Stephen A's Take: "We Rich" Nephew Josh has some etiquette rules for the Ladies!

Summary

The Stephen A. Smith Show Episode: Stephen A's Take: "We Rich" Nephew Josh has some etiquette rules for the Ladies!
Release Date: March 13, 2025
Host/Author: Stephen A. Smith and iHeartPodcasts

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Introduction

In this episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, host Stephen A. Smith delves into a candid and spirited conversation featuring former NBA players Gilbert Arenas, Kenyon Martin, Rashad McCants, and Nick Young. The discussion navigates through personal anecdotes, professional experiences, and light-hearted banter, offering listeners an unfiltered glimpse into the lives of these athletes beyond the court.

Discussion on Gilbert Arenas' Podcast Appearance

The conversation kicks off with Gilbert Arenas addressing criticism about his long-anticipated appearance on his own podcast, Gil's Arena. He reflects on the extensive three-hour discussion he had with fellow players about his past interactions with LeBron James.

Gilbert Arenas [01:03]: "Now let's get to my much anticipated appearance on a Gil's arena podcast. To be clear, those aren't my words."

Key Points:

• Arenas expresses frustration over accusations of avoiding the podcast.
• The dialogue centers around his confrontation with LeBron James, highlighting differing opinions among the players.

LeBron James Confrontation and Its Impact

The players dissect the incident involving LeBron James confronting Arenas, exploring the emotional and familial implications.

Gilbert Arenas [01:39]: "I thought it was weak. I thought it was some bullshit. But in the moment, I knew that I was listening to a father."

Key Points:

• Kenyon Martin [02:14]: Criticizes the confrontation as a sign of LeBron not being ready, emphasizing the importance of parental support.

  "As a father, you're still trying to praise them and make them feel like they're worthy of playing basketball because they can get discouraged at any moment in time..."

• The conversation underscores the tension between professional sports pressures and personal family dynamics.

Aspirations of the Next Generation

A significant portion of the episode focuses on the hopes and dreams of the players' children, particularly Bronny James, LeBron's son.

Rashad McCants [04:02]: "Bronny's dream was to be in the NBA."

Key Points:

• The players discuss the natural aspirations of their children to follow in their footsteps.

• Kenyon Martin [04:20]: Shares a personal anecdote about missing years with his son due to his NBA career, highlighting the sacrifices made for professional sports.

  "I've been in the league 21 years. I missed 19 to 20 years of his life..."

Etiquette Rules for the Ladies: Rashad McCants' Segment

In a light-hearted turn, Rashad McCants introduces his "etiquette rules for the ladies," blending humor with relatable relationship scenarios.

Notable Quotes:

Rashad McCants [12:20]: "I'm trying to fix America one relationship at a time."

Rashad McCants [12:58]: "If you're gonna interrupt me, make sure it counts."

Key Points:

• McCants outlines humorous "laws" addressing common relationship issues, such as selective listening and privacy boundaries.
• The segment adds a personal and entertaining dimension to the episode, showcasing the players' personalities beyond their sports careers.

Reflections on Media and Public Perception

The discussion also touches upon how media narratives shape public perceptions of athletes, with McCants emphasizing the importance of personal observations over media accolades.

Rashad McCants [07:00]: "I watch the show all the time. They're good at, you know, arguing the talent versus greatness."

Key Points:

• McCants advocates for evaluating players based on on-court behavior and personal interactions rather than solely on achievements like rings or All-NBA selections.
• The players engage in a playful debate about the nicest NBA players, highlighting different perspectives on what constitutes "niceness" in the league.

Concluding Remarks

As the episode wraps up, tensions rise briefly between Arenas and McCants over the latter's new YouTube venture, The Josh Smith Show. Despite the minor conflict, the camaraderie among the players remains evident.

Rashad McCants [15:55]: "I didn't say I was absolved. I just said who was wrong first."

Gilbert Arenas [16:32]: "Just go. Just go."

Key Points:

• The playful banter underscores the strong bonds and occasional disagreements among the players.
• McCants promotes his YouTube show, aiming to provide advice and insights, signaling a foray into media beyond traditional podcasts.

Conclusion

This episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show offers a rich and engaging exploration of the personal and professional lives of former NBA stars. Through candid discussions, humorous segments, and insightful reflections, listeners gain a multifaceted understanding of these athletes as individuals navigating life beyond the basketball court.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Gilbert Arenas [01:39]: "I thought it was weak. I thought it was some bullshit. But in the moment, I knew that I was listening to a father."
• Rashad McCants [04:02]: "Bronny's dream was to be in the NBA."
• Rashad McCants [12:58]: "If you're gonna interrupt me, make sure it counts."
• Kenyon Martin [04:20]: "I've been in the league 21 years. I missed 19 to 20 years of his life..."
• Rashad McCants [07:00]: "I watch the show all the time. They're good at, you know, arguing the talent versus greatness."

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This summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and moments from the episode, providing an informative and engaging overview for those who haven't tuned in.

Transcript

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[Ryan Seacrest]

Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. It's stock up savings time now through March 25th. Spring in for storewide deals and earn four times the points. Look for in store tags to earn on eligible cleaning items from Charmin, Tide and Downey, and dinner essentials from Stouffer's, DiGiorno, Arby's and Violife, plus many more. Then clip the offer in our app for automatic event long savings. Stack up those rewards to save even more restrictions apply. Visit Albertsons or Safeway.com for more details.

[Gilbert Arenas]

Now let's get to my much anticipated appearance on a Gil's arena podcast. To be clear, those aren't my words. This came from the crew who accused me of ducking the show for more than 138 days. So yesterday I sat down with Gilbert Arenas, Kenyon Martin, Rashad McCants and Nick Young, and of course, Josiah Johnson for nearly three hours. We talked about several topics, including my run in with LeBron James, where everyone seems to have an opinion, of course. So check this out before I bring in my next guest.

[Kenyon Martin]

What do you make of LeBron confronting.

[Rashad McCants]

You in the aftermath of that situation?

[Gilbert Arenas]

I thought it was weak. I thought it was some bullshit. But in the moment, I knew that I was listening to a father. I remember during a time out in the first quarter seeing Bronny, and Bronny looked over at me and he had this sad look on his face and I'm imagining Pop saw that shit. It hit him and he couldn't hold it and he rolled up on me.

[Kenyon Martin]

Isn't it weak though? Like, when you think about it, you know he wasn't ready, right? As a father, you're still a father to your son. You're still trying to praise them and make them feel like they're worthy of playing basketball because they can get discouraged at any moment in time, right? So I'm pretty sure every game he's over the line. You got it. Don't worry about it. Just go out there, play your game. That's that part of it. The NBA part knows he's not ready yet. Right, Right. But as the father part, him sitting there nervous and shit, you go, I don't know. Relax. You going to go out there and play? At what point when he gets drafted, 55, do you supposed to sit back and be like, all right, there's nothing to talk about here. He's 55. He wasn't 17. He wasn't a first round. His draft status actually let you know what he was.

[Gilbert Arenas]

All he had to do is this. Listen, I got this moment with my son. All right? Now it's time to go to the G League and do what you doing.

[Kenyon Martin]

And we'll see you next time.

[Nick Young]

Or let the draft happen organically. And if somebody's gonna draft them, let them draft. Like, you never know. Just for shits and giggles. Right, right. What if somebody at 44 wanted to pick him? I'm just for shits and giggles.

[Kenyon Martin]

No, I get if somebody at 44.

[Nick Young]

Wanted to pick him. Right?

[Kenyon Martin]

Yes.

[Nick Young]

So you gonna stop?

[Kenyon Martin]

Yes. Yes.

[Nick Young]

Hard on, selfish.

[Kenyon Martin]

Cause he wants to play with his kid.

[Nick Young]

He don't wanna see his kid. He don't wanna see his kid in the NBA.

[Kenyon Martin]

He wants to play on the stage. I think we're missing.

[Nick Young]

Yeah, that's way different.

[Kenyon Martin]

That's way different. And here's why. My son could have died.

[Rashad McCants]

Yes.

[Nick Young]

Yes.

[Kenyon Martin]

I've been in the league 21 years. Right.

[Nick Young]

So what is the dream?

[Kenyon Martin]

Hold on. I've been in the league 21 years.

[Nick Young]

What is Bronny's dream?

[Kenyon Martin]

To be in the NBA. Yeah, I've been in the league 21 years. I missed 19 to 20 years of his life. You know how we are as parents. We're in, we're out. We're in, we're out. My firstborn with my name almost passed.

[Rashad McCants]

Yep.

[Kenyon Martin]

And you're telling me that I'm gonna keep playing this league, to miss this? Fuck no. This is gonna be the first time in my career where I get 360 fucking 5 days with my son.

[Nick Young]

But what is Bronny's dream? Bronny's dream was to be in the NBA.

[Kenyon Martin]

My dream was this. I don't give a fuck where I get drafted. I just want to hear my name, so why not?

[Nick Young]

So therefore, what I'm saying is that was his dream. Let that happen organically. Listen, I told y'all sitting in this motherfucker. I was a bigger wreck on KJ's draft day than he fucking was. Right, Right.

[Gilbert Arenas]

For sure.

[Nick Young]

You should be a bigger wreck. I'm trying to stay away from him.

[Kenyon Martin]

Right.

[Nick Young]

Cause I don't want him to fence this shit. Right, Right. So, yeah, I wanted more than he fucking wanted.

[Kenyon Martin]

Right?

[Nick Young]

Absolutely. But it's his dream and his journey is what I'm saying.

[Kenyon Martin]

His only dream was to hear his name called.

[Nick Young]

I'm with you. I'm saying yes, Gil, yes, absolutely. Hear his name called for any fucking team.

[Kenyon Martin]

Right?

[Nick Young]

For any team.

[Gilbert Arenas]

Which means that when we're talking about the lakers, that's about LeBron, not Bronny. Bronny wanted to get drafted by any NBA team. He wanted to hear his name. It was LeBron that wanted him as his teammate. But LeBron up here, and he know he up here, he don't give a fuck. The problem is, when it come to the media, goddammit, I'm up here.

[Rashad McCants]

Mm.

[Gilbert Arenas]

We all know what happened with me and LeBron, all right? I don't give a shit if I never speak to him again in life. And I'm sure he feel the same way if that man had something going on in Akron, Ohio, with the kids or out here with the kids. Yo, man, we need Steve and a help. What you need? It ain't got nothing to do with us. What you need? I don't need to say anymore. That encapsulated everything. I was there for three hours. My friend was tired of talking about is what it is. You know, Everybody knows where I stand now, what happened, and that's that. But my nephew was there. He was in the house, and he was out there in LA with me. And for a change, he wasn't styling and profiling. He was just there hanging with his uncle, listening intently for a change. And I was very, very proud of him for doing that. I actually like his outfit right now. It kind of looks nice. What's going on, Josh? How you doing, man?

[Rashad McCants]

Nothing much. Just being rich and, you know, living life. You got on my shirt today.

[Gilbert Arenas]

No, this is mine, Josh.

[Rashad McCants]

All right, well, this is my shirt. Listen, it's slow down on the creatine and the muscle milk. You're busting out of it. That's not your size.

[Gilbert Arenas]

But that's not my style. That's not my style.

[Rashad McCants]

It's not your size. It's not your size. WWE shirt.

[Gilbert Arenas]

It's my size. It is my size.

[Rashad McCants]

I'm trying to show your cuts. I don't appreciate It. It's a sports show.

[Gilbert Arenas]

That's because you not in the gym. You too busy looking pretty and you looking in the mirror all the dag. All the time. I got news for you. If you went to the gym, you would notice there's a lot of mirrors there so you could look at yourself all the time. You should try it.

[Rashad McCants]

No, I don't want to waste my time. I got other things to do with this body anyway. What was that? What are you talking about? Oh, the Gilbert Arenas.

[Gilbert Arenas]

What did you do? You were there the whole. For the whole damn near three hour interview. What were your thoughts of it?

[Rashad McCants]

Man, I feel like y'all wasted a little bit too much time on that WWE moment. We know nothing was going to happen at that at the Crypto Arena. But I wanted y'all to talk about. Cause I watch the show all the time. They're good at, you know, arguing the talent versus greatness. Cause that's where I come in. Because I don't value all of the, like the rings and the all NBA teams that y'all vote for and stuff like that. I go off of what I see. So I wanted you to go on there and I wanted all of y'all to put together like a starting 5 of players, minus the accomplishments, just about how nice a player is. And when I say nice, we from New York, so nice is different. Stephon Marbury, Kenny Anderson, like, just nice. Not your resume. So if I asked you to give me five, what would it be? We not talking rings, we not talking resumes. Just nice five. And don't put Earl of Pearl Monroe in there.

[Gilbert Arenas]

Just nice. But when you say just nice, I could. I could retort by asking the question, Josh, are you talking one on one? Are you talking five on five team NBA basketball? What are you talking about?

[Rashad McCants]

No, no, no. It comes in the lines of an NBA player. Like I said, when I name nice, I'm talking Kevin Durant, who's not in the goat conversation. But if you want to talk about the nicest players that you've ever seen play, he's in the top five.

[Gilbert Arenas]

I don't disagree with that. I think that Kevin Durant is maybe the greatest scorer we've ever seen.

[Rashad McCants]

Right?

[Gilbert Arenas]

He's a professional scorer. He's something special to behold. I don't have a problem with that.

[Rashad McCants]

But you wouldn't put him in your top five with his resume.

[Gilbert Arenas]

Yeah. Well, let me ask you a question. Would you put him ahead of Kobe?

[Rashad McCants]

I would. They in the top five. Kevin Durant would be my okay.

[Gilbert Arenas]

All right. Would you put LeBron in the top five?

[Rashad McCants]

Nah.

[Gilbert Arenas]

You wouldn't put LeBron in the top five?

[Rashad McCants]

Nah, I'm doing a position. Kevin Durant is the nicest small forward I've ever seen.

[Gilbert Arenas]

So you'd put Kevin Durant ahead of LeBron?

[Rashad McCants]

As far as being nice, yeah.

[Gilbert Arenas]

You'd put Kobe Bryant in top five. So who would you. So where would you put Jordan?

[Rashad McCants]

He not. He wasn't nice like that. That's the resume talking right there. The six for six and stuff. Like, if we seen him playing in the park, we picking Kobe. Not 24. Kobe 8. Kobe Athletics. Still Dunkin jumpers. I'm not with the Jordan stuff, and you know that, Josh.

[Gilbert Arenas]

There's nobody that would pick Michael Jordan if they saw Michael Jordan. There's nobody that would pick Michael Jordan that would pick anybody ahead of Michael Jordan.

[Rashad McCants]

Yes. If I'm just talking skills, not the six for six. If you saw.

[Kenyon Martin]

If you saw.

[Gilbert Arenas]

If you saw Michael Jordan.

[Rashad McCants]

I seen him.

[Gilbert Arenas]

You would not pick anybody ahead of Michael Jordan.

[Rashad McCants]

Telling me my opinion. This is what I'm talking about with this media stuff. All right, so you got two more. Who's the point guard?

[Gilbert Arenas]

Who's your power forward?

[Rashad McCants]

Giannis. Yeah. I don't want to. Tim Duncan doing over jump hooks all day. I don't.

[Gilbert Arenas]

So in other words. So in other words, Giannis dunking on everybody but struggling to do almost anything else. No, I mean, you pick up.

[Rashad McCants]

He only can't shoot. He gets his own shot on a fast break. He'll run it by himself. He's dunking on you. He used to shoot a little bit. He not even. He don't even. He don't even want to shoot no more. I'm Shaquille O'Neal now. I'm wearing number 34.

[Gilbert Arenas]

But you taking out rings? Cause Tim Duncan's got five rings. So you're just taking out rings. Okay, all right, I got it.

[Rashad McCants]

What it matters. I want to see you play. I don't want to see jump hooks.

[Gilbert Arenas]

All right, What's Kevin Garnett. Where would he be in that?

[Rashad McCants]

Not better than Giannis, but he'd probably be second.

[Gilbert Arenas]

Okay, and your center is who got.

[Rashad McCants]

To go with Joker.

[Gilbert Arenas]

Jokic.

[Rashad McCants]

Yeah. Mo. Skill.

[Gilbert Arenas]

I mean, the way he looks in this day and age. Used to walk and triple, double. I mean, you know, we come from the days Kareem Abdul Jabbar. You take him over Shaq, too, right? That's what you saying. You know, Shaq was the most dominant force of our life.

[Rashad McCants]

Shaq would be second. Kareem ain't either.

[Gilbert Arenas]

Who's your point guard?

[Rashad McCants]

Josh Seth. That was easy. Yep.

[Gilbert Arenas]

Okay. All right. What else did you take from the Gilbert Arenas interview?

[Rashad McCants]

It was. It was a little lengthy, and I seen them looking at me like they wanted me to come on the stage. But I gave y'all. Y'all moment. I'm like, let me have y'all moment. It was missing me for sure, though. Three hours. No me. That was crazy. I got some new laws here, too. You wanna take a.

[Gilbert Arenas]

You got some what?

[Rashad McCants]

Some new laws for when. When we 20, 28. I saw. Yeah, we got the money now. Yeah.

[Gilbert Arenas]

Laws.

[Rashad McCants]

Yeah.

[Gilbert Arenas]

Do I have to listen to this?

[Rashad McCants]

I mean, you don't have to. This one is for the women. These are for the women. I need. I need the women to wake up a little bit. So I'm gonna get started. If you're gonna interrupt me, make sure it counts. New female lords. I'm trying to Fix America 1. One relationship at a time. This is how y'all talk when it's the presidency. Like this. Yeah. If you talk while the game is on, you're getting fined on Sundays. We're going to honor something called selective listening, meaning I'm listening a little bit. Make it count when you talk.

[Gilbert Arenas]

I like that one. Right?

[Rashad McCants]

I do. You would.

[Gilbert Arenas]

I like that one. I like that one. Okay, go ahead. Go ahead. Dead clock is right. Twice a day, everyone to the blue moon.

[Rashad McCants]

Three times here. I'll be right there. Emotional range act. Yeah. Appreciate your role. Let me tell you a story. So I had a living situation, right? I had a living situation. The girl cooked. Hold on. The girl cooked. We ate. Then she like, you know, I'm going to bed now. I'm tired. Oh, you're not going to do the dishes? I cook also. We going tiff its hat. All right, I'll do the dishes. And then we go to bed. Somebody bangs on the door. They play like that in the hood. Bangs on the door. Oh, my God, somebody's at the door. So I roll over. I'm like, all right, well, you let me know who it is. It's your turn. I did the dishes. I'm saying we going turn for turn. Either appreciate your role or not. What we doing here? Last one. Privacy act. You touch my phone, you're going to jail. And I want to know who's wrong first. Get up and sit up at the mic. Because I started a show on YouTube, the Josh Smith Show. Everybody want to know where to find me. They want advice and stuff like that. I am an advisor. You can catch me on YouTube. You, too. So I have one last question, though. I see your face, you look a little confused. I have a question.

[Gilbert Arenas]

You started a YouTube show without my permission?

[Rashad McCants]

Permission, that's right. You paid for it. Yeah. So look, one last question, right? So the privacy. The Privacy Act. I want to know this. If a girl goes through my phone, finds out that I might have cheated, who was wrong first?

[Gilbert Arenas]

You.

[Rashad McCants]

Why am I wrong first?

[Gilbert Arenas]

Because you cheated.

[Rashad McCants]

She violated my privacy and found out I cheated. So who's wrong first?

[Gilbert Arenas]

But you cheated came before the violation.

[Rashad McCants]

She don't know that you.

[Gilbert Arenas]

But you know that. You said who? You said what was first. You know what you did.

[Rashad McCants]

No, but I. But I asked you what was first. Who was wrong first? Was she wrong? You knew she didn't know that I did it. She went through my phone first.

[Kenyon Martin]

But you knew.

[Gilbert Arenas]

You knew.

[Rashad McCants]

Okay, so when she was doing little sneaky ninja moves to figure out my code and stuff like that, was that wrong? Was that wrong? What about me being asleep and her checking my breathing?

[Gilbert Arenas]

It's wrong if she can't deal with what she's liable to find out, you know? Because what she should do is get rid of your ass.

[Rashad McCants]

Okay, I shouldn't get rid of her.

[Gilbert Arenas]

But the point is. But the point is, if she elects not to, you understand, and then you just digging in there and then you messing with your own conscience and your own stress or your own tranquility, you're really messing with it, then that's problematic. But it doesn't absolve you.

[Rashad McCants]

I didn't say I was absolved. I just said who was wrong first. She went through my phone and violated my privacy. You always taking up for them. But I see why when you come back to town. I'm tired of this split screen stuff.

[Gilbert Arenas]

You like sitting in my seat? You wouldn't be sitting there if I wasn't there. If I was there, you wouldn't be sitting there. So you should be happy.

[Rashad McCants]

I do. But I do want to go back to la, though.

[Gilbert Arenas]

Yeah, you can go next year. Get the hell out of here next week. I got stuff to finish up the showman. Bye. Go. Just go. Just go.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. It's stock up savings time now through March 25th. Spring in for storewide deals and earn four times the points look for in store tags to earn on eligible cleaning items from Charman, Tide and Downey and dinner essentials from Stouffer's. DiGiorno, Arby's, and Violife plus many more. Then clip the offer in our app for automatic event long savings. Stack up those rewards to save even more restrictions apply. Visit Albertsons or Safeway.com for more details.

[Josiah Johnson]

You know more about the PayPal debit card than you did at the start of this podcast. You know that the PayPal debit card gives you the ability to pay everywhere. You know that you earn 5% cash back on a category of your choosing on up to $1,000 of monthly purchases. And you know that you get to pick a new category every month. Apparel for back to school. Groceries for the holidays. Start earning 5% cash back with the PayPal debit card today. Don't just pay PayPal terms apply. See PayPal app. This card is issued by the Bancorp Bank N.A. pursuant to license by MasterCard International, Inc.