisor by a group of investors aiming to raise $5 billion for an international basketball league rivaling the NBA. Smith examines the feasibility of such an endeavor, citing the NBA's historical lack of significant competition since merging with the ABA in the 1970s.
Key Points:
Notable Quotes:
"LeBron James is reportedly worth about $1.2 billion. To get an expansion franchise in the NBA in Las Vegas would cost about $7 billion." (07:45)
"LeBron James is not the most liked dude in the world, not in NBA circles. That's just a fact." (10:30)
4. Drake’s Controversies and Relationship with the Toronto Raptors
Smith transitions to discussing Drake’s recent legal and social media issues. Drake sued his record label, Universal Music Group, over the promotion of Kendrick Lamar's song, Not Like Us. Additionally, Drake has been banned from commenting on Toronto Raptors games following controversial remarks about former Raptors star DeMar DeRozan.
Key Points:
Notable Quotes:
"Drake is looking weaker and weaker every day... His reaction to the DeMar DeRozan situation took it a bit too far." (12:15)
"It's no crime that you're making money on social media the way a whole bunch of people have made money on social media." (54:24)
5. Supreme Court Upholds TikTok Ban in the United States
A pivotal segment covers the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision to uphold a law effectively banning TikTok in the U.S., citing national security concerns related to data collection practices by its Chinese parent company, ByteDance.
Key Points:
Notable Quotes:
"The Supreme Court couldn't have been more direct. The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Control Applications act, as applied to TikTok, withstands First Amendment scrutiny and can take effect." (37:50)
"National security is national security. If Congress has a concern about that, maybe the appropriate decision would be to delay it for about a few months." (39:10)
6. Interview with Spencer Pratt: Rebuilding After the Wildfires
In an emotional interview, Spencer Pratt, former star of The Hills, shares his harrowing experience of losing his home and his family's due to the Palisades fires. Despite the devastation, Pratt and his wife Heidi have turned to social media platforms like TikTok and Snapchat to generate necessary funds for rebuilding their lives.
Key Points:
Notable Quotes:
"This tragedy, I've been hustling to get... it's incredible. Another miracle." (50:12)
"People are making money any way they can, legally, any way they can in such desperate times." (55:00)
7. NFL Playoff Picks with Spencer Pratt
Smith’s nephew, Spencer Pratt, returns to the show to discuss NFL playoff picks. Despite initial skepticism about Spencer’s sports acumen, Pratt confidently shares his selections:
Chiefs vs. Texans: Smith favors the Chiefs, doubting the Texans’ chances without key players like Stephon Diggs and Tank Dell. Spencer concurs, emphasizing Patrick Mahomes’ prowess.
Quote:
"Nah, I got Pat Mahomes. You see the numbers. He don't really lose this early in the playoffs." (60:17)
Commanders vs. Lions: Smith predicts a win for the Lions, citing Jared Goff’s performance and Detroit’s offensive strength. Spencer suggests an upset, rooting for Commanders’ quarterback Jaden Daniels.
Quote:
"I got Jaden Daniels with the upset, and I really got him going all the way." (61:18)
Ravens vs. Bills: The marquee matchup sees Smith favoring the Ravens due to Lamar Jackson’s dynamic play alongside Derrick Henry. Spencer backs the Ravens, despite the challenging game conditions in Buffalo.
Quote:
"I'm gonna go with Baltimore. He’s fast enough to throw the ball to himself." (63:45)
8. Closing Discussions and Promotions
The episode wraps up with Smith addressing the upcoming inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, slated for indoors due to cold weather, and reflecting on the contentious Senate confirmation hearings of Trump’s cabinet picks. Smith critiques the Democrats’ handling of the hearings, particularly focusing on attorney Pam Bondi’s testimony.
Notable Quotes:
"The Democrats in this particular situation look utterly pathetic. It's the year 2025 and you're talking about election results from 2020." (74:15)
"This is her, Pam Bondi, whose qualifications nobody questions. All you doing is showing the same level of desperation." (76:40)
Final Remarks: Smith concludes by reiterating his NFL playoff and NBA Finals predictions, encouraging listeners to stay tuned for upcoming episodes featuring his nephew Josh.
Conclusion
This episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show offers a multifaceted discussion encompassing sports business ventures, player controversies, significant legal rulings affecting social media, and personal stories of resilience in the face of natural disasters. Smith masterfully interweaves these topics, providing insightful commentary and fostering engaging conversations with guests like Spencer Pratt.
Key Takeaways:
Notable Resources:
For those who haven't tuned into the episode, this summary captures the essence of the discussions, providing a comprehensive overview of the key points, insights, and memorable moments shared on the show.