Stephen A's Take: Samantha Smith, Stephen A.’s daughter blends NBA Finals analysis, pop culture commentary, and playful family banter.

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Stephen A. Smith Show Episode: Stephen A's Take: Samantha Smith, Stephen A.’s daughter blends NBA Finals analysis, pop culture commentary, and playful family banter
Release Date: June 22, 2025

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Introduction

The Stephen A. Smith Show, hosted by Stephen A. Smith in collaboration with iHeartPodcasts, delivers a dynamic blend of sports analysis, pop culture insights, and engaging conversations. In this episode, Stephen A. is joined by his daughter, Samantha Smith, creating a lively atmosphere that combines rigorous NBA Finals analysis with playful family interactions.

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NBA Finals Game 6 Recap

The episode kicks off with an in-depth recap of NBA Finals Game 6, where the Indiana Pacers overwhelmed the Oklahoma City Thunder with a decisive 108-91 victory.

• Stephen A. Smith (00:42):
  "Indy dominated the OKC with balance scoring throughout the lineup en route to a 108 to 91 victory last night."

Key highlights from Game 6 include:

• Tyrese Halliburton showcased resilience by scoring 14 points and dishing out five assists despite contending with an injured calf.
  “Tyrese Halliburton shrugged off any concerns about his injured calf with 14 points and five assists in 23 minutes.”
  (01:00)

• Obi Toppin made a significant impact by contributing 20 points off the bench, proving instrumental in the Pacers' dominant performance.
  “The bases were led by Obi Toppin, who dropped 20 off the bench.”
  (01:15)

The Thunder's performance was notably poor, scoring their fewest points since April 2022.

• “Meanwhile, the Thunder were held to just 91 points, their fewest in any game since April of 2022.”
  (01:20)

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Looking Ahead to Game 7

With Game 6 setting the stage, the discussion naturally transitions to the anticipation of Game 7 in Oklahoma City.

• “Fun fact that sets up the first NBA Finals game seven since 2016. And it's going down Sunday in Oklahoma City.”
  (01:30)

Predictions and Analysis:

• Stephen A. Smith (08:03):
  “I really think that [home court advantage] is going to carry Oklahoma City to the championship, to the chip.”

Samantha provides her insights, emphasizing the key players and strategies that could influence the outcome.

• Samantha Smith (06:34):
  “Jalen Wade was going to show up, too, but he's going to, man.”

• Stephen A. Smith (07:00):
  “All right, all right. They blow them out of the building. So in the end, what it comes down to is this... I think it's going to come down to the end where the ball is in Shay Gilgeous Alexander's hands and league MVP is going to answer the call, win a championship and win an NBA Finals MVP.”

The discussion underscores the impact of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, highlighting his pivotal role as the potential game-changer in Game 7.

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Pop Culture and Current Events

Transitioning from sports, Stephen A. and Samantha delve into various pop culture topics, including the popular reality TV show Love Island Season 7 and initiatives like Streaming University.

• Stephen A. Smith (04:10):
  “Love Island is the show, okay? It's on Peacock. It comes on peacock every night, 9:00pm Eastern time, 6:00pm Pacific.”

Samantha, bringing her perspective, questions some of the details, leading to a humorous exchange that showcases their familial rapport.

• Samantha Smith (04:38):
  “How do I know if it's huge if I never watched it?”

Their conversation also touches on Streaming University Prom, indicating their active engagement with contemporary streaming platforms and events.

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Playful Family Banter

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the playful interactions between Stephen A. and Samantha, highlighting their dynamic relationship.

• Stephen A. Smith (02:21):
  “We were in Indianapolis. Okay? And I hopped on his show and it low key, went viral.”

Samantha addresses rumors about her father's personality, clarifying misconceptions with charm and authenticity.

• Samantha Smith (02:19):
  “Where were we?”

• Stephen A. Smith (03:34):
  “I'm open minded.”

• Samantha Smith (03:36):
  “Say you're not open minded.”

This back-and-forth not only humanizes Stephen A. but also engages listeners with relatable family dynamics.

