Welcome to the latest edition of The Stephen Ai Smith Show, coming at you as I love to do it the very least three days a week over the digital airwaves of YouTube. Before I do anything else, let me think my subscriber and followers. We've eclipped seven hundred and one thousand subscribers. We're on the rise, continuing to do what we do. Thanks for the love and support. Keep it coming, and I'm gonna keep on coming. Let me not waste much time, because I got a lot of stuff to get into, Okay. I got Andrea Carter Talk coming on to talk about Caitlin Clark because that story hasn't faded away. I got NBA Finals talk to get into because there's several people for the Dallas maverage that are no shows, and now they went from being my favorites to win the championship to be in on the verge of being swept. Don't get me started with the innftitude we've been witnessing from them. So that's something to get into. But the first story to a business of course. By the way, let me not forget. I'm gonna revisit my comments about Will Smith in light of Bad Boys Ride and Die opening in theaters over the past few days and do it quite well, quite better than what was initially reported. So I'll get into all of that as the show progresses today. Plus, I'm hoping to have one of my boys on. You know, he's like my boy, he's one of my protectors. He watches out for me. You see what I'm saying. See, I am loved, y'all. Don't realize that I am loved. There's a different subject for another time a little bit later on. We'll get into all of that. For the moment, at this particular moment in time, we got to get into the Los Angeles Lakers because breaking news this afternoon, Dan Hurley Danny Hurley, the two time reigning defending national champion of the Yukon Huskies, will not be departing from Stewart's, Connecticut after all to take the Los Angeles Lakers job. Reportedly, he was offered a six year, seventy million dollar deal, and he told the Lakers to kick Rocks go to hell. I'm not really interested. He didn't use those words. The other platitudes came out of his mouth. Very very great for the Genie Buss. Jim Ropa LAKA very enamored and intrigued by the Los Angeles Lakers, job very flattered that they was interested, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. But the man that had recently signed a thirty two million dollar contract turned down a deal for thirty eight million more to join the Los Angeles Lakers, by the way, led by star Lebron James and of course Anthony Davis, to be all NBA players. I wonder why. I wonder why. There's a lot to get into it. There's a lot to peal from this. But here's the bottom line. This, unfortunately is kind of an indictment against the Los Angeles Lakers. I should say, I shouldn't even say kind of. I'm just trying to be kind. The fact of the matter is, if Lebron James is on your squad, of Anthony Davis is on your squad, and somehow, some way you're in a situation where you decide that you're gonna remain at Yukon and coach the Huskies, who again are coming off with two consecutive national championship games. That's an indictment against the Los Angeles Lakers. Don't tell me about this love affeld with stories Connecticut. I'm not saying he doesn't have it. I'm not saying Danny Early and his wife and his family don't love being in Storts, Connecticut. I'm not saying they're not East Coast people who want to stay East Coast people, and they don't want to deal with the allure of tensel Town, the warm whether, the palm trees, the sunshine. But damn it. The highest tax state in the country. Okay, don't get me started with the income tax that exist in California. Okay, I know how disastrous it's been, make no mistake about it. But you can't avoid getting into what this subject is really really about. If the Lakers were a more attractive job, perhaps he'd be interested. I'd make a legitimate argument that if he got off of the New York Knicks job, he probably would have taken it. Now, you're not gonna do that, because Tom Thibodeaux just did a hell of a job for the Knicks this past year. But the New York Knicks have eleven first round picks over the next seven years. Plus. They were in the Eastern Conference semi finals of Game seven, forty eight minutes away from advancing to the conference finals. They've got a future. What do the Lakers have? We don't really really know at this particular moment in time. Lebron James is still all world, but he's approaching forty. Anthony Davis is all world, but he's brittal. Who else do you have? Don't get me started with the Angelo Russell. That brother walks around and cool's control for everything. Austin Reeves's talent tied but still got a ways to go. Vanderbilt ain't been healthy. Riachimra is good but not great. You just fired Darvin hamm And and this entire staff. You're the Los Angeles Lakers, led by Jennie Buss and Rob Paulaker. What do you have to offer? You've got the Lakers the lord of franchise, seventeen championships about to be clipped by the Boss and Celtics if things continue to trend in that direction, because they're about to capture their eighteen championship unless the Dallas Mavericks do something about it. But you're the Los Angeles Lakers. That purple and gold, that Lake of Nation, it's supposed to be attractive. Tiptel Town is supposed to be attractive. That warm weather in southern California, it's supposed to be attractive, not anymore, not anymore. One could also make the argument that the Oklahoma City Thunder it's a far more attractive job than the Los Angeles Lakers, despite its locale. They got Shae Gilges Alexander who's a star, who was my vote for League MVP this year. Try you got ched Holmgren, You got this brother, Jalen Williams. You got a multitude of draft picks out of the Wazoo because of trading Russell Weston, because of trading Paul George, because of doing all the things that Sam Presley is an executive is done to position themselves to be able to get additional help so you can compete legitimately for a championship. What the hell do the Lakers have? You basically asked Danny Hurley to come to Los Angeles and rod the wave of Lebron James, who's about to retire in the next two to three years. And Anthony Davis, whom we stopped the presses and put on the back pages everywhere because his brother finally played seventy six games in one season. There's eighty two in ex season. Right away he played seventy six It was the most games he played in the regular season. Is inside career. And then I'm looking at these salaries. You got Lebron James, the forty seven million, he's got a play an option. He's getting looking to get a three year deal. But with that three year deal, with the belief is if my son is available at that fifty fifth pick, you grabb Brownie James. So you got that a law over and over you. You got Anthony Davis. He's at forty million this past season. What is he a next season? Forty three point two, then fifty seven point six, then sixty two point two, and then a damn player option in twenty seven, twenty twenty thirty, twenty twenty eight at sixty six point eight million dollars. And you don't even know how many games he's gonna give you, even though the brother's all world. So we got that going on. We got D'Angelo Russell. He's got a player option for eighteen point six this year. He opts out, You could do some things, but how much can you do? What if he opts in, who knows he may not do so because you know you're just gonna ship his ass out out of LA. You got Rueyotcha Mora. He signed for the next two years. You got Austin Reeves. He sighed for the next two years, and then got a player option for a thirty year in twenty twenty six. Dave Vincent. There was an app out for him all year. Lord, we ain't see him till the playoffs. Vanderbilt was hurt play the playoffs, and he's locked in for the next four years. If you're the Los Angeles Lakers, what maneuverability do you have? As we look at the power in the Western Conference, Luke and Dallas ain't going anywhere. Sacramento's gon to come up. The Clippers are still in town. Dead Ran Yo, Kischen, jamal Bury gonna come back. You know they're gonna have something to say about it. Did you forget ant Man in Minnesota? Did you forget what a superstar he has emerged into. So I'm looking at all of that. I'm looking at all of that, and I'm saying there's a multitudative jobs that was better than the Los Angeles Lakers and what they were offering. I was hopeful that Danny early would take the job. I actually believed he would take the Lakers' job. Let me tell you why an il name image likeness issue in college sports. The fact that the trans transfer portal was also relevant issues. And here's the biggest thing. I don't know if anybody has noticed this or not, but nobody gives a damn about college basketball anymore until March Madness. Ain't nobody thinking about this to fill out their brackets. Nobody gives a damn about college basketball anymore. This ain't the days in the Big East when Dwayne Pearl, Washington and Mark Jackson and Walter Berry and those boys were at Saint John's and you had Edon Pinkney and McLean and those boys in Villanova, and you had Patrick Ewing and Michael Graham and Michael Jackson and Reggie Williams. Have those boys in Georgetown led by John Thompson with Hoyer Paranoya. You had Sarah Hues even when Pearl was gone. You had Derrick Coleman. You had Sherman Douglas. You have Billy Owens and cats like that. Hell, later on in the year, you had god Sham god Wells, who's not an assistant on Dallas start at Providence, Big East was no joke. Had Luke Connaffecond with a sweater? Remember the Big East was the shit that is changed. Then you had the ACC You had Kennedy, the Jett at Carolina, after Jordan. With Jordan, you had James Worthy, you had him, you had Sam Perkins and those boys. You had Duke, and then later on you had Duke with Leighton and Hurley and those boys. You had Kenny Anderson and leave the Weapon three at Georgia Tech Kenny Edison, Broughan Oliver, Dennis Scott three day. Remember that. Remember that that's what you had. That's what you had. College basketball was it? Who cares? Now? Until March Madness, It's all about the brackets. And I thought, because it was all about the brackets and you had already won two national titles, that him, Danny Hurley, being a high end competitor that he is, would have been about competing at the highest level with and against the greatest players in the world, and that that would be compelling in enough for him to take the job. But the fact that it wasn't says a lot about what people think about the Lakers these days. I'm not knocking them. I love me some Genie Buss and I respect Rob Perlaker, but there's a lot of people that got questions about them, and they don't consider the Lakers an attractive job, which is an indictment. So where do you go now? If you're the Los Angeles Lakers. If you Danny Hillier, you go back to Yukon, you try to three P, plain and simple and he might pull it off. You are the Lakers, where do you go from here? I don't want to hear a damn thing about James Murreo, the former head coaches, Charlotte and the sister. Just stop it, Just stop it. Lebron James doing the podcast with JJ ready for a Reezon and fooling nobody. I'm not saying he's sitting up there picking up the phone, calling Genie Buss and telling them what to do. That's not what I'm saying. What I'm saying is when Darvin Ham, who took you to the conference finals, When Darvin Ham, who lost in the first round this year back to back, he is losing to the Denver Nuggets, but they would have rgan in defending NBA champions when he lost to them. This time around, they won a championship. When he lost to them at the conference finals last year, the brother didn't do a bad job. But you're doing a podcast with JJ Reddick in the middle of the damn season, knowing he was on a hot seat. And then it's the title of it, Mind the Game, So you're talking logistics, you're talking schemes, you're talking about things schematically. That was intentional. He knew exactly what the hell he was doing, and he didn't care. And Darvin Ham is out of a job, and now Danny Hurley has turned down the job, even though Lebron James saying he's so damn good and he would have loved to have him as a head coach. But now that you don't have that, the likelihoods that the Lakers are gonna come back to JJ Reddick. Now for those of you who would say, what has he done, because he's never coached. Neither did Steve Kirk, neither did Doc Rivers when he came out of the booth and he got a head coaching job. Neither did Mark Jackson. So JJ Redick is gonna say what about me? And he's gonna have a legitimate case because everybody knows he's smart. Does does that mean he can coach?

