Stephen A's Take: Splash Brother should have let Steph Curry pay tribute. Embiid's bad knee, people complaining he is out shape.

Summary

Detailed Summary of "Stephen A.'s Take: Splash Brother Should Have Let Steph Curry Pay Tribute. Embiid's Bad Knee, People Complaining He Is Out of Shape"

Release Date: November 14, 2024
Podcast: The Stephen A. Smith Show
Host: Stephen A. Smith and iHeartPodcasts

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Introduction

In this riveting episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, host Stephen A. Smith delves deep into two major NBA topics: the return of Klay Thompson to the Chase Center and the ongoing challenges faced by Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers. Smith offers his unfiltered opinions, enriched with passionate insights and candid assessments, providing listeners with a comprehensive analysis of these pivotal moments in the basketball world.

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Klay Thompson's Triumphant Return and the Warriors vs. Mavericks Showdown

Timestamp: [01:03]

The episode kicks off with a focus on Klay Thompson's return to the Chase Center as a member of the Dallas Mavericks after an impressive 13-year tenure with the Golden State Warriors, highlighted by four championships. Thompson's homecoming is met with warm welcomes, including captain hats and tribute videos celebrating his legacy with the Warriors.

Stephen A. Smith expresses his thoughts on Thompson's decision not to have former teammate Steph Curry deliver a pregame speech.

"I think that Klay Thompson is going to regret not letting Steph Curry give that pregame speech. See, ladies and gentlemen, life is about moments."
[02:15]

Smith emphasizes the sentimental value of the Oracle Arena, reminiscing about the electric atmosphere when Thompson and Curry dominated the game:

"Nothing beats the Oracle. The Oracle was something special to behold."
[03:45]

Despite the loss to the Mavericks, with Thompson scoring 22 points, Smith praises Steph Curry's outstanding performance, scoring 37 points and securing the victory with a late three-pointer:

"Steph Curry put on that show, finished with 37 and did his thing. Golden State's got a chance this year, y'all."
[06:30]

Smith contrasts Curry's unwavering excellence with Thompson's more subdued performance, asserting that while Thompson is a valuable player, Curry's prowess is unmatched:

"Gold's got a chance. If Steve Kerr continues to really highlight their depth and use that bench, I think they got a chance."
[07:50]

He further engages the audience by inviting them to participate in a poll regarding which team—Golden State or Dallas—has a better chance at reaching the finals:

"Just tweet the Stephen A. Smith show or tweet at me, Stephen A. Smith on X or whatever. Who you think got a better chance or going to the finals, Golden State or Dallas?"
[08:00]

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Joel Embiid's Injury Woes and Public Scrutiny

Timestamp: [04:00]

Shifting focus to the Philadelphia 76ers, Smith addresses the ongoing struggles of Joel Embiid, who recently made his season debut after missing the first nine games due to a left knee injury and a subsequent three-game suspension for an altercation with referee Marcus Hayes.

Reflecting on Embiid's performance against the New York Knicks, where he scored 13 points on 24% shooting before exiting the game, Smith defends him against growing criticism:

"Joel Embiid has always been injured. He's always been hurt. That's why it's very, very difficult for me to judge him."
[05:35]

He criticizes Marcus Hayes for bringing up personal tragedies in his commentary:

"I have to come to the defense of Joel Embiid in this regard. I just don't think he should have used his son, his late brother."
[06:10]

Addressing Embiid's physical challenges, Smith highlights the multitude of injuries that have plagued the star center since being drafted in 2014:

"He's had foot injuries, he's had knee injuries, he's had back injuries, he's had shoulders, had hand injuries. The man had a facial fracture."
[07:20]

Despite these setbacks, Smith acknowledges Embiid's immense talent when healthy:

"Look, when he's healthy as a talent, he's one of the greatest big men this game has ever seen."
[08:00]

However, he juxtaposes Embiid's potential with the reliability of Nikola Jokic, emphasizing Jokic's consistent health and availability:

