Stephen A. addresses Isiah Thomas' comments & Jaylen Brown's marketability | First Take

ESPN

27 May 202413:50

Summary

TLDRIn a recent discussion on ESPN's 'First Take,' Stephen A. Smith addressed comments about NBA player Jaylen Brown's marketability, suggesting that Brown's serious demeanor and social activism might affect his popularity. This sparked reactions from Brown and former NBA player Isaiah Thomas, who defended Brown's marketability. Smith clarified his stance, emphasizing Brown's talent and positive contributions to the community, and stressed the importance of maintaining journalistic integrity without revealing sources. The conversation highlights the balance between athletes' personal brands and their social responsibilities.

Takeaways

🏀 NBA Source suggests Jaylen Brown is not well-liked due to his competitive attitude, which may affect his marketability.
🗣️ Stephen A. Smith, the host, defends Jaylen Brown's marketability and highlights his mentorship from Isaiah Thomas.
👨‍🏫 Isaiah Thomas, a mentor to Jaylen Brown, publicly supports Brown's marketability and challenges the source of the claim.
📱 Jaylen Brown responds to the comments with a simple tweet asking to 'State your source'.
🤔 Stephen A. Smith expresses disappointment that Isaiah Thomas didn't contact him privately about the issue.
🌟 Smith acknowledges Jaylen Brown as an underrated star and appreciates his talent and impact on and off the court.
🏆 Brown's recent $300 million contract and his role in the NBA Finals are mentioned as testaments to his value.
🤝 Stephen A. Smith emphasizes his positive past comments about Jaylen Brown and his commitment to fairness.
💬 The discussion touches on the broader issue of marketability versus talent and activism in sports figures.
👥 The conversation concludes with a reflection on the roles of sports journalists and the importance of maintaining professional integrity.

Q & A

What was the main point of the NBA source's message about Jaylen Brown?
-The NBA source suggested that Jaylen Brown is not so much underrated as he is not liked due to his 'I am better than you' attitude, which affects his marketability.
How did Isaiah Thomas respond to the comments about Jaylen Brown's marketability?
-Isaiah Thomas defended Jaylen Brown on Twitter, stating that he is 100% marketable and challenged the source to put their name on the comments or not speak on it.
What was Stephen A.'s reaction to the backlash from his comments on Jaylen Brown?
-Stephen A. expressed disappointment that Isaiah Thomas, a known contact, didn't reach out to him directly about the comments. He also clarified that he has always been complimentary about Jaylen Brown.
What did Stephen A. say about Jaylen Brown's performance and attitude on the court?
-Stephen A. praised Jaylen Brown as one of the most underrated stars in the game, highlighting his talent, seriousness, and lack of tolerance for foolishness during games.
How did Stephen A. address the issue of marketability in relation to Jaylen Brown's social consciousness?
-Stephen A. acknowledged that being socially conscientious and speaking up for others can sometimes make a player less marketable, as people may hold it against them.
What was the context of Stephen A.'s comments about Jaylen Brown being played on social media?
-Stephen A. criticized the way social media clips his comments out of context, and he asked for the full segment to be played to provide the proper context.
What is Stephen A.'s stance on revealing sources in his line of work?
-Stephen A. is adamant about not revealing his sources, stating that doing so would jeopardize his career and the trust he has built with those in the NBA.
How did Stephen A. describe his relationship with Isaiah Thomas and the issue of communication?
-Stephen A. mentioned that Isaiah Thomas is like a big brother to him and expressed disappointment that Thomas didn't call him directly about the issue instead of addressing it on social media.
What is Stephen A.'s view on the importance of doing his job as a sports reporter?
-Stephen A. emphasized the importance of doing his job professionally and fairly, stating that he will continue to report and comment on sports without fear of making enemies.
How did Shannon Sharpe respond to Stephen A.'s comments and the situation?
-Shannon Sharpe agreed with Stephen A.'s stance on not revealing sources and acknowledged that being a great player doesn't necessarily equate to being marketable.
What did Stephen A. say about his approach to his job and potential disagreements with others?
-Stephen A. stated that he doesn't aim to make enemies and doesn't hate anyone, but he will continue to do his job regardless of what others may say about it.

Outlines

00:00

🏀 Controversy Over Jaylen Brown's Marketability

Stephen A. discusses the marketability of NBA player Jaylen Brown, addressing comments made by an NBA source suggesting that Brown's perceived arrogance and attitude may affect his likability and marketability. Stephen A. also mentions his own high regard for Brown, both as a player and as a socially conscious individual. The conversation includes reactions from Isaiah Thomas, who defends Brown's marketability and criticizes the unnamed source, and from Brown himself, who challenges the validity of the source with the phrase 'State your source'. Stephen A. emphasizes the importance of context in social media discussions and clarifies his own positive views on Brown's talent and contributions to the NBA and society.

05:01

🗣️ The Role of Activism and Marketability in Sports

The conversation continues with a deeper dive into the potential impact of social activism on an athlete's marketability. Stephen A. argues that being socially conscious and taking a stand can sometimes lead to a negative perception among the public, which might affect an athlete's marketability. He acknowledges the good work done by Isaiah Thomas in increasing diversity in the media and questions why Thomas didn't understand his point of view. Stephen A. also defends his professional integrity, stating that he has sources throughout the NBA and that he must maintain their confidentiality to preserve his journalistic credibility. He stresses the importance of doing his job as a sports analyst without bias and not letting personal relationships interfere with his professional duties.

10:02

🎙️ Media Responsibility and the Impact of Public Opinion

Stephen A. reflects on the responsibility of media professionals, particularly when it comes to revealing sources and maintaining relationships with athletes. He argues that revealing a source would jeopardize his career in sports journalism. The discussion also touches on the importance of presenting balanced views and not simply agreeing with popular opinions. Stephen A. emphasizes that having a job in television means providing honest opinions, which may not always align with those of the audience or fellow commentators. He also addresses the changing culture of the industry, where public opinion and social media reactions can influence how stories are covered and perceived.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Underrated

The term 'underrated' refers to someone or something that is not given as much recognition or praise as they deserve. In the context of the video, it is suggested that Jaylen Brown may not be as well-liked or recognized as he should be due to his perceived attitude. This is a central theme as it discusses the potential reasons behind Brown's marketability and public perception.

💡Marketability

Marketability pertains to the ability of a product, in this case, an NBA player, to be promoted and sold in the marketplace. The script discusses Jaylen Brown's marketability, suggesting that his attitude might affect how he is perceived by the public and sponsors, which is a key point in the conversation about his public image and career.

💡Attitude

Attitude in this context refers to Jaylen Brown's demeanor or the way he carries himself, particularly his 'I am better than you' demeanor as mentioned in the script. This attitude is suggested as a possible reason for his perceived lack of likability and marketability, which is a significant aspect of the discussion around his public persona.

💡Social Media

Social media is a collective term for websites and applications which focus on communication, community-based input, interaction, content-sharing and collaboration. The script mentions social media in relation to how clips from Stephen A.'s show 'First Take' are shared and interpreted online, highlighting the role of social media in shaping public discourse and reactions.

💡Mentor

A mentor is someone who imparts wisdom, knowledge, or guidance to others. In the script, Isaiah Thomas identifies himself as a mentor, friend, and advisor to Jaylen Brown, emphasizing the personal connection and support he provides, which is relevant to the discussion of Brown's character and development.

💡Conscientious

Conscientious describes someone who is diligent, careful, and thorough. The script uses this term to describe Jaylen Brown's approach to social issues and his commitment to activism, suggesting that his dedication to these causes might impact his marketability but is a positive aspect of his character.

💡Activism

Activism refers to the policy of taking direct vigorous action to bring about political or social change. The script highlights Jaylen Brown's involvement in social justice movements and his activism, which is portrayed as a key part of his identity and potentially a factor in his marketability.

💡Philanthropy

Philanthropy is the desire to promote the welfare of others, expressed especially by the generous donation of money to good causes. The script mentions Jaylen Brown's philanthropic efforts within the community, which is used to illustrate his positive contributions off the court.

💡Source

In journalism, a source is a person or document that provides information for a news story. The script discusses the importance of sources in reporting, with Stephen A. defending the anonymity of his sources and the integrity of his reporting, which is central to the debate about journalistic ethics and responsibility.

💡Professionalism

Professionalism refers to the conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person. Stephen A. emphasizes his professionalism in the script, stating that he will continue to do his job to the best of his ability, regardless of personal relationships or backlash, which underscores the theme of journalistic integrity and commitment to one's work.

Highlights

NBA source suggests Jaylen Brown is not well-liked due to his 'I am better than you' attitude, affecting his marketability.

Stephen A. Smith's comments on Jaylen Brown's marketability garner attention on social media.

Hall of Famer Isaiah Thomas defends Jaylen Brown's marketability, challenging the source of the comments.

Jaylen Brown responds to the comments with a simple 'State your source' on Twitter.

Stephen A. Smith expresses disappointment in Isaiah Thomas for not reaching out to him directly about the comments.

Smith clarifies his position on Jaylen Brown, stating he finds him to be one of the most underrated stars in the NBA.

Smith emphasizes Brown's talent, performance in the NBA Finals, and his intolerance for foolishness.

Discussion on the historical context and expectations of playing for the Boston Celtics.

Smith shares his admiration for Brown's social consciousness and activism.

Smith explains that being socially conscientious can sometimes hinder marketability.

Isaiah Thomas's past as an activist and his contributions to NBA diversity are acknowledged.

Smith stresses the importance of maintaining professional integrity and not revealing sources.

Shannon Sharpe emphasizes the importance of not revