Nobody is using their platform to educate, challenge, and inspire quite like Vic Mensa. From viral orange-tree monologues to fearless conversations about politics, identity, and culture, Vic joins ALL THE SMOKE for one of our most wide-ranging and thought-provoking interviews yet. Vic breaks down how he uses social media as a tool for activism, the realities of Venezuelan immigration in Chicago, and how redlining and systemic violence continue to shape the city. He reflects on growing up biracia...
Jan 22, 2026•1 hr 9 min
Jay Bilas and Seth Greenberg join Matt Barnes for a deep, unfiltered conversation on what’s actually broken in college basketball. From NIL and the transfer portal to year-to-year free agency and growing age gaps, Bilas and Greenberg explain why the NCAA is purposefully struggling to keep up, and what that means for the future of the sport. Later, the conversation shifts to the generational 2026 NBA Draft class, including Jay’s thoughts on Darryn Peterson’s Kobe Bryant comparisons, AJ Dybantsa, ...
Jan 22, 2026•1 hr 18 min
NBA super-agent Rich Paul is stepping into a new lane, and it’s turning heads across the league. Matt Barnes reacts to Rich Paul’s recent "Game Over" podcast comments and explains why publicly discussing player movement, trades, and locker-room dynamics can have serious ripple effects inside NBA organizations, ESPECIALLY when stars like LeBron James and the Lakers are involved. Plus, Matt reacts to the Jimmy Butler injury and its consequences for the Golden State Warriors. I s this transparency ...
Jan 21, 2026•14 min
In this powerful episode, Matt Barnes sits down with Senator Raphael Warnock for an unfiltered conversation about faith, politics, and the America’s division in dark times. Warnock speaks on Renee Good, community resistance, and why hope requires action and not hashtags. He calls out the weaponization of Christianity, breaks down the real stakes around healthcare and choice, and explains how culture and sports can shift political power. This is an urgent and honest dialogue about using your voic...
Jan 19, 2026•28 min
Ben Affleck joins Matt and Stak for a wide-ranging conversation about creativity, control, and staying grounded in an industry that rarely allows for it. He talks about building Artists Equity with Matt Damon, why ownership matters more to him now than ever, and how their friendship has survived fame, failure, and everything in between. B en reflects on choosing when to step in front of the camera and when to stay behind it, why he’s never felt the pull of social media, and what it takes to be c...
Jan 14, 2026•55 min
Fred VanVleet pulls up to ALL THE SMOKE Unplugged and keeps it 💯 From Kevin Durant’s viral moment to the REAL version of Dillon Brooks, Fred sounds off on everything fans don’t get to hear: ACL rehab, mental battles, grief, veteran leadership, and why today’s NBA is missing something real. PLUS: Coach Ime Udoka’s leadership (“Popovich energy”) Why the NBA needs vets more than ever His most infamous ejection and the real-life context behind it Quick hitters: toughest covers, MJ/Kobe/Bron, road t...
Jan 13, 2026•27 min
A Jaguars reporter showed emotion after a playoff moment... and legacy media LOST ITS MIND. Matt Barnes breaks down why the backlash to Lynn Jones Turpin's postgame interaction with Liam Coen missed the point, how athletes see moments like this differently, and why letting someone show love for 30 seconds shouldn’t be controversial. If you’ve ever wondered who actually understands the pressure of playoff sports, players or pundits, this one’s for you. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...
Jan 13, 2026•8 min
Scramblin’ Randall was the original dual-threat quarterback and one of the most electric players the game has ever seen. Matt and Stak sit down with Randall Cunningham, now Pastor Cunningham, to trace his journey from UNLV to the Philadelphia Eagles and beyond. Cunningham shares his thoughts on today’s stars like Lamar Jackson and Shedeur Sanders, reflects on playing alongside Randy Moss and Cris Carter, and tells unforgettable stories from his life on and off the field. From college football da...
Jan 07, 2026•1 hr 17 min
Mad Max returns to the first Unplugged of 2026 with both Matt and Stak! The crew debates whether the Warriors dynasty is officially OVER, breaks down the viral Draymond-Kerr sideline confrontation, and plays Push or Pivot on trade deadline targets like Anthony Davis, Trae Young, and Ja Morant. Plus, Stak goes OFF on Joel Embiid playing basketball with NO SOCKS, the guys debate if Jaylen Brown is the best two-way player in the NBA, discuss LeBron's potential All-Star snub, and dive deep into Joki...
Jan 06, 2026•50 min
ALL THE SMOKE is where real beef gets talked about, not talked around. Over the years, our guests have been unfiltered about their biggest conflicts and the moments where they refused to back down. Whether it was tension with a coach, the media, a league, or a teammate, this compilation brings it all together. We cover Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf standing up to the NBA, the Will Smith and Chris Rock incident, Isiah Thomas on his issues with Michael Jordan and Karl Malone, Dwight Howard’s struggles with S...
