Interview Only: Boston Celtic MVP Jaylen Brown sits down and discusses Stephen A's SOURCE, Nike Diss, Black Wall Street and Jayson Tatum Olympic Benching.

Summary

The Stephen A. Smith Show: In-Depth Interview with Boston Celtics MVP Jaylen Brown

Release Date: October 21, 2024

Host: Stephen A. Smith
Guest: Jaylen Brown, MVP of the Eastern Conference Finals and NBA Finals MVP
Platform: iHeartPodcasts

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1. Introduction

At the outset of this special edition, Stephen A. Smith welcomes Jaylen Brown, the reigning MVP of both the Eastern Conference Finals and NBA Finals, to discuss a range of pertinent topics beyond basketball. The conversation delves into Jaylen’s perspectives on journalistic integrity, corporate influence in sports, community initiatives, and personal experiences within the NBA.

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2. Addressing Stephen A.'s SOURCE

[03:22] Jaylen Brown: "I wanted to let them know that I had a great summer. I traveled the world, went to Umrah, won two MVPs, launched Black Wall Street in Oakland, and made a music video. I had a blast."

Jaylen initiates the discussion by addressing concerns raised from an unnamed source that criticized his character and marketability. He emphasizes the importance of mutual accountability and the need for journalists and public figures to engage more transparently.

[04:51] Jaylen Brown: "Journalistic integrity goes two ways. I never had a chance to respond or defend myself because they’re never gonna reveal themselves and the damage is already done."

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3. Critique of Nike and Athlete Endorsements

[24:43] Jaylen Brown: "I think the shoe companies need to change how they issue deals and illustrate athletes' value in terms of IP and creative control. Athletes should have more input over their endorsements."

Jaylen expresses his dissatisfaction with the current endorsement models, particularly criticizing Nike’s control over athletes’ creative processes and financial benefits. He advocates for a shift towards more equitable partnerships that empower athletes beyond just financial compensation.

[35:08] Jaylen Brown: "My thought process has always been solution-based, listening, representing our 450, and trying to create solutions for what I feel in society from an athlete's perspective."

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4. Black Wall Street Initiative

[40:55] Jaylen Brown: "The Boston Exchange is our version of Black Wall Street and aims to address the racial wealth gap through community-driven projects and education."

Jaylen discusses his ambitious project, Black Wall Street in Oakland, modeled after the historical Black Wall Street of Tulsa. The initiative focuses on bridging wealth disparities through strategic community investments and educational programs.

[42:39] Jaylen Brown: "The Juice Foundation works on STEM-based curriculum, including space exploration and artificial intelligence, providing underrepresented youth with opportunities to build their resumes and social mobility."

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5. Olympic Team Selection Controversy

[31:00] Jaylen Brown: "If I have to sign with Nike to increase my likelihood of playing for USA Basketball, I'll pass. The current system forces athletes to choose sides, hindering grassroots development."

Jaylen shares his emotional response to not being selected for Team USA, attributing it to systemic issues and corporate influence rather than his performance. He underscores the need for focusing on youth development over corporate agendas.

[33:43] Jaylen Brown: "The shoe industry has too much control over our sport. We should focus more on the development of our youth and grassroots programs."

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6. Establishing the Juice Foundation

[42:39] Jaylen Brown: "The Juice Foundation includes programs like the Bridge Program at MIT, which offers STEM-based education to kids from underrepresented communities."

Jaylen elaborates on the Juice Foundation’s mission to provide educational opportunities and practical experiences for youth, fostering social mobility and breaking systemic barriers.

[46:28] Jaylen Brown: "People should focus on creation and bridging gaps rather than just business and corporate profits. My work is always about giving back to the next generation."

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7. Impact on Boston Celtics and Future Plans

[72:10] Jaylen Brown: "Expect us to play hard and set the tone on defense. We're going to have an exciting season with ups and downs, but our goal remains the same."

Jaylen outlines his expectations for the Boston Celtics in the upcoming season, emphasizing teamwork, strong defense, and resilience amidst high expectations as the defending champions.

[70:30] Jaylen Brown: "I'm ready to come out swinging. Our organization and coaches allow us to be who we are, and that's been key to our success."

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8. Concluding Remarks

[74:37] Jaylen Brown: "Through my platform, I hope to create a shift in how athletes view themselves and their roles in society. It's about building a legacy for the next generation."

As the interview wraps up, Jaylen reflects on his broader mission to influence societal change through sports, aiming to empower fellow athletes and inspire future leaders.

[76:36] Stephen A. Smith: "I want you to be viewed as someone whose mind, heart, and soul were in the right place, caring more about the big picture than about yourself."

Stephen A. adds his perspective, aligning with Jaylen’s vision of using their platforms for the greater good and fostering positive change.

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Notable Quotes

• Jaylen Brown on Journalistic Integrity:
  *"[04:51] 'Journalistic integrity goes two ways. I never had a chance to respond or defend myself because they’re never gonna reveal themselves and the damage is already done.'"

• Jaylen Brown on Athlete Endorsements:
  *"[24:43] 'I think the shoe companies need to change how they issue deals and illustrate athletes' value in terms of IP and creative control. Athletes should have more input over their endorsements.'"

• Jaylen Brown on Community Initiatives:
  *"[42:39] 'The Juice Foundation works on STEM-based curriculum, including space exploration and artificial intelligence, providing underrepresented youth with opportunities to build their resumes and social mobility.'"

• Jaylen Brown on Olympic Selection:
  *"[31:00] 'If I have to sign with Nike to increase my likelihood of playing for USA Basketball, I'll pass. The current system forces athletes to choose sides, hindering grassroots development.'"

• Jaylen Brown on Legacy and Influence:
  *"[74:37] 'Through my platform, I hope to create a shift in how athletes view themselves and their roles in society. It's about building a legacy for the next generation.'"

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Conclusion

This comprehensive interview sheds light on Jaylen Brown’s multifaceted role as an athlete, community leader, and advocate for systemic change. From critiquing corporate practices to spearheading educational initiatives, Jaylen exemplifies the modern athlete's potential to influence beyond the court. Stephen A. Smith facilitates a profound dialogue that not only highlights Jaylen's achievements but also his unwavering commitment to integrity, community, and the empowerment of future generations.

Transcript

[Greg Rosenthal]

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

[Julie Swerbinks]

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

[Nate Thompson]

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

[Julie Swerbinks]

The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb.

[Nate Thompson]

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

[Julie Swerbinks]

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

[Nate Thompson]

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

[Julie Swerbinks]

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

[Stephen A. Smith]

Jalen Brown. It's not so much that he's underrated, it's that he's just not liked because of his quote, I am better than you attitude. He knows it. It's the same reason he is not as marketable as he should be. That's what an NBA source just sent me. I. I don't know that to be the case. I like Jaylen Brown. I know a lot of people that like Jaylen Brown. You heard my comments there months ago, so obviously you were waiting for the moment where ultimately I would be sitting down to the man I was talking about while he's in the house. Jaylen Brown, the reigning NBA Finals mvp. He is right here on the Stephen A. Smith Show. Let's rol. Welcome to this special edition of the Stephen A. Smith Show. Coming at you, as I love to do at the very least three times a week over the digital airways with YouTube and of course, iHeartRadio, it is my honor and privilege to have the man sitting next to me right now. He is the MVP of the Eastern Conference finals. Last year, the MVP of the NBA Finals. A star for the reigning defending NBA champion Boston Celtics, the one and only Jaylen Brown. What's up, big time? How are you, man?

[Nate Thompson]

Sir. What's going on?

[Stephen A. Smith]

You've had a busy morning, my brother. I mean, in this city, they honored the great Bill Russell. If I Remember correctly, with his bridge and all of that stuff. And you spoke at that talk about that for a second. What was this morning like for you?

[Nate Thompson]

This morning was great. Today they changed the name of a bridge that's been there for hundreds of years. They named it after the great Bill Russell. And I thought it was very fitting. I got to commence the communion with the mayor, the governor, and the rest of the city of Boston just to honor his legacy and what he stood for, you know, as a man. And then his. His character, which at that time, you know, kind of just transcended, you know, the. The reality of what was going on. So today has been a great day. Right now. We here.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Yes.

[Nate Thompson]

We are with you. And. And I know you see the shirt.

[Stephen A. Smith]

That's right. State. State your source. State your source. Are we gonna get into all of that?

[Nate Thompson]

For sure?

[Stephen A. Smith]

No question.

