← The Stephen A. Smith Show
The Stephen A. Smith Show
Interview Only: Rapper Ice Cube discusses Big3 season 8, mental health impact and league innovation.
00:20:43
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- [00:00]
Ryan Seacrest
This is an iHeart podcast at&t has a new guarantee because most things in life are not guaranteed. Like getting through self checkout by yourself.
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Stephen A. Smith
Not guaranteed in a world where Nothing is guaranteed.
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Ryan Seacrest
AT&T is bringing something new to the table. AT&T is introducing a guarantee with connectivity.
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Stephen A. Smith
You depend on, deals you want and service you deserve or they make it right.
- [00:26]
Ryan Seacrest
Learn more at att.com/guarantee@&t connecting changes everything. Terms and conditions apply. Visit att.com guarantee for details. Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. Now through June 17th. Shop in store or online for your favorite personal care Items and save $5 when you spend $15 or more. Stock up on items like Dove Body Wash, Degree Motion Sense Deodorant, Tresma Hairspray, Dove Shampoo, Dove Bar Soap, Dove Men' in face Wash and Dollar Shave Club blades. And save $5 when you spend $15 or more. Hurry in before these deals are gone. Offer ends June 17. Promotions may vary. Restrictions apply. Visit albertsons or safeway.com for more details.
- [01:15]
Stephen A. Smith
My next guest is a multi hyphenate legendary rapper, actor and producer of some of our favorite films, an entrepreneur, founding member of the iconic rap collective NWA and of course co founder of the Big three basketball league. We know him, we love him. It's my brother. The one and only Ice Cube is in the house. What's going on? Big time. How are you, man? How's everything?
- [01:37]
Ice Cube
All good, man. Good to be here.
- [01:39]
Stephen A. Smith
Thank you, man. Please. My pleasure. Now, am I, am I reading this correctly? Season eight of the Big three tips off the tipped off this weekend, bro. Season eight.
- [01:49]
Ice Cube
Season eight. You know, it's been, it's been a nice long ride, but it's been a great ride. And you know, Season eight, that means, you know, the people really love the style of play and they rewarding us with, you know, little longevity here. So we're going to keep it going.
- [02:08]
Stephen A. Smith
Express to everybody what your vision was when you first started this league and whether or not you believe that vision has become reality.
- [02:17]
Ice Cube
You know, I go back to what I said in 2016, 2017 at this league. I wanted to last 100 years, you know, like, like the NFL, the NBA, you know, was just going on 100. So yeah, I wanted to be here. Why not? You know, we got this style of play. Three on three has always been part of basketball. It's never really got its shine and now it's starting to shine and people saying it's a great style of play. You know, Mano A mano, you know, you gotta be able to pass, dribble, shoot and defend to have success. And it's a great game.
- [02:57]
Stephen A. Smith
You know, when you think about what the big three, I mean, listen, I gotta tell you, I'm proud of you. I'm proud of what you've done to the league with the league. I'm proud of the opportunities you've given Cats. You know that obviously some have retired from the NBA and stuff like that, but they still got skills. They, they just ain't trying to run up and down a quarter full 94ft for 82 nights a year, that kind of thing. But when I think about this league and what you've done for so many people, what are the kind of things these players are telling you the big three has done for them.
- [03:25]
Ice Cube
You know, one thing we never counted on was how much this league would help mental health of our heroes on the court, getting them back in the arena where they belong. These guys have honed their skills. You know, as long as you have, you know, doing your art and just think, you know, somebody can walk up one day and tell you it's over just because of what, you know, they don't have room for you. You know what I mean? It's like, yo, these guys still want to play at the highest level. They go overseas, but they want to be at home. They want to play in those arenas that they used to play and they want to playing in front of, you know, American crowds. Their friends, their family, they bring their kids to the game. So never thought, you know, we'd be helping players mental health as much as we are when it comes to, you know, what they can achieve on the basketball court.