Dec 24, 2025•2 hr 2 min
ALL THE SMOKE Unplugged sits down with legendary radio executive Damion “Damizza” Young for a conversation that connects the real history of hip-hop to the future of media, AI, and ownership 💨 From connecting Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre, helping Eminem, 50 Cent, and Jay-Z get heard, and witnessing Pac, Biggie, and Death Row up close, Damian shares the untold stories behind the moments that changed music forever. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Dec 23, 2025•1 hr 14 min
Jerry Lorenzo joins ALL THE SMOKE alongside his father, former MLB player and manager Jerry Manuel, making this the first father son duo episode in the show’s history. They reflect on Jerry Lorenzo’s upbringing around Major League Baseball, the influence of his father’s career, and how those early years shaped his perspective. The conversation also dives into Michael Jordan’s unintended impact on baseball and what his presence meant for the sport and its cultural visibility. Jerry breaks down th...
Dec 18, 2025•1 hr 2 min
In this episode of The Art of Ward, Andre Ward sits down with Hall of Famer Tim Bradley live at the House of Boxing in San Diego. Bradley calls out Jake Paul AND his trainer J’Leon Love to a “two for one” fight in the same night—and reveals why he’s training at 5:30 AM to back it up. The two-division, five-time world champion also shares the untold story of discovering Terence Crawford’s greatness during a sparring session, the truths behind his trilogy with the legendary Manny Pacquiao, plus hi...
Dec 16, 2025•2 hr 12 min
Kendrick Perkins pulls back the curtain on the NBA’s most unforgettable moments, from Hall of Fame hazing stories to the truth about the Durant-Westbrook OKC era. He also weighs in on Shedeur Sanders, NBA media beefs, his biggest career regrets, what ESPN life is really like, why SGA is giving him Michael Jordan-type vibes. Plus, we get an inside look into the future of NBA fandom with Head of Threads Connor Hayes! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Dec 15, 2025•50 min
Rachel Nichols goes behind the scenes of the NBA Cup with Dwyane Wade, SGA, Jalen Williams, Desmond Bane, Tony Parker, Blake Griffin, De’Aaron Fox, Josh Hart, Chris Haynes and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 13, 2025•38 min
Layzie Bone pulled up to ALL THE SMOKE for a legendary conversation about one of the most influential rap groups ever. From reuniting Bone Thugs-N-Harmony today to breaking down their impact on hip-hop, this episode is packed with stories that shaped an entire era. Layzie takes us back to Cleveland, talks about being homeless while making a platinum album, and opens up about Bizzy Bone’s kidnapping and the chaos that surrounded the group in their early days. He shares memories of working with ic...
Dec 11, 2025•58 min
Shedeur Sanders turned heads against the Titans…and Matt Barnes & Mad Max have PLENTY to say. After the rookie’s best game yet through three NFL starts, the crew unpacks the pre-draft disrespect, the media double standard with Baker Mayfield & Johnny Manziel, and why they believe the backlash is more about Deion than football. Plus, Max unloads on what he sees as a system built to stunt Shedeur’s growth. Also in this episode of ATS Unplugged: • Is Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs run slipping? • ...
Dec 10, 2025•53 min
Candace Parker sits down with ALL THE SMOKE for a rare and honest conversation about her legendary career and the future she's helping build. She takes us from dunking in high school to learning under Pat Summitt at Tennessee, linking with Kobe in LA, and her Finals battles with Maya Moore. She opens up about giving birth mid-career and still dominating, winning that 2016 WNBA championship for Coach Summitt, and what it means watching A'ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers c...
Dec 03, 2025•1 hr 18 min
Mad Max and Stak pull up for an unfiltered breakdown of the NBA’s most unexpected beefs: from Kenyon Martin vs Draymond Green, to K-Mart’s clashes with Swaggy P, IG Live moments, and the “STRAITJACKET CRAZY” stories. They also react to the Klay vs. Ja Morant/Myron Gardner situation, Caron Butler stepping in, and what Ja needs mentally to get back to form. Plus: Lakers surging, Jazz banning signs, Max leaving $25M on the table, and a new Stoner 60 reaction. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...
Dec 02, 2025•1 hr
Women’s basketball is exploding and we linked up with three of the best coaches in the country to break it all down: Dawn Staley, Cori Close, and Vic Shaefer. Matt and Stak get a real inside look at how South Carolina, UCLA, and Texas operate at the highest level and how NIL has reshaped recruiting across the board. Dawn also opens up about her interview with the Knicks and what really happened behind the scenes. The future of the women’s game is shining brighter than ever and this roundtable is...