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Engaging the Audience

Stephen A. actively involves the audience by encouraging interaction and feedback, fostering a sense of community among listeners.

• Stephen A. Smith (02:21):
  “I will slow him down. I will quiet him down. If that's what you guys need. I'm willing. I'm willing to give the viewers whatever y' all want.”

He urges the audience to support Samantha's presence on the show, emphasizing their openness to listener preferences.

• Stephen A. Smith (05:03):
  “Please spam. Samantha should come back, so he brings me back.”

---

Personal Reflections and Insights

Interspersed with discussions are personal reflections from Stephen A., offering listeners a glimpse into his perspectives beyond the high-energy analysis.

• Stephen A. Smith (07:50):
  “Don't say that about your daddy.”

• Stephen A. Smith (08:03):
  “I just want to say, you guys, Love Island. I be. I'm on it every single night.”

These moments add depth to the conversation, balancing the intense sports commentary with moments of vulnerability and honesty.

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Closing Remarks

As the episode draws to a close, Stephen A. and Samantha share fond memories from Fanatics Fest, reinforcing their connection with fans and celebrating shared experiences.

• Stephen A. Smith (08:43):
  “We were at Fanatics Fest. Yes, we were. And we had a great time. Didn't we, dad?”

Samantha wraps up the episode with a friendly sign-off, maintaining the inviting and warm tone that characterizes the show.

• Samantha Smith (09:06):
  “I have to work now.”

• Stephen A. Smith (09:07):
  “Bye, you guys. Thank you so much for having me. I love you all. Please spam. Samantha should come back, so he brings me back. I know you guys love seeing me. I love seeing all y' all. Have a blessed afternoon and I'll be back soon. Peace.”
  (09:07)

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Conclusion

This episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show masterfully blends insightful NBA Finals analysis with engaging pop culture discussions and heartwarming family interactions. Stephen A. and Samantha Smith create a vibrant narrative that not only informs but also entertains, making it a must-listen for fans seeking both expert sports commentary and relatable, personable content.

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Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps:

• Stephen A. Smith (01:00):
  “Tyrese Halliburton shrugged off any concerns about his injured calf with 14 points and five assists in 23 minutes.”

• Samantha Smith (06:34):
  “Jalen Wade was going to show up, too, but he's going to, man.”

• Stephen A. Smith (07:00):
  “All right, all right. They blow them out of the building. So in the end, what it comes down to is this... I think it's going to come down to the end where the ball is in Shay Gilgeous Alexander's hands and league MVP is going to answer the call, win a championship and win an NBA Finals MVP.”

• Samantha Smith (02:19):
  “Where were we?”

• Stephen A. Smith (05:03):
  “Please spam. Samantha should come back, so he brings me back.”

---

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the essence of the episode, providing listeners with a thorough understanding of the discussions, insights, and the engaging dynamic between Stephen A. and Samantha Smith.

Transcript

[Stephen A. Smith]

This is an iHeart podcast.

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[Stephen A. Smith]

All right. Hey, y' all. Welcome to the latest edition of the Stephen A. Smith show over the digital airwaves of YouTube and iHeartRadio. Over 1.25 million subscribers. Let's go. All right, so let's get started with the NBA Finals, where the Pacers dominated the Thunder in Game 6 to force a decisive Game 7 back in Oklahoma City on Sunday. Okay, Indy dominated the OKC with balance scoring throughout the lineup en route to a 108 to 91 victory last night. Tyrese Halliburton shrugged off any concerns about his injured calf with 14 points and five assists in 23 minutes. The bases were led by Obi Toppin, who dropped 20 off the bench. Meanwhile, the Thunder were held to just 91 points, their fewest in any game since April of 2022. Fun fact that sets up the first NBA Finals game seven since 2016. And it's going down Sunday in Oklahoma City. Let's go. Here. Come here. Hey, guys. Today it's Sammy. Yesterday night, my dad and I were at the game in. Where were we? Indianapolis.

[Samantha Smith]

Where were we?