- [04:20]
Stephen A. Smith
I'm seeing former NBA players as a part of the league right now, and I'm told former NBA champions Dwight, Dwight Howard and Lance Stevenson were ejected from Saturday season opener between Miami and Los Angeles. That spilled into the media box with what the hell was that about? I mean, they think you got cats getting, fighting and doing all of that right now. What's that about? How you feel about that Ice cube?
- [04:40]
Ice Cube
Hey, man, you know, it's part of the game. Like, you know, they ready to play, you know, they, they're passionate. They not just out there because, you know, they getting, you know, crazy money. They out there because they love the game. And this is what the fans want to see as far as the passion. Now, we don't condone the fighting. We don't, you know, we let you trash talk a little. We don't want players Touching each other, you know what I mean? We want players to, you know, kind of watch their language, you know, a little bit on. On tv. But we want the passion. And, you know, it happened. It spilled over in our first game between two rookies. This is their first game in the Big three. And welcome to the Big Three.
- [05:23]
Stephen A. Smith
The Big Three, which airs on cbs, by the way, for everybody that's watching them, debuting eight all new franchises. Tell me about them. I'm looking at Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Dallas, Houston, Miami. I mean, L.A. talk. Talk to me about that. Eight new teams.
- [05:40]
Ice Cube
Yeah, well, you know, we decided to plan ourselves in cities before we were kind of a, you know, barnstorming league, not connected to any cities. We wanted to create Big three fans and fans of the style of the game. And now that we have that, it's time to plant our flags in cities. We opening up a real big fandom when it comes to that. So it's, it's unlocking a lot of eyes onto the Big Three and a lot of interest, you know, when you got your city pride to add to, you know, your, you know, expectations of the game just takes us to another level. So we got eight now. We want to go to 12. We want to go to, you know, 16, 20. You know, we don't have a team in New York yet. So, you know, Stephen, A. You might want to put it. Put some, you know, put a team together, you know, grab that New York squad. So you never know.
- [06:41]
Stephen A. Smith
You know, I might have to. I might have to. I might have to. You can't have a basketball league and no team in New York. We definitely got to talk about that. Make no mistake about it. But, but, but I want to know this. Q. You know, when you came in, when you started this, since its inception, what's been the biggest challenge for you that you've encountered in trying to help this league grow?
- [07:02]
Ice Cube
You know, it's been challenging in different ways. You know, we, we really thought we were going to get more love from the sports media having the names that we have involved with this league. You've always, you know, been able to, you know, shine light on the league with your platform, which I appreciated from day one, you know, but, you know, a lot of sports media looks over the league, and it's a shame because in the dog days of summer, you know, for hoop fans, you know, this is right to me. You know, a league that, that is bite size. You know, we got 10 weeks and we crowned the champion and then, you know, we get to the NFL. So it's pretty, pretty cool for the summer. So I just wish the sports media get with the program.
- [07:54]
Stephen A. Smith
I totally agree with you that I certainly could do more, and I am going to do more. But I tell you also, I think the players could do more as well. I'm not talking about playing because I know they bring what they bring, but I'm talking about talking about the Big Three when you're looking forward to. I just saw Dwight Howard the other day. He about to be inducted into the hall of Fame, and he didn't mention the Big Three. It would have been nice that he mentioned that. You see what I'm saying, stuff like that. Just letting cats know, yo, this ain't the only kind of basketball that's going on. We got some skills that we still want to showcase as well. So I think a lot of the players could do the same. It's a collective effort. The media, you do, you the one person, you're the one reliable commodity with the Big Three from the standpoint, you always, always, always are promoting this league. And I think the players, they got a lot to say with their podcast and all of that stuff. They could do a lot more as well with. Would you say that?
- [08:41]
Ice Cube
We would love that. You know, some players do, you know, use their platform to hype up the Big three, but we would love for the players to do more of that. You know, why the players love the league is that we don't put, you know, too many, you know, like, things on them like that, you know, they want, if they want to do it, it's got to be out the love of their heart. We're not going to require them to do that. We're not going to require them to talk to the media. You know, they got to do it out the love of the game and then have wanting to have something to say to the world. So, you know, I don't think we're going to change that. You know, of course we would love for them to talk about it 24 7, but at the end of the day, grown man, it's up to them on what they want to talk about.
