May 20, 2025 • 18 mins
Stephen A. Smith is a New York Times Bestselling Author, Executive Producer, host of ESPN's First Take, and co-host of NBA Countdown.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:03):
We're gonna get started in the w NBA, but a
new season tipped off this weekend with several marquee matchups
on the slate. Most fans were excited to see Caitlyn
Clark and Indiana Fever take on Ajer Reese and the
Chicago scot The game was a blowout, as the Fever
beat down Chicago ninety three to fifty eight, with Clark's
triple double leading the way. But the biggest headline coming
out of the game on Saturday is the investigation the
(00:24):
WNBA is conducting in the allegations of hateful fan comments
directed at Ader Reese.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
It happened after this play when.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
Clark slapped at the ball after reesecrabbed an offensive rebound
and had a clear path to the basket.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Reese fell to the court, got back up and tried to.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
Confront Clark, but Fever forward of Leah Boston got between
the two women. Clark's foul was upgraded to a flagrant one,
and Reese and Boston were assessed technical fouls. He's a
statement from Scott CEO Adam Fox on fans who seemed
a bit unruly following the incident, quote, we welcome to
WNBA's investigation of allegations of famous common during our first
(01:00):
game of the season. We will do everything in our
power to protect Chicago Scott players, and we encourage the
league to continue taking meaningful steps to create a safe
environment for all w NBA players.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
End quote.
Speaker 1 (01:11):
Joining me now to discuss this as a basketball analyst
for ESPN and the MSG Network. She played college basketball
for the Georgetown Hoyas. That's wror Hoya paranoia for those
of you who don't know. By the way, and her
jump shot, I must confess that it looks better than mine.
It's pretty money right there, pretty money right there. Please
welcome the one and only Monica McNutt to the show,
(01:31):
who I affectionately call eminem.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
What's going on, girl? How you doing? How's everything good?
Speaker 3 (01:36):
I say, I'm good. I'm good. I'm good. Yeah, we
got to talk.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
We gotta talk.
Speaker 1 (01:40):
But you know me, I'm a veal left just a
little bit. You know, how's the hubby has the married life?
I know you got married a few months ago. How's life?
Speaker 3 (01:48):
It's lots of loving and learning.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
That's a great answer, I said, Damn great answer.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
I got to give it to you. No doubt about that.
Let's get right into it.
Speaker 1 (02:01):
This whole Angel Reese, Kaitlyn Clark Brew Haha, what do
you make of it from a basketball perspective? First, I'll
get to the other stuff, lady, your thoughts.
Speaker 4 (02:11):
Basketball as say, basketball play, I mean, as much as
the w husband elevated to all of these platforms, we've
all pointed out that it is physical, right. I thought
it was adjudicated appropriately by the officials. There's a push
to Tasha Natasha Howard. First, to me, it appears that
Kaitlyn takes exception to that, Angel takes exception to the file.
(02:32):
I think both sides are fine here because to me,
when we talk about competition, you cannot parse out the
emotion of that experience, and so I thought it was
adjudicated correctly. You thought both young women were cool post
game in terms of their explanations or as Angel resai,
it's a basketball play, let's move on. It is unfortunate
that I think this is sort of blown out of
(02:53):
context because it is a play that is common throughout
the WNBA or earlier today on First Take, Jane highlighted
other games I have very similar play because competing is
an emotional experience and that's okay.
Speaker 1 (03:04):
I'm gonna elaborate a little bit more on that in
just a second, but before I do that, I want
to ask you your thoughts about apparently some racial animist
that was thrown in the direction of Adrew Reeves the
Chicago Sky I've gotten involved talking about they're going to
protect their players at all. Course, the NWNBA has issued
a statement saying that it abhors and discourages hate of
(03:25):
any kind, et cetera, et cetera. Your thoughts about it.
Here's the WNBA statement. The WWA strongly condemns racism, hate
and discrimination in all forms. They have no place in
our league on society. We are aware of the allegations
and are looking into the matter. Your thoughts about that
element of all of this, where you believe it emanates from,
and do you think it will ever subside?
Speaker 4 (03:47):
Man The latter part of that, stephen A is quite
the thing to think on. I think when you go
back to the impetus of the rivalry that we have
between Caitlin and Andrew's remember funny on the internet about
two different Americas based on the music that was being
played in the Iola locker room versus the LSU locker room,
and I think at.
Speaker 3 (04:07):
The heart of it is.
Speaker 4 (04:10):
An issue with being able to appreciate this and celebrate
the humanity and the athletic accomplishments of both of these women. Right.
I do not think that all Indiana fans are all
Kaitlyn Clark fans represent any one particular belief, but it's been.
Speaker 3 (04:24):
Clear over the last couple of years that there is a.
