TOM's Talks | Stephen A. Smith

led him to Winston Salem State University. I spoke to Stephen from the set of ABC soap opera General Hospital, where he appears in a recurring role as the character Brick. Here's my conversation with Stephen A. Smith. Welcome to another edition of Tom's Talks, and we're joined by ESPN Stephen A. Smith. And what a treat this is. Stephen. We so much to appreciate your time. You covered the Sixers some twenty years ago. I've known you for at least that much time. Man,

So happy for your success. You've done extremely well. How are you doing right now? Well, I'm doing fantastic. First of all, it was great talking to you, is great seeing you, buddy, I'm glad you told h your audience. We've known each other for more than two decades. You're the best in the business, and you're a good man, and I'm honored to be here with you. And I miss you, and I miss all the guys associated with the Sixers organization. Y'all will always be family to me.

I've been very, very blessed, There's no doubt about that. A very fortunate work, very hard to get to where I am. And you know I never stopped. You still got to put in that work every single day. He can't take anything for granted, but my roots, on my roots. I got a newspaper background, I got a journalistic background covering the NBA. I'm now I've exceeded what twenty five years covering the NBA now, So it's been an incredible honor.

A lot of good things have happened for me. I'm very happy with that, but I miss a lot of that stuff. Man, covering Alan Irison and Larry brown Billy King, Pack Croachy and everybody you know for those years Philadelphia from ninety ninety six to basically the two thousand and three in and Larry Browning and arrived in ninety seven, as you well know, but some of the greatest experiences of my professional career, and I still hold on to it very very much so because if it wasn't for

those experiences, I don't think i'd be where I am today. Well, and that's what I was going to ask you, because it is different when you get to your level on the national stage where you're not boots on the ground. If you will cover the team as you did with the Sixers as the beat writer for the Philadelphia Inquirer, you're also a columnist here in Philadelphia. How did that shape your career and what do you remember most about

that time? Well, well, for me, I think that you know, you become more human because you realize the power of words even more so. You know, I'd always aspired to be a general sports columnist. I wanted the license to open and the editorialize and really really express my opinion, and I was willing to put in the work to

get to that point. Remember, back then, it wasn't social media, it wasn't Twitter, face Book and Instagram, and you couldn't become a columnist by being a blog or anything like that. You actually had to work in the print industry, and you had to really really make your bones, you know, pounding that pavement and reporting and making sure that you established yourself as a journalist who a strong degree. All

of those things came into play. But for me personally, I think that your friend in mind, the late Phil Jazz and the God bless his wonderful soul. I can't emphasize enough how much he helped me because he was such an absolute pro doing what he did covering the Philadelphia seventy six ers for as many years as he did.

To walk in there as a B writer for the Philadelphia Inquiry, knowing that I had him to go up against every day, that was the challenge, and you had to dotch your eyes, You had to crush your teas, and you had to stand out in certain respects. You definitely had to do your reporting, but you had to cultivate resources. You had to do networking, and then you had to be about the ground of writing every day and putting in that at work. Because you knew that

man was always working. You wondered when he slept, You wonder when he would take a break. You certainly knew that he wasn't gonna have any mercy upon beating your brains in as an opposing beat writer and knowing that you were going up against that challenge. It just you know, you just really really had to get your feet wet in that regard. You had to put your feet in. It ain't so more for the Philadelphia Inquired was a

tremendous help and a tremendous boost to my career. Guys like Mike Brewton, Mike Bruton, Bob Ford and those guys the great Bill Lyon and his ride just a poet in motion. I had the luxury and the benefit of working with from those guys. And I can't ephasize enough Mike Bruton in the things basis, I'll never forget it

as long as I live. And had great bosses like Robert Rose and Doll and Phil Dixon and Bore and you know Tim Dwire and you know a whole bunch of other guys, Rob King, and I just had so many people that I'm connected to Phil of course, the great Sunny Hill and the great John Cheney I covered.

I covered John Cheney before I covered the Sixes. All of those people helped me tremendously and I wouldn't be where I am again if it wasn't for that one, I say, the Philadelphia experience, I'm talking about it all. I'm talking about me elevating my wardrobe. And I go to a norsetrooms and somebody's waiting at the bottom of the escalator for me time. And it was an employee for the Norse strooms, that King of Prussia, and I didn't know who it was. And they said, you're Stephen

a Smith. Pat Crowchie called us ahead of the time to let us know you were coming to body these shoes. And I had no idea because Pat Croch and them and Larry Brown like need to upgrade, you need to improve your wardrobe, stuff like that. And Billy King used to tease me, and Amaron McKee used to tease me about my wardrobe all the time, all of those different things. I still talk to these guys all the time, and McKey.

