The Stephen A. Smith Show - Episode Summary

Episode Title: Stephen A's Take: ‘Idiots’ – Charles Barkley issues devastating rant on an ESPN host and their basketball coverage
Release Date: March 9, 2025
Hosts: Stephen A. Smith and Kendrick Perkins
Guest: Charles Barkley (discussed)

Introduction to the Segment (01:05 - 01:05)

The episode delves into a heated discussion sparked by former NBA star Charles Barkley's recent rant on ESPN's Inside the NBA. Barkley criticized the network's focus on specific teams and debates, labeling certain discussions as unworthy of their time. Stephen A. Smith introduces the topic by highlighting Barkley's dissatisfaction with ESPN's coverage, particularly their emphasis on the Lakers, Warriors, and the perennial Michael Jordan versus LeBron James debate.

Charles Barkley's Critique of ESPN's Coverage (01:05 - 02:54)

Stephen A. Smith [01:05]:
"Here's what Barkley had to say on Inside the NBA last night. Check this out, y'all. The Lakers are having a great two weeks. Kendrick Perkins said the Lakers saved the NBA season. That's all them fools on the other network, which we're going to be working for next year. That's all they talk about. Let me tell y'all something. I want all the smoke between that and this lame LeBron, Michael Jordan debate. I've said for years, the only people who talk about LeBron and Michael is people on television who got no talent to talk about anything else."

Barkley's primary contention lies in ESPN's disproportionate attention to specific narratives and star players, which he feels detracts from a more balanced and meaningful coverage of the NBA.

Kendrick Perkins Responds to Barkley's Remarks (02:54 - 04:07)

Kendrick Perkins [02:54]:
"Why do I bring that up? Because subject matters as it pertains to what you're talking about on television. You ever heard of Nielsen ratings? People pay attention to the stuff that they want to pay attention to. They turn a channel when you talk about stuff they don't care to hear about."

Perkins underscores the importance of catering to audience preferences, emphasizing that ESPN's focus is driven by viewer interest and ratings. He suggests that discussions, even repetitive ones, resonate because they reflect what the audience is already engaged with.

The Dynamics of Media Coverage and Ratings (03:15 - 04:45)

Stephen A. Smith [03:15 - 03:21]:
"Spend 10, 15 minutes talking about Oklahoma City, the number one team in the West."

Kendrick Perkins [03:21 - 03:25]:
"Spend the same amount of time talking about the Cleveland Cavaliers."

Stephen A. Smith [03:25 - 03:38]:
"And then take a look at your ratings. If you ain't mentioned in Boston, you ain't mentioned in New York, you ain't mentioned in LA, you ain't mentioning LeBron, you ain't mentioning Steph, you're not mentioning Jimmy Butler with Steph, you're not mentioning Luka Doncic with LeBron, you're not doing any of those things. Watch where it gets you. Ratings matter."

The duo discusses the strategic allocation of airtime to maximize viewership. By focusing on high-profile teams and players in major markets, ESPN ensures higher engagement and sustains its 24/7 sports network model. Perkins highlights the significance of narratives that align with popular sentiment and market dynamics.

Understanding Charles Barkley's Persona and Intentions (04:45 - 06:00)

Kendrick Perkins [04:46]:
"We are 24. 7 sports network. So you're gonna find yourself talking about things, even regurgitating things, getting into stuff, talking about things, giving people ideas about narratives and all of that stuff."

Stephen A. Smith [05:38 - 05:41]:
"You thought I got called out by LeBron."

The conversation shifts to Charles Barkley's character and his role in sports media. Perkins and Smith emphasize that Barkley's outspoken nature and candid opinions are integral to the dynamic of sports broadcasting. They argue that his critiques are part of his authentic persona, contributing to vibrant and genuine television content.

