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