BONUS: What Are We Supposed To Do With Stephen A. Smith?

·1 hr 29 min·5 clips

Stephen A. Smith drops an apology to Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, sparking immediate backlash from Black commentators.

The episode begins with the hosts discussing Stephen A. Smith's recent apology to Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, which was prompted by his criticism of her approach to Donald Trump. They note the immediate backlash from Black commentators like Roland Martin, Joy Reid, and Jamelle Hill. The hosts analyze Smith's established pattern: making inflammatory comments, facing backlash, apologizing, and sometimes doubling down to get the last word. They explore how Smith positions himself as a political figure by proposing town halls with politicians like Crockett and AOC. A key insight emerges that former athletes like Carmelo Anthony, Ryan Clark, and Draymond Green now aspire to Stephen A. Smith's media power and platform rather than traditional athletic goals like LeBron James's legacy. The hosts critique Smith's 'respectability politics' in attacking Crockett's tone while ignoring his own yelling style. They discuss the transactional nature of media relationships, where figures like Ryan Clark and Monica McNutt engage with Smith for career advancement rather than genuine agreement. The conversation touches on Smith's code-switching, his rivalry with Joe Rogan, and his desire for political legitimacy. They examine why few challenge Smith directly, citing career risks and the industry's transactional dynamics. The hosts also reference Smith's past confrontation with LeBron James about his son Bronny, analyzing the boundaries of sports commentary. Throughout, they emphasize that Smith's primary interest is his wallet and platform, not genuine community advocacy.

As heard by us

A loose, funny argument about an apology, respectability politics, and why the panel stays locked on names and tone.

Three Guys On turns Stephen A. Smith's apology to Jasmine Crockett into a broader argument about how she is spoken about and why that criticism cuts so deeply.

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Why you'd press play

Stephen A. Smith's apology to Jasmine Crockett sparks a loud, off-the-cuff reaction from the crew.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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