[Nate Thompson]

Honestly, I wore this short, the shirt, because, like, this is where I wanted to start the conversation.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Okay.

[Nate Thompson]

Get into it. And to be honest, you know, pull.

[Stephen A. Smith]

The mic closer to you so I want to make sure the audience hears you. Go ahead.

[Nate Thompson]

Absolutely. I think it's. I think it's deeper than rap. I think it's bigger than both you and I. Like, obviously, your. Your credentials are through the roof. You know, covering AI to first take being the number one show and now taking the world by storm with your new podcast. So I wore this shirt, but I honestly, I know just because of your credentials that you're never gonna reveal sources because you abide by something called journalistic integrity.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Right.

[Nate Thompson]

But hear me out.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Sure.

[Nate Thompson]

A couple months back on your platform, you recited an unnamed source who I felt like attacked my character.

[Stephen A. Smith]

That was what we played on cold open, by the way.

[Nate Thompson]

And one, I didn't really get a chance to defend myself, and two, you know, the damage kind of already is done. And I think journalistic integrity goes two ways.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Yes, sir.

[Nate Thompson]

So for me, I think a lot of people were upset and as was I, because I understand journalistic integrity and I understand how that works, but I also understand the idea of normal integrity as well, and I also want to maintain and protect that.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Sure.

[Nate Thompson]

So to start off, I wanted to ask you a question.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Sure.

[Nate Thompson]

And profession aside. Profession aside, you know, as a. As the number one reporter with the biggest platform.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Yes, sir.

[Nate Thompson]

In the world, I hold you accountable. Please do so. Is there ever any dissension from what you report on as a man? I mean, what you report on as a reporter and then what you stand for as an individual? Like, when you go home, is there ever Any dissension in the decisions that you make?

[Stephen A. Smith]

Well, for the most part, no, because I find myself to be humane and fair. But in the same breath, when we take this example, Let me use this example that you're talking about with what I said was text to me about you. And by the way, others had said it as well. I wasn't talking about how I feel. You and I have been cool for years. You've always been good to me. What I was trying to say was this brother is great. He's great on the basketball court, he's great off the basketball court. He's an individual of very high integrity, highly educated, who most people that you encounter considers you nothing short of brilliant. And yet these opportunities that clearly you are deserving of and should be afforded to you was not. And so when I brought that up, I literally get a text in the middle of the show. And immediately after the show, I got three separate phone calls. And they were like, yo, this guy is not liked by some of the powers that be because he's smart, because he's outspoken, because he's principled and he's defiant and he's not easily manipulated. These are things that are costing him. I didn't look at it as something that was smearing your character. I looked at it as individuals, basically pointing out that you're not liked. And I completely understand why. Folks who are in positions of power and decision making positions, you wouldn't like somebody because they usually don't like folks that are principled.

[Nate Thompson]

I agree. And I wasn't holding you accountable for what anything that you said. It was that your platform is so large, you have the number one platform in the world. First, take your podcast. Now, what I was asking was, is there a dissension, but what you perform, what you report on, and also how you carry yourself as an individual and as a man, like, how do you differentiate the two? But to be honest, I'm going to come clean.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Sure.

[Nate Thompson]

Like, I wanted to have this conversation, but honestly, I couldn't wait to address this unnamed source. Right. I know they probably will be watching this because people like that are always watching. And I wanted to let them know that I had a great summer. Like, just as simple as that. Like, I traveled the world, I went to umrah, I won two MVPs. I, you know, launched Black Wall street in Oakland and made a music video. I had a blast.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Right?

[Nate Thompson]

So I wanted to let them know that I had a great summer. I really wanted to address them directly, but I feel like since this all Kind of happened on your platform. I want to send the message to you, to them, right. Because you only the person that knows who the source is. And I basically wanted to say to them that I think it's cowardice. I think historically unnamed sources have attacked some of our greats and I. We are not responsible for what they lack in design, frankly. They can call all their buddies, they. They pals and, you know, friends from all over the world, all the unnamed sources, and they can shove it where they got it from, whether they think they are marketable or not. I walk with God. I'm going to be me and stand with my community in this life and the next. And that's my journalistic intention, integrity.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Okay, go ahead.

[Nate Thompson]

I wanted to get that off my chest.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Sure.

[Nate Thompson]

And now we can start the interview.

[Stephen A. Smith]

You can get it all off your chest. I'm not going away because I got to tell you something. I don't understand why somebody saying what others may feel about you to hold you back and they know that you've done nothing to deserve it. I don't understand how that's cowardice for them to talk about what somebody else is feeling. Like, for example, I'm looking at you and I think about Bill Russell, how principled he was. I think about Muhammad Ali, how principled he was. I think about Kurt Flood, Kirk Flood, who was the father, you know, of free agency. When you think about what he did in Major League Baseball, I think about Jackie Robinson integrating the sport of baseball. I think about so many highly educated, highly accomplished, highly principled individual. The word likability is not something that you would attach to them when it came to Madison Avenue and marketability and promotion. So somebody saying this guy is not liked because of that reason, that's not them insulting you. That's not them calling you out. It's them saying, the world that we're living in. You're not somebody that's easy to control. You're somebody you stand on your own and you're your own man for sure. What's the. Rob, what's the problem with that?

[Nate Thompson]

It's a balance because it's one you like. You can critique someone's performance, okay, but then also if you're attacking their character, like, they didn't just say that I wasn't like, they said I wasn't marketable. They said I was arrogant. I carried myself with a certain demeanor. And that line gets crossed between critiquing someone's performance, not liking them for whatever reason, and then attacking someone's character. I Think journalistic integrity requires it to go both ways. I never had a chance to respond or defend myself. One, because they never gonna reveal themselves and two, the damage is already done. So when I'm speaking to is the unnamed sources, like I can. Like if you speak on it and you say something because we have a relationship, at least I can look at you and we can go back and forth about whether it is that we believe or what it is that we don't believe. Unnamed source, like, what is that? You know? And to be honest, it reminds me, I think it has. Has familiarity with. When I was entering the draft, 2016, third overall pick. What was that? Do you remember?

[Stephen A. Smith]

I do not. I'm sorry.

[Nate Thompson]

During. When I got drafted, they said that I was too smart a source, an unnamed source.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Okay.

[Nate Thompson]

Said that I was too smart to be a basketball player or something like that. And that would hurt my draft, my draft stock because it was a form of questioning authority. And this source, this unnamed source, who now have said back in 2016, back in 2016, it was a very popular subject at the time. And this source kind of reminds me of that as well. And I actually figured out who that source was.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Okay.

[Nate Thompson]

But I know because of your credentials, your background, your journalistic integrity, we never gonna figure out who that one is.

[Stephen A. Smith]

You're not.

[Nate Thompson]

Yeah.

[Stephen A. Smith]

You're not. You're not. I'm not gonna let that happen because I protect my sources. But I will tell you this. There's also a line that I wouldn't allow to be crossed. Like if somebody were to call up and to get into your personal business and try to attack you, I'd have never said anything like that. I'd never let something like that come out of my mouth over the airwaves or anything like that. But somebo pointing to this individual that went to Cal, this individual. I want to read something here at the time that last year when you agreed to your new contract extension. Five years, over $300 million, it says here you're the youngest person to ever hold a lecture at Harvard, became an MIT Media Lab fellow, was offered a NASA internship, became the NBA Players association youngest vice president at the age of 22 years of age. And when your historic contract was finalized, you were in a robotic session at mit. Is that true?

[Nate Thompson]

That's true.

[Stephen A. Smith]

So with all of that being true, I look at somebody like yourself and I don't consider it a negative because the words that emanated out of somebody else, out of somebody's mouth about what was being felt about you, forced Us to look into your. Your background even more and ask the question, what the hell is wrong with him?

[Nate Thompson]

Absolutely.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Look at his intellect. Look at the fact that he doesn't get in trouble. Look at the fact that he's a great player on both ends of the floor. It forced us all to look at you. And then it had me screaming, why the hell isn't he all NBA? Why the hell isn't he on the Olympic team? You see what I'm saying?

[Nate Thompson]

It might have been misconstrued. It may be in my tone, but my issue was never with you. It was with the unnamed source.

[Stephen A. Smith]

But I knew that because your mother. I mean, because your family told me.

[Nate Thompson]

I do hold you accountable.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Sure.

[Nate Thompson]

For your platform. I think we should hold each other accountable.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Right.