The Impact of Barkley's Rant on ESPN and Audience Perception (06:00 - 07:56)

Stephen A. Smith [06:00 - 07:56]:
"Now, that doesn't mean Cleveland is not a great story. It doesn't mean Oklahoma City is not a great story. Let me tell you something right now. Oklahoma, at Cleveland, in a regular season, maybe have been the best game of the year. That was a phenomenal game. And if they were to meet each other in the NBA Finals, it would be phenomenal. But you're trying to tell me people don't want that or people do want that more than they want Boston versus LA..."

Smith defends ESPN's coverage choices by illustrating the potential excitement and relevance of focusing on diverse teams and storylines. He counters Barkley's assertion by presenting hypothetical scenarios where alternative matchups could captivate audiences, thereby justifying ESPN's editorial decisions.

Perkins and Smith's Defense of ESPN and Barkley's Relationship with the Network (07:56 - 08:39)

Stephen A. Smith [07:56]:
"Maybe Barkley would say they don't, but that's because he does television as opposed to actually knowing it. Meaning knowing what storylines resonate on a day to day basis."

Kendrick Perkins [08:23 - 08:31]:
"And guess what? It wouldn't surprise me at all if tomorrow on tv, I'm the idiot. Or Tuesday or whenever he's back on."

Stephen A. Smith [08:31 - 08:39]:
"Because he ain't working every day. That's not what he does."

Perkins and Smith address the nature of Barkley's critiques, suggesting that his occasional outbursts are part of his television persona rather than genuine antagonism towards ESPN. They reassure listeners that Barkley's overall relationship with the network remains positive and that his remarks should be viewed within the context of his role as a media personality.

Conclusion: Maintaining Perspective and Respect (08:39 - 08:39)

Stephen A. Smith [08:35 - 08:39]:
"And I'll laugh because I love him, because I know he means no harm. He's just expressing an opinion. Everybody need to calm down. Everybody need to calm down."

Smith concludes the discussion by emphasizing the importance of not taking Barkley's comments personally. He commends Barkley as a person, reiterating their mutual respect and the value Barkley brings to sports media through his unfiltered opinions.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Stephen A. Smith [01:05]:
  "Let me tell y'all something. I want all the smoke between that and this lame LeBron, Michael Jordan debate."

• Kendrick Perkins [02:54]:
  "You ever heard of Nielsen ratings? People pay attention to the stuff that they want to pay attention to."

• Stephen A. Smith [03:25]:
  "If you ain't mentioned in Boston, you ain't mentioned in New York, you ain't mentioned in LA..."

• Stephen A. Smith [05:38]:
  "You thought I got called out by LeBron."

• Stephen A. Smith [07:56]:
  "Maybe Barkley would say they don't, but that's because he does television as opposed to actually knowing it."

• Stephen A. Smith [08:35]:
  "Everybody need to calm down."

Key Takeaways

1. Charles Barkley's Critique: Barkley voiced strong opinions against ESPN's focus on specific teams and debates, which he believes are overemphasized at the expense of broader and more meaningful basketball coverage.

2. Media Strategy: Perkins and Smith defend ESPN's coverage strategy, highlighting the importance of catering to audience preferences and maintaining high viewership through popular narratives and star-focused discussions.

3. Barkley's Persona: While acknowledging Barkley's tendency to call people "fools" or "idiots," Smith and Perkins affirm that his outbursts are part of his authentic media presence and not indicative of personal animosity towards the network.

4. Respect and Understanding: The hosts emphasize the need to view Barkley's comments within the context of television dynamics, advocating for a balanced perspective that recognizes his contributions to sports media.

5. Audience Engagement: The discussion underscores the delicate balance media outlets must maintain between popular demand and comprehensive coverage, ensuring that content remains both engaging and reflective of the diverse interests of their audience.

This episode provides an insightful exploration of the interplay between sports personalities and media narratives, offering listeners a nuanced understanding of the challenges and strategies involved in sports broadcasting. Stephen A. Smith and Kendrick Perkins effectively dissect Charles Barkley's recent comments, contextualizing them within the broader framework of ESPN's programming decisions and audience engagement strategies.