Speaker 4 (04:26):
Sect of folks that root for her, that have used
her to push their agendas. I don't think Kaitlyn Clark
has any issue colleagues or the other women in the WNBA.
I think between she and Angel Reese there's mutual respect.
But anytime these conversations hit the mainstream, right, it's easy
to see that Kaitlyn is usually portrayed as the victim
and Angels usually played portrayed as the villain.
Speaker 3 (04:49):
And that is rooted in my observation.
Speaker 4 (04:51):
Somebody can tell me I'm wrong, but it is rooted
in my observation in.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
The racial identity of these women and where they come from.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
Well, I have something to say to you, Monica McNett
that I think will be of incredible.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Relief to you.
Speaker 1 (05:02):
I have no desire to debate you on this on
this platform. On this platform, I am giving you the
floor and allowing you to educate me and my audience.
I am completely at your mercy in that regard. I'm
simply asking the questions. But I'll ask you this, in
all seriousness, what is your bigger concern when you highlight
(05:22):
that Angel Reese, like Caitlin Clark, is usually the victim,
Angel Reese is usually the villain.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
Is that your primary concern? Or is it this seemingly innate.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
Belief that people have that men can conduct themselves any
way they want to, but women are supposed to operate
under certain lines. I listen to you and Shaney and
Andrea talk about these kind of issues constantly, and I
really want to know what's the bigger concern in your eyes?
Speaker 3 (05:51):
You knows this one has unfolded.
Speaker 4 (05:53):
Malika and I were on the countdown desk for halftime
of this one, and literally as unfolded, I'm like, well,
see how this one plays out in the media. Right,
and I have grappled with two things being true, right
in that women should be allowed to compete in the
same way that men are, but also because to me,
the sensitivity of the humans that make up the WNBA.
Speaker 3 (06:16):
They deserve an extra level of protection. And I know
that to a degree.
Speaker 4 (06:20):
You might say, mine, you can't have it both ways,
But I think that's probably why we are at odds
in the larger picture, because people don't have room for
multiple ideas or even feelings to coexist.
Speaker 3 (06:32):
Right.
Speaker 4 (06:32):
And So to your point, I think with time, the
younger generation appreciates competition. I think women's sports is growing
across the board. I think the competition piece will become
commonplace and be accepted and celebrated. But to your point,
(06:52):
I am struggling with some of the vitriol, not some
with the vitriol that has come to an angel reach
just to represent a swath of players who have had
this experience being on the opposite side of interactions with
Kaitlyn Clark, right, And.
Speaker 3 (07:06):
I don't blame Clark at all.
Speaker 4 (07:07):
And I am really sort of a fuddled at the
solution because on the NBA side, if a player points
to a fan in the stands and says that was inappropriate,
the NBA, the officials, they move those folks are usually
taken out right. I'm not sure if the WAA is
there and there still is a learning curve. But I
one hundred percent believe I say that these women should
feel safe to compete and be protected from insanity, right,
(07:32):
And I'm not saying you don't get hickled, but there
is a line in sports, and to act like that
doesn't exist, it's just ridiculous to me.
Speaker 1 (07:38):
Well, first of all, I think I want to make
sure that we're clear, because I don't think we disagree
as much as you have thought in the past or
others have thought. I completely am aligned with you and
you're thinking I think that where we we separate to
some degree is that it's understanding it ain't gonna happen
the way we.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
Like it like. It's it's unfair and it's wrong. We
are aligned in that.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
But then I veel left from Monica or SHANEI or
anybody else when I'm saying, ladies, it ain't gonna change.
It ain't right, it's not fair, but it's not gonna change.
And oh, by the way, there's an advantage to peal
from all of this because it contributes to the elevated
popularity of the sport. So guess what, sometimes it might
be good not to really really mind. I know it's
(08:25):
hard I know this is hard to accept, but sometimes
it might not be hard.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
It might not be.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
Bad to accept the role of a pariah to some degree.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
You know why, because who's usually listened to. It's usually
the parias.
Speaker 1 (08:39):
It's usually when people are polarizing, when people can be
in your face, when people make you uncomfortable. That's who
an audience gravitates to. And what happens is that if
you have positive things for folks to peal from that,
to edify themselves, it could end up being advantageous. So
let's not get caught up in the wrong because we
know they wrong and we know they ain't gonna change.
(09:01):
Let's pay more attention to what we can peel from it.
That's where I'm coming from to that.
Speaker 4 (09:06):
You say what And I understand that I just and
I have not personally been in a game versus Clark versus.
In the end, I can tell you what my mentions
look like every time we have a conversation about it. Right,
I do understand where you are coming from, But I
just wonder. You know, last year, folks showing up to
(09:28):
team buses and team hotels Like I just my concern
is how far does this go?
Speaker 2 (09:35):
Right?