I reach out every now and then to George lynch Ewick Snows of the World, Alan Irvson and I talk at least three four times a month. So I am Billy King and I do as well. So and I just won't Delie Brown now on the day. So it's a family to me, to be quite honest with you, and you're included in that, by the way. That's great, that's great that hey that first of all, it's a tremendous praise for Phil. I'm sure his son Andy and

his family would totally appreciate that. I used to say somewhat in jest, that I followed the Sixers through Phil Jester with the Daily News and then relative to here Nordstrom. That's pretty good because I was going to the Lord and Taylor there in Bala Kinwood. And when you mentioned Mike Bruton, I sat down right there at that restaurant next to that shopping complex with Mike when I first came to Philadelphia, all the way back in nineteen ninety five.

So that's straight that you remember all those people. Let me ask you because, as you said, you were a writer, and as a writer, you're an artist. And so my question is when did you find your voice? And I don't mean like the radio voice or your television but you know, like where you and for me and you

helped me out here. But when you used to go on like drive up the North Jersey and go on with Bruce Beck at the time it was CNA or loot Elly on Delaware Avenue or Michael Barkind at the then Comcast Sports Net where you were, you know, commentating on the Sixers, but you found to me, I would think that was some of the underpinnings of what your television career has become. Is that accurate? Oh? Very accurate? Very accurate, because what happened is that the first time

I went on television, this was my thing. CNA wasn't paying you, Bruce Beck Lutillian, those guys weren't not paying you, but they were kind enough to have me on. I was breaking my shaft stories obviously, and things were going well since I had no television training, but I knew I had the information because I was myself and guys like Phil we would have once reporting. My attitude was just say what you know, okay, because nobody else is

covering the team like you two are. Then once you articulate your thoughts, articulated in a fashion that you think will resonate with viewers and listeners, but be as authentic as you possibly can be, because it needs to be something that's going to be sustainable. If you're faking it, then that's not gonna last. People will see right through it. It's phony. It's not going to come across as authentic, and you're not gonna last two minutes. So I was

really really focused on being my true, authentic self. But still as you're doing that, you don't know how it really is going to resonate on television per se. And that's where the bruce becks and the lutilities of the world really really came in. And Angelo Catoldi is another name because he would bring me on his morning radio show. All the time. As you're talking to these people and they're gravitating towards you and wanting more and more and

more of it, you're watching yourself. You're seeing what they love about you, and you just go about the business of continuing to provide the viewer, the listener, etc. What you know they're going to know, while also maintaining a true authentic self, recognizing that phoniness is never going to work, and so for me to hone in on it to

master doing what it is that I do. I would say again, the Philly roots played a very pivotal role in all of that, because you knew how to find a voice, first of all by being a columnist, but then it was augmented and elevated once the lutilities and the Bruce Becks of the world and Angelo Cataris of the world started bringing on their airwaves asking you to disseminate the kind of message that you were writing about already. And I think that's why I say the Philadelphia roots

definitely come into play there profoundly. We'll have more of my conversation with stephen A. Smith after this. In this time of social distancing, Novacare Rehabilitation is offering physical therapy from the comfort and safety of your home. Through their new tel A Rehab program. Novacare will virtually bring their services to you so you may heal, build strength, and get back to the things you love. Tel A Rehab let you easily connect with one of Novocare's licensed therapists

through web based technology that is Hippo compliant. For more information, visit novacare dot com. Now back to my conversation with stephen A. You've been a writer, and as you said, you've put in the work and all the way back to Winston Salem State and as a college a student, and then all the way untill now and everything you just said about Philadelphia and all your stops along the way. And I mean this is high praise as a compliment because it's one thing to chase your passion, but in essence,

and this is from your bosses. If you will at ESPN, you get paid to be you. I mean, how many people get to say that you're yourself, as you said, your authentic self and bringing this you know, WorldWind of knowledge and your world experience, your knowledge of sports and athletes and covering it, but you get to be you. That's pretty unique. It is unique, and I'm very blessed

and fortunate. I wish I could tell you there was a skill that came with that, but that's a lot of luck, a lot of blessings that have come by way. There's no way, there's no way around that. And I'm so incredibly humbled by it and thankful to so many people because I certainly didn't get here by myself. So many people helped me get to where I am today.