[Nate Thompson]

You have the biggest and largest platform. I feel like one of the biggest reporters in the US So I think that should have some dissension at the end of the day.

[Stephen A. Smith]

No problem with that.

[Nate Thompson]

Who I always wanted to address, who I couldn't wait, was this source. Right.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Right.

[Nate Thompson]

So that's why I wanted to iterate to you, to reiterate back to them that whether they think I'm marketable or not, whether they think I'm liked or not, it's not stopping nothing. They can do their worst. And I'm gonna stand with my community and I'm gonna be myself in this life and the next. And that's what I stand on.

[Stephen A. Smith]

And who are you, Jayla Burr? You describe yourself. Who are you?

[Nate Thompson]

I am a man living through his purpose. You know, I think God has an extreme influence on my life. So as he says, I go. I am extremely passionate about, like, the things that I care about and the things that I love. And I'm willing to sacrifice anything for my family, my community or society to be in a better place.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I watched you during the NBA playoffs, and I love me some Jason Tatum. You know, everybody knows me knows I love me some Jayson Tatum. You were absolutely sensational during the playoffs. You closed the deal against Indiana. You won the NBA Finals. You're the NBA Finals mvp. How did you feel at that moment? I know it's. It must be phenomenal to win a championship. But with you, there always seems to be something more, something deeper, an emotion I'm talking about that comes with it. What was that for you?

[Nate Thompson]

I think it was shock. Honestly, I was shocked.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Not that when you go to mvp.

[Nate Thompson]

I was shocked or you won? Both. Okay, well, you know, you get so locked in on the journey that you sometimes like black everything out, like, you know, your focus becomes so adamant that nothing else exists besides what is in front of you and a job that needs to be done. So, honestly, when we won, it felt like we had another series to play. It felt like it was another game coming up. And my mind was, like, instantly going into preparation mode. So it was having a hard time, like, settling on the fact that, nah, this is it. There's no more games. This is it, and we did it.

[Stephen A. Smith]

When you won the championship and they said that you were the most valuable player for the finals, you looked shocked. I remember that look on your face. You didn't expect that at all. Is that a fair assessment?

[Nate Thompson]

I think I deserved it.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Right?

[Nate Thompson]

But I did not expect it for reasons that we've been talking about earlier in this conversation. I feel like because of who I am and because of how I approach things and what I stand for, it intimidates people and rugs people the wrong way. And I think, good, because there's a lot of organizations, there's a lot of things that need to be changed. We see the results from our former players. We see the results in our community, and nobody thinks that we need to change some of these cycles. So you should feel a certain type of way when I walk into the room, and that has caused me to miss out on opportunities, awards and things like that. Popularity. And I would be lying if I said it didn't bother me earlier in my career, but I got to the point where I fully embraced it. I walk into my masculinity. I know exactly who I am, and I'm comfortable with that. You know, whether it goes left or right, whatever direction it goes for me, my platform, whether something shakes tomorrow, like, I can. I can live with the fact that I'm a stand on my principles and my values to the end.

[Stephen A. Smith]

You realize that everything you just said validated everything that I pointed out, right? You understand that, right?

[Nate Thompson]

I do.

[Stephen A. Smith]

You understand that, right?

[Nate Thompson]

I went. Did you hear what I said?

[Stephen A. Smith]

Yes, I did. About accountability on my part as well, because of the platform that I have, et cetera, et cetera.

[Nate Thompson]

Okay?

[Stephen A. Smith]

No question about it. And by the way, I'm one of those guys. Listen, if you watch me on my day job, on first take, you'll see me half the time with my head down. Do you know why? Because I get text messages. Every segment, every single segment of every single show, there's somebody that's texting me about some players, people who pretend to hate me and never talk to me, but they want. They're the Ones texting me, coaches, executives, owners, you know, agents, everybody. It's always been that way. So getting a perspective, it's a challenge at times to know what the line is and what it isn't. That's why I've never changed my number in 20 something years, because I want to make sure everybody can reach me. And there's no excuse to say we couldn't reach Stephen A. We couldn't reach out and touch him. That's what I tried.

[Nate Thompson]

That's very true. And you are here now in Boston, allowing me to be on your platform to respond. And I think that's. That in itself is a great notion because, like, a great reporter gets both sides.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Right.

[Nate Thompson]

So I feel like your unnamed source created this whole hoopla where people felt some type of way, as did I. People responded. But now it's the opportunity to clear the air and talk about, you know, things that matter, but also address it and then move on.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Right. I don't, you know, but the thing about it is that I don't think it was something that was created. I think, you know, you recognize the fact that because of who you are and what you stand on, for sure that there are certain people in positions of power that want to hold you back, because when they want to do business, they want to do business with people that they can control. So my next question to you is, considering who you are and who you know yourself to be, and now that you're a champion, is it consistent or does your principled position elevate even more because now you got the credentials to back up that you indeed are somebody who deserves everything you want?

[Nate Thompson]

Absolutely. And, yeah, it makes you stand on it even more. Like, I'm. I'm comfortable with it. Like, I've passed on millions of dollars worth of endorsements, not because I don't think that the money is of value, but I more so think for the next generation and helping athletes kind of understand their value to a different level. Right now we kind of look at this exchange between endorsement between athletes gets paid X amount of dollars. They have no creative control, no input, no say so over, you know, the direction of how they want things to go. They don't own their IPs, nothing of the sort. And as a players association rep, I get those phone calls when I'm talking to older players and their frustration about how working with and dealing with these major corporations, how it's difficult. And I think more people should hear those stories because if I was a young player and I heard this veteran that went through what I want to go through. And this person say they might have done something different, you know, that might affect my perspective. So I'm always listening, I'm always thinking about how can I pour into the next generation? Because how we started this conversation was with Bill Russell and playing for this organization and admiring somebody like that, I feel like I have no choice but to walk in their light.

[Stephen A. Smith]

So when you give advice to some of these young cats, telling you some of the things that they're enduring, knowing what you've already been through, what do you tell them?

[Nate Thompson]

I tell them to think for theyself. Most importantly, our influence doesn't just get determined by being an athlete or what I say, an entertainer. Like, I think our influence goes beyond some of these dudes got God given ability, jumping over cars, running fast as lightning. Like I think that influence goes beyond just entertainment. And some people may disagree on that. And we're going to have to disagree to the end. I think we should challenge ourselves, our minds, because we have the potential and the capabilities to be, you know, leaders. Not just on the court or on the field or in the music industry, but in society as well. The influence is there, the ability, the talent is given from God. It's just up to us if we realize it, understand it and access it. And that's what I like to explain to the younger generation is that you're not just a basketball player. It's the platform that you might have. But you got people in the community that look up to you, listen to you. Don't listen to the ones that say you should just focus on ball or don't care about nothing to nobody else. Nah, it's okay to stand for your community. It's okay to be a representative of your family, to not just be about the money, the cars, the girls, et cetera, but also be about building and bridging and creating things for the next generation and creating a legacy rather than just giving back what they just gave to you.

[Stephen A. Smith]

But what about being smart and strategic too? How important is that? And how often do you give them that level of advice?

[Nate Thompson]

Oh, that's everything. That's the emphasis of the advice is to have stratagem. Don't go out there aimlessly saying things and doing things that you don't have the capability to back up. If you look at how I've approached things, it's been with nothing but strategy. You know, how I built my brand, how I've approached the work I do in the community is all about, you know, one, making the world A better place. But two, also being able to be in a position of influence to affect the next gen.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I asked that question because I'm thinking about exchange. I'm thinking about you talking about recreating a black Wall Street. I'm thinking about you and what you've done or trying to do in Oakland and how you got your man Jason Kidd helping you with that. I'm thinking about endorsement deals that you supposedly turned down in excess of $50 million, if I remember correctly. I think about reading that I'm looking at you having turned down over 50 million in endorsement deals to launch your own performance brand. Seven four one. These sneakers right here.

[Nate Thompson]

Yes, sir.

[Stephen A. Smith]

You understand I'm thinking about all of that. And before I go to commercial, I have to ask you, do you realize, damn it, everybody? Ain't you like, like you, you. You. You really act like you. You think you normal. You understand you're not normal. I mean, most dudes can't play like you. And as smart and as intelligent as we want to feel we are, and a lot of us are, lot of people look at you and say, next level. You, next level. It ain't typical. Do you take that into account when you give that advice?

