All The Smoke

The Black Effect Presents... All The Smoke!

The Game returns to All The Smoke for a wide-open conversation about everything happening in hip-hop and basketball. Compton rapper The Game responds to his controversial Kendrick Lamar comments, gives his thoughts on Drake, breaks down J. Cole's new album, and explains why LaRussell is beyond criticism. On the NBA side, we discuss the LeBron James & Luka Doncic Lakers, Alijah Arenas'...

Taj Gibson just signed a two-year deal with the Memphis Grizzlies at 40 years old, and he's pulling up to All The Smoke Unplugged with Matt Barnes to break it all down. From the emotional phone call that brought him back to the NBA, to untold stories from the Derrick Rose-era Chicago Bulls, Taj holds nothing back. He reveals what D-Rose was REALLY like in practice (spoiler: he was NOT quiet), shares wild stories about Joakim Noah, ...

Basketball history has had only a handful of true faces of the league and we were lucky to sit down with one of them during NBA All-Star Weekend: Julius “Dr. J” Erving. Matt and Stak talk with Dr. J about everything from his legendary runs at Rucker Park to the high-flying, flashy style of the ABA, plus his heated rivalry with Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics. Along the way, we share plenty of laughs, including the ins...

Chris Paul deserved better.

On this episode of ALL THE SMOKE Unplugged, we break down why the Clippers’ handling of CP3’s exit still doesn’t sit right, and how it impacts his legacy as one of the greatest point guards of his era. We also get into:

• Jaylen Brown getting disrespected AGAIN... this time by Beverly Hills PD

• Team USA 2028 roster projections Who’s a lock? Who’s getting snubbed?

...

Last year's NBA All-Star Weekend gave us one of our most iconic moments: the Vernon Maxwell episode. Not only does it stand as one of our funniest and most-watched episodes of all time, but it also brought Mad Max into the ALL THE SMOKE family as a permanent part of the show. So naturally, we had to run it back with this year's live show at The Lighthouse Campus in Venice.

We caught up with Max to talk about how his life has change...

Over the years, we’ve sat down with hip-hop legends who’ve shared untold stories that shaped the culture forever. This compilation brings together 20 of the most jaw-dropping moments from ALL THE SMOKE that you need to hear.

Stories like Fat Joe helping get Biggie his first concert while navigating tension with Tupac. Snoop Dogg speaking on a near death experience with Big Boy. The D.O.C’s career changing accident...

NBA FIGHT NIGHT on ALL THE SMOKE

Matt Barnes, Stephen Jackson, and Vernon “Mad Max” Maxwell break down the wild Hornets–Pistons scuffle that saw Isaiah Stewart SNAP off the bench and charge the floor. The guys give their unfiltered take on what went down, whether the trip was intentional, and how many games Stewart should (and will) get suspended.

The crew also debates what it means when teammates “duck the ...

Patriots legend and 3x Super Bowl champion Willie McGinest joins Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson for an unforgettable conversation spanning NFL dynasties, West Coast culture, and untold locker room stories.

Willie reveals the REAL reason Bill Belichick chose Tom Brady over $100 million man Drew Bledsoe—including Belichick's "cold speech" to the team that shocked everyone. He breaks down what made the Patriots different, and s...

Super Bowl Champion Keyshawn Johnson joins Matt Barnes on All The Smoke Unplugged to share the untold story of how he found out Fox Sports fired everyone, and what really happened behind the scenes at FS1.

The former #1 overall NFL Draft pick breaks down his Super Bowl XXXVII experience with the Buccaneers, shares hilarious stories about Jon Gruden, and reveals how Bill Parcells "saved him from working at UPS."

Plus, he gives his p...

Melvin Gregg's journey from Vine star to Hollywood actor has given creators the blueprint for turning social media fame into a thriving career. Best known for his breakout role as Manboy on Snowfall, Gregg opens up about the financial sacrifices he made while on the show and shares behind-the-scenes stories about working with the legendary John Singleton. He also breaks down the difference between social media fame and acting fame,...

Mad Max is back and he's not holding back.

 Max unleashes on the Bucks' disrespectful treatment of Giannis, shares hilarious behind-the-scenes stories about Chris Webber crashing at his spot in Sacramento, and breaking down why the Kings franchise continues to disappoint Matt's hometown.

Then, NFL legend Jake Plummer and former Broncos WR Nate Jackson join to discuss the Patriots' Super Bowl run, the 49ers' bizarre injury epid...

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 viole...

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...

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 inju...

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 polit...

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...

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 infam...

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...