Welcome to the latest edition of The Stephen Ai Smith Show, coming at you as I love to do it the very least three days a week over the digital airwaves of YouTube. Before I do anything else, let me think my subscriber and followers. We've eclipped seven hundred and one thousand subscribers. We're on the rise, continuing to do what we do. Thanks for the love and support. Keep it coming, and I'm gonna keep on coming. Let me not waste much time, because I got a lot of stuff to get into, Okay. I got Andrea Carter Talk coming on to talk about Caitlin Clark because that story hasn't faded away. I got NBA Finals talk to get into because there's several people for the Dallas maverage that are no shows, and now they went from being my favorites to win the championship to be in on the verge of being swept. Don't get me started with the innftitude we've been witnessing from them. So that's something to get into. But the first story to a business of course. By the way, let me not forget. I'm gonna revisit my comments about Will Smith in light of Bad Boys Ride and Die opening in theaters over the past few days and do it quite well, quite better than what was initially reported. So I'll get into all of that as the show progresses today. Plus, I'm hoping to have one of my boys on. You know, he's like my boy, he's one of my protectors. He watches out for me. You see what I'm saying. See, I am loved, y'all. Don't realize that I am loved. There's a different subject for another time a little bit later on. We'll get into all of that. For the moment, at this particular moment in time, we got to get into the Los Angeles Lakers because breaking news this afternoon, Dan Hurley Danny Hurley, the two time reigning defending national champion of the Yukon Huskies, will not be departing from Stewart's, Connecticut after all to take the Los Angeles Lakers job. Reportedly, he was offered a six year, seventy million dollar deal, and he told the Lakers to kick Rocks go to hell. I'm not really interested. He didn't use those words. The other platitudes came out of his mouth. Very very great for the Genie Buss. Jim Ropa LAKA very enamored and intrigued by the Los Angeles Lakers, job very flattered that they was interested, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. But the man that had recently signed a thirty two million dollar contract turned down a deal for thirty eight million more to join the Los Angeles Lakers, by the way, led by star Lebron James and of course Anthony Davis, to be all NBA players. I wonder why. I wonder why. There's a lot to get into it. There's a lot to peal from this. But here's the bottom line. This, unfortunately is kind of an indictment against the Los Angeles Lakers. I should say, I shouldn't even say kind of. I'm just trying to be kind. The fact of the matter is, if Lebron James is on your squad, of Anthony Davis is on your squad, and somehow, some way you're in a situation where you decide that you're gonna remain at Yukon and coach the Huskies, who again are coming off with two consecutive national championship games. That's an indictment against the Los Angeles Lakers. Don't tell me about this love affeld with stories Connecticut. I'm not saying he doesn't have it. I'm not saying Danny Early and his wife and his family don't love being in Storts, Connecticut. I'm not saying they're not East Coast people who want to stay East Coast people, and they don't want to deal with the allure of tensel Town, the warm whether, the palm trees, the sunshine. But damn it. The highest tax state in the country. Okay, don't get me started with the income tax that exist in California. Okay, I know how disastrous it's been, make no mistake about it. But you can't avoid getting into what this subject is really really about. If the Lakers were a more attractive job, perhaps he'd be interested. I'd make a legitimate argument that if he got off of the New York Knicks job, he probably would have taken it. Now, you're not gonna do that, because Tom Thibodeaux just did a hell of a job for the Knicks this past year. But the New York Knicks have eleven first round picks over the next seven years. Plus. They were in the Eastern Conference semi finals of Game seven, forty eight minutes away from advancing to the conference finals. They've got a future. What do the Lakers have? We don't really really know at this particular moment in time. Lebron James is still all world, but he's approaching forty. Anthony Davis is all world, but he's brittal. Who else do you have? Don't get me started with the Angelo Russell. That brother walks around and cool's control for everything. Austin Reeves's talent tied but still got a ways to go. Vanderbilt ain't been healthy. Riachimra is good but not great. You just fired Darvin hamm And and this entire staff. You're the Los Angeles Lakers, led by Jennie Buss and Rob Paulaker. What do you have to offer? You've got the Lakers the lord of franchise, seventeen championships about to be clipped by the Boss and Celtics if things continue to trend in that direction, because they're about to capture their eighteen championship unless the Dallas Mavericks do something about it. But you're the Los Angeles Lakers. That purple and gold, that Lake of Nation, it's supposed to be attractive. Tiptel Town is supposed to be attractive. That warm weather in southern California, it's supposed to be attractive, not anymore, not anymore. One could also make the argument that the Oklahoma City Thunder it's a far more attractive job than the Los Angeles Lakers, despite its locale. They got Shae Gilges Alexander who's a star, who was my vote for League MVP this year. Try you got ched Holmgren, You got this brother, Jalen Williams. You got a multitude of draft picks out of the Wazoo because of trading Russell Weston, because of trading Paul George, because of doing all the things that Sam Presley is an executive is done to position themselves to be able to get additional help so you can compete legitimately for a championship. What the hell do the Lakers have? You basically asked Danny Hurley to come to Los Angeles and rod the wave of Lebron James, who's about to retire in the next two to three years. And Anthony Davis, whom we stopped the presses and put on the back pages everywhere because his brother finally played seventy six games in one season. There's eighty two in ex season. Right away he played seventy six It was the most games he played in the regular season. Is inside career. And then I'm looking at these salaries. You got Lebron James, the forty seven million, he's got a play an option. He's getting looking to get a three year deal. But with that three year deal, with the belief is if my son is available at that fifty fifth pick, you grabb Brownie James. So you got that a law over and over you. You got Anthony Davis. He's at forty million this past season. What is he a next season? Forty three point two, then fifty seven point six, then sixty two point two, and then a damn player option in twenty seven, twenty twenty thirty, twenty twenty eight at sixty six point eight million dollars. And you don't even know how many games he's gonna give you, even though the brother's all world. So we got that going on. We got D'Angelo Russell. He's got a player option for eighteen point six this year. He opts out, You could do some things, but how much can you do? What if he opts in, who knows he may not do so because you know you're just gonna ship his ass out out of LA. You got Rueyotcha Mora. He signed for the next two years. You got Austin Reeves. He sighed for the next two years, and then got a player option for a thirty year in twenty twenty six. Dave Vincent. There was an app out for him all year. Lord, we ain't see him till the playoffs. Vanderbilt was hurt play the playoffs, and he's locked in for the next four years. If you're the Los Angeles Lakers, what maneuverability do you have? As we look at the power in the Western Conference, Luke and Dallas ain't going anywhere. Sacramento's gon to come up. The Clippers are still in town. Dead Ran Yo, Kischen, jamal Bury gonna come back. You know they're gonna have something to say about it. Did you forget ant Man in Minnesota? Did you forget what a superstar he has emerged into. So I'm looking at all of that. I'm looking at all of that, and I'm saying there's a multitudative jobs that was better than the Los Angeles Lakers and what they were offering. I was hopeful that Danny early would take the job. I actually believed he would take the Lakers' job. Let me tell you why an il name image likeness issue in college sports. The fact that the trans transfer portal was also relevant issues. And here's the biggest thing. I don't know if anybody has noticed this or not, but nobody gives a damn about college basketball anymore until March Madness. Ain't nobody thinking about this to fill out their brackets. Nobody gives a damn about college basketball anymore. This ain't the days in the Big East when Dwayne Pearl, Washington and Mark Jackson and Walter Berry and those boys were at Saint John's and you had Edon Pinkney and McLean and those boys in Villanova, and you had Patrick Ewing and Michael Graham and Michael Jackson and Reggie Williams. Have those boys in Georgetown led by John Thompson with Hoyer Paranoya. You had Sarah Hues even when Pearl was gone. You had Derrick Coleman. You had Sherman Douglas. You have Billy Owens and cats like that. Hell, later on in the year, you had god Sham god Wells, who's not an assistant on Dallas start at Providence, Big East was no joke. Had Luke Connaffecond with a sweater? Remember the Big East was the shit that is changed. Then you had the ACC You had Kennedy, the Jett at Carolina, after Jordan. With Jordan, you had James Worthy, you had him, you had Sam Perkins and those boys. You had Duke, and then later on you had Duke with Leighton and Hurley and those boys. You had Kenny Anderson and leave the Weapon three at Georgia Tech Kenny Edison, Broughan Oliver, Dennis Scott three day. Remember that. Remember that that's what you had. That's what you had. College basketball was it? Who cares? Now? Until March Madness, It's all about the brackets. And I thought, because it was all about the brackets and you had already won two national titles, that him, Danny Hurley, being a high end competitor that he is, would have been about competing at the highest level with and against the greatest players in the world, and that that would be compelling in enough for him to take the job. But the fact that it wasn't says a lot about what people think about the Lakers these days. I'm not knocking them. I love me some Genie Buss and I respect Rob Perlaker, but there's a lot of people that got questions about them, and they don't consider the Lakers an attractive job, which is an indictment. So where do you go now? If you're the Los Angeles Lakers. If you Danny Hillier, you go back to Yukon, you try to three P, plain and simple and he might pull it off. You are the Lakers, where do you go from here? I don't want to hear a damn thing about James Murreo, the former head coaches, Charlotte and the sister. Just stop it, Just stop it. Lebron James doing the podcast with JJ ready for a Reezon and fooling nobody. I'm not saying he's sitting up there picking up the phone, calling Genie Buss and telling them what to do. That's not what I'm saying. What I'm saying is when Darvin Ham, who took you to the conference finals, When Darvin Ham, who lost in the first round this year back to back, he is losing to the Denver Nuggets, but they would have rgan in defending NBA champions when he lost to them. This time around, they won a championship. When he lost to them at the conference finals last year, the brother didn't do a bad job. But you're doing a podcast with JJ Reddick in the middle of the damn season, knowing he was on a hot seat. And then it's the title of it, Mind the Game, So you're talking logistics, you're talking schemes, you're talking about things schematically. That was intentional. He knew exactly what the hell he was doing, and he didn't care. And Darvin Ham is out of a job, and now Danny Hurley has turned down the job, even though Lebron James saying he's so damn good and he would have loved to have him as a head coach. But now that you don't have that, the likelihoods that the Lakers are gonna come back to JJ Reddick. Now for those of you who would say, what has he done, because he's never coached. Neither did Steve Kirk, neither did Doc Rivers when he came out of the booth and he got a head coaching job. Neither did Mark Jackson. So JJ Redick is gonna say what about me? And he's gonna have a legitimate case because everybody knows he's smart. Does does that mean he can coach?

