Interview Segment Only: I think it’s cowardice’: Jaylen Brown discussed comments of unnamed source

Summary

The Stephen A. Smith Show: “Interview Segment Only: I think it’s cowardice’: Jaylen Brown discussed comments of unnamed source”

Release Date: October 22, 2024

In this compelling episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, host Stephen A. Smith engages in a profound and candid conversation with former NHL player Nate Thompson. The discussion delves deep into the challenges of dealing with unnamed sources, the importance of journalistic integrity, and the impact of personal reputation in the public eye. Below is a detailed summary capturing all key points, insights, and conclusions from their exchange.

---

1. Introduction and Setting the Stage

The episode begins with brief promotional segments from Greg Rosenthal and Julie Swerbinks, which are swiftly bypassed as Stephen A. Smith welcomes the primary guest, Nate Thompson.

Key Points:

• Stephen A. Smith introduces the conversation by highlighting issues surrounding Jaylen Brown, an esteemed NBA player, and touching upon comments from unnamed sources that suggest Brown is underrated due to his perceived arrogance.
• Nate Thompson appears with a shirt bearing a significant message, indicating his intent to initiate a serious dialogue about integrity and reputation.

Notable Quote:

Stephen A. Smith [01:06]: "Jaylen 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."

---

2. Addressing Unnamed Sources and Character Attacks

Nate Thompson takes the floor to discuss his personal experiences with unnamed sources that have negatively impacted his reputation.

Key Points:

• Nate Thompson expresses frustration over an unnamed source that reportedly attacked his character, labeling him as arrogant and unmarketable without any substantive evidence or opportunity for defense.
• He emphasizes the importance of journalistic integrity, arguing that it should be a two-way street where individuals also have the right to defend themselves against baseless claims.

Notable Quotes:

Nate Thompson [02:02]: "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."

Nate Thompson [07:53]: "I think it's cowardice. I think historically, unnamed sources have attacked some of our greats. And we are not responsible for what they lack in design, frankly."

---

3. The Impact of Negative Perceptions on Personal and Professional Life

The conversation shifts to how negative comments from unnamed sources can hinder an individual's career and personal growth.

Key Points:

• Stephen A. Smith draws parallels between historical figures like Bill Russell and Muhammad Ali, emphasizing that being principled often leads to being misunderstood or disliked by those in power.
• Nate Thompson shares his own experiences, likening the situation to when he was drafted in 2016 and faced criticism for being "too smart" for a basketball player, which he believes affected his draft stock.

Notable Quotes:

Stephen A. Smith [05:58]: "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."

Nate Thompson [10:22]: "During when I got drafted, they said that I was too smart. An unnamed source said that I was too smart to be a basketball player or something like that. And that would hurt my draft stock."

---

4. Upholding Integrity and Standing by Principles

Both hosts emphasize the necessity of maintaining integrity and staying true to one's values despite external pressures and criticisms.

Key Points:

• Nate Thompson discusses his commitment to his community and principles, even turning down lucrative endorsement deals to focus on initiatives like building Black Wall Street in Oakland.
• Stephen A. Smith acknowledges the challenges of balancing a powerful platform with personal integrity, sharing his own experiences of receiving mixed messages from various stakeholders.

Notable Quotes:

Nate Thompson [13:17]: "That's why I wanted to iterate right 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."

Stephen A. Smith [13:12]: "No problem with that. … I'm one of those guys… there's nobody that can reach out and touch him. That's what I try."

---

5. Empowering the Next Generation

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on mentoring and guiding younger athletes to navigate their careers with intelligence and strategic thinking.

Key Points:

• Nate Thompson advocates for young athletes to think independently, leverage their platforms responsibly, and build legacies that extend beyond sports.
• He stresses the importance of education, strategic planning, and community involvement, drawing from his own upbringing and the influence of his family members who were educators and community leaders.

Notable Quotes:

Nate Thompson [20:43]: "Our influence doesn't just get determined by being an athlete or what I say, an entertainer. … We have the potential and the capabilities to be, you know, leaders… in society as well."

Nate Thompson [22:19]: "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."

---

6. Building Legacy Through Strategic Actions

The conversation delves into how strategic decisions and purposeful actions contribute to lasting impact and legacy.

Key Points:

• Nate Thompson highlights his efforts in launching his performance brand, turning down substantial endorsement deals to ensure creative control and meaningful contributions to his community.
• Stephen A. Smith inquires about these strategic choices, acknowledging the extraordinary effort and dedication required to balance personal ambitions with broader societal contributions.

Notable Quotes:

Nate Thompson [22:58]: "My work is always about giving back to the next gen, because I think that with the right environment, you will see more Jalen Browns. And that's my goal, is to build an army."