[Stephen A. Smith]

We were in Indianapolis. Okay? And I hopped on his show and it low key, went viral. Not even gonna lie. So here I am, because y' all have just been asking for it, and I care. I care what the viewers think. So the first thing I want to talk about, I just want to clear up some rumors about my dad, okay? So the first thing I want to say is I know that a lot of y' all think my dad's really loud. He's really outspoken, and at times, let me tell y' all, I definitely agree. However, my dad is one of the most introverted men I know. I like to say this. He's really shy. So if you go up to him in public, he's going to be shy because he's introverted. Don't let him feel fool you. Okay, guys, he does this for you because he cares about his viewers and about his fans. The next thing I would like to talk about. Okay, I really need y' all to spam these comments. Bring Samantha back. Bring Samantha back. Bring Samantha back. Bring Samantha back. Because I really will talk about anything you guys want me to talk about. I. I will slow him down. I will quiet him down. If that's what you guys need. I'm willing. I'm willing to give the viewers whatever y' all want. I'm. I'm open minded. Tell them. Say I'm open minded. Say it.

[Samantha Smith]

Say you're not open minded.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I'm open minded. Okay, guys, we are here to talk about politics, but I think I also want to start talking about current events. Okay, so we just had Stream University, right? Kaisan at Streaming University. Guys, I'm trying to tell my dad to hop on Kaiser Nat stream. Don't let him fool you. It will be hit. I know you all want to see it. So we had Streaming University. We had Streaming University prom. Okay, we have Love island season seven going crazy. Megan, the stage stallion just went on Love Island. How did we get there? Dad, tell them how we got there.

[Samantha Smith]

What's Love Island?

[Stephen A. Smith]

What?

[Samantha Smith]

What's Love Island?

[Stephen A. Smith]

Guys, See what I'm saying? Okay, so Love island is the show, okay? It's on Peacock. It comes on peacock every night, 9:00pm Eastern time, 6:00pm Pacific. Okay? And has all. It has all the islanders, right? Cordell and Serena won last year. Cordell and Serena, if you guys see this, Leah and Miguel, Janae, Kenny, I love all of you guys. I'm huge fans. Kendall, Live, Kayla, all y' all. But it's huge. Dad, tell them it's huge.

[Samantha Smith]

How do I know if it's huge if I never watched it?

[Stephen A. Smith]

I'm telling you it's huge.

[Samantha Smith]

So it's huge. You want me to say it's huge even though I didn't watch it?

[Stephen A. Smith]

Yeah, y' all, Love Island. I be. I'm on it every single night. Okay, you guys, Love island is huge.

[Samantha Smith]

I was gonna come on the thing.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Kai let me on too. Kai.

[Samantha Smith]

No, no, you said me. Why are you inviting yourself?

[Stephen A. Smith]

I need y' all to spam the chat. Tell him let me come on Kai Sinat's stream.

[Samantha Smith]

I love that.

[Stephen A. Smith]

He just has to think on it. He has to think on it. Okay. Personally, I also would like to take this opportunity to stand on my pick. I picked Oklahoma City last night to win. Okay? We got blown out.

[Samantha Smith]

Yes.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Right.

[Samantha Smith]

Thursday night. You did Game six, you got blown out. Yes, you did.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Yo, I think a huge part of being in this industry, right, is learning how to take accountability. I'm not sure if my dad does that, but we're working on it, okay? And it's about taking accountability. I take accountability for my pick. I picked Oklahoma City to win. They lost. And we're coming back this Sunday, June 22, to win the championship. Tell him.

[Samantha Smith]

Yeah, I picked them to win the seventh.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Yeah, but I picked it before he picked it and now he's riding my pick. Cuz I said that they were going to win first.

[Samantha Smith]

I'm lying. You picked them to win game six. I picked Indiana to win game six.

[Stephen A. Smith]

You picked the Pacers to win Game six. But that was a wild guess.

[Samantha Smith]

What do you mean it's a wild guess?

[Stephen A. Smith]

I said it was a pick before. I said I pick Oklahoma City to win the entire. I said the whole thing. Take it down.

[Samantha Smith]

Are you raising your voice at your dad?