No?

No?

But I bet that he can. And we gotta respect the fact that Lebron respects him. We gotta respect the fact that if it's what Lebron wants, no matter how detached he wants to be from the situation, no matter the reality that it has to be focused on appeasing Anthony Davis because he is the future, not Lebron, who's the best player on the Lakers last year, As great as Anthony Davis was, they went where Lebron James took him. And you know it's a priority for Jenie busting the Lakers to appease Lebron James because he's the ultimate draw. Anthony Davis, as great as he is, ain't the draw Lebron James is. You ain't doing a podcast about mind the game, talking schematically and beyond about the game of basketball with JJ Recortdick just for recreational purposes. There's a method to Lebron's madness. Having Danny Hurley there would have been great, and Lebron knows that. But if you got to go to the NBA route, why wouldn't you go? JJ Reddick would it surprise me at all if that's the route that the Los Angeles Lakers take In the event that you know Danny Hurley passed and he's passed, could they go a different route? Sure, we don't know what the hell they're gonna do. But JJ Reddick is still in the mix. And this is a devastating blow as far as I'm concerned to the Los Angeles Lakers, because it validates that they're not the franchise they want to were, that they're not nearly as attractive as they once were, which means the Lakers have their work cut out for them. Congratulations with Danny or Early. When you're that successful, you deserved and have earned the right to do what you want. I wish Genie Buss and Rob the Lincoln and the rest of the Lakers brass nothing but luck, nothing but the best. They gonna need the best of luck, because there's nowhere around it. This is not a good luck.

But I bet that he can. And we gotta respect the fact that Lebron respects him. We gotta respect the fact that if it's what Lebron wants, no matter how detached he wants to be from the situation, no matter the reality that it has to be focused on appeasing Anthony Davis because he is the future, not Lebron, who's the best player on the Lakers last year, As great as Anthony Davis was, they went where Lebron James took him. And you know it's a priority for Jenie busting the Lakers to appease Lebron James because he's the ultimate draw. Anthony Davis, as great as he is, ain't the draw Lebron James is. You ain't doing a podcast about mind the game, talking schematically and beyond about the game of basketball with JJ Recortdick just for recreational purposes. There's a method to Lebron's madness. Having Danny Hurley there would have been great, and Lebron knows that. But if you got to go to the NBA route, why wouldn't you go? JJ Reddick would it surprise me at all if that's the route that the Los Angeles Lakers take In the event that you know Danny Hurley passed and he's passed, could they go a different route? Sure, we don't know what the hell they're gonna do. But JJ Reddick is still in the mix. And this is a devastating blow as far as I'm concerned to the Los Angeles Lakers, because it validates that they're not the franchise they want to were, that they're not nearly as attractive as they once were, which means the Lakers have their work cut out for them. Congratulations with Danny or Early. When you're that successful, you deserved and have earned the right to do what you want. I wish Genie Buss and Rob the Lincoln and the rest of the Lakers brass nothing but luck, nothing but the best. They gonna need the best of luck, because there's nowhere around it. This is not a good luck.

Now.

Now.

I just want to take a moment to make sure everyone knows my favorite time of the year is happening right now, y'all. D NBA Finals. It's in full swing. And how do I make them even more exciting than they already. Are I play Prospects of course, so I can cash in all the big game action. You see. Prospects is a daily fantasy sports app where you can select two or more of your favorite players and then choose more or less on their projected stats for the game. But Prospects is not just basketball. No no, no, no no. It has choices for every sports fanatic. You can pick players from the WNBA, the NHL, tennis, or even golf, all in the same entry. Okay, I make my picks and submit early, all in less than just sixty second and so right, and get this, prith picks will match your first deposit of up to one hundred dollars. Or say that again, Prospects will match your first deposit of up to one hundred dollars. That's right, So go to prozepets dot com and use the code sas that's my initials of course, for a first deposit batch of up to one hundred dollars. That's code that say yes. When you go to prizepects dot com, pick more pick less. Guess what, y'all, it's really, really really that easy. Coming up, well, Smith makes a big return to the box office. I'll get into what bad Boys Ride a Dica mean for Smith going forward, plus revisiting my feelings and thoughts that I expressed before the weekend begin I'll get into all of that. Plus I got to get in the Team USA and how they left Caitlin Clark off the Olympic roster. I got a whole lot to say about that. So don't missus state right there, that's coming up next right here on the stephen A. Smith Show. Be right back. Welcome back to stephen A. Smithshold right here over the digital airways of YouTube, you know, before I get into my next guest, to continue a conversation we had this morning on ESPN's First Take, I just wanted to express my thoughts about the news that Caitlyn Clark was being left off of Team USA, the Olympic team as a rookie. I was on the record this morning saying this was an idiotic decision by Team USA. I just want the world to know I haven't changed my mind one damn bit. I think it was idiocy personally. I want to make sure that everybody understands what I'm saying from a basketball standpoint. I'm not talking about that at all. Every single player that's on Team USA deserved to be there ahead of Caitlyn Clark, without question, without question, every single person that's on that roster. We all know Asia Wilson is the one in the league. She's the standard. Okay, we know that. We understand that everybody that's on this team has deserved it. Their play has warranted it. They've played better than Kaitlyn Clark. Thus far, I get all of that. I'm not thinking about basketball. I'm thinking purely about marketing. I'm thinking about the fact that the WNBA swears they want to elevate its brand, that women's basketball obviously deserves a higher profile. They've been lamenting the fact that they haven't gotten the shine that they so richly deserved and has worked diligently for for decades. The WNBA is entering his twenty eighth season, For crying out loud, they've never gotten a hype that they've received over the last month or so since Kitlyn Clark has arrived on the scene. Record ratings, record revenue, I mean everything that you could think, record attendants, everything, They've never had it before. Knowing that and knowing what a global platform the Olympics provides and what that could ultimately do for the WNBA if you had her participating. I think they missed the boat on passing that up. That's where I stand with it. That's what I believe is fair to say. But I'm not the only voice here that matters. I brought on what I consider to be who I consider to be an elite voice. She has emerged as a star in this business. She does a phenomenal job as a basketball analyst for ESPN, WNBA Basketball, Women's college Basketball, NBA Basketball. The list goes on and on. I think she's brilliant. I think she's fantastic. I love having her on any platform that I am on. I am talking about the one and only Andrea Carter, former college basketball player at the University of Tennessee. By the way, what's going on, Andrea, how you doing? How's everything? What's up?

