Stephen A's Take: TNT Competition: Kenny Smith shot left-handed. Worked for Stephen A.

Summary

The Stephen A. Smith Show: Detailed Episode Summary

Episode Title: Stephen A's Take: TNT Competition: Kenny Smith Shot Left-Handed. Worked for Stephen A.
Release Date: December 18, 2024
Host: Stephen A. Smith
Produced By: iHeartPodcasts

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Introduction

In this episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, host Stephen A. Smith delves into a friendly yet intense free throw competition with former NBA player and TNT analyst Kenny Smith. The episode offers listeners an engaging blend of sports camaraderie, competitive spirit, and behind-the-scenes insights into the dynamics between prominent sports personalities. Through candid conversation and entertaining anecdotes, Stephen A. shares his experiences working with Kenny and the TNT crew, providing a glimpse into the world of sports media.

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The Free Throw Challenge

Setting the Stage

The episode centers around a recent free throw shooting challenge between Stephen A. and Kenny Smith. The competition was sparked by a playful challenge Kenny extended to Stephen A., where Kenny agreed to shoot left-handed, adding an extra layer of difficulty to the contest.

Kenny Smith's Perspective

Kenny Smith recounts the challenge, revealing the lighthearted nature of the competition:

Kenny Smith [01:55]: "Saturday in Vegas responded to that free throw shooting challenge from my brother Kenny Smith at TNT. Kenny decided to shoot with his left hand and that essentially sealed his fate against moi as I won three to one. Listen, y'all, it's all in fun."

Kenny emphasizes that the challenge was meant to be enjoyable, aligning with the friendly rapport between him and Stephen A.:

Kenny Smith [01:55]: "It's a free throw shooting contest and stuff like that. You sure? You saw the bricks we were laying when we shoot from threes, right?"

Stephen A.'s Take

Stephen A. chimes in with his perspective on the competition, highlighting the pressure and the nature of the challenge:

Stephen A. Smith [01:02]: "The first round of five. How's he have our lead? He ain't make a shot yet. 4:10."

As the contest progresses, Stephen A. narrates his success in sinking three crucial free throws, ultimately securing a 3-1 victory over Kenny:

Stephen A. Smith [01:38]: "Get the money. Look at him concentrating. Three, one. That's it. It's it. Congratulations."

The Left-Handed Twist

A significant factor in the competition was Kenny's decision to shoot left-handed, which Stephen A. believes was instrumental in his own success:

Stephen A. Smith [01:55]: "Kenny shot left hand. Next time, he ain't gonna give me that kind of break. I know this, all right?"

Stephen A. reflects on Kenny's skills, acknowledging that under normal circumstances, with Kenny shooting right-handed, the outcome might have been different:

Stephen A. Smith [01:55]: "If he shot right handed, he probably would have smoked me. He's a career 83% shooter, all right?"

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Behind the Scenes: Relationships and Media Dynamics

Appreciation for the TNT Crew

Throughout the episode, Stephen A. expresses his admiration and gratitude towards the TNT crew, especially as they transition to ESPN. He underscores the long-standing professional relationships and mutual respect among the team members:

Stephen A. Smith [03:15]: "I want to give props to the whole TNT crew. See, they come to ESPN next year. And I can't speak for everybody else, but I'm ecstatic that they're doing that."

He further elaborates on his two-decade-long relationship with ESPN and Disney, highlighting the collaborative environment and shared experiences:

Stephen A. Smith [03:35]: "I've been there for the last 20 years or so, okay? And I've had a phenomenal relationship with all of those guys, as I've said on many occasions."

Kenny Smith's Insights

Kenny Smith adds depth to the conversation by sharing the challenges they faced during the competition, particularly the unexpected environment of shooting outdoors:

Kenny Smith [01:55]: "Didn't know we were going to be outside. And then when we go outside, it looked like the Damn rim was 11ft instead of 10ft high."

He humorously relates the experience to baseball pitching, comparing the basketball hoop to a distant pitcher's mound:

Kenny Smith [01:55]: "It reminded me of when I went on the first on the mound for the Yankee Stadium for the first pitch. I mean, look like a damn mile away, for crying out loud."

Despite the difficulties, Kenny maintains a positive outlook and gives credit to everyone involved:

Kenny Smith [01:55]: "I just wanted to thank them for it. All in fun. Ain't nobody walking around here with some big head just because I hit three free throws or crying out loud."

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Reflections on Competition and Performance

Handling Pressure

Stephen A. discusses the pressure of performing under national television scrutiny, acknowledging the challenges and the importance of rising to the occasion:

Stephen A. Smith [04:00]: "Even though it was pressure, it was on national television, everybody was watching. And had I missed, I wouldn't have heard the end of it. So I did respond to the pressure of the moment."

He gives himself credit for handling the situation well, while maintaining humility regarding the competition:

Stephen A. Smith [04:05]: "I will give myself credit for that, but not for beating Kenny Smith, who rolled left handed."

Kenny's Performance

Kenny reflects on his performance, attributing his less-than-stellar shooting to the unexpected conditions and minimal warm-up:

Kenny Smith [01:55]: "I hit one. But I would have hit more if I warmed up a little bit more. But it's cool. It's cool."