[Stephen A. Smith]

Sorry, I'm just really passionate. I think Oklahoma City is going to win the championship. My father, Steven, agrees with me.

[Samantha Smith]

Why are they going to win?

[Stephen A. Smith]

All right, let me talk to him.

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Right?

[Samantha Smith]

Let me help you out.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Let me. No, no, Shay. Shay's why they're going to win.

[Samantha Smith]

Shay Gilgis Alexander, absolutely the best player.

[Stephen A. Smith]

The best player in the NBA.

[Samantha Smith]

Right? Right now?

[Stephen A. Smith]

Yes, right now. Today he's the mvp. His support system, everything he's been carrying this season.

[Samantha Smith]

Jalen Wade was going to show up, too, but he's going to, man.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Okay?

[Samantha Smith]

They're going to be. They're going to be effective. They're going to be playing better on their home court. Indiana played lights out in Game 6. Give Halliburton credit. Give T.J. mcConnell credit. Give Obie Topping credit. Give them all credit because they came and they bum rushed. After being down 10, 2 to start the game, Indiana outscored the Oklahoma City Thunder 88 to 50. By the end of the third quarter, they were up 90 to 60 to be exact. That's what they've done.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Remind me.

[Samantha Smith]

Listen, bottom line is 90 to 60 to end the third quarter. All right, all right. They blow them out of the building. So in the end, what it comes down to is this. Here's my concern. When you get beat down and blown out like that, talk to him. Talk to NBA Final Series. What is that going to mean for you come game seven? I got Oklahoma City winning. But I don't underestimate Indiana by any stretch of the imagination. They can beat Oklahoma City. I think it's going to be tight. I think it's going to be a thriller, and I think it's going to come down to the end where the ball is in Shay Gilgeous Alexander's hands and league MVP is going to answer the call, win a championship and win an NBA Finals mvp.

[Stephen A. Smith]

If we're talking. If we're speaking truthfully, right? A lot of people wonder if I watch First Take every morning. No, I avoid it. If it's in the gym, I leave. If it's in the restaurant, I leave. I don't watch First Take, however, this morning. Okay?

[Samantha Smith]

Don't say that about your daddy.

[Stephen A. Smith]

No, I love you and I love First Take. It's just not my cup of tea.

[Samantha Smith]

Watch it. Because you're not in. Because you're in school.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Yeah, I'm getting.

[Samantha Smith]

That's the real reason.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I'm getting educated, y' all. But listen, all right?

[Samantha Smith]

Say that. Don't just say, like, you don't like the show. You don't watch it.

[Stephen A. Smith]

That's a great show. In school. Yeah, I'm in school. I'm getting educated, okay? But let me tell you, I was watching First Take this morning, and they were talking a lot about this home court advantage, okay? Home court advantage is a real thing. Now, obviously, are going to be like, oh, Samantha, like, duh. But no, for real, for real. I really think that is going to carry Oklahoma City to the championship, to the chip.

[Samantha Smith]

Why'd you say for Real Twice? Like, for real for real. How come once isn't good enough?

[Stephen A. Smith]

Cause it's, like, for real, but not, like, for real for real. I just want to say, you guys, it's such a blessing to be here on this beautiful afternoon. I'm just really, really grateful to be here. Where were we this morning, dad? Tell them.

[Samantha Smith]

We were at Fanatics Fest.

[Stephen A. Smith]

We were at Fanatics Fest. Yes, we were. And we had a great time. Didn't we, dad?

[Samantha Smith]

Yes, we did.

[Stephen A. Smith]

There was a man dressed up as my dad, and he had on, like, a bald cap and his forehead started back here. Also, all the haters that were in the comments saying that I have my dad's forehead. Come here. That's crazy. That's crazy.

[Samantha Smith]

I have to work now.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Bye, you guys. Thank you so much for having me. I love you all. Please spam. Samantha should come back, so he brings me back. I know you guys love seeing me. I love seeing all y' all. Have a blessed afternoon and I'll be back soon. Peace.

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[Stephen A. Smith]

This is an Iheart podcast.