I just want to take a moment to make sure everyone knows my favorite time of the year is happening right now, y'all. D NBA Finals. It's in full swing. And how do I make them even more exciting than they already. Are I play Prospects of course, so I can cash in all the big game action. You see. Prospects is a daily fantasy sports app where you can select two or more of your favorite players and then choose more or less on their projected stats for the game. But Prospects is not just basketball. No no, no, no no. It has choices for every sports fanatic. You can pick players from the WNBA, the NHL, tennis, or even golf, all in the same entry. Okay, I make my picks and submit early, all in less than just sixty second and so right, and get this, prith picks will match your first deposit of up to one hundred dollars. Or say that again, Prospects will match your first deposit of up to one hundred dollars. That's right, So go to prozepets dot com and use the code sas that's my initials of course, for a first deposit batch of up to one hundred dollars. That's code that say yes. When you go to prizepects dot com, pick more pick less. Guess what, y'all, it's really, really really that easy. Coming up, well, Smith makes a big return to the box office. I'll get into what bad Boys Ride a Dica mean for Smith going forward, plus revisiting my feelings and thoughts that I expressed before the weekend begin I'll get into all of that. Plus I got to get in the Team USA and how they left Caitlin Clark off the Olympic roster. I got a whole lot to say about that. So don't missus state right there, that's coming up next right here on the stephen A. Smith Show. Be right back. Welcome back to stephen A. Smithshold right here over the digital airways of YouTube, you know, before I get into my next guest, to continue a conversation we had this morning on ESPN's First Take, I just wanted to express my thoughts about the news that Caitlyn Clark was being left off of Team USA, the Olympic team as a rookie. I was on the record this morning saying this was an idiotic decision by Team USA. I just want the world to know I haven't changed my mind one damn bit. I think it was idiocy personally. I want to make sure that everybody understands what I'm saying from a basketball standpoint. I'm not talking about that at all. Every single player that's on Team USA deserved to be there ahead of Caitlyn Clark, without question, without question, every single person that's on that roster. We all know Asia Wilson is the one in the league. She's the standard. Okay, we know that. We understand that everybody that's on this team has deserved it. Their play has warranted it. They've played better than Kaitlyn Clark. Thus far, I get all of that. I'm not thinking about basketball. I'm thinking purely about marketing. I'm thinking about the fact that the WNBA swears they want to elevate its brand, that women's basketball obviously deserves a higher profile. They've been lamenting the fact that they haven't gotten the shine that they so richly deserved and has worked diligently for for decades. The WNBA is entering his twenty eighth season, For crying out loud, they've never gotten a hype that they've received over the last month or so since Kitlyn Clark has arrived on the scene. Record ratings, record revenue, I mean everything that you could think, record attendants, everything, They've never had it before. Knowing that and knowing what a global platform the Olympics provides and what that could ultimately do for the WNBA if you had her participating. I think they missed the boat on passing that up. That's where I stand with it. That's what I believe is fair to say. But I'm not the only voice here that matters. I brought on what I consider to be who I consider to be an elite voice. She has emerged as a star in this business. She does a phenomenal job as a basketball analyst for ESPN, WNBA Basketball, Women's college Basketball, NBA Basketball. The list goes on and on. I think she's brilliant. I think she's fantastic. I love having her on any platform that I am on. I am talking about the one and only Andrea Carter, former college basketball player at the University of Tennessee. By the way, what's going on, Andrea, how you doing? How's everything? What's up?

Stephen A?

Stephen A?

First of all, always happy to chat with you, always happy to break it down, to get into it. I let me just start by saying this. I am a fan of Caitlyn Clark. I have a serial blocks with her face on it by my door. I got into an argument with you about her goat status and like this has nothing to do with how I feel about Caitlin from the basketball perspective. You already said it, I said it all morning. There's not a basketball reason for Caitlin to be on this team. She did not participate in any camps, she could not participate in any qualifying tournaments. These players on this roster have been working for this opportunity since twenty twenty two. Let's just go ahead and make that very very clear. Multiple players on this roster they played with each other, they have played together. And I've also heard people talking about the first notion that usay is going to win anyway, why not just give Kaitlyn Clark a spot bots eleven.

First of all, always happy to chat with you, always happy to break it down, to get into it. I let me just start by saying this. I am a fan of Caitlyn Clark. I have a serial blocks with her face on it by my door. I got into an argument with you about her goat status and like this has nothing to do with how I feel about Caitlin from the basketball perspective. You already said it, I said it all morning. There's not a basketball reason for Caitlin to be on this team. She did not participate in any camps, she could not participate in any qualifying tournaments. These players on this roster have been working for this opportunity since twenty twenty two. Let's just go ahead and make that very very clear. Multiple players on this roster they played with each other, they have played together. And I've also heard people talking about the first notion that usay is going to win anyway, why not just give Kaitlyn Clark a spot bots eleven.

Twelve, ten on that roster.

Twelve, ten on that roster.

Those spots matter in terms of chemistry, in terms of continuity, in terms of familiarity. The Olympics is a tall task. And for people to just say, well, USA is going to win anyway, why not sacrifice a little of the integrity of the roster for a marketing perspective.

Those spots matter in terms of chemistry, in terms of continuity, in terms of familiarity. The Olympics is a tall task. And for people to just say, well, USA is going to win anyway, why not sacrifice a little of the integrity of the roster for a marketing perspective.

Blows my mind.

Blows my mind.

One you see the roster the men's team just put together. They're not playing around and I know the NBA might not need.

One you see the roster the men's team just put together. They're not playing around and I know the NBA might not need.

They can't afford to on they can afford even a But I think the W can afford to in the long run because hear me out, the men aren't playing around because they've realized the rest of the world is caught up.

They can't afford to on they can afford even a But I think the W can afford to in the long run because hear me out, the men aren't playing around because they've realized the rest of the world is caught up.

The reason why it takes the rest of the world to catch up is you take some els. The women's side on Team USA can't afford that. They can't afford lack of continuity, they can't afford lack of chemistry. Because, whether people believe it or not, women's teams around the country are also catching up. Like, what's a worst marketing tool to lose gold?

The reason why it takes the rest of the world to catch up is you take some els. The women's side on Team USA can't afford that. They can't afford lack of continuity, they can't afford lack of chemistry. Because, whether people believe it or not, women's teams around the country are also catching up. Like, what's a worst marketing tool to lose gold?

And there are people saying, oh, there's.

And there are people saying, oh, there's.

No chance, but why not make that as sure a possibility as you possibly can?

No chance, but why not make that as sure a possibility as you possibly can?

Winning gold is the ultimate marketing tool.

Winning gold is the ultimate marketing tool.

I get what you're saying, Steven, and I get what you're saying, but I watch a matter of fact, I'm gonna let you go.

I get what you're saying, Steven, and I get what you're saying, but I watch a matter of fact, I'm gonna let you go.

I'm gonna let you go. I just think marketing.

I'm gonna let you go. I just think marketing.

While it's great Caitlyn is already marketing the W and a little bit of rest for Caitlin and having her come back from the Olympic break and having her be in the All Star Game and having her finished the season strong.

While it's great Caitlyn is already marketing the W and a little bit of rest for Caitlin and having her come back from the Olympic break and having her be in the All Star Game and having her finished the season strong.

That's marketing in itself. People are going to tune in. It's the Olympics. It's the Olympics. People have more grievances, people have more grievances.

That's marketing in itself. People are going to tune in. It's the Olympics. It's the Olympics. People have more grievances, people have more grievances.

Against this country, and they still find a way to tune into the Olympics.

Against this country, and they still find a way to tune into the Olympics.

Let me, let me, let me, let me interject, let me interject. Hea Andrea. Okay, so let's go down to Frost Okay, Asia Wilson, Brianna Stewartsbrini and at School, Kelsey Plum, Jewel Lloyd, Britney grind and Diana Tarossi, Chelsea Gray, Alyssa Thomas Nafisa, Kalia Jackie Young and Khalia Copper. All right, let me ask you this question. One of those players come off because of Caitlyn Clak. You telling me Team USA gonna lose? Who stephen A, any one of them?

Let me, let me, let me, let me interject, let me interject. Hea Andrea. Okay, so let's go down to Frost Okay, Asia Wilson, Brianna Stewartsbrini and at School, Kelsey Plum, Jewel Lloyd, Britney grind and Diana Tarossi, Chelsea Gray, Alyssa Thomas Nafisa, Kalia Jackie Young and Khalia Copper. All right, let me ask you this question. One of those players come off because of Caitlyn Clak. You telling me Team USA gonna lose? Who stephen A, any one of them?

Tell stephen A.

Tell stephen A.

I hear you, but listen, just hear me out for a second on this because who who are you taking off the roster?

I hear you, but listen, just hear me out for a second on this because who who are you taking off the roster?

Because let's just think, I don't know, I have no clue.

Because let's just think, I don't know, I have no clue.

You're not gonna You're not gonna take a post off.

You're not gonna You're not gonna take a post off.

You're gonna take the twenty twenty one WNBA Finals MVP.

You're gonna take the twenty twenty one WNBA Finals MVP.

Off that list. That's Kalia Copper and two of her teammates are on that team.

Off that list. That's Kalia Copper and two of her teammates are on that team.

You're gonna take Jackie Young, Kelsey You're gonna take Jackie Young or Kelsey Plumb off that list. They're the most dynamic duo, one of the most dynamic duos in basketball, and they're Asian Wilson's teammates. Those three plus Chelsea Gray, which we don't know Chelsea's great status and I get that, but we can't make assumptions on Chelsea Gray until we see Chelsea Gray, period.

You're gonna take Jackie Young, Kelsey You're gonna take Jackie Young or Kelsey Plumb off that list. They're the most dynamic duo, one of the most dynamic duos in basketball, and they're Asian Wilson's teammates. Those three plus Chelsea Gray, which we don't know Chelsea's great status and I get that, but we can't make assumptions on Chelsea Gray until we see Chelsea Gray, period.