Stephen A. Smith [23:30]: "You understand I'm thinking about what you've done or trying to do in Oakland and how you got your man Jason Kidd helping you with that… do you realize you're not normal?"

---

7. Conclusion and Final Reflections

The episode wraps up with mutual acknowledgments of accountability and the shared responsibility of using their platforms wisely to effect positive change.

Key Points:

• Both Stephen A. Smith and Nate Thompson recognize the power and responsibility that come with their respective platforms.
• They reiterate the importance of open dialogue, holding oneself and others accountable, and continuously striving to make meaningful contributions to their communities and industries.

Notable Quotes:

Stephen A. Smith [17:57]: "That's very true. And you are here now in Boston, allowing me to be on your platform to respond."

Nate Thompson [18:27]: "This gives the opportunity to clear the air and talk about, you know, things that matter, but also address it and then move on."

---

8. Final Takeaways

• Integrity Over Popularity: Both hosts underscore that staying true to one's principles is paramount, even if it leads to criticism or reduced marketability.

• Strategic Influence: Leveraging one's platform strategically can lead to significant positive impacts on both personal legacies and broader societal changes.

• Mentorship and Education: Guiding the next generation with wisdom, strategic thinking, and community-focused values ensures continued progress and empowerment.

This episode serves as a profound reminder of the challenges faced by public figures in maintaining integrity amidst external pressures and the importance of using one's influence responsibly to foster positive change.

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 jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Jaylen 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 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. 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 Jayla Brown. What's up, big time? How are you, man?

[Nate Thompson]

Sir. What's going on? And I know you see the shirt.

[Stephen A. Smith]

That's right. State. 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]

And honestly, I wore this short, this 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, pull the mic.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Closer to you so I want to make sure the audience hears you. Go ahead.

[Nate Thompson]

Absolutely. I think it's deeper than rap. I Think it's bigger than both you and I. Like, obviously, your credentials are through the roof 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 honestly, I know just because of your credentials that you 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 feel like attacked my character.

[Stephen A. Smith]

That was what we played on a cold open by mature.

[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 a number one reporter with the biggest platform.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Yes, sir.

[Nate Thompson]

In the world, I hold you accountable. Please do. 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. Right. You accountable for what anything that you said.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Right.

[Nate Thompson]

It was that your platform, okay, 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'mma 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 a message to you, to them.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Right.

[Nate Thompson]

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 slash, we are not responsible for what they lack in design, frankly. They can call all their buddies, they pals and friends from all over the world, all the unnamed sources and. And they can shove it where they got it from, whether they think they I'm marketable or not. I walk with God. I'm gonna be me and stand with my community in this life and the next. And that's my journalistic integrity.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Okay, go ahead.

[Nate Thompson]

I wanted to get that off my chest. Sure. And now we can start the interview.

[Stephen A. Smith]

You can, 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. The father 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 going to 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 said? 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, okay. Said that I was too smart to be a basketball player or something like that. And that would hurt my draft stock. Cause it was a form of questioning authority. And this source, this unnamed source, who now have said back in 2016, back in 2016, it's. It was a very popular, you know, subject at the time. And this source kind of reminds me of, of that as well, you know, 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 going to 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 going to 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 never let something like that come out of my mouth over the airways or anything like that. But somebody pointing to this individual that went to Cal. This individual. I'm going. 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 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, with you. It was with the, the unnamed source.

[Stephen A. Smith]

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

[Nate Thompson]

I do hold you accountable.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Sure.

[Nate Thompson]

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, 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. Iterate right 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 a stand with my community, and I'm going to be myself in this life and the next. And that's what I stand on.

[Stephen A. Smith]

And who are you? Jayla Bro, 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. 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 Jason 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 win the mvp.

[Nate Thompson]

I was shocked or when you won. 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 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?

[Nate Thompson]

You.

[Stephen A. Smith]

You understand that, right? I do. Do you understand that? Right?

[Nate Thompson]

I want. 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'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 for saying we couldn't reach Stephen A. We couldn't reach out and touch him. That's what I try.

[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 right? 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 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 the 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 is it's difficult. And I think more people should hear those stories. Cause 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 there like so when.

[Stephen A. Smith]

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 themselves. 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 going to have to disagree to the end. I think we should challenge ourselves, our minds because we have the, the, the, 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. 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, etc, 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 is. That's the emphasis of the advice is to have stratagem. Don't. 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, 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 ask 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 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 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 worked 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 that 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 Jalen Browns. And that's my goal, is to build an army. Foreign.

[Greg Rosenthal]

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

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.