- [09:25]
Stephen A. Smith
One of the things that you've done with this league, it's become more than just sports. It touches culture, music, community, all of that.
- [09:32]
Ryan Seacrest
We.
- [09:32]
Stephen A. Smith
Was that always your intention?
- [09:35]
Ice Cube
Always. You know, I thought, you know, music, culture and sports is like, you know, peanut butter and jelly with the milk. You know what I mean? It all go together. It's perfect. So that's always been, you know, our philosophy. We had Jim Jones come Out rock the house today. I mean, you know, on Saturday, doing game one, we're gonna have Scarface out in, out there in Baltimore. So, you know, we plan on bringing the best, entertaining the people with basketball, music, culture. You know, we got break dancers out there from Monster Energy, we got DJ dancers, dunkers, everything you can name at the Big Three, right? So it's, you know, it's a carnival. You know, it's a lot of fun at the events.
- [10:22]
Stephen A. Smith
You've also talked about ownership involving, you know, ownership opportunities for these players. And I know equity is always been important with the Big three. And how different is that, you know, from other leagues in your estimation in terms of ownership opportunities for these players? Explain that to the audience.
- [10:40]
Ice Cube
Well, you know, a lot of our day one players who help start the league have ownership in the league, which is amazing. And you know, once the league is, you know, profitable, we'll be able to start cashing them out and that'd be a great thing. You know, at the end of the day, it's really about, you know, people putting groups together. Teams are very reasonable right now, you know, at the end of the day, compared to other pro teams, you know, and so that's going to change very rapidly as teams will start to get purchased. You know, I mean, we got four owners now looking for four more and then we're going to expand the league so going to continue to, to go up. So we, we want some of the players, you know, who want ownership in a league like this to come forward. Like I said, put groups together on some of these franchises and think about, you know, their generational wealth. We think we got it here with the big three.
- [11:41]
Stephen A. Smith
Big Threes embraced innovation like the special all red fireball, fireball. Three rules, a four point shot, a 14 second shot clock, and a bring the fire challenge where teams can contest a foul call with an in game, one on one. How has that enhanced the game in your estimation?
- [11:58]
Ice Cube
Well, you know, if you look at three on three, if you saw the Olympics, it feels, you know, amateur if you really put it, frankly. But at the end of the day, the big three, we professionally, we want to have our wrinkles that helped our gown. We wanted to have things that you couldn't see nowhere else in a pro basketball game, like our four point shot, like our bring the fire rule, one shot free throws. You know, seeing a guy shoot a free throw from the three point line or the four point circle is pretty unique. These little wrinkles have made our game fun to play and fun to watch and that's always competitive. You know, these rules are not just because we are thinking of, you know, gimmicks. These rules are built to help you win the game. And we saw some great comebacks this weekend. Team down at least 11 and other team had 49. And then they come back and win the game. So it's designed perfectly for this game.
- [13:07]
Stephen A. Smith
One of the last questions I got for you on the big three man. Big three head coach and basketball legend Nancy Lieberman is the first woman to become a head coach of a men's professional team. As Powers head coach, she led the team to the title in 2018. Have you considered expanding the league to include more women athletes?
- [13:26]
Ice Cube
Sure. You know, we, we offered Caitlin Clark, you know, a shot at our league last year and it didn't work out. You know, we thought she could probably have a Billy Jean King moment and we thought she could maybe have success in our league because, you know, small guards have had some success in the league like, you know, Mahmoud Abdul Rauf and Nate Robinson, you know, not comparing them, but at the end of the day we thought, you know, more than a bigger player, you know, she could maybe get loose. So it didn't happen. You know, the. The player captains pick who, who they want to be in the league. We got owners now. You never know what's going to happen. So if a player captain pick a woman to be on her his team, then she's in the league.