He acknowledges the fun aspect of the challenge and reiterates the friendly nature of the competition:

Kenny Smith [01:55]: "It's all in fun. Ain't nobody walking around here with some big head just because I hit three free throws or crying out loud."

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Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, Stephen A. encapsulates the essence of the competition and his appreciation for the camaraderie shared with Kenny and the TNT crew:

Stephen A. Smith [05:00]: "We all go back decades and so to have that, to be on TNT with those guys having that kind of fun, I just can't say enough about what an experience it was."

He emphasizes the mutual respect and the enjoyable experiences that come from such friendly competitions, leaving listeners with a sense of camaraderie and admiration for both himself and Kenny.

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Key Takeaways

• Friendly Competition: The free throw challenge between Stephen A. Smith and Kenny Smith was a lighthearted yet competitive event that showcased their mutual respect and camaraderie.

• Adaptability Under Pressure: Both Stephen A. and Kenny demonstrated their ability to handle pressure, especially with Stephen A. performing successfully under national television scrutiny.

• Behind-the-Scenes Insights: The episode provided listeners with valuable insights into the professional relationships within the sports media landscape, particularly the transition of the TNT crew to ESPN.

• Humor and Humility: Despite the competitive nature of the challenge, both hosts maintained a humorous and humble demeanor, reinforcing the friendly nature of their interaction.

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Notable Quotes:

• Kenny Smith [01:55]: "It's all in fun. Ain't nobody walking around here with some big head just because I hit three free throws or crying out loud."

• Stephen A. Smith [04:05]: "I will give myself credit for that, but not for beating Kenny Smith, who rolled left handed."

• Stephen A. Smith [03:15]: "I want to give props to the whole TNT crew. See, they come to ESPN next year."

This episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show masterfully blends competition, humor, and professional insights, making it a must-listen for fans interested in the personalities and dynamics that shape the world of sports media.

Transcript

[Unknown Speaker 1]

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[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.

[Stephen A. Smith]

The first round of five. How's he have our lead? He ain't make a shot yet. 4:10. Stephen A. See. Oh, my. I got three left. Hey, he got it. He gotta shoot with all the pressure. Come on, champ.

[Unknown Speaker 1]

All right.

[Stephen A. Smith]

What's up, dog? Oh.

[Kenny Smith]

Oh, my God.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Get the money. Look at him concentrating. Three, one. That's it. It's it. Congratulations.

[Kenny Smith]

That was yours truly. Saturday in Vegas responded to that free throw shooting challenge from my brother Kenny Smith at tnt. Kenny decided to shoot with his left hand and that essentially sealed his fate against moi as I won three to one. Listen, y'all, it's all in fun. I mean, you know, come on, man. You know, it's free throw shooting contest and stuff like that. You sure? You saw the bricks we were laying when we shoot from threes, right? But I tell you this much, that's because first of all, we practice indoors and we only practice on the free throws. Didn't know we were going to be outside. And then when we go outside, it looked like the Damn rim was 11ft instead of 10ft high. And the three point line looked back. I mean, it reminded me of when I went on the first on the mound for the Yankee Stadium for the first pitch. I mean, look like a damn mile away, for crying out loud. And I and I shot three air balls just like everybody else did. Shaq shot air balls. Kenny shot airballs. Ernie Johnson shot airballs. Charles Barkley definitely shot air balls. Okay, but I hit one. But I would have hit more if I warmed up a little bit more. But it's cool. It's cool. But you know, this basketball is not baseball. So I wasn't worried about it. I just knew that I had to make shots because, I mean, after the first pitch fiasco, I couldn't go out there and just shoot the free throws and not. And not show up. But in all seriousness, I want to give props to the whole TNT crew. See, they come to ESPN next year. And I can't speak for everybody else, but I'm ecstatic that they're doing that. I'm ecstatic that they're doing that. You know what, as I've said, you know, listen, ESPN and Disney, I mean, listen, I've been there for the last 20 years or so, okay? And I've had a phenomenal relationship with all of those guys, as I've said on many occasions, all right? And so for me, it's just about looking at them. I just wanted to say Kenny did me a favor, all right? Because if he shot right handed, he probably would have smoked me. He's a career 83% shooter, all right? He's a NBA two time NBA champion. I know my lane. His brother Vincent taught me how to play, for crying out loud. I know better. Kenny Smith is Kenny Smith. So people looking at him and acting like I legitimately beat him, I made my free throws okay? That's really all that's good out of this. The man shot left hand. Next time, he ain't gonna give me that kind of break. I know this, all right? So I appreciate it. I had a lot of fun, but I just got a lot of love for them. We all go back decades and so to have that, to be on TNT with those guys having that kind of fun, I just can't say enough about what an experience it was. And I just wanted to thank them for it. All right? It's all in fun. Ain't nobody walking around here with some big head just because I hit three free throws or crying out loud. Even though it was pressure, it was on national television, everybody was watching. And had I missed, I wouldn't have heard the end of it. So I did respond to the pressure of the moment. I will give myself credit for that, but not for beating Kenny Smith, who rolled left handed. I know better, y'all. I know better.

[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, we'll 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 Swerbinks]

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

[Unknown Speaker 1]

We're doing a new podcast together.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Here we go.

[Julie Swerbinks]

The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb.

[Unknown Speaker 1]

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.

[Unknown Speaker 1]

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.