"If you're giving me a healthy Joel Embiid and a healthy Nikola Jokic, I'm going with Embiid. I ain't apologize for that to nobody, but I would pick Jokic all day, every day because he's always healthy."
[08:15]

Smith concludes by underscoring the reality of Embiid's injury pattern, suggesting that criticisms about his physical condition are unfounded given his history:

"We've got to get over that and understand that's just the way it is and that's the way it's going to stay."
[08:22]

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Final Thoughts and Audience Engagement

Throughout the episode, Stephen A. Smith maintains a balance between celebrating player achievements and critically analyzing their current performances and decisions. His passionate delivery and in-depth knowledge provide listeners with valuable perspectives on the evolving dynamics within the NBA.

Smith encourages audience interaction by soliciting opinions on team prospects and player performances, fostering a community-driven dialogue around the league's developments.

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Conclusion

In this episode, Stephen A. Smith delivers a compelling analysis of Klay Thompson's significant career move and the persistent challenges faced by Joel Embiid. His candid evaluations and engaging commentary offer listeners a nuanced understanding of these high-profile NBA narratives, reinforcing his reputation as a leading voice in sports discourse.

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Note: Timestamps correspond to the podcast's transcript for accurate reference.

Transcript

[Stephen A. Smith]

Are you still quoting 30 year old movies? Have you said cool beans in the past 90 days? Do you think Discover isn't widely accepted? If this sounds like you, you're stuck in the past. Discover is accepted at 99% of places that take credit cards nationwide and every time you make a purchase with your card, you automatically earn cash back. Welcome to the now it pays to Discover. Learn [e-mail] credit card based on the February 2024 Nielsen report what's up everyone?

[Greg Rosenthal]