[Nate Thompson]

Absolutely. But I think I was raised this way. I was trained this way. I was created for this. I was like. This was like. I wasn't born with this ability. I work for, was prepped. So, like, my family, my household, all about education. I grew up in a family. My grandmother, who's not here with us today, but she was an educator, a social worker, a woman in a community. I watched her give herself to her community, and I watched her community put her on a pedestal for the amount of energy that she put into each and every person that came into her office. So that's where I got my sense of community. Also all her sisters, my mom, teachers. My mom teaches at Boston University. So I've had the teaching, the preparation, the upbringing, and also the realization of, like, who I am. To be able to cultivate what you see now, I think the same could be done for kids in the next generation. I don't think I'm special. I do think that others feel the same way I do about certain things. They just don't know about how to go about it or they don't know how to articulate it because they weren't prepped. They didn't come from their household. They didn't come into that environment, but I did. So that's why that responsibility is different, especially from the one above. But I don't think it's inept for them to get to that point. And that's why my work is always about giving back to the next gen. Because I think that with the right environment you will see more Jaylen Browns and that's my goal is to build an army.

[Stephen A. Smith]

One and only Jaylen Brown, Reigning NBA Finals MVP right here with Stephen A. Back with more in a minute. I want to take a second to let you all know that with the baseball playoffs in full swing, NFL games filling up my Sundays and the NBA season right around the corner, I could not be more excited. But what is even more exciting is that Prize Picks wants to help you cash in on every single one of those big time games you see. Prize Picks is a daily fantasy app where you can pick two or more of your favorite players and then you simply select more or less on their projected stats for the game. Pick one player's rushing yards, another's rebounds, and even another's total hits all in the same entry. I make my picks and submit early, all in less than 60 seconds. Then I sit back, enjoy the games and watch all that big time money roll in and get this. Sign up with code SAS and prize picks will give you $50 instantly when you play your first $5 lineup. You don't need to win your lineup to receive the $50 bonus. It's guaranteed. All you have to do is play a five dollar lineup on prospects and you'll get fifty dollars instantly. Pick more, pick less. It's really, really that easy.

[Hunter]

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

[Stephen A. Smith]

I'm Mark Seale.

[Nathan King]

And I'm Nathan King.

[Stephen A. Smith]

This is Leave the Gun. Take the Cannoli. The five families did not want us to shoot that picture.

[Nathan King]

Leave the Gun Take the Cannoli is based on my co host Mark's best selling book of the same title. And on this show we call upon his years of research to help unpack the story behind the Godfather's birth. From start to finish, this is really.

[Stephen A. Smith]

The first interview I've done in bed.

[Nathan King]

We sift through innumerable accounts. 35 pages isn't very much, many of them conflicting.

[Stephen A. Smith]

That's nonsense.

[Nathan King]

There were 60 pages and try to get to the truth of what really happened.

[Stephen A. Smith]

And they said we're finished, this is over. It only is not going to work. You got to get rid of those guys.

[Nathan King]

It's just that Leave the Gun Take the Cannoli features new and archival interviews with Francis Ford Coppola, Robert Evans, James Caan, Talia Shire and many others.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Yes, that was a real horse's head.

[Nathan King]

Listen and subscribe to Leave the Gun Take the Cannoli on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Welcome back to Stephen A. Smith show right here over the Digital Airways of YouTube and of course iHeartradio. Back again with the champion himself, the one and only Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics. So you've said all of that and I have to ask you revisit your emotions for me when you learned A you were not gonna be one of the 12 selected on team USA and B despite the fact that three of your teammates was on the team, two of them who spend 82 games a year deferring to you and one obviously Jayson Tatum, who it was a year came here a year later. But is the three time first team all NBA over the last three years. What was that like for you?

[Nate Thompson]

The emotions? Yeah, it was a lot honestly and a lot of the stuff that we just talked about I feel like delineates into the same conversation. But I'll say this, in 2028, if I have to sign to Nike to increase my likelihood to play USA Basketball, I'll pass.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Why?

[Nate Thompson]

One, I think that I think the essence like you see it in our grassroots kids instead of enjoying the essence of basketball are like forced to pick a side. And I look at our global game in Europe is closing the gap. I believe that we should focus more on our development of our youth and grassroots and I think sports, I think shoe companies should have less control over the industry right now. And I was one of those kids, you know, I was a top player number one. Actually you came to one of my high school games. Yeah, I remember that I was a top player in high school. And, you know, and it was so much to deal with, you know, Nike, Adidas, like going to Adidas school, going to a Nike school. And the kids should just be focusing on development. And I think this has a direct correlation to what we see at the highest level, even in, you know, in Olympic play. Like, politics is not synonymous with basketball. You know, as my role as the vice president, I sit on. I sit in these conversations with. Now, who is Andre, who's our executive director, Andre Iguodala and Adam Silva, who is the commissioner for the NBA, who goes back and forth about what we need and what's best for our game. So I know what corporate sponsors, what their pediment, what their pedigree is like. I know what the relationship is like. I know how those conversations go on. Anybody who thinks sports politics are not.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Cohesive, they operate in sync with one another.

[Nate Thompson]

Absolutely. Yeah. You lying to yourself. So I'll say it again, because I know it'd be a quote in 2028 if I have to sign the Nike to increase my likelihood of playing USA Basketball, I'll pass.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Why do you mention Nike?

[Nate Thompson]

Because they're the lead sponsor for the USA Basketball team.

[Stephen A. Smith]

But I'm also asking you that question is because. Because you were once with Nike, correct?

[Nate Thompson]

No.

[Stephen A. Smith]

You were never with Nike.

[Nate Thompson]

No Adidas.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Okay. You with Adidas. All right. And people thought you should go with Nike, and that was not something that ended up working out. What happened with that?

[Nate Thompson]

I mean, no need to get into the. I don't want to. I don't have a problem with the industry. I don't. Well, I do. You know, I'm lying. You know, I do.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Okay. I was getting ready to say, go ahead, Jay.

[Nate Thompson]

I do.

[Stephen A. Smith]

All right, go ahead.

[Nate Thompson]

I think the industry definitely needs some new energy, some new creativity, and some new options. I think the way, you know, the shoe companies go about issuing deals and illustrating people's value in terms of ip, in terms of creative control, in terms of, like, how involved you are in the process. I think it needs to change. I listen to the voices of our older generation. I know players that I can name superstars that would tell you right now, man, they frustrated as hell. You know, they stuff can't come out when they want it to come out. They have no input or control. It was forced to renegotiate certain percentages that they think they should have more value, and they wish it was other options. So, you know, people like to use the word disruptor for me, and I really don't like it.

[Stephen A. Smith]

You know, you don't like the word disruptive for yourself.

[Nate Thompson]

It comes with the territory. Okay, but no, because everything that I've tried to be a part of, everything that I am a part of, my thought process has always been solution based, you know, listening, being a rep, representing our 450, listening to what players are saying behind closed doors.

[Stephen A. Smith]

But some people would say solutions can be disruptive from time to time, depending on who you're dealing with.

[Nate Thompson]

Yes. No, you're correct. I just don't like to be called just like singularly.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Got it.

[Nate Thompson]

A disruptor. I know it comes with it, but my thought process has always been solution based. Trying to create a solution for what I feel like in society, from an athlete perspective is viewed as a problem. And, and that doesn't just stop at the shoe industry, the agency model. We can go more in detail, actually. I could talk to you all day about this stuff. We have a lot of meetings with the union, which I'm happy to be involved with. I've been since I was 21 years old. So I've been seven years now that I've been participating in the development.

[Stephen A. Smith]

28 in a couple of days.

[Nate Thompson]

Yeah, man, it's my last two years in my twenties.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Right? That's right. That sounds terrible, ain't terrible.

[Nate Thompson]

I know, but I've been a part of it for seven years and I've learned the ins and outs of the operational aspect of the league, the marketing approach. I learned about, you know, how the decision making process goes, who has responsibilities, who doesn't, and how, you know, things are looked at and viewed. So, you know, I think things need to change.