And if it wasn't for their contributions in my life on a personal level, willing to support me, willing to guide me, willing to do to me, willing to tell me the dudes and don't the right and wrongs. I wouldn't be here today, and so that definitely definitely comes into play. I can't deny that. But the other side to it is that just remembering that journalistic background and acknowledging the importance of being human, Can I be bombastic? Of course I can? Can I be demonstrators? Of course

I can. But I would like to believe that anybody who truly truly watches me and goes beyond that would see a person that strives to be a human being. At all times, I can criticize or even excoriate what you do without seeing that who you are. I'm going on an incident or an incident or a case by case basis, because none of us are flawless, none of

us are perfect. We all make mistakes, and I think that I try to make sure that that comes across and I also try to make it come acrosse journalistically in terms of really appreciating people like yourself and newspaper guys out there, not just yourself, for newspaper guys out there as well that are pounding that pavement, covering a

team every day. I can talk about the Philadelphia seventy six is based on what I see, but I don't cover them every day, the way that I used to and the way that you always have, and the way that other guys like Tom Moore and others and Delaware have covered this team for so many years. They know more about the team than me. So when I have a national platform, I might say something, but I don't hesitate to say. I read this in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

I heard this person say that this is the person covering the team. They know because it's the respectful thing to do, because it's fair. They're the ones covering a team, not me. Those are the kind of things that I try to bring to the industry that I'm in now, so they'll remember, just because you're in front of the camera, you're getting paid a lot of money, does not mean that you get to disrespect those who are pounded the pavement and busting their tail every day to bring the

content that we talk about well stated. And as I've always said, there's nothing wrong with attribution. It's okay, nothing wrong with um. So you're from Queens and you know you have a program called first Take, and when you're from New York City, you're expected to have a take. And we're all products of our own environment, and you've talked so daringly about your your late mother who sometimes would listen to your commentary here and say, oh, Steve and said, Mom, that's how I used to watch TV.

I used to talk about if you're from which to talk, Kansas, you might not have evolved into yourself, right, I mean they have this maybe not, maybe not, but but it's it's I don't view it, believe it or not time. I don't view it really as aggressive. I view it as excuse me. I might be passionate about it, but we'll watching sports. I remember the late Great Commissioner David Stern guard wrested soul, was arguing with me about how I come across to a TV sometimes. I said to him,

how do you watch a game when you're home? And he said, oh, my goodness, I'm losing my mind. I'm cussing, I'm throwing stuff at the TV. My wife is like, when you calm down, blah blah blah blah blah. I said, exactly, So, what do you think people want to see when they watch me talking about sports? Do you think they want me to look like I'm reclined in a chair, lounging on the beach talking about sports. That's not how you do it. You talk about it with a level of passion.

It's like asking Tom again is to sit up there and to be on the radio and to be my old man. And when they are spectacular, play takes place, a dunk, a three point shot in a crucial moment, or whatever they want you to say, a nice shot, way to go. No, that's not no, that's not gonna

resonate with the actual listener. And so I think it's important to recognize that even though you're trying to be true and authentic, there is a performance element that must come into the equation that you're trying to provide to the listener or the viewer so they will enjoy seeing and or listening to you. That comes with the business of what we do. And I think sometimes people forget that, no question about it. Well, I'd love to keep going, but I fear if we did, we'd go over our time.

So again, I can't thank you enough so much, appreciate all of your work over the years, and happy for you. As I said, this is a great time author back and you get to commentate on many different situations. Is obviously this is big right now. Not as much as I've appreciated your work. You've been absolutely outstanding, even a voice of the Philadelphia seventy six or for decades, You're

absolutely phenomenal. You've always been good to me. And when they called me and told me that you wanted me here, I'm literally on the set of General Hospital or the soap opera, and they allowed me to work, that's right. And they allowed me to walk off the set just to do this interview with you. And I insisted that they let me do that because I'm so appreciative of all that you've done, just for basketball fans in Philadelphia and everyway, anytime anybody gets a chance to listen to you.

You've been great for years and it's an honor to be here talking to you right now. Well, Stephen, thank you so much. Is this the character brick? Yes, that's it. That is correct. I'm getting ready to tape seeds with Sonny Corinthos literally in late ten minutes. That's why I'm all right, break elect. Thank you so much. Thanks a lot about me taking easy. Thanks for listening to this edition of Tom's Talks. Look for new episodes throughout the

offseason if you like what you're hearing. Consider subscribing to the seventy six ers podcast network Feed or giving us a follow wherever you get your pods and if that happens to be on Apple Podcast, we'd love for you to give us a rating. I'm Tom McGuinness, talk to you down the road.