Nov 27, 2025•54 min
If you’ve been watching ALL THE SMOKE, you already know where Matt and Stak stand on the GOAT debate. Anytime a guest has even the slightest connection to Michael Jordan, we ask for a story, and over the years we’ve stacked up some of the wildest MJ tales anywhere online. This compilation brings you 23 moments that show exactly why Michael Jordan is the GOAT. You’ll hear Reggie Miller and Dominique Wilkins revisit their battles with him, Kobe talk about chasing his greatness, and legends break d...
Nov 26, 2025•1 hr 48 min
From D.C. drug dealer to AAU kingmaker. Curtis Malone built one of the most powerful youth basketball pipelines in America… while secretly running a criminal empire. In this exclusive ALL THE SMOKE Unplugged sit-down, Malone breaks down his double life, the FBI takedown, his fall from grace, and the players whose lives he helped change along the way, from Michael Beasley to Quinn Cook, Nolan Smith and countless others. This is the unbelievable true story of the man who shaped a generation of hoo...
Nov 24, 2025•50 min
We took a trip down memory lane with one of Matt’s all-time favorite teammates, DeAndre Jordan. This episode is packed with laughs, stories you have never heard, and a look at one of the league’s most respected veterans. From Matt and DJ’s wild trip to Amsterdam that made the tabloids to reliving his iconic poster dunk on Brandon Knight, this one is full of classic moments. We also talked about what it was like playing alongside Jokic, LeBron, KD, Luka, and the legendary Lob City Clippers. Throu...
Nov 19, 2025•1 hr 18 min
Rajon Rondo pulls up to ALL THE SMOKE: UNPLUGGED and drops straight GEMS. From coaching Giannis day-to-day in Milwaukee to mentoring Ryan Rollins into the NBA’s most unexpected breakout, Rondo breaks down the game like only he can. Rondo reacts to Rick Pitino’s “Death of the Point Guard” statement, and gets candid on Doc Rivers, the infamous water-bottle film session, Bucks chemistry, and what he’s learned sitting on the bench the last two seasons. Plus: fatherhood, coaching his son, Shedeur San...
Nov 18, 2025•36 min
Eric Dickerson pulled no punches on this one. The iconic NFL running back let it all fly, from addressing his comments on Saquon Barkley nearly breaking his record to exposing the league’s discriminatory insurance policies that most fans have never heard about. Matt and Stak sit down with the Hall of Famer to talk about his legendary career, his battles with the Rams over contracts, and what it was like playing in the NFL during the wild 1980s era of steroids and loaded boxes. Dickerson also ope...
Nov 13, 2025•50 min
Gilbert Arenas joins Matt Barnes on ALL THE SMOKE: Unplugged to react to the shake-up in Dallas as the Mavericks part ways with GM Nico Harrison after a turbulent start to the season. Is Nico the scapegoat for deeper issues inside the organization? What role did ownership and front office politics play in this move? And how does Luka Doncic's early success with the Lakers play into the latest moves. PLUS: The guys dive into the latest NBA betting scandals involving Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier...
Nov 12, 2025•1 hr 7 min
Charlie Sheen has lived a life unlike anyone else, filled with wild highs, public lows, and a comeback story that’s still being written. That’s exactly why he’s the perfect guest for ALL THE SMOKE. After Matt ran into Charlie at the Crawford vs. Canelo fight, he shot his shot and landed one of America’s most iconic and unpredictable actors for one of our funniest episodes yet. Charlie opens up about his journey toward redemption, his love for the NBA, and his one-of-a-kind Hollywood run. From hi...
Nov 05, 2025•1 hr 16 min
Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes pulls up to ALL THE SMOKE and delivers a moment. The American Nightmare looks back on his decades-long journey, from growing up with Dusty’s wrestling legacy, carving his own path, and competing on the biggest stage in WWE. Cody talks locker-room culture, the lessons he learned from John Cena, Logan Paul’s impact, and makes a major announcement about his WWE future. Plus, Matt reacts to the latest drama around Ja Morant in Memphis, potential landing spots if t...
Nov 04, 2025•1 hr 41 min
When it comes to cool, few ever matched George “Iceman” Gervin. The Hall of Famer pulled up to ALL THE SMOKE for a sit-down with Matt to talk through every era of his basketball journey, from the ABA to today’s game. Ice reflects on his early days teaming up with Dr. J on the Virginia Squires, the punch that ended his college career, and the lessons that made him one of the greatest scorers ever. He breaks down how he perfected his signature finger roll, recalls the 1978 scoring race with David ...
Oct 30, 2025•46 min
The NBA’s latest gambling scandal has the league on notice 😳 Matt Barnes sits down with Keyon Dooling, former player, coach, and someone who’s been through his own battle with controversy, to unpack the shocking allegations surrounding Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier, and the crime family connections rocking the basketball world. Plus, the guys sound off on the biggest headlines from Week 1: Wemby’s rise, Embiid’s frustration, Jaylen Brown’s new look, and more from around the league. See omnystu...
Oct 28, 2025•43 min