[Stephen A. Smith]

We'll get back to more with Jaylen Brown in just a minute, but not before I pay some bills here. Basketball season is here and game time is ready to help you get tickets to see your favorite team and players play live. There's nothing like being at the arena and hearing the sounds from the court as you watch your favorite player steal the ball from the opposing team, make a fast break and hit that crazy three pointer. The experience is second to none, especially when you see your favorite celebrity on the Jumbotron on their feet too, cheering right along with you in a hyped crowd. How can you not want to be at the game? Everyone should have an experience like that. And game times new game time picks feature makes finding great deals to your favorite events even easier, helping you make that happen. Looking for a last minute deal on tickets right up to the start of the event and even an hour after it starts. Check out gametime Picks. Game Time Picks filters through everything to show you only incredible deals on great seats so you don't have to waste time searching through thousands of tickets. You can even see the view from your seat on your phone before you buy. All in pricing shows your total cost up front and you can buy tickets in seconds with just two taps. Gametime is not just for sports fans. It has exclusive sponsored deals on tickets for concerts, comedy, theater, football, basketball, baseball and more. And get this, if you find tickets in the same section and roll for less, Gametime will credit you 110% of the difference. You can even return your tickets within 24 hours from time of purchase for a full credit to your GameTime account, no questions asked. That's the Game Time guarantee. So take the guesswork out of buying tickets with GameTime Picks. Download the GameTime app, create an account and use SAS for $20 off your first purchase terms apply. Again create an account and reference code SAS for $20 off download game Time today. What time is it? Game time. I'm gonna read a quote that you gave, but before I read the quote that you gave, you were responding to Nike founder Phil Knight, this is in 2022 who had criticized Kyrie Irvin for his quote unquote slow motion non apology after sharing an anti semitic documentary on social media. That's for Kyrie to discuss. We don't have to revisit that at all because there's a lot of hits that he took during COVID from myself included that he did not deserve. So I want to make sure I'm on the record stating that and he and I'll have a conversation at some point. But I remember when you were communicating about Nike in response to their reaction to Kyrie and your exact words was since when does Nike care about ethics? Now you've never been under Nike like you said you were under Adidas. Things didn't work out but you didn't hesitate to say what you said about them for sure. A, Y and B. Do you not see how that can alienate a lot of businesses from wanting to do business?

[Nate Thompson]

Absolutely.

[Stephen A. Smith]

And your willingness to speak out.

[Nate Thompson]

I think the ones who haven't been in behaving ethically for sure, I think the ones who do, I think it actually would attract them. But as a major corporation who's huge has a lot of under their umbrella that always hasn't maintained the ethical approach to, you know, the decision making that they have, especially on the behalf of the assignees. So being able to see that because like A lot of the things you stand for are public. A lot of the things you represent are public. And the messaging that you put out is public. You know, it don't take nothing but a little bit of time to see what the company represents. And I think that is the part where I challenge them to do better.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Black Wall street here in Boston, on the day that you signed your five year, 300 plus million dollar deal, which by the way, nobody refuted, we all knew you deserved it. And that was before you won the DAG on championship. Okay. With all of that being said, talk to everybody about what you're trying to accomplish and what that specific project is all about and what it means to you.

[Nate Thompson]

It's all about my commitment, my platform to the community. I've been here in Boston for nine years now and one of the things that I noticed is that the racial wealth gap is involatile, basically. You know, is it true that I.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Heard that wealth gap, if you look at the median household for black families, it's like $8 compared to, you know, triple digits for white families in America. Is that, is that true? They said something along those lines. Is that the numbers that you have?

[Nate Thompson]

Yeah, the Boston Globe reported that in like 2016 and that's not probably where it is now. Boston is still top five in wealth disparity. And they've been that for the last 20, 40, 50 long time. And that issues from systemic inequality. That is just, you know, digress through time. So the Boston Exchange, which is a, you know, a spin off version of what kind of Black Panther, I mean, Black Wall street. And also 1920s Tulsa, Oklahoma. Yeah, and also the Rainbow Coalition, of course that took place in Chicago from Fred Hampton, like maybe I pulled from those two. But be able to use a platform through sports to bring people together and throw everything that we got at trying to improve that wealth disparity.

[Stephen A. Smith]

You also have a foundation called Juice. It's the number seven U, I, C, E, but it's pronounced Juice. Talk about that for a second, what its mission is.

[Nate Thompson]

Another foundation that is more so Boston Exchange is wealth disparity. The Juice Foundation. They deal with a lot of the programming, which is through education, which is like the bridge program people in Boston are familiar with is where when I signed my deal, I had a bunch of kids around me that were behind me. Those were my students in my bridge program. I designed a curriculum over at MIT pretty much every summer. And it is science, stem, steam based, but it includes space exploration, includes artificial intelligence, synthetic biology, etc, and I take Kids from Dorchester, from Roxbury, from under underrepresented communities and build the bridge for them at mit. I think that's important because they get the exposure from these STEM and STEAM based curriculums that can also help shape their social mobility. So just by putting in this environment, allowing them to get internships, allowing them to sign up for different programs, allowing them to be in a space where they see theyself being successful instead of seeing they self being in a place that, you know, there's not too many opportunities. I think that's what the bridge program is about and that's what Juice foundation is as funded. And we are in our fourth annual year this summer and you know, we track the kids and push the kids to sign up for internships so they can just build their resumes and experience and you know, I design the curriculum but hopefully it builds for them to have a more impacted and a different kind of trajectory than what systemically is laid out for them.

[Stephen A. Smith]

You said you designed the curriculum?

[Nate Thompson]

Yes, sir.

[Stephen A. Smith]

All right, what is, explain, what does that mean exactly? You come up with the classes, you come up with the courses. What exactly does that mean?

[Nate Thompson]

All of the above come up with the courses. Also, you know, when you bring kids into a counter space like mit, especially coming from an underrepresented community, you want to make sure that they're comfortable. So you know, you don't want to make, you want it to come off pretentious, you don't want it to come off as like above or anything like that. So when you build the curriculum, you also need to include things to level the space. So we include leadership, you know, seminars, which I lead, we include, you know, some yoga, depending on, we include some activities just to make the kids feel integrated into the space. And we build that on top of like interviewing the professors. Mit, shout out to mit, shout out to Dava, Dava Newman. She's the chairman for the MIT Media Lab. She'll send suggestions of professors who we think that would be great. First we have conversations with them about what they want to communicate and how they want to communicate. And kids don't want to be sitting there listening to no lectures. You got to be interactive. It got to be action based learning. So we combine all of those things together and come up with a four day camp or so. And some kids are, they're thinking they about to, you know, they come into Jaylen Brown, they think they're about to play some basketball, but now we got them in class at mit.

[Stephen A. Smith]

How receptive is the business community to Your agenda, your objective, and how much do they facilitate you being able to accomplish what you're aiming to accomplish?

[Nate Thompson]

The business community, Honestly, I think it should and could be more, but I think people are kind of waiting to see kind of what is the next leading steps. But I thought more people would be reaching out. I think they, you know, they post about it on social media and they talk about it, you know, online. But people don't always put, you know, their resources into something. They. And but then they complain as well when they, when there's something missing. So we're gonna keep moving, we're gonna keep pushing forward and I'm hopeful and I'm up to optimistic that, you know, the right people are going to align as well.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Now, you know, I asked you the question because look at all you're doing. Look at what your objective is. Who wouldn't want to support that? Nevertheless, you just articulated it's a challenge.

[Nate Thompson]

Yes.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Could it be that it's a challenge because of what you stand on and how principled you are and you're not somebody that, dare we say, is going to play the game that corporate America might want you to play? You ever thought about that?

[Nate Thompson]

I hate the term play the game.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I know a lot of us do.

[Nate Thompson]

It's 2024, right? Like it's a different game than it was in 1985. Okay, similar people that are moving to pieces, but the game is different. I think that this generation has the prowess to be able to do a lot different things, that maybe the generation that came before wasn't able to through the power of social media, through the lens of like just the media in general, multiple people are starting platforms, multiple people are entrepreneurs and working for themselves. So before, like, the social norms of like corporate America is like, man, you got to dress a certain way, speak a certain way, you know, be a certain way. You gotta have a college degree to be successful. This is what I view as playing the game 2024. I think that still exists, but we've seen that game change where now you could be yourself, you could dress casually, or however you feel comfortable, could have red, blue, yellow, green hair, and people will still accept you if you're good at your craft.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Right.