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.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Let's get started with two quick headlines in the NBA, we gotta start in the Bay Area, Klay Thompson returned to the Chase center as a Dallas Maverick after 13 years and four championships with the Golden State Warriors. Thompson was welcomed with open arms and captain hats throughout the arena as the team played a tribute video to honor his time in in Golden State. Clay requested a pregame speech by former teammate Steph Curry be canceled because he didn't want to get emotional prior to the game. In the end, the warriors beat the Mavericks 120 to 117 behind Steph Curry's 37 points and a late three to seal the victory. Thompson scored 22 on 6 to 12, shooting from deep in the loss. Let me say this, I think that Klay Thompson is going to regret not letting Steph Curry give that pregame speech. See, ladies and gentlemen, life is about moments. It's about moments. And when you consider what Klay Thompson has meant to that organization, that franchise, that area, the Bay Area, I for one, the Chase center is immaculate. It's fantastic. I like it. But nothing beats the Oracle. The Oracle was something special to behold. I'm just trying to tell y'all right now, when them brothers got on a roll and they started raining threes from all over the place, that crowd in that arena, that dilapidated arena shaking the shit, I mean, it was something special to behold. The Bay Area is the Bay Area. It's real, it's authentic, it's special. And Klay Thompson is A prodigal son of that area. I mean, this man is something special to them. And I think, yeah, it was his choice. And as a four time champion who meant so much to the organization, they had to end up departing because they didn't believe in him anymore. To the degree that the Dallas Mavericks clearly are believing in him. I guess he wanted to do that. But moments are not things you get back, ladies and gentlemen. You got to capitalize on certain moments. And I think Klay Thompson should have let Steph Curry give that pregame speech because I think it would have been very hard to hear Steph Curry speaking, considering the roar that would have emanated and descended down upon Klay Thompson from that crowd. That's how much love they have for him. Nevertheless, he showed up. He hit six of his 12 three pointers, okay, hit about 22 points, showed up respect respectively, but he wasn't Steph Curry. That Steph Curry that showed up in that last three minutes looked like Steph Curry in the semifinals and the finals or the semifinals in the gold medal game for the Olympics in Paris. That's what I saw from Steph Curry yesterday. The brother spectacular. The greatest shooter God has ever created and a four time champion in his own right. A two time league mvp. No matter how great Klay Thompson was, he was never Steph Curry. And Steph Curry put on that show, finished with 37 and did his thing. Golden State's got a chance this year, y'all. They got a chance. If Steve Kerr continues to really highlight their debt, their depth and use that bench. I, I, I think they got a chance. I think they got a chance and it's going to be interesting. And I'll ask y'all this from a polling perspective. Just, just tweet the Stephen A. Smith show or tweet at me, Stephen A. Smith on X or whatever. Who you think got a better chance or going to the finals, Golden State or Dallas? I'm not so sure I can summarily dismiss Golden State. I really, really can't. The Sixers, however, in the Eastern Conference might be another matter entirely because we got to get to that. Where Joel and B made his season debut with the Sixers after missing the first nine games of the season due to his left knee injury. Suspended for three games. Okay, we know he missed games and injuries, but he's suspended for three games after shoving Marcus Hayes. We know about that. Okay. Anyway, the Sixers took on the Knicks, my Knicks, and embiid scored just 13 points on 2411 shooting from the Field. He left the game not long after it began, but did return. The Sixers lost to the Knicks, won 11 and 99, bringing the overall record to 2 and 8 on the season. As for Embiid, he said it will take time for him to regain confidence and pushing off on that injured left knee. I have to come to the defense of Joel Embiid in this regard. I already spoke on it last week and how the reporter from the Philadelphia Inquirer, Marcus Hayes, should not have brought up his late brother or his son in talking about him and being critical of him. And I stand by that. Although in the same breath, I stand by Marcus Hayes's right to write everything and to say everything else he has said about Joel Embiid as a columnist. It's. As a columnist, it's his job to open, to editorialize and give his opinion based on the facts that are presented to us. And if that's the opinion that he concluded, there's absolutely, positively nothing wrong with him doing that. And I'm not going to hold that personally against Marcus Hayes. I just don't think he should have used his son, his late or his late brother. I think that was low. I think that was wrong. Getting back to Joel Embiid, though, specifically. All right. By the way, they're both sitting out tonight's game. That would be Joel Embiid and Paul George. Left knee injury management. Ladies and gentlemen, let me be very clear. Joel Embiid has always been injured. He's always been hurt. That's why it's very, very difficult for me to judge him. But so much. The brother was drafted in 2014 and missed the first two years. Who the hell does that? Two years. Two years because of his feet. He's had foot injuries, he's had knee injuries, he's had back injuries, he's had shoulders, had hand injuries. The man had a facial fracture. I mean, damn, he's been so fragile. You kind of wonder whether he got that injury getting the facial. I mean, that's how sensitive and delicate this brother has been. I'm only kidding, of course. But still, it's been that way. So we got to understand that. And I think that when everybody's talking about him, I think the thing that they're missing that I find a bit unfair is that we're acting like, like the man is just in the off season doing nothing but getting fat and he's out of shape, et cetera, et cetera. Well, damn, if you hurt all the time and it's on the lower extremities how are you supposed to get in shape? You can't work out. But so much, that's my thing. And I just think that that's something that's worth bringing up in fairness to him. Look, when he's healthy as a talent, he's one of the greatest big men this game has ever seen. As a talent. Certainly his credentials don't measure up. He's never even been to the conference finals, let alone the NBA Finals. But as a talent, Joel Embiid is a monster. He's the real deal. And if you're giving me a healthy Joel Embiid and a healthy Nicola Jokic, I'm going with Embiid. I ain't apologize for that to nobody, but I would pick Jokic all day, every day because he's always healthy. He's on the court. It's not the case with it be. We need to get over that and understand that's just the way it is and that's the way it's going to stay. There's no way around it, people. Trust me on this. There's no way around it.

[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 Swearbinks]

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

[Stephen A. Smith]

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

[Julie Swearbinks]

The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb.

[Stephen A. Smith]

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

[Julie Swearbinks]

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

[Stephen A. Smith]

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

[Julie Swearbinks]

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