Speaker 4 (09:35):
Because for someone to heckle in the audience and cross
the line verbally or even across the line on the internet,
that's that's one step, right, But if you are that
committed to that, how many steps are you away from
really crossing the line and safety concern?
Speaker 3 (09:51):
Does that make sense here?
Speaker 1 (09:54):
You're absolutely right. As a guys, you gotta worry about
it too. And I think that for the ladies, what
I would say to you is that we need to
be significantly more concerned when men are trying to cross
the barriers and getting ladies faces as opposed to ladies
getting another ladies face. In other words, dudes gotta deal
with dudes. Ladies gotta deal with ladies. But when you
(10:15):
have punk dude that's trying to deal with the women
that way, we all need to deal with you on
that level.
Speaker 2 (10:21):
You see.
Speaker 1 (10:21):
That's how I'm looking at it. But you're absolutely right.
I can't knock you for that. Do you think that
that WNBA can end up elevating even more because of
the attention this kind of stuff might bring from a
competitive further standpoint?
Speaker 3 (10:37):
You know?
Speaker 4 (10:38):
I say, and again I am making space for multiple
emotions in my experience as the w continues to move
into the spotlight. Fair, yes, but at what costs rightly? Well,
if it's come and love the league, if Kayla becomes
your favorite player, amazing, If Angel becomes your favorite player, amazing.
(10:59):
If it's Ae Wilson, Visa Colin, if it's Brian the
Stewart amazing, amazing, amazing.
Speaker 3 (11:04):
I just I feel that the league, and we've.
Speaker 4 (11:08):
Kind of seen this in maybe missteps in conversations last season,
the league has a responsibility to all right, and I
don't know, I don't know how they navigate this idea
of a responsibility to all.
Speaker 3 (11:25):
The statements are great, right.
Speaker 4 (11:29):
I say this one, This one boggles my mind because
if we can have this conversation and then put a
button on it and then get to how great the
games were in the top three opening weekend experiences or performances, right,
that's one thing. But I think to your point, the
people that allowed us about this stuff, the.
Speaker 3 (11:46):
Conversation stops there for them.
Speaker 4 (11:47):
There is no depth in terms of appreciating the league
at large, and honestly, like outside of Kaitlyn is great,
like I mentioned to you as we started this conversation,
she's used for whatever agenda folks have, and so I
think for the for the league to really.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
Row, it's not controversial topics.
Speaker 4 (12:02):
It's been able to celebrate the beauty of the game,
and that includes Kaitlin and the Indiana Fever right, who
are gonna have a real chance to contend this year
for a title.
Speaker 3 (12:11):
So I don't know, I don't know, no doubt for
good In terms of these kind of conversations being good
for the game, Well.
Speaker 1 (12:19):
I would say to you, though, I think that when
it provokes conversation like we had this morning, when the
world gets to hear Monica McNutt and it gets to
hear SHANEO Guma, kay elaborate extensively, not just on what
the league is or what it aspires to be, and
(12:40):
how we all can serve a role in embracing the
good and alienating the insidious nonsense that don't need to.
Speaker 2 (12:48):
Be a part of the league.
Speaker 1 (12:50):
That may be the best hope that the league and
all of us from a societal perspective have in order
to make things exactly what you think they should be.
Speaker 2 (12:59):
Eminem maybe that's where the answer to this is.
Speaker 4 (13:01):
You know what, I can give you credits, But like
I said to you, also in our show, we highlighted
great performances, right, And so I'm just I think I
guess if we had to go with that being a positive,
you hope folks come at it with a willingness to
hear you. Ultimately may not agree, but I think we
have the hold space for one another's experiences, you know
(13:23):
what I mean. Like as the thing went through last year,
you know, I took the folks that felt like they
were alienated because it almost seemed like to be a
Kitlin Clark fran was a bad thing and that was
never what was said. If that is the sentiment of
some folks, that's unfortunate. But I do think again, as
much as we want to make sport about sport, and
that is beautiful, these women can shoot, dribble, rebound all
of that, we still have to acknowledge the society and
(13:46):
the existence of the beings that we're talking about, and
that will always find its way into the conversation.
Speaker 2 (13:50):
Well, I got to give you credit where credit is due.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
I think part of the solution also is people like
myself and other male commentators being a bit more deferential
to y'all when it comes to the WNBA, because damn it.
Y'all know more about it than us. Y'all know more
about the experiences than us. You damn sure know more
about being a woman than we will ever know. So
therefore all of those things come in to play. Let
me get to one two last questions for I'll let
(14:13):
you go and thank you so much for your time.
Let's get to the product on the field that was
a ninety three to fifty eight beat down.
Speaker 2 (14:21):
Is Indiana that good? On the sky that damn bad?
How about that question, Minel.
Speaker 3 (14:27):
I think it's somewhere in the middle.
Speaker 4 (14:28):
I do believe that Indiana legitimately has a chance to
be one of the last four team standing. The moves
that they made this off season. Caitlin coming in as
a rookie last year, blowing records to smithereens getting stronger
this summer. I think at one point during the game
her her arms was a trending topic because you could
see her games.
Speaker 3 (14:46):
In the gym. Indiana's gonna have a chance to compete
for real.
Speaker 4 (14:51):
I think I'm gonna give about forty percent of that
performance to opening weekend nerves. Chicago is in a position
to rebuild. Tyler Marsh is terrific he has been a
part of the Aces championship as a part of Becking
Hammond's staff. But they are figuring it out. They are
sort of in a rebuild Indiana.
Speaker 3 (15:08):
They made the moves to Stummer that needed to be made.
Speaker 4 (15:10):
They went and got a coach and Stephanie White that
has been to the w NBA Finals in the last
two seasons. They went and got the leagues. I believe
she's top three on the list. She tied Tina Thompson
in terms of all time scoring and Dewana Bonner.
Speaker 3 (15:22):
They add a Natasha Howard. They're in it. Indiana is
really really in it and so and Delanavanna only has
seven points in that game.
Speaker 4 (15:29):
I say, like she didn't even get cooking yet. So
Indiana is really in it. I think the sky are building.
I think they'll be better than what they showed in
Game one. But the guy in a different position than
the fever art for.
Speaker 2 (15:40):
Sure, and the team to beat in the w NBA
is who is it? The Liberty? Is it the Aces
coming back trying to venge? Who's it? Who is it?
Speaker 4 (15:50):
It's deliberty, deliberty Because we talk about big games this offseason,
Natasha Cloude is a big move for the already champions, right,
she won a title NBC with the Mystics. She adds
a dimension defensively that I don't know they had outside
of Benijua Laney on the wing and Benije Lane Hamilton
is actually out the season with knee injury. So yeah,
(16:11):
Natasha Cloude is a big difference maker offensively and defensively.
I would say, though, don't sleep on the Minnesota Lynx
shol Reeve has a track record every other she gets
to the finals, might lose, but comes back the next
year and wins. And they were in the finals last
year and lost. And I think Nafisa Collier has a
real shot at MVP this year as well.
Speaker 1 (16:28):
And they got they got vengeance on their mind because
they felt they were robbed last year by the Liberty
with some you know, tell I get that part as well.
Switching to the NBA before I let you get out
of here, miss radio voice color commentary, extraord color commentated,
extraorded there for MSG with Knicks games or whatever. Knickson
in the conference finals. I mean, I mean, Liberty ain't
the only one that got you know, they got a championship,
(16:49):
but the Knicks got a shot. How much of a shot, eminem,
how much of a shot do you give the Knicks
to get to.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
The finals and ultimately to win it?
Speaker 4 (16:56):
Last question, we'll say I got the Knicks getting out
of the sea in seven games.
Speaker 3 (17:03):
I've got to stay healthy.
Speaker 4 (17:06):
They've got to control the pace, and that doesn't necessarily
mean that they need to slow it down and be
io all in the half court. But then they need
to be deliberate about their opportunities to run and delibered
about their opportunities to execute quickly in the half court.
If they find themselves chasing Indiana, I don't like it.
I think Indiana is really really good. I take nothing
away from that group, Harvey's Halibur and Pascal Siakam. I
(17:27):
think Andrew Nemhart and Nie Smith don't get enough credit
in terms of their defensive versatility.
Speaker 3 (17:33):
On the wing.
Speaker 4 (17:35):
This this is gonna be a slug fest, and it's
really gonna be the battle of styles in it. So yeah,
like they're deep, they're fast. I really enjoyed the opportunities.
I've had to chat with coach Carlisle. I have one
of their games versus the Milwaukee Bucks in that series.
I don't know you can look at Cleveland, the Cleveland
series and say, all right, well they were hurt, and
(17:57):
I think that's fair, but I still don't take anything away.
Speaker 3 (18:01):
Just like the next they had.
Speaker 4 (18:02):
To make the most of the mishaps that the Celtics made.
Indiana made the most of the mishaps for the Cleveland Capitaliers,
and I don't take anything away from them.
Speaker 2 (18:10):
Emm. I appreciate you so much, thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (18:12):
I could just say thank you, but you know me,
I'm gonna do a little extra come, thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (18:19):
Thanks a lot. Take it ease. The here right I
see Sue.
Speaker 1 (18:22):
Okay, the one and only Modica McNutt in the house
right here on the stephen A.
Speaker 2 (18:26):
Smith Show.
Speaker 1 (18:27):
She's special, special talent for us. Really really appreciate her
and taking time out of busy schedule. She didn't have
to do that, so I really really thankful for She's
a great girl, great analyst by the way, doing big things.
Speaker 2 (18:36):
Proud to call a colleague.
We're gonna get started in the w NBA, but a
new season tipped off this weekend with several marquee matchups
on the slate. Most fans were excited to see Caitlyn
Clark and Indiana Fever take on Ajer Reese and the
Chicago scot The game was a blowout, as the Fever
beat down Chicago ninety three to fifty eight, with Clark's
triple double leading the way. But the biggest headline coming
out of the game on Saturday is the investigation the
(00:24):
WNBA is conducting in the allegations of hateful fan comments
directed at Ader Reese.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
It happened after this play when.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
Clark slapped at the ball after reesecrabbed an offensive rebound
and had a clear path to the basket.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Reese fell to the court, got back up and tried to.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
Confront Clark, but Fever forward of Leah Boston got between
the two women. Clark's foul was upgraded to a flagrant one,
and Reese and Boston were assessed technical fouls. He's a
statement from Scott CEO Adam Fox on fans who seemed
a bit unruly following the incident, quote, we welcome to
WNBA's investigation of allegations of famous common during our first
(01:00):
game of the season. We will do everything in our
power to protect Chicago Scott players, and we encourage the
league to continue taking meaningful steps to create a safe
environment for all w NBA players.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
End quote.
Speaker 1 (01:11):
Joining me now to discuss this as a basketball analyst
for ESPN and the MSG Network. She played college basketball
for the Georgetown Hoyas. That's wror Hoya paranoia for those
of you who don't know. By the way, and her
jump shot, I must confess that it looks better than mine.
It's pretty money right there, pretty money right there. Please
welcome the one and only Monica McNutt to the show,
(01:31):
who I affectionately call eminem.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
What's going on, girl? How you doing? How's everything good?
Speaker 3 (01:36):
I say, I'm good. I'm good. I'm good. Yeah, we
got to talk.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
We gotta talk.
Speaker 1 (01:40):
But you know me, I'm a veal left just a
little bit. You know, how's the hubby has the married life?
I know you got married a few months ago. How's life?
Speaker 3 (01:48):
It's lots of loving and learning.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
That's a great answer, I said, Damn great answer.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
I got to give it to you. No doubt about that.
Let's get right into it.
Speaker 1 (02:01):
This whole Angel Reese, Kaitlyn Clark Brew Haha, what do
you make of it from a basketball perspective? First, I'll
get to the other stuff, lady, your thoughts.
Speaker 4 (02:11):
Basketball as say, basketball play, I mean, as much as
the w husband elevated to all of these platforms, we've
all pointed out that it is physical, right. I thought
it was adjudicated appropriately by the officials. There's a push
to Tasha Natasha Howard. First, to me, it appears that
Kaitlyn takes exception to that, Angel takes exception to the file.
(02:32):
I think both sides are fine here because to me,
when we talk about competition, you cannot parse out the
emotion of that experience, and so I thought it was
adjudicated correctly. You thought both young women were cool post
game in terms of their explanations or as Angel resai,
it's a basketball play, let's move on. It is unfortunate
that I think this is sort of blown out of
(02:53):
context because it is a play that is common throughout
the WNBA or earlier today on First Take, Jane highlighted
other games I have very similar play because competing is
an emotional experience and that's okay.
Speaker 1 (03:04):
I'm gonna elaborate a little bit more on that in
just a second, but before I do that, I want
to ask you your thoughts about apparently some racial animist
that was thrown in the direction of Adrew Reeves the
Chicago Sky I've gotten involved talking about they're going to
protect their players at all. Course, the NWNBA has issued
a statement saying that it abhors and discourages hate of
(03:25):
any kind, et cetera, et cetera. Your thoughts about it.
Here's the WNBA statement. The WWA strongly condemns racism, hate
and discrimination in all forms. They have no place in
our league on society. We are aware of the allegations
and are looking into the matter. Your thoughts about that
element of all of this, where you believe it emanates from,
and do you think it will ever subside?
Speaker 4 (03:47):
Man The latter part of that, stephen A is quite
the thing to think on. I think when you go
back to the impetus of the rivalry that we have
between Caitlin and Andrew's remember funny on the internet about
two different Americas based on the music that was being
played in the Iola locker room versus the LSU locker room,
and I think at.
Speaker 3 (04:07):
The heart of it is.
Speaker 4 (04:10):
An issue with being able to appreciate this and celebrate
the humanity and the athletic accomplishments of both of these women. Right.
I do not think that all Indiana fans are all
Kaitlyn Clark fans represent any one particular belief, but it's been.
Speaker 3 (04:24):
Clear over the last couple of years that there is a.
Speaker 4 (04:26):
Sect of folks that root for her, that have used
her to push their agendas. I don't think Kaitlyn Clark
has any issue colleagues or the other women in the WNBA.
I think between she and Angel Reese there's mutual respect.
But anytime these conversations hit the mainstream, right, it's easy
to see that Kaitlyn is usually portrayed as the victim
and Angels usually played portrayed as the villain.
Speaker 3 (04:49):
And that is rooted in my observation.
Speaker 4 (04:51):
Somebody can tell me I'm wrong, but it is rooted
in my observation in.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
The racial identity of these women and where they come from.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
Well, I have something to say to you, Monica McNett
that I think will be of incredible.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Relief to you.
Speaker 1 (05:02):
I have no desire to debate you on this on
this platform. On this platform, I am giving you the
floor and allowing you to educate me and my audience.
I am completely at your mercy in that regard. I'm
simply asking the questions. But I'll ask you this, in
all seriousness, what is your bigger concern when you highlight
(05:22):
that Angel Reese, like Caitlin Clark, is usually the victim,
Angel Reese is usually the villain.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
Is that your primary concern? Or is it this seemingly innate.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
Belief that people have that men can conduct themselves any
way they want to, but women are supposed to operate
under certain lines. I listen to you and Shaney and
Andrea talk about these kind of issues constantly, and I
really want to know what's the bigger concern in your eyes?
Speaker 3 (05:51):
You knows this one has unfolded.
Speaker 4 (05:53):
Malika and I were on the countdown desk for halftime
of this one, and literally as unfolded, I'm like, well,
see how this one plays out in the media. Right,
and I have grappled with two things being true, right
in that women should be allowed to compete in the
same way that men are, but also because to me,
the sensitivity of the humans that make up the WNBA.
Speaker 3 (06:16):
They deserve an extra level of protection. And I know
that to a degree.
Speaker 4 (06:20):
You might say, mine, you can't have it both ways,
But I think that's probably why we are at odds
in the larger picture, because people don't have room for
multiple ideas or even feelings to coexist.
Speaker 3 (06:32):
Right.
Speaker 4 (06:32):
And So to your point, I think with time, the
younger generation appreciates competition. I think women's sports is growing
across the board. I think the competition piece will become
commonplace and be accepted and celebrated. But to your point,
(06:52):
I am struggling with some of the vitriol, not some
with the vitriol that has come to an angel reach
just to represent a swath of players who have had
this experience being on the opposite side of interactions with
Kaitlyn Clark, right, And.
Speaker 3 (07:06):
I don't blame Clark at all.
Speaker 4 (07:07):
And I am really sort of a fuddled at the
solution because on the NBA side, if a player points
to a fan in the stands and says that was inappropriate,
the NBA, the officials, they move those folks are usually
taken out right. I'm not sure if the WAA is
there and there still is a learning curve. But I
one hundred percent believe I say that these women should
feel safe to compete and be protected from insanity, right,
(07:32):
And I'm not saying you don't get hickled, but there
is a line in sports, and to act like that
doesn't exist, it's just ridiculous to me.
Speaker 1 (07:38):
Well, first of all, I think I want to make
sure that we're clear, because I don't think we disagree
as much as you have thought in the past or
others have thought. I completely am aligned with you and
you're thinking I think that where we we separate to
some degree is that it's understanding it ain't gonna happen
the way we.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
Like it like. It's it's unfair and it's wrong. We
are aligned in that.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
But then I veel left from Monica or SHANEI or
anybody else when I'm saying, ladies, it ain't gonna change.
It ain't right, it's not fair, but it's not gonna change.
And oh, by the way, there's an advantage to peal
from all of this because it contributes to the elevated
popularity of the sport. So guess what, sometimes it might
be good not to really really mind. I know it's
(08:25):
hard I know this is hard to accept, but sometimes
it might not be hard.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
It might not be.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
Bad to accept the role of a pariah to some degree.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
You know why, because who's usually listened to. It's usually
the parias.
Speaker 1 (08:39):
It's usually when people are polarizing, when people can be
in your face, when people make you uncomfortable. That's who
an audience gravitates to. And what happens is that if
you have positive things for folks to peal from that,
to edify themselves, it could end up being advantageous. So
let's not get caught up in the wrong because we
know they wrong and we know they ain't gonna change.
(09:01):
Let's pay more attention to what we can peel from it.
That's where I'm coming from to that.
Speaker 4 (09:06):
You say what And I understand that I just and
I have not personally been in a game versus Clark versus.
In the end, I can tell you what my mentions
look like every time we have a conversation about it. Right,
I do understand where you are coming from, But I
just wonder. You know, last year, folks showing up to
(09:28):
team buses and team hotels Like I just my concern
is how far does this go?
Speaker 2 (09:35):
Right?
Speaker 4 (09:35):
Because for someone to heckle in the audience and cross
the line verbally or even across the line on the internet,
that's that's one step, right, But if you are that
committed to that, how many steps are you away from
really crossing the line and safety concern?
Speaker 3 (09:51):
Does that make sense here?
Speaker 1 (09:54):
You're absolutely right. As a guys, you gotta worry about
it too. And I think that for the ladies, what
I would say to you is that we need to
be significantly more concerned when men are trying to cross
the barriers and getting ladies faces as opposed to ladies
getting another ladies face. In other words, dudes gotta deal
with dudes. Ladies gotta deal with ladies. But when you
(10:15):
have punk dude that's trying to deal with the women
that way, we all need to deal with you on
that level.
Speaker 2 (10:21):
You see.
Speaker 1 (10:21):
That's how I'm looking at it. But you're absolutely right.
I can't knock you for that. Do you think that
that WNBA can end up elevating even more because of
the attention this kind of stuff might bring from a
competitive further standpoint?
Speaker 3 (10:37):
You know?
Speaker 4 (10:38):
I say, and again I am making space for multiple
emotions in my experience as the w continues to move
into the spotlight. Fair, yes, but at what costs rightly? Well,
if it's come and love the league, if Kayla becomes
your favorite player, amazing, If Angel becomes your favorite player, amazing.
(10:59):
If it's Ae Wilson, Visa Colin, if it's Brian the
Stewart amazing, amazing, amazing.
Speaker 3 (11:04):
I just I feel that the league, and we've.
Speaker 4 (11:08):
Kind of seen this in maybe missteps in conversations last season,
the league has a responsibility to all right, and I
don't know, I don't know how they navigate this idea
of a responsibility to all.
Speaker 3 (11:25):
The statements are great, right.
Speaker 4 (11:29):
I say this one, This one boggles my mind because
if we can have this conversation and then put a
button on it and then get to how great the
games were in the top three opening weekend experiences or performances, right,
that's one thing. But I think to your point, the
people that allowed us about this stuff, the.
Speaker 3 (11:46):
Conversation stops there for them.
Speaker 4 (11:47):
There is no depth in terms of appreciating the league
at large, and honestly, like outside of Kaitlyn is great,
like I mentioned to you as we started this conversation,
she's used for whatever agenda folks have, and so I
think for the for the league to really.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
Row, it's not controversial topics.
Speaker 4 (12:02):
It's been able to celebrate the beauty of the game,
and that includes Kaitlin and the Indiana Fever right, who
are gonna have a real chance to contend this year
for a title.
Speaker 3 (12:11):
So I don't know, I don't know, no doubt for
good In terms of these kind of conversations being good
for the game, Well.
Speaker 1 (12:19):
I would say to you, though, I think that when
it provokes conversation like we had this morning, when the
world gets to hear Monica McNutt and it gets to
hear SHANEO Guma, kay elaborate extensively, not just on what
the league is or what it aspires to be, and
(12:40):
how we all can serve a role in embracing the
good and alienating the insidious nonsense that don't need to.
Speaker 2 (12:48):
Be a part of the league.
Speaker 1 (12:50):
That may be the best hope that the league and
all of us from a societal perspective have in order
to make things exactly what you think they should be.
Speaker 2 (12:59):
Eminem maybe that's where the answer to this is.
Speaker 4 (13:01):
You know what, I can give you credits, But like
I said to you, also in our show, we highlighted
great performances, right, And so I'm just I think I
guess if we had to go with that being a positive,
you hope folks come at it with a willingness to
hear you. Ultimately may not agree, but I think we
have the hold space for one another's experiences, you know
(13:23):
what I mean. Like as the thing went through last year,
you know, I took the folks that felt like they
were alienated because it almost seemed like to be a
Kitlin Clark fran was a bad thing and that was
never what was said. If that is the sentiment of
some folks, that's unfortunate. But I do think again, as
much as we want to make sport about sport, and
that is beautiful, these women can shoot, dribble, rebound all
of that, we still have to acknowledge the society and
(13:46):
the existence of the beings that we're talking about, and
that will always find its way into the conversation.
Speaker 2 (13:50):
Well, I got to give you credit where credit is due.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
I think part of the solution also is people like
myself and other male commentators being a bit more deferential
to y'all when it comes to the WNBA, because damn it.
Y'all know more about it than us. Y'all know more
about the experiences than us. You damn sure know more
about being a woman than we will ever know. So
therefore all of those things come in to play. Let
me get to one two last questions for I'll let
(14:13):
you go and thank you so much for your time.
Let's get to the product on the field that was
a ninety three to fifty eight beat down.
Speaker 2 (14:21):
Is Indiana that good? On the sky that damn bad?
How about that question, Minel.
Speaker 3 (14:27):
I think it's somewhere in the middle.