[Nate Thompson]

I think that game is changing. Maybe it hasn't changed completely yet, but that's what I want people to recognize as well, that the game is changing. It is not the same. And it's our responsibility that the next 20 to 50 years looks different than it looks right now.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I'll play devil's advocate with you, you started off this, this interview interviewing me, asking me questions, right? And we were talking about me in this industry. Let me tell you what the dilemma that I have, and you tell me how you feel about it. I don't want to dress in a damn suit every day. I like my suits, I really do. I like to dress sharp, you know, but I don't feel like dressing like that every day, coming on the air, knowing that hundreds of thousands are watching live, that millions, in my case billions might be watching on video, on social media and video over the course of a calendar year, et cetera, et cetera. I know that there's a responsibility that comes with that because I'm saying, yeah, I can do it now. I can show up in a warm up suit on the air right now. I can, you know, I can, I can do what I could do a lot of things that the typical person can't do, but if I'm setting that kind of example, I can get away with it, but most people on the come up can't. And so I have a responsibility to allow them to see what quote, unquote, the words we hate the game that has to be played. You're trying to show them that you are somebody that's averse to that kind of thinking. I guess what I'm asking is, with all that you accomplishing, I'm not talking about you just as an individual, as a player, but what you're doing in the community and the help that you need from those outside to help you, do you feel compelled at all to capitulate in any way to serve the greater good?

[Nate Thompson]

Do I? Yes. No. But no. I hear what you're saying and I understand it. Like I said, the game hasn't completely changed and people have to do what needs to be done and there's nothing but respecting that. But I feel like I'm in a position where I don't have to do that and just through my influence and through who I am, that I could represent and create a paradigm shift as well for athletes to think differently, to understand their value in a different way, and if not from an athlete perspective, even expanded to society as well. But what I represent and what I speak for is the next generation of athletes. And I know what we go through as well is what people in corporate America are going through at the same time. So I understand it. Like your example was you wearing a suit on TV for first take, and that's, you know, considered industry standard. Like nothing is wrong with that. I think that I was just Using that as an analogy to how, you know, how someone dresses is attached to a certain level of professionalism, at least in the past. And it is still but and a lot of times people showing up to meetings that I be at and they be in stuff like this.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Right. Yeah, I feel you.

[Hunter]

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

[Stephen A. Smith]

I'm Mark Seale.

[Nathan King]

And I'm Nathan King.

[Stephen A. Smith]

This is Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli. The five families did not want us to shoot that picture.

[Nathan King]

Leave the Gun Take the Cannoli is based on my co host Mark's best selling book of the same title. And on this show we call upon his years of research to help unpack the story behind the Godfather's birth. From start to finish, this is really.

[Stephen A. Smith]

The first interview I've done in bed.

[Nathan King]

We sift through innumerable accounts. 35 pages isn't very much, many of them conflicting.

[Stephen A. Smith]

That's nonsense.

[Nathan King]

There were 60 pages and try to get to the truth of what really happened.

[Stephen A. Smith]

And they said we're finished. This is over. Not only is not going to work.

[Nate Thompson]

You got to get rid of those guys.

[Stephen A. Smith]

This is that.

[Nathan King]

Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli features new and archival interviews with Francis Ford Coppola, Robert Evans, James Caan, Talia Shire and many others.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Yes, that was a real horse's head.

[Nathan King]

Listen and subscribe to Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Times magazine article titled How Jaylen Brown became the NBA's most interesting player. Colin Kaepernick said this about you. Quote, more than an NBA star, he's a force for justice and change and a beacon of hope. That's what Colin Kaepernick Once said about you, and we know what stance he took. Do you look at NBA players, your brethren? I'm talking about cats on your level, all star caliber players, champions, potentially future hall of Fame. I think you're a future hall of Famer, stuff like that. Do you see guys, your contemporaries, your brethren, do you feel like they have the kind of attitude that you have?

[Nate Thompson]

Absolutely. I've talked to him.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Okay.

[Nate Thompson]

It's just, you know, the world we're in, like, everybody doesn't feel as comfortable with speaking on it.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Okay.

[Nate Thompson]

But I know I'm not alone in thought. I've. I've had several conversations with numerous superstars and people beyond that feel the same way and do things in their own way, silently.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Yeah.

[Nate Thompson]

You know, and I think that does have an impact and make a difference, but I just like to challenge them to continue to push that line, because the next generation is watching. And if we don't want the same results for the next 20 years, 50 years, the same corporations, we don't own anything. We don't understand our value. We constantly sell ourselves short. We depict it a certain way in the media, things that we've talked about and complained about for years, then someone has to be the catalyst or a pioneer to have the courage enough to be like, you know what? Let's do it. But I 100% believe in our athletes. It's actually my job to do so. And I've had conversations with them, and I know that I'm not alone in thought.

[Stephen A. Smith]

You challenge them, do they challenge you?

[Nate Thompson]

I think so. I think they.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I'm talking about confronting you, like, talking to you about things they think you need to do different. Certainly. Do any of them ever come to you and talk to you on that level?

[Nate Thompson]

Give me an example. Like, what would they say?

[Stephen A. Smith]

Yo, bro, you might need this money for this program. You might need this money. You might need additional resources for the projects that you're working on. Again, you might have to toe the line a little bit. Do they ever tell you that? Any of them ever tell you that?

[Nate Thompson]

Yeah. Yeah, for sure.

[Stephen A. Smith]

And when they tell you that, what do you say to them?

[Nate Thompson]

I listen.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Okay.

[Nate Thompson]

Believe it or not, I listen. I listen. I listen to anything and everything. Right. You know, I. You never know what you may learn from someone, even if you disagree. So even if somebody's giving you opposition, I never looked at it as negative. Even if we don't agree on terms or something, like, you always keep an open mind.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Right?

[Nate Thompson]

And this is what I also encourage to our athletes. Keep an open Mind and don't be afraid to think for yourself. Like, we're beyond just entertainers. We are also, you know, young CEOs, members of our community, we're philanthropists, we're leaders. That goes beyond just sports. And like, if you start to cultivate that mindset and think about that in the beginning, you know, who knows what you can be by the times you get to the end. The, the system is set up to control like the way we think. And like, you see our athletes, they just, man, just focus on basketball. Don't worry about nothing else. And then fast forward, 60% of our players as they retire within the first 10 years are losing majority of their wealth. So the system isn't working. Like, hello, like, is anybody. It's not working, right? Like, this is what's going on, but nobody wants to talk about it and nobody wants to do anything. It's just happening behind closed doors. Dudes are struggling out here. Dudes you thought would be, well, the most well off are living, check to check, and your financial advisers, your agents, all the people that surround you, that's supposed to be helping you, you know what they do? They blame you. And I believe if you can't help me, you shouldn't be representing me. And that leads into that issue and we can go into that, but I just think we just need to understand our value. We need to start earlier. I think that the key is pouring into the next generation. I think shoe industry has way too much of a hold on our, on our sport. I think we said earlier Europe has closed the gap. I think we should focus a lot more on development. Kids should be focusing on the essence of the sport rather than, you know, the politics of, you know, picking aside, right. Nike or Adidas. So that's my thoughts. People may disagree, that's fine. But this next phase that I feel like I'm entering and I'm going into, I, I don't do podcasts, right? I don't speak because we live in a generation where every. They're gonna pick apart everything you say and it just introduces you to being attacked. Well, I'm at the point where, like, attack me. Like, it's, it's. I stand on what I stand for. I'm gonna be me and I'm standing for my community in this life, in the next.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Is there an NBA player that you look up to more than others?

[Nate Thompson]

Currently or currently?

[Stephen A. Smith]

I can imagine anybody. You looking up to anybody more than you looked up to Bill Russell? God rest yourself about?

[Nate Thompson]

Yeah.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Can't imagine that.

[Nate Thompson]

No. It was an example.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Right. But a modern day, present day player.

[Nate Thompson]

Like any sport or just any sport, doesn't matter.

[Stephen A. Smith]

But I'm also gonna ask about the NBA too, because you're in it for sure.

[Nate Thompson]

So one of my good friends is Vinnie Jr. The soccer player, and he don't speak English as well, but this summer I got to go to. To Brazil to get to experience it with. With his culture and what it's like being him. You know, he plays in Madrid, in Spain, and he has a lot of the same issues that go on in America around, you know, race and things like that. And him coming from Brazil, from the area that he come from, and being able to represent not only his country, but South America as well. And I think he's doing it with class. And I've been able to just be a fly on the wall in his journey.

[Stephen A. Smith]

NBA player.

[Nate Thompson]

NBA player. Yes, I would say. I mean, Andre just retired, but that would be. Andre was my mentor. Andre Iguidala.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Good brother.

[Nate Thompson]

I pulled a lot from Kobe Bryant as well. I know Kobe didn't do a lot of talking either.

[Stephen A. Smith]

He acted a lot.