Because Chelsea Gray is the greatest point guard that the W has seen. So if she's saying she's well.

Because Chelsea Gray is the greatest point guard that the W has seen. So if she's saying she's well.

She hasn't played all yet duty injury, she hasn't played all your duty injury. Right.

She hasn't played all yet duty injury, she hasn't played all your duty injury. Right.

We don't know what her individual workouts look like. We don't know what she's been doing. We have no idea.

We don't know what her individual workouts look like. We don't know what she's been doing. We have no idea.

We can't say that she's attended camp she like, so we can't speak to that now. If Chelsey Gray comes out and she can't move and she can't walk in whatever, then maybe people could have some grievances, and that's fine, but we're speaking too soon. We're speaking on things that we don't know. I don't know what chesse Gray has been doing on the court. Nobody does, so there's that. I also want you to think about this, stephen A. While Caitlyn has been an incredible marketing tool for the w what we have seen this season already is that anything that looks like a slight against Caitlyn has been taken as a slight against Caitlyn.

We can't say that she's attended camp she like, so we can't speak to that now. If Chelsey Gray comes out and she can't move and she can't walk in whatever, then maybe people could have some grievances, and that's fine, but we're speaking too soon. We're speaking on things that we don't know. I don't know what chesse Gray has been doing on the court. Nobody does, so there's that. I also want you to think about this, stephen A. While Caitlyn has been an incredible marketing tool for the w what we have seen this season already is that anything that looks like a slight against Caitlyn has been taken as a slight against Caitlyn.

So think about this. Just picture it for me for a second, just think.

So think about this. Just picture it for me for a second, just think.

And this is what Kate. These are Caitlyn's own words. No disappointment. It gives me something to work for. It's a dream. One day I can be there. Caitlyn handled this quote perfectly, just like Caitlyn has handled a multitude of quotes perfectly. Caitlyn, in my opinion, has said a ton of the right things and at times, stephen A, it's still hasn't mattered what Caitlyn has said. Kitlyn herself came out and said this was a physical league in this what she expected and what were we But hear me out, stephen Imagine this. A picture is taken at the Olympics in Paris. The team is standing together. Caitlyn got caught talking to somebody and she's on the outside of the little team group, that picture is gonna be taken, and what's the headline going to be?

And this is what Kate. These are Caitlyn's own words. No disappointment. It gives me something to work for. It's a dream. One day I can be there. Caitlyn handled this quote perfectly, just like Caitlyn has handled a multitude of quotes perfectly. Caitlyn, in my opinion, has said a ton of the right things and at times, stephen A, it's still hasn't mattered what Caitlyn has said. Kitlyn herself came out and said this was a physical league in this what she expected and what were we But hear me out, stephen Imagine this. A picture is taken at the Olympics in Paris. The team is standing together. Caitlyn got caught talking to somebody and she's on the outside of the little team group, that picture is gonna be taken, and what's the headline going to be?

What's the headline going to be at the Olympics if that.

What's the headline going to be at the Olympics if that.

Picture's taken, Caitlyn Clark left out of the team meeting, Caitlyn Clark standing on the side, Caitlyn Clark not embraced by Team USA. I'm just saying, when Caitlyn has no familiarity with these players, no familiarity with the coach, no chemistry with anybody, Why why put her in that situation when you know people are going to be waiting for Therea.

Picture's taken, Caitlyn Clark left out of the team meeting, Caitlyn Clark standing on the side, Caitlyn Clark not embraced by Team USA. I'm just saying, when Caitlyn has no familiarity with these players, no familiarity with the coach, no chemistry with anybody, Why why put her in that situation when you know people are going to be waiting for Therea.

Andrea, you are such a fantastic basketball analyst. I can't believe how lost you are on this subject. Nobody me now, no, listen to me. Nobody is saved from a basketball perspective that Caitlyn Clark belongs in this team against ahead of any of these players. We all know she does not. What we're saying is and nobody and nobody has brought up her feelings of disappointment. We don't care. In the grand scheme of things, stuff happens. Like I told you on first take this morning, Isaiah Thomas wasn't to me. That's the biggest crime Isaiah Thomas not being on an original Dream Team. We all know this, but what I am saying Christian Layton was on the Dream Dream Team ahead of Shaquille O'Neil and Alonso Morning. There's a lot to debate about in regard to people who have been snubbed and people who have been chosen. What I am saying to you is that women's basketball and recognition for the great work that women have done to promote the sport has spent a vast majority of the past two plus decades falling on deaf ears because people did not care. You now have somebody that has the world transfixed on the sport to a point where, regardless of what she's lacking compared to the others, the eyeballs are following her, and as a result, she's elevating the brand. By elevating the brand, everyone stands to benefit. Why would you pass up an international stage to promote your sport just because you want things completely done on its merit when the merits don't necessarily get you paid, because it doesn't get you the cachet and the recognition they undoubtedly richly have deserved forever. How is that a point y'all are not getting.

Andrea, you are such a fantastic basketball analyst. I can't believe how lost you are on this subject. Nobody me now, no, listen to me. Nobody is saved from a basketball perspective that Caitlyn Clark belongs in this team against ahead of any of these players. We all know she does not. What we're saying is and nobody and nobody has brought up her feelings of disappointment. We don't care. In the grand scheme of things, stuff happens. Like I told you on first take this morning, Isaiah Thomas wasn't to me. That's the biggest crime Isaiah Thomas not being on an original Dream Team. We all know this, but what I am saying Christian Layton was on the Dream Dream Team ahead of Shaquille O'Neil and Alonso Morning. There's a lot to debate about in regard to people who have been snubbed and people who have been chosen. What I am saying to you is that women's basketball and recognition for the great work that women have done to promote the sport has spent a vast majority of the past two plus decades falling on deaf ears because people did not care. You now have somebody that has the world transfixed on the sport to a point where, regardless of what she's lacking compared to the others, the eyeballs are following her, and as a result, she's elevating the brand. By elevating the brand, everyone stands to benefit. Why would you pass up an international stage to promote your sport just because you want things completely done on its merit when the merits don't necessarily get you paid, because it doesn't get you the cachet and the recognition they undoubtedly richly have deserved forever. How is that a point y'all are not getting.

I hear you on the marketing perspective, steven A, I promise you. But when Caylin first joined the W and she was taking hits left and right, she gets hit by mag Bagore in the head. Asie Magnagor plays for Seattle, what do people start to say, Wow, Caitlyn's being targeted in the league. Meanwhile, me Cheney, anyone who knows the league says, no, that's just as the Magnigore, like, that's what that's that's what she's used to. Now, this negative narrative is painted on the league for targeting Caitlyn Clark.

I hear you on the marketing perspective, steven A, I promise you. But when Caylin first joined the W and she was taking hits left and right, she gets hit by mag Bagore in the head. Asie Magnagor plays for Seattle, what do people start to say, Wow, Caitlyn's being targeted in the league. Meanwhile, me Cheney, anyone who knows the league says, no, that's just as the Magnigore, like, that's what that's that's what she's used to. Now, this negative narrative is painted on the league for targeting Caitlyn Clark.

So now I want you to keep that in mind, right, keep that in mind. Yes, a ton of eyes are on.

So now I want you to keep that in mind, right, keep that in mind. Yes, a ton of eyes are on.

The league, but every little thing that happens to Caitlin is dissected, and it's not Caitlyn's fault. We have dissected every hit, Kennedy Carter's hit aside, because I already told you, I already told you aside that I thought Kennedy Carter's hit was out of line.

The league, but every little thing that happens to Caitlin is dissected, and it's not Caitlyn's fault. We have dissected every hit, Kennedy Carter's hit aside, because I already told you, I already told you aside that I thought Kennedy Carter's hit was out of line.

I thought her comments on the back end were comments that a hater would make.

I thought her comments on the back end were comments that a hater would make.

So Kennedy Carter aside everything else that has happened to Caitlin. We have dissected it to a t, and even when Kaitlyn has come out to say it's not a big deal, people have still claimed it's a big deal.

So Kennedy Carter aside everything else that has happened to Caitlin. We have dissected it to a t, and even when Kaitlyn has come out to say it's not a big deal, people have still claimed it's a big deal.

So you want to put Caitlin.

So you want to put Caitlin.

Which now we have seen, Yes, she can grow the market, wonderful, we love that. But now you want to put her in a situation where she doesn't know anybody, she doesn't know the coach, she hasn't had any time to Joe with this team.

Which now we have seen, Yes, she can grow the market, wonderful, we love that. But now you want to put her in a situation where she doesn't know anybody, she doesn't know the coach, she hasn't had any time to Joe with this team.

She might not get very much playing time. It's more physical overseas.

She might not get very much playing time. It's more physical overseas.

And I'm asking you why do you care? I'm asking you why do you care? Why do you care? If that's going to lead to uplifting the profile of the sport, which will get everybody their rich what they've richly deserved for years, Why do you care about that? That's my point?

And I'm asking you why do you care? I'm asking you why do you care? Why do you care? If that's going to lead to uplifting the profile of the sport, which will get everybody their rich what they've richly deserved for years, Why do you care about that? That's my point?

Why when there's potential for it to be dissected to a t, everything that happens a potential, something that is unintended be taken in a negative light.

Why when there's potential for it to be dissected to a t, everything that happens a potential, something that is unintended be taken in a negative light.

And what is that, stephen A.

And what is that, stephen A.

It's a distraction to the ultimate goal for Team USA.

It's a distraction to the ultimate goal for Team USA.

For Team US.

For Team US.

Distractions, distractions, I think I think Team USA will still get the goal gold and ultimately, distractions are what ends up funneling money into.

Distractions, distractions, I think I think Team USA will still get the goal gold and ultimately, distractions are what ends up funneling money into.

Your conference, which pays the bills. What's the problem.

Your conference, which pays the bills. What's the problem.

That's the impress.

That's the impress.

The news. The news every day is led with some form of negativity, murder, robbery, crime, whatever it is. They don't leave with the leave with the feel good stories. Why because it doesn't sell. That's what I'm talking about. I'm talking about the w NBA selling Team USA, selling stephen A.

The news. The news every day is led with some form of negativity, murder, robbery, crime, whatever it is. They don't leave with the leave with the feel good stories. Why because it doesn't sell. That's what I'm talking about. I'm talking about the w NBA selling Team USA, selling stephen A.

The news station is not trying to have a team focused on a mission. The news station. Okay, according the news, that's what they're supposed to do.

The news station is not trying to have a team focused on a mission. The news station. Okay, according the news, that's what they're supposed to do.

But when you think Kayln Clark will compromise the mission, you think Kaitlin Clark will compromise the mission, You think herby in a twelve spot on this team, she would compromise the mission.

But when you think Kayln Clark will compromise the mission, you think Kaitlin Clark will compromise the mission, You think herby in a twelve spot on this team, she would compromise the mission.

The media, anybody trying to pick this apart, anybody trying to paint it in a negative light, just like they did when she joined the.

The media, anybody trying to pick this apart, anybody trying to paint it in a negative light, just like they did when she joined the.

W Now, I'm just saying it's a distruction. And what Team USA seems to be focused on is the mission.

W Now, I'm just saying it's a distruction. And what Team USA seems to be focused on is the mission.

That's why they put together the best basketball roster, That's why they've eliminated any possibility of anything being speculated.

That's why they put together the best basketball roster, That's why they've eliminated any possibility of anything being speculated.

Because stephen A.

Because stephen A.

It goes back to the chemistry when Caitlin knows her teammates, when she's played overseas with some of them on an international stage for the Pan American Games or a qualifying tournament, and she knows them and she can speak to them and they could speak to her, and she's ready for this stage in four years, if the opportunity is there, the growth will be astronomical. It's you're saying I'm thinking small, but I think you're thinking small, which is of course, arguments go right like, there are two sides to this, but to me, the bigger pictures.

It goes back to the chemistry when Caitlin knows her teammates, when she's played overseas with some of them on an international stage for the Pan American Games or a qualifying tournament, and she knows them and she can speak to them and they could speak to her, and she's ready for this stage in four years, if the opportunity is there, the growth will be astronomical. It's you're saying I'm thinking small, but I think you're thinking small, which is of course, arguments go right like, there are two sides to this, but to me, the bigger pictures.

You're arguing marketing. I'm arguing marketing, and you're talking about you're talking about the integrity of including on the Olympic team as a rookie. I'm talking marketing. That's the difference between the arguments that we're making. Let me ask you this question.

You're arguing marketing. I'm arguing marketing, and you're talking about you're talking about the integrity of including on the Olympic team as a rookie. I'm talking marketing. That's the difference between the arguments that we're making. Let me ask you this question.

No, you're ignoring the potential negative aspect of the market.

No, you're ignoring the potential negative aspect of the market.

You're ignoring You're right about that, You're right about it. But the reason I'm ignoring it, the reason I'll admit it, the reason I'm ignoring it because I know what the committee wants. I know what the w n b A wants. I know what women throughout this world want when it comes to women's basketball, and I believe that supersedes the valid concerns that you're bringing up. That's really what it comes down to. Let me ask you this, Are you gonna be okay? If Caitlyn Clark is left off the team? But ratings a compromised, the cachet that you could have capitalized off of you missed out on, and the w n b A led by the Great Asia Wilson, Team USA led by her, the Great Diana Tarassi, and and and and and Chelsea Gray and others. Are you gonna be okay? If the ratings and the revenue it's reported that it doesn't equate or doesn't reach anywhere close to where it would have been if Caitlyn Clark had been on the squad? Are you gonna be okay with that?

You're ignoring You're right about that, You're right about it. But the reason I'm ignoring it, the reason I'll admit it, the reason I'm ignoring it because I know what the committee wants. I know what the w n b A wants. I know what women throughout this world want when it comes to women's basketball, and I believe that supersedes the valid concerns that you're bringing up. That's really what it comes down to. Let me ask you this, Are you gonna be okay? If Caitlyn Clark is left off the team? But ratings a compromised, the cachet that you could have capitalized off of you missed out on, and the w n b A led by the Great Asia Wilson, Team USA led by her, the Great Diana Tarassi, and and and and and Chelsea Gray and others. Are you gonna be okay? If the ratings and the revenue it's reported that it doesn't equate or doesn't reach anywhere close to where it would have been if Caitlyn Clark had been on the squad? Are you gonna be okay with that?

Andrea Cotter, how do we know what they would have been with Caitlyn on the squad?

Andrea Cotter, how do we know what they would have been with Caitlyn on the squad?

I'm like, I'm asking you, I'm just I'm asking a hypothetical I don't know, I'm asking you a hypothetical question. Are you gonna be okay?

I'm like, I'm asking you, I'm just I'm asking a hypothetical I don't know, I'm asking you a hypothetical question. Are you gonna be okay?

With that.

With that.

That's what I want to answer to. I.

That's what I want to answer to. I.

I'm okay with growth in the long term if it sacrifices the immediate, if it's better in the long term, I am okay with that.

I'm okay with growth in the long term if it sacrifices the immediate, if it's better in the long term, I am okay with that.

I am because what we don't want, what I'm not okay with is.

I am because what we don't want, what I'm not okay with is.

Something negative happening or being painted in a negative way. Again, this is not Caitlyn's fault, but every single thing, a MISTI five, a miss chest bump, standing on the outside of a huddle, every single thing is dissected.

Something negative happening or being painted in a negative way. Again, this is not Caitlyn's fault, but every single thing, a MISTI five, a miss chest bump, standing on the outside of a huddle, every single thing is dissected.

And if it's painted in a negative light and.

And if it's painted in a negative light and.

It's distracting and she's not ready to even play on that stage, why would we.

It's distracting and she's not ready to even play on that stage, why would we.

Do that right now? Why would we do that right now? We being the committee, I'm just thinking like the committee.

Do that right now? Why would we do that right now? We being the committee, I'm just thinking like the committee.

I'm not saying I just I just I, But I think I think you on behalf of the committee based off of what you're saying, is thinking about hull well being. And I can give you countless examples where the individual's well being was ignored and shoved to the side for the betterment of the whole collective product and the game itself. It's been done over the years. It's being done with the NFL right now they're talking about safety. But remember they had games on Sundays and Monday nights, and then they got games on Thursdays. Now this year they planning on having a game on a Wednesday. For crying out loud, they don't get I mean, damn everywhere you I mean, you hear all of this stuff. You ain't thinking about the well being of the individual. You're thinking about the well being of the collective whole. It happens in business. It happens in the business of sports all the time. It has been happening the men for decades. It has been happening in the women for decades. How in God's name is that's suddenly a surprise to us? Now, I'll give you the last word, Andrea.

I'm not saying I just I just I, But I think I think you on behalf of the committee based off of what you're saying, is thinking about hull well being. And I can give you countless examples where the individual's well being was ignored and shoved to the side for the betterment of the whole collective product and the game itself. It's been done over the years. It's being done with the NFL right now they're talking about safety. But remember they had games on Sundays and Monday nights, and then they got games on Thursdays. Now this year they planning on having a game on a Wednesday. For crying out loud, they don't get I mean, damn everywhere you I mean, you hear all of this stuff. You ain't thinking about the well being of the individual. You're thinking about the well being of the collective whole. It happens in business. It happens in the business of sports all the time. It has been happening the men for decades. It has been happening in the women for decades. How in God's name is that's suddenly a surprise to us? Now, I'll give you the last word, Andrea.

It's not a surprise, Stephen.

It's not a surprise, Stephen.

Ay, I'm just saying then, thinking about the committee, there is one mission and.

Ay, I'm just saying then, thinking about the committee, there is one mission and.

Players ten, eleven, and twelve are all a part of that mission.

Players ten, eleven, and twelve are all a part of that mission.

In terms of chemistry, in terms of familiarity, in terms of knowing each other, in terms of knowing how to push each other's button.

In terms of chemistry, in terms of familiarity, in terms of knowing each other, in terms of knowing how to push each other's button.

Saying Caitlyn should go sit on the sidelines to be a marketing tool is absolutely egregious to me. It doesn't make any sense at all. It's the Olympics. There's no The marketing for the Olympics is exactly what it is. Millions of people watch Team USA take on gold. Go look at Team USA when they played in Beijing. Go go look when they played for the gold. The stadium was full.

Saying Caitlyn should go sit on the sidelines to be a marketing tool is absolutely egregious to me. It doesn't make any sense at all. It's the Olympics. There's no The marketing for the Olympics is exactly what it is. Millions of people watch Team USA take on gold. Go look at Team USA when they played in Beijing. Go go look when they played for the gold. The stadium was full.

Caitlin playing in the W will continue to grow the W putting her on this stage with players that she is not familiar with after not participating in any camp and playing basketball since November, so she can be a marketing tool.

Caitlin playing in the W will continue to grow the W putting her on this stage with players that she is not familiar with after not participating in any camp and playing basketball since November, so she can be a marketing tool.

I know it's happened before, but just because it's happened in the past doesn't mean we need to keep it going. I get what you're saying. And also just think about this, Steven Ay.

I know it's happened before, but just because it's happened in the past doesn't mean we need to keep it going. I get what you're saying. And also just think about this, Steven Ay.

If I held up my pet snake right here, if I held him up like he's been chilling with me the whole time, he's been fine, he's chilling, he's comfortable, he's nothing.

If I held up my pet snake right here, if I held him up like he's been chilling with me the whole time, he's been fine, he's chilling, he's comfortable, he's nothing.

Nothing wrong is going here, nothing nothing bad is going on here. As I showed him on the screen, it would be right that a snake. Yes, so did you? Yes?

Nothing wrong is going here, nothing nothing bad is going on here. As I showed him on the screen, it would be right that a snake. Yes, so did you? Yes?

Right?

Right?

You think about I know, but hear me out, hear me out, no matter what I say.

You think about I know, but hear me out, hear me out, no matter what I say.

Well, about this.

Well, about this.

You're not gonna hear me. You're not gonna listen to me. It's a distraction. He's going to be the focus no matter what I say.

You're not gonna hear me. You're not gonna listen to me. It's a distraction. He's going to be the focus no matter what I say.

He is going to be the focus, no matter how many good points I make, no matter what is no matter what is going on, you have already made up your mind about this situation. That is what the media at times has shown to do with Katelyn. They have their mind made up and nothing else matters. And that's simply not the case. That's simply not the case.

He is going to be the focus, no matter how many good points I make, no matter what is no matter what is going on, you have already made up your mind about this situation. That is what the media at times has shown to do with Katelyn. They have their mind made up and nothing else matters. And that's simply not the case. That's simply not the case.

Here.

Here.

We can go, we can go back and forth about this all day, but I respect the hell out of your opinion, but you have distracted me. And before I let you get on out of here, I just got to ask you another thing that I ain't asking you business. He's trying to get two personal Andrea. But you know what, you're a very beautiful woman. You're a very accomplished woman. You know what I'm saying in all of this other stuff. And I'm quite sure you have a significant other in your life. They know about that damn snake. They have snakes in your house.

We can go, we can go back and forth about this all day, but I respect the hell out of your opinion, but you have distracted me. And before I let you get on out of here, I just got to ask you another thing that I ain't asking you business. He's trying to get two personal Andrea. But you know what, you're a very beautiful woman. You're a very accomplished woman. You know what I'm saying in all of this other stuff. And I'm quite sure you have a significant other in your life. They know about that damn snake. They have snakes in your house.

They know that I'm single. This is the longest life partner I have had. I've had him for eleven years. He'll live for about twenty to thirty.

They know that I'm single. This is the longest life partner I have had. I've had him for eleven years. He'll live for about twenty to thirty.

He's super stmonch.

He's super stmonch.

The longest life on you've ever had was a snake. Is that what you're telling me?

The longest life on you've ever had was a snake. Is that what you're telling me?

This is my boy right here?

This is my boy right here?

This is my boy.

This is my boy.

You don't see anything wrong with that? You see anything wrong with that one soever? Andrea nothing, I.

You don't see anything wrong with that? You see anything wrong with that one soever? Andrea nothing, I.

Don't see anything wrong. But Steven Ay, I just want to let you know the way distractions work is they take away the point of the mission. And I just gave you a distraction that took away the point of this mission, and the committee is trying to avoid that at all costs while they chase gold.

Don't see anything wrong. But Steven Ay, I just want to let you know the way distractions work is they take away the point of the mission. And I just gave you a distraction that took away the point of this mission, and the committee is trying to avoid that at all costs while they chase gold.

Marketing is not the mission. The committee is the mission. And that's it.

Marketing is not the mission. The committee is the mission. And that's it.

That's it.

That's it.

That's all you gotta say.

That's all you gotta say.

That's what That's what.

That's what That's what.

I hope. I hope, I hope, I hope. Okay, fine, fine, fine, because I'm preoccupied right now because I just saw you kissed that damn snake. I just saw you kissed that damn snake. So I'm very very distracted just so you kissed that damn snake, right, said? You single? Right? Is that your plan to stay that way? To stay single? Because the snake is the longest part that you've had in your life for eleven years, and you're satisfied with a snake who, by the way, the other day, while you were on to it with me, you had to audacity to call sweet. I've never heard a snake in my life. He is no such thing as a sweet snake.

I hope. I hope, I hope, I hope. Okay, fine, fine, fine, because I'm preoccupied right now because I just saw you kissed that damn snake. I just saw you kissed that damn snake. So I'm very very distracted just so you kissed that damn snake, right, said? You single? Right? Is that your plan to stay that way? To stay single? Because the snake is the longest part that you've had in your life for eleven years, and you're satisfied with a snake who, by the way, the other day, while you were on to it with me, you had to audacity to call sweet. I've never heard a snake in my life. He is no such thing as a sweet snake.

Look he is, he's sweet, he's sweet.

Look he is, he's sweet, he's sweet.

What what's it? What is his name? What is his name?

What what's it? What is his name? What is his name?

Name is?

Name is?

His name is nothing? Capital n like hey, nothing like that.

His name is nothing? Capital n like hey, nothing like that.

Nothing. Snake's name is nothing.

Nothing. Snake's name is nothing.

Yep, it's from a book. It's it's it's too much to get into. But his name is.

Yep, it's from a book. It's it's it's too much to get into. But his name is.

I want any potential part, I want anybody who's looking at Andrea and you're mesmerized by her intellect, her vernacular, her beauty, and the whole bit to understand that she has something in her life called nothing, and it's not a human being. It's a snake. Okay, you do understand. I'm very happy to be talking to you over video. I don't want to be around you, Andrea. I don't want to be around you.

I want any potential part, I want anybody who's looking at Andrea and you're mesmerized by her intellect, her vernacular, her beauty, and the whole bit to understand that she has something in her life called nothing, and it's not a human being. It's a snake. Okay, you do understand. I'm very happy to be talking to you over video. I don't want to be around you, Andrea. I don't want to be around you.

I just want you to admit that, Wow, Caitlin Clark would be an incredible marketing tool. She'll be a marketing tool for years to come, and it's a distraction from the mission to focus on marketing the same way.

I just want you to admit that, Wow, Caitlin Clark would be an incredible marketing tool. She'll be a marketing tool for years to come, and it's a distraction from the mission to focus on marketing the same way.

Nothing just distracted.

Nothing just distracted.

I will agree. That's only thing I will agree with you. I will agree with you on that. I just think the distraction that she is is worth it for women across the world as it pertains the basketball. That's where I stand. I gotta get on out of here, Andrea, but that's where I stand. I appreciate your time. Thank you so much, girl, I really appreciate it.

I will agree. That's only thing I will agree with you. I will agree with you on that. I just think the distraction that she is is worth it for women across the world as it pertains the basketball. That's where I stand. I gotta get on out of here, Andrea, but that's where I stand. I appreciate your time. Thank you so much, girl, I really appreciate it.

Spen real Gopher goal at USA.

Spen real Gopher goal at USA.

Let's get it anyway. Let me move on to the NBA Finals, are right? Because the Celtics had taken the two oh series lead in the Dallas after beating the Mavericks one on five to ninety eight in Game two last night. It was truly a team effort as Boston let a balanced attack against the Mavericks. Drew Holliday was big time twenty six points, eleven rebounds, three assists, and that was on the offensive side of the ball. As for his defense, do y'all remember what Drew Holliday said before the finals when asked about guard and Kyrie erv He said, quote pray well. Kyrie struggled once again in Game two, scoring just sixteen points seven to eighteen, shooting from the field, zero for three from deep. And that's where I'm going, because Dallas has no chance whatsoever in the series if Kyrie doesn't get his act together. See Drew Holliday showing you and he and in the edwards, See Drew Holliday didn't ask for Kyrie. He said I got him and woke up that giant. Drew Holliday's a quiet storm. He's already a champion from his days in Milwaukee. He's one of the elite defensive players we've ever seen. In this game. He brings that kind of defensive tenacity to the basketball court. Remember that big time Steele he made in the series against the Indiana Pacers. Right, But he ain't the only one guard in Kyrie. Irvin, Kyrie, Irvin. If it ain't Drew Holliday on him, woman, this is Derek White on him. Another, it's Jalen Brown on him. Another it's Jason Tatum on him. Another it's Porzingis clog in the middle somehow at seven feet three, it's Al Horford at six feet eleven, causing problems. They're all over Kyrie. Kyrie shooting thirty five percent for the fee average of fourteen points. This is not good. And Luka Doncik with a chest contusion, leg soreness and all the brother averaging thirty ain't got no help. Nobody's helping Luka Doncik. So it's gonna be incoming upon Kyrie Irvin. But PJ. Washington, you do where Dallas Maverick's uniform? Could you hit some threes? Please? Shot zero for three yesterday. Kyrie Irving hasn't hit a three point shot in eight attempts in this series. Don't get me started with Derek Jones. He can't buy damn basket. He's shooting to a nine from the field. Derek Lively, the rookie. I know people have been getting on him. He's the reserve center coming in behind Gaffick because they never played together. I want to say this about Derek Lively. He lost his mom right before the playoffs. He has no siblings and now none of his parents are alive. The brother twenty twenty one years of age, and a lot of people look at him and say, well, you know what he performed during the playoffs against Okac. He did it against Minnesota. Remember there wasn't idle time prior to those series, but there was idle time between him winning in the conference finals and ultimately that week off they have for the NBA Finals. As somebody who lost his mama in twenty seventeen, as somebody who knows a lot of people who've lost their mom, that idle time is a bit you're laying back by yourself. You got nobody with you. All you do is got additional time to collect your thoughts and remember how lonely you are, and remember that the person who loved you most, and the one person in this world who loved you unconditionally is no longer there. That's a lot to deal with. So I didn't realize that until one of my boys reminded me he lost his mom right before the playoffs. I totally forgot about that because of the way he had been playing in the playoffs. So my heart goes out to Derek Lively. Man, he's going through a lot. I'm sure I wish him nothing but the best, but I will say this, he got to play better. Gafferd's got to play better. Kleaver is supposed to be Luka Dancik one of his best friends. What kind of friendship is that? That brother? You leaving you hanging? That's the equivalent of somebody jumping you and beating your ass on the streets and you run. That's what he doing in this series, he hasn't done shit. I mean, he gotta get it together, he really really does. But no one has to get it together more than Kyrie Irvin. Kyrie Irving is too great, too magnificent, too marvelous, too spectacular, with too many credentials to be getting handcuffed like this in this series. He don't get it together. Even if Chris STAPs for Zingis who tweaked his calf now, even if he's compromised, if Kyrie Irvin don't get it together, Dallas might get swept. And I thought they were gonna win this series because Forzingis was hurt. Perzinger's been back and playing. He blowing up one minute, Drew Holliday blowing up another minute, Jayalen Brown blowing up period. Dubt's better get it together or they gonna get run out of here. I'm just telling you what I know. I'm just telling you what I know. Let me transition to this other topic real quick, because it's time to get to the world of social media and an interesting story I saw it this week and in the NBA that had me absolutely laughing and hysterics. If you don't know, Lebron James has fifty two point eight million followers on x formerly known as Twitter, and only follows one hundred and eighty two people. Well, this weekend, the Lakers star decided to unfollow ESPN NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins, and social media noticed. Needless to say no, my man, Big Perk. He responded on an X and posted and gave a post that generated millions of you so far. Guess what he said, y'all everybody didn't follow Jesus, I'm okay. That was hilarious. It was hilarious. Okay, here's the deal. The tension between Lebron and Perk can be traced back to when Lebron spoke about Kyrie Irving on his Mind the Game podcast with JJ Reddick. Lebron basically said he's happy for Kyrie and proud to watch his growth heading into the NBA Finals, but he added that at the same time, he's mad that they're no longer teammates. Perk took issue with the comments, accusing Lebron of quote weaseling his way into somebody else's moment son going on. I don't know what it is between Perk and Lebron. I haven't asked people in Lebron camp is alluding personal stuff that's going on. I don't know that I believe my man Perk whatever he said, because the brother don't lie to me. I don't know anybody that he lies to, because Perk is a pretty honest and straight up dude. Here's what I will tell you. However, Perk is a former player and a former teammate, and the kind of things that maybe I can say and others can say, we're not hold to hell to the same level of accountability because we didn't wear the same uniform. We weren't in the locker rooms, and so they might be looking at it differently. And I get that part. Having said all of that, Perk wasn't lying. Now Lebron James to me, ain't committing a crime by quote unquote weaseling his way into a narrative. I'm sure he was very sincere about Kyrie erving the finals are going on here, I get that. I just think it's important to note that Lebron does have a history of trying to manipulate and control narratives. It's not a crime, Lebron. It's nothing to take offense to. Some people could accuse me of that. Some people could accuse Purka that, some people could have use anybody of that. It doesn't mean it's not true. It doesn't mean it's not true. And I think unfollowing Perk proved Perk's point because by unfollowing him, the world knows you unfollowed him, which is another narrative you wanted to create when you didn't have to say anything and didn't have to do anything, just didn't have to respec's coming. But by doing so, he clearly hit a sensitive nerve of Lebron's and his camp. By the way, I mean, Rich Paul still follows Kendrick Perkins. But I'm just saying it was hilarious. Some people didn't follow Jesus, I'll be okay, that's Perk for you, that's Perk for you. I am mad at him because sometimes Lebron needs you to be as aloof as a nonchalant as that, because he's counting on everybody caring because he's lebron and sometimes the carring is warranted, sometimes it's not. That's all I got to say about that matter. I got better things to do with my time coming up. Bad Boys Rider Died debuted over the weekend and scored big at the box office. I'll get into the larger meaning for Will Smith in that movie and the Black community when I return. This is the stephen A. Smithshaw back more in a minute. What's up, everybody? Welcome back to the sedition of The stephn Ai Smith Show, coming at you like I love to do at the very least three days a week over the digital a YouTube. I gotta get back to the Will Smith topic that I tackled because it created some noise. As most things that I usually do, it's just the way it goes for me. I'm not here to apologize for anything, but I am here to clarify because I want to make sure that everybody understands where I was coming from when I spoke Friday about Will Smith and the new Bad Boy movies, the Bad Boys rodor Die movie coming out with him and Mart Lawrence that had been out for a couple of days. First things first, our initial reporting was stating that it was coming up short compared to what it had done numbers wise in the past at the box office for Bad Boys one, two, and three. Well, it turns out that this was a very productive weekend for Bad Boys Ride to Die and Mart Lawrence and Will Smith deserve a boatloader credit for that because they got people returning to the movie theaters. So that was a huge, huge plus, and we can't ignore that. And let's get props where props is do. But I want to get more specific into what my take is before I have my boy on. Even though we're both us in a similar venue, we're right near one another. I was having some technical difficulties, so he's gonna be in a separate room because we down here in Florida. But he's right here in the same vicinity as me. I just got him in a separate room, and I'll I'll let you see who he is in a second. Let me say this to y'all. I don't know if I'll ever get over what Will Smith did to Chris Rock. But that doesn't mean I have to, and it doesn't mean that it's a license for me to negatively impact Will Smith. Will Smith slapping Chris Rock was a devastating thing. I'm not talking just for Chris Rock, who's a friend of mine. I'm talking for the black community because obviously, Will Packer was the first black producer to be doing the Oscars in its history, and that was a devastating blow to him. Will Smith came out with Emancipation a year later, for Apple and all of that stuff. Will Smith was sensational in that movie. So was Antoine Fuqua, the esteem director and producer extraordinaire. One could easily argue that both of them would have won an Oscar for that, and that Will's slap cost Will Smith and Antoine Fuqua an oscar. That's what I was thinking about. I was thinking about black folks everywhere aspiring to be in this business, aspiring to succeed, and something like that happens, and it was a blemish on all of us because I know how much White America reveres Will Smith, and the thinking along the lines in my mind was, hell, if he did that, what would the rest of us do? There are certain things that happen in the lives of an individual where those incidences are used as a license to castigate the rest of us. And that's what I was thinking about when I said what I said Friday about being torn as to wanting to go see the movie but not wanting to see Will Smith. I wasn't encouraging anybody else not to do it. I was just saying that I was having trouble dealing with it. And then I got a call from my man, Charlie Mack. Charlie Mack is Will Smith's form of security, good friend of Will Smith, closely connected to Will Smith for decades. I've known Charlie Mack for nearly thirty years of love for him, and he was on fire calling me because he disagreed with my opinion and was going back and forth with me about it. And then he caught me because he says, stephen A, what about grace? What about grace? This is how he feeds his family, This is how he earns his living. He don't have a right to earn a living ever. Again. He can't make a mistake, stephen A, when he never made a mistake before. It's a damn good point. Bigger point he made was Mark Lawrence, because we all look at Martin Lawrence. If you watch Marin from back in the day, ladies and gentlemen. You can't find nobody that love markin Lawrence more than me. That brother is brilliant. That brother has done nothing but create laughs and laughter for us for decades. We should all revere him. And he's the one that brought Will Smith on to bad boys. And Will Smith's still doing bad boy movies with him because you know he damned she I ain't trying to do it with anybody else. That's love right there, that's loyalty right there. And then you got to take into account then orderate amount of people who work on a movie and how they're employed, and how they have opportunities and all because Will Smith is doing what he's doing. And then you got to take into account the fact that throughout Will Smith's life, not just his career, there has been exponentially far more good than bad. And I certainly did not mean the gloss over that. I didn't mean to act like that wasn't reality, that didn't happen. And so I really appreciate my man, my brother, Charlie Charlie Mack for calling me and passionately making that case to remind me of what Will Smith is, who he is, and what he has meant to all of us. You see black people gravitating to him. I'm getting text message is and emails all over the place who said he lost our support. He never lost it. We didn't like what he did. It was unfortunate what he did, but damn it. We love Will Smith and we forgive him. You don't hear Chris Rock talking about it, complaining and complaining about him. Eventually they'll meet and they'll talk. Stephen Ay, we heard all of that, so I gotta stand down. And then I saw this video right here. Y'all take a look at this, and that just elocutes my point even better.