- [14:21]
Stephen A. Smith
Opening weekend was this past weekend. How long does this league last this particular summer? When's the end date? When's the championship game?
- [14:28]
Ice Cube
Championship August 24th. 10 week season. We got one buy, you know, so, you know, count us down, check us out every weekend. You know, we got games either Saturday or Sunday. CBS and Vice tv and hey, you know what I mean, come. If we in your town, come check it out because you got to see seven footers play three on three. It's incredible.
- [14:54]
Stephen A. Smith
Well, I'm coming, I'm coming. I'm gonna sit with you. You gonna have a seat for me right next to you. That's what I'm talking about. I mean, damn, it's a courtside seats are hard to come by. Every damn place. But it better not be with Cube. If I'm in the house, I better have a seat waiting for me right next to you, bro. I mean, last time I was there, I was. I was sitting with you in LL a couple of years ago.
- [15:12]
Ice Cube
Yeah, no problem, man. You always got to see if my wife don't come. You, you right there. If she there, you got.
- [15:18]
Stephen A. Smith
Now I'll go for. I can't come before the wife. I can't come before the wife. Man, what you been doing with yourself, man? How much is your time and is being taken up by this? Because, I mean, you're an actor. You obviously a musician. You know, you be doing your thing. And. And I got to admit to you, I haven't even seen you to say this to you, it hurt my damn feelings. When you sat up there and sang to the Yankees when you, you know, you told them to bow down. That hurt my feelings, Cube. That hurt my feelings. I. Because, you know, I'm a Yankee fan. And I knew they were in trouble. And then they came with, with, with, with, with Fat Joe. I'm like, yo, I love him for the Knicks. But the Yankees, nice. Stepped out of pocket down like Naya. Cube. It ain't gonna work.
- [15:57]
Ice Cube
I was depressed, you know, at the end of the day, you know, I had a fun. I'm a big Dodger fan, you know, So I had to do it, you know. You know, the Yankees don't hurt our hearts so many times in the big game. You know, we gotta try to get ahead some way somehow. So it was great to be a part of that. And, you know, it's just. Just, you know, I'm a. I'm a busy man, but I love it, you know, spend 18 hours a day on the big three, you know, when I commit to something, I commit 110. So that's what it's all about right now for me. It's all big three, you know, Then we'll jump back on the music. I got a tour coming, the Truth to Power tour in the fall, so.
- [16:40]
Stephen A. Smith
Right.
- [16:40]
Ice Cube
You can't get rid of me, Stephen A. I'm just.
- [16:43]
Stephen A. Smith
I'm trying to figure that out. Like, damn, brother. Music career span 40 years. And he about to come out new album. And. And by the way, you don't look. You don't look 40. So I'm looking at you like, damn, it's 40 years in the music industry. I mean, that's a lot of time. But you don't look it, bro. You don't look it.
- [17:03]
Ice Cube
Hey, man, people don't realize, you know, I started as a real young man. You know, I was 14, 15 years old when I started, you know, wrote my first hit song at 16, you know, song called Boys in the Hood for Eazy. Rest in Peace. So been here, you know, doing it. And it's time to celebrate that, you know, four decades of attitude. You Know you gotta catch me when I come to town.
- [17:30]
Stephen A. Smith
Well, listen, man, let me not forget this for my audience. You were recently honored with your handprint ceremony at the Chinese Theater, Hollywood Walk of Fame, celebrating your iconic career. Fans, family, friends on hand. What did that day mean to you?
- [17:46]
Ice Cube
Man, that's movie star status, you know what I mean? At the end of the day, a lot of people got stars, not a lot got their hands and feet in cement in front of the man's Chinese Theater. So great honor, something you don't expect when you get the call, you just feel, you know, gratitude's attitude for real, you know, you just feel blessed to be in this position and to have a career that people are recognizing decades later, man.
- [18:18]
Stephen A. Smith
Is it true that you gotta. You know, I'm hearing these reports that the Last Friday film is in development. Is that true?