[Nate Thompson]

He acted a lot, and I followed a lot of his moves. A lot of the reason why I started this shoe company is because I read an article around 2019 or so that Kobe was doing the same thing before he passed. You know, he. I read that he had partnered with like the CEO of Uber or whatnot, and he wanted to give athletes better percentages and better deals and allow them to be able to invest into the company as it grows. And I thought this was unique. You know, I remember like seeing this and they had a picture of the shoe as well. And I remember, like, man, how cool would it be if I could be one of those athletes? And I never got to meet Kobe, you know, and he passed. Never got to shake his hand. Never got to build with him. But, you know, some of the stuff that's left behind, I like to. To walk in because I think Kobe was one of the reasons I picked up a basketball in the first place.741.

[Stephen A. Smith]

That's the sneaker right here.

[Nate Thompson]

Yes, sir.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Wanna make sure I'm accurate here. The number seven represents spiritual awakening, wisdom and understanding. Correct. Number four symbolizes hard work, stability and practicality. Number one stands for new beginnings, creativity and independence. Did I do my homework?

[Nate Thompson]

Yeah, I got it. Yeah. Yeah.

[Stephen A. Smith]

That's a lot. It's worthy. Ain't nothing. I'm not throwing any shade on it whatsoever, but that's a lot. That, that. That's typical of you. When you look at this season that's about to unfold. Knowing that you stand now as a reigning defeat, defending NBA champion, what kind of impact do you believe that's going to have on your life moving forward compared to anything that you experienced prior to winning the championship?

[Nate Thompson]

I can feel it's definitely changes, you know, for sure. I think that, you know, being able to etch your name in stone among some of the greats, one for winning the championship here in the city of Boston, but also being able to win Eastern Conference finals MVP and then follow it up with finals mvp. Like, that's right. I don't. It hasn't been done those two. But even to be in the midst of like some of the. The legends that came before is awesome. But the way my, my brain is designed, like, I honestly, I don't really think about it. Like we have. I see stuff that's in front of me and the way my brain works is you got a task in front of you. Your job is to do your work. So.

[Stephen A. Smith]

But what task is in front of you? Because you didn't get selected to the all NBA defensive team, a lot of people felt you deserved it. I felt you deserved. I definitely had you as on an all NBA team. I definitely had you third team, all NBA. I'm letting you know that.

[Nate Thompson]

Right?

[Stephen A. Smith]

That's what I was on the air saying. I put you on the damn team. I don't know why I don't see 15 players in the NBA better than you. When you talk about how highly motivated you are. And is it just about the work or is there something a little extra right now because of what you feel.

[Nate Thompson]

You were denied a little bit of both. And people who are close to me know, like, you know, I'm always looking for something. I'm always looking for a chip that just adds to the fire you don't need. I don't need much, but that, that gave me plenty. And I think that's what also helped my team be able to get to the championship and eventually win it. But going into this season, like last year's over, like, it's almost like, you know, after this ring ceremony that we have in a couple days, like, you gotta put it behind you in a sense. Nobody care. None of these young dudes is caring. They watched me, they watched us. And they want that for themselves. So I already know what's to come and you gotta fight that, that comfort. So I'm ready to go. I'm ready to go. I'm ready to Come out swinging.

[Stephen A. Smith]

What was it like for you watching Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Drew Holliday come home with a gold medal on the team you felt you should have been on?

[Nate Thompson]

It was great. Honestly, it was awesome. Like, I was super happy for those guys. It's a great honor to be able to represent your country. So I was elated, you know, I was having a great summer. And that's what I wanted to elaborate to the. To the unnamed sources that, like, man, like, man, I had a blast. Like, I was traveling the world, enjoying myself, watching those guys do their thing. And that only makes our team have more union, you know, those three guys being able to spend more time together, you know, get to play with some of the greatest players in the world. To be able to be around that union of KD, Steph Curry and LeBron James, which was like, in this era of basketball is like one of the best things you could watch. And it was. It was great. I watched every game I supported with no bias. You know, it was fantastic. I knew what happened priority, you know, I didn't take it personal because I've accepted already what it is. So that allowed me to cheer my teammates on.

[Stephen A. Smith]

How would you describe your relationship with Jayson Tatum?

[Nate Thompson]

Me and him have a championship level relationship. You know, I think that together, we've been here for a long time and we've had to listen to any and everything for the longest that we couldn't play together, that things should be broken up. We wasn't leaders and we were close every single year. Like, right there, right there, right there. Every single year. And we viewed it as like, just stay the course, while everybody else viewed it as blow it up. And we got the receipts, but six.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Conference finals appearances for you, five conference finals appearances for him, two NBA finals appearances for you both, and now a championship.

[Nate Thompson]

Absolutely. I mean, before. I mean, that. That says. That says in itself. But, you know, that wasn't the rhetoric, you know, going into the playoffs this year. That wasn't the rhetoric going into the season last year. But obviously that rhetoric has changed. But one thing about it, it's gonna change again. There's gonna be some point again if it's not working or whatever. Is not. We win or lose a couple games in a row, it'll be back. The commentators, everything will be back. And that's just a normal cycle of everything. And you gotta embrace that as well. Yeah. So I understand how things work. And Jason, we've been able to build a bond. We've been able to create an environment that we wanted to see and we've been able to grow together as human beings, as individuals and when you win a championship, man, that's special.

[Stephen A. Smith]

So considering that bond and I just got a few more questions before I let you go. Considering that Bond, I am appreciative of the greatness of Steve Kerr and how he's a four time champion, win six NBA Finals. All his coaches credentials are not to be questioned. But I looked at that man bench Jason Tatum for two games. I saw one game where he reportedly walked up to Jayson Tatum before tip off and told him I'm going to have a hard time finding minutes for you. I don't understand. Maybe it's just me, somebody that plays in the league, that plays with this man as a teammate all of these years, what was that like? And could you fathom any explanation how you as any coach can look at a guy like Jason Tatum and say beforehand, I don't know if I'm going to be able to find minutes for you in a 40 minute contest?

[Nate Thompson]

Nah, for sure I'm biased when answering is by the way. Totally. But Jason, I think he handled it extremely well. That just says a lot about JT's character. But I know he was pissed for sure. I remember texting him and being like I'm mad for you. Like I know what they. Like I was bad for him. Like jt, I know how he carries himself and now you know what I mean. So I know, I know like that feeling. But I thought he handled it well. I thought he handled it with class, if anything, I know how.

[Stephen A. Smith]

How would you have handled it?

[Nate Thompson]

I would have handled it probably the same way. You know what I mean? No different. I think that's just, you know, our character kind of exudes outwardly who we are inwardly. And jt, even though I know he probably felt that internally and that feeling like he was able to control his emotions and still handle business and he'll add to winning and be a part of a great group that won his second gold medal. And now it's an afterthought.

[Stephen A. Smith]

The brothers of first team all NBA over the last three years, he just finished averaging nearly 27 points per game. And even you with your greatness plays the role of a number two offensive option a lot of times because obviously he's the number one option in most situations. What can we expect from him this year based off of what he experienced this past summer?

[Nate Thompson]

First, I would say, you know, I hate the, the number one, number two option thing. I think this game is played at any given point, I'm the number one, you know, depending on the night, or he's the number one, depending on it. Just.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Okay.

[Nate Thompson]

Depending on how the defense is scheming, depending how teams go about, you know?

[Stephen A. Smith]

But what I would say in response to that is, that is totally accurate. We're you and Jason Tatum, but most teams, there's a clear number one and a number two option. But that doesn't exist on Boston because of you, because you and Jason Tatum right there. That's what I would say.

[Nate Thompson]

Yeah, but I think it's a team game, man. I think our organization, our coaches and our teammates allow us to be who we are. And I think Joe does a great job of putting us in our spot.

[Stephen A. Smith]

So Joe Missoula's done a hell of a job.

[Nate Thompson]

Yeah, man, it's been great to be a part of it. Like, I've got to witness a lot of JT's growth. He's got to witness my growth. And there's nothing wrong with being a part of a team. You know what I mean? There's nothing wrong with that. There's nothing wrong with, you know, trying to do something bigger than yourself and playing a role in that. I've never had an issue with that last.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Couple of questions. What can we expect from the Boston Celtics this year? Y'all are the reigning defending NBA champions. There's a bullseye on your back. Everybody knows it. Pretty much. Team remained intact. Brad Stevens, exceptional. He's kept everybody together. Porzingis health is questionable. Obviously he's not going to start off the season. Your thoughts about what people can expect from the Boston Celtics for this upcoming season?

[Nate Thompson]

What people can expect. Expect us to play hard. I think we should set the tone on defense. There's no. That's non negotiable, but just expect it to be fun, be exciting, be fun to watch. Let's defend what we just received. And it's going to be a journey. Expect a journey. That's what I always say. Expect highs, expect lows. At the end of the day, we know what we want the result to be. We know what it looks like now. So expect the journey. It's going to be highs, it's going to be lows, it's going to be ups, it's going to be downs. But we're going to try to stay solid through this whole thing.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Worried about Knicks at all? Wherever. Knicks, huh? I'm just asking. I'm just asking.

[Nate Thompson]

I wouldn't use the word word, but the Knicks have a good team. I think you know, Kat brings some a level of excitement to them, dynamic offensively, shooting the ball as well as, you know, Mikhail Bridges and stuff like that. So the Knicks, you know, I think will be, you know, a team to watch this year.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Philadelphia 76ers. If Embiid and Paul Georgia healthy.

[Nate Thompson]

If they're healthy, yes, if they're healthy, yeah, I expect the same thing. Like, man, you gotta be. There's no easy opponent in this whole league. I think that the league is going to be a lot stronger from top to bottom on both sides this year. So everybody got to come to bring it, man. Philadelphia is going to be good. New York, they're going to be good. Those teams are priming themselves, so it's going to be some good basketball for viewership.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Last question is about you as a champion. You got hall of Famers like Isiah Thomas, incredibly supportive of you. Magic Johnson, incredible admiration for you, along with Michael Jordan and others. Every hall of Famer that I've ever spoken to have had nothing but the greatest things to say about you as you embark upon this journey of trying to capture another NBA championship this year. You're more than just a champion now because of all the things that you're aiming to do and all the things that you've been doing. What is your hope as you look forward, thinking about the things that you are planning on accomplishing, not just as a basketball player, but as a man. How do you want the world to view? Jaylen Brown?

[Nate Thompson]

I'm going to answer that, but then I want you to answer it, too.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Okay.

[Nate Thompson]

But hopefully, through my platform, through sports, sports as a way of bringing people together, hopefully through my work on the court and off, we'll be able to, you know, create a shift in, you know, how athletes view themselves, how we look at the sport, how we go about deals, and hopefully has a positive impact on our society. And I pull from, you know, people such as Bill Russell, Muhammad Ali, who have inspired me in this journey. But hopefully 10, 20 years from now, you know, how we look at the average, the daily athlete and how they go about conducting themselves through business, through community, through family, is in a different place. You know, I don't want to hear the notion is that, you know, forget about this, forget about that. All you need to focus on is this. Now you, a young man, CEO, philanthropist, man of your community and your. Your talent and your influence goes beyond. And the people that's telling you that this is the only thing you should be working on, the only thing you should be paying attention to, you need to be paying attention to them because we've seen how that story goes. But for me, it's all about the next gen. It's pouring in. It's people who have died, put their lives on the line. For me to be able to sit here and be able to play basketball for a living and for their sacrifice, you know, we could never, we could never repay. So the least I could do is go out there and play some basketball and speak to you after the game about whatever it is that needs to be talked about. Because people have done more in order for us to even be able to get here. And that's the energy that it's going to take to continue to push so we can get to where we going.

[Stephen A. Smith]

You wanted me to answer the question?

[Nate Thompson]

Yes, sir.

[Stephen A. Smith]

So here's how I would hope that you're looked at.

[Nate Thompson]

No, no, no. For you.

[Stephen A. Smith]

In terms of what?

[Nate Thompson]

In terms of the same question that you asked me. How do you want to be viewed?

[Stephen A. Smith]

How do I want to be viewed? Oh, okay.

[Nate Thompson]

And what is, and what is, you know, that it look like for you?

[Stephen A. Smith]

Well, the first order of business is I'm social, I'm socially conscientious at heart. I'm an activist at heart. Foolish or not, I have no fear in addressing the issues that need to be addressed. Addressed. But I also think I also want to be seen as somebody who gets it and understands what the greater good is. Which is why I asked you some of the questions that I asked you earlier. If I'm in a position where there are tens of millions of people that I can help in whatever way that I can, I would like to think that I'm somebody who takes that into consideration with everything that I do, everything that I say, how I say it, and who I'm communicating with. You are a professional basketball player who is just brilliant beyond in so many other ways that you can venture out and diversify your portfolio and how you're looked upon and who you are. I don't view myself as being that gifted, although I know I'm not dumb. But in the same breath, because of the platform that I have and the ability that I have to disseminate a message to the masses, I'm very mindful and cognizant in trying to avoid sending people down dead end roads. You brought up Kobe Bryant and the impact that he had on you. Well, he also had an impact on me. Kobe and I were pretty tight. People didn't realize that, but we were. And he talked to me about a lot of things. And in 2006, he came on my show, quite frankly, that time, and I was talking to him about hosting a show. I was hosting the show, and I said, hey, they calling me. Like, they saying I got the potential to be the next Oprah. And he said, quote, f Oprah, Harpo, she owns her stuff. You insult her by referring to her. If just Oprah, she's Harpo. She owns her shit. He said, when you start thinking like that, come talk to me. You still thinking about yourself as a talent? You're more than that. Stephen A. And from that point forward, every time he'd see me, he'd take a little dig at me to remind me of what my mission was supposed to be. He and I were together three weeks before he passed away. We were planning on doing. Producing some content for ESPN together. And obviously what happened, happened, and it broke all of our hearts. But I answer your question in saying I'm consistently mindful of the greater good. I know you are a person who is as well. But you stand on yours because of the level of adversity and the shrapnel that's the. Thrown in your way. And you're like, you're not budging. And what I'm saying to you is, never compromise. You would never compromise yourself. I'm not going to compromise myself. I wouldn't encourage anybody to do that. But always understand that there's a tilt or sway or swing that's required here or there where it looks like you're taking a step back so you can leapfrog five steps forward, not on behalf of yourself, but the greater good that impacts the masses. That's how I want to be viewed when all is said and done, as that dude whose mind, whose heart and soul was in the right place. And I cared more about the big picture than about me. Does that answer your question?

[Nate Thompson]

Yes, sir. Before we get out of here, I got some gifts for you and the team.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Thank you, man.

[Nate Thompson]

Can. Brother O. Can you bring me a. I got two things for you, all right? Yes, sir.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Thank you very much.

[Nate Thompson]

One, I got you your. Your very own.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Yes.

[Nate Thompson]

State your source.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I'm aware.

[Nate Thompson]

I'm aware.

[Stephen A. Smith]

One day.

[Nate Thompson]

Yeah, Very old.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I'm aware. I'm aware, bro. I'm aware.

[Nate Thompson]

Yes, sir. That's for you.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I'm aware. As a matter of fact, I'm gonna come to the Celtics game wearing this. Yes, absolutely.

[Nate Thompson]

And then I got you these happy devices. I'm always conscious about what I put into my body.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Okay.

[Nate Thompson]

It's this new company that you know, uses frequency technology.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Okay.

[Nate Thompson]

So that, you know, to help you sleep, to help you focus, to help you relax, all these different type of things. You don't have to take all these pills. You can try this device and it gives you like a 20% or so replacement. So you want to sleep 20% better, focus 20% better, or recover, you know, and try to. I know you'd be on a lot of people be stressing you out and you be yelling and screaming. I'll be seeing the veins popping out. So, you know, throw one of those on one time. It can help you relax, calm down, you know, and you can keep it moving. But I appreciate you.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Keep doing your thing, baby.

[Nate Thompson]

Yes, sir.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Proud of you, my man.

[Nate Thompson]

Yes, sir.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Keep doing your thing. The one and only Jaylen Brown for the Boston Celtics. You heard what he had to say. He had a lot to say. He even interviewed me a little bit. I didn't expect that, but I'm good with it. For Jaylen Brown, this is Stephen A. Smith. Hope y'all enjoyed this special edition of the Stephen A. Smith Show. I'll see y'all in a couple of days. Until then, peace of love, everybody. Stephen A. Signing off.

[Greg Rosenthal]

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

[Julie Swerbinks]

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

[Nate Thompson]

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

[Julie Swerbinks]

The name Energy Line with Nate and jsp.

[Nate Thompson]

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

[Julie Swerbinks]

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

[Nate Thompson]

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

[Julie Swerbinks]

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