Speaker 4 (14:28):
I do believe that Indiana legitimately has a chance to
be one of the last four team standing. The moves
that they made this off season. Caitlin coming in as
a rookie last year, blowing records to smithereens getting stronger
this summer. I think at one point during the game
her her arms was a trending topic because you could
see her games.
Speaker 3 (14:46):
In the gym. Indiana's gonna have a chance to compete
for real.
Speaker 4 (14:51):
I think I'm gonna give about forty percent of that
performance to opening weekend nerves. Chicago is in a position
to rebuild. Tyler Marsh is terrific he has been a
part of the Aces championship as a part of Becking
Hammond's staff. But they are figuring it out. They are
sort of in a rebuild Indiana.
Speaker 3 (15:08):
They made the moves to Stummer that needed to be made.
Speaker 4 (15:10):
They went and got a coach and Stephanie White that
has been to the w NBA Finals in the last
two seasons. They went and got the leagues. I believe
she's top three on the list. She tied Tina Thompson
in terms of all time scoring and Dewana Bonner.
Speaker 3 (15:22):
They add a Natasha Howard. They're in it. Indiana is
really really in it and so and Delanavanna only has
seven points in that game.
Speaker 4 (15:29):
I say, like she didn't even get cooking yet. So
Indiana is really in it. I think the sky are building.
I think they'll be better than what they showed in
Game one. But the guy in a different position than
the fever art for.
Speaker 2 (15:40):
Sure, and the team to beat in the w NBA
is who is it? The Liberty? Is it the Aces
coming back trying to venge? Who's it? Who is it?
Speaker 4 (15:50):
It's deliberty, deliberty Because we talk about big games this offseason,
Natasha Cloude is a big move for the already champions, right,
she won a title NBC with the Mystics. She adds
a dimension defensively that I don't know they had outside
of Benijua Laney on the wing and Benije Lane Hamilton
is actually out the season with knee injury. So yeah,
(16:11):
Natasha Cloude is a big difference maker offensively and defensively.
I would say, though, don't sleep on the Minnesota Lynx
shol Reeve has a track record every other she gets
to the finals, might lose, but comes back the next
year and wins. And they were in the finals last
year and lost. And I think Nafisa Collier has a
real shot at MVP this year as well.
Speaker 1 (16:28):
And they got they got vengeance on their mind because
they felt they were robbed last year by the Liberty
with some you know, tell I get that part as well.
Switching to the NBA before I let you get out
of here, miss radio voice color commentary, extraord color commentated,
extraorded there for MSG with Knicks games or whatever. Knickson
in the conference finals. I mean, I mean, Liberty ain't
the only one that got you know, they got a championship,
(16:49):
but the Knicks got a shot. How much of a shot, eminem,
how much of a shot do you give the Knicks
to get to.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
The finals and ultimately to win it?
Speaker 4 (16:56):
Last question, we'll say I got the Knicks getting out
of the sea in seven games.
Speaker 3 (17:03):
I've got to stay healthy.
Speaker 4 (17:06):
They've got to control the pace, and that doesn't necessarily
mean that they need to slow it down and be
io all in the half court. But then they need
to be deliberate about their opportunities to run and delibered
about their opportunities to execute quickly in the half court.
If they find themselves chasing Indiana, I don't like it.
I think Indiana is really really good. I take nothing
away from that group, Harvey's Halibur and Pascal Siakam. I
(17:27):
think Andrew Nemhart and Nie Smith don't get enough credit
in terms of their defensive versatility.
Speaker 3 (17:33):
On the wing.
Speaker 4 (17:35):
This this is gonna be a slug fest, and it's
really gonna be the battle of styles in it. So yeah,
like they're deep, they're fast. I really enjoyed the opportunities.
I've had to chat with coach Carlisle. I have one
of their games versus the Milwaukee Bucks in that series.
I don't know you can look at Cleveland, the Cleveland
series and say, all right, well they were hurt, and
(17:57):
I think that's fair, but I still don't take anything away.
Speaker 3 (18:01):
Just like the next they had.
Speaker 4 (18:02):
To make the most of the mishaps that the Celtics made.
Indiana made the most of the mishaps for the Cleveland Capitaliers,
and I don't take anything away from them.
Speaker 2 (18:10):
Emm. I appreciate you so much, thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (18:12):
I could just say thank you, but you know me,
I'm gonna do a little extra come, thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (18:19):
Thanks a lot. Take it ease. The here right I
see Sue.
Speaker 1 (18:22):
Okay, the one and only Modica McNutt in the house
right here on the stephen A.
Speaker 2 (18:26):
Smith Show.
Speaker 1 (18:27):
She's special, special talent for us. Really really appreciate her
and taking time out of busy schedule. She didn't have
to do that, so I really really thankful for She's
a great girl, great analyst by the way, doing big things.
Speaker 2 (18:36):
Proud to call a colleague.
Host
Stephen A. Smith
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