- [18:26]
Ice Cube
Yeah, fans gonna get that finally. You know, we've been okay, been fighting the way for a long time, you know, thank God there's new leadership at New Line and Warner brothers with Mike DeLuca. You know, now it's time to start putting the pieces together.
- [18:49]
Stephen A. Smith
I can never talk to you without giving your son some love. I saw Denda Thieves too a few months ago. The brother's doing his thing. O' Shea Jackson, I mean, proud papa. I'm imagining that. Brother's got talent, my man. He's got a real, real bright future in Hollywood as far as I'm concerned. You know, he can act. I love what I see from your son. How are you feeling about what he's doing with himself these days?
- [19:11]
Ice Cube
Oh, man, he's a better actor than me, you know what I mean? Like, amazing range, you know, fully dedicated and, you know, proud that he's running with it, you know, he's not walking with him. And so, you know, all we can do as parents. I know. Happy Father's Day to all the fathers out there that's really involved in their kids life.
- [19:32]
Stephen A. Smith
No doubt.
- [19:33]
Ice Cube
And so look to, to really, to really, you know, be in your kid's life and watch them do something, put them in a place to win. Position to win. You want them to do what it takes, you know. You know, I can only put you in a position to win. Can't play for you, so, you know, he out there doing what he need to do to win the game. So, you know, I'm proud of him.
- [19:56]
Stephen A. Smith
Ice, before I let you get on out of here, man. Forgive me for fearing left and asking you this question. You're a LA native, you see what's going on in the streets of Los Angeles right now with all these protests because of the Trump administration and ICE and what they're doing with migrants and stuff like that. And you see a lot of people protesting across the country, but obviously a lot of it is emanating with the no Kings protest emanating out of Los Angeles. What has been your thoughts about it? Because you've never been shy about expressing what you believe is right and what have you. And obviously, you know, you're politically conscientious as well. Well, your thoughts about what you've been seeing.
- [20:33]
Ice Cube
It's heartbreaking, you know, to see.
- [20:37]
Stephen A. Smith
The.
- [20:37]
Ice Cube
City go up like this, you know, just to see the city kind of, I mean, the government handle it in the way they handling it, you know, they, they're using a lot of humiliation, you know, and they're, they're, you know, being very, you know, heavy handed. You know, I understand the laws, the law and all that, but why you gotta be so heavy handed with what you're doing so disrespectfully? Purchase weddings. You know, you hit in these places, man. And you know, it's just, I think it could be done in a more respectful way, man. It's just, it's not right.
- [21:17]
Stephen A. Smith
I got you. I appreciate you, my man. Always appreciate your voice, appreciate what you're doing. You know, I'm always here for you, my man. You take care of yourself and I look forward to talking to you and seeing you soon. All right? You be, you be good. Take it easy.
- [21:29]
Ice Cube
Take it easy, man. Always. Anytime.
- [21:32]
Stephen A. Smith
Always. No doubt. One and only Ice Cube right here on the Stephen A. Smith Show. My thanks to the one and only Cube himself. You can catch the big three on CBS and Vice tv. Also, the Truth to Power tour coming to a city near you very, very.
- [21:55]
Ice Cube
This prime day, July 8th through the 11th, you can get a great deal on a new foot spa, transforming you into the queen of kickin it. Wait, this has bubble jets. Okay, Shop great deals this prime day, July 8th through the 11th.
- [22:10]
Ryan Seacrest
Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. Now through June 17th. Shop in store or online for your favorite personal care Items and save $5 when you spend $15 or more. Stock up on items like Gifts, Dove Body Wash, Degree Motion Sense Deodorant, Tresemme Hairspray, Dove Shampoo, Dove Bar Soap, Dove Men's Body and face Wash and Dollar Shave Club blades. And save $5 when you spend $15 or more. Hurry in before these deals are gone. Offer ends June 17th. Promotions may vary restrictions apply. Visit albertsons or safeway.com for more details.
- [22:42]
Stephen A. Smith
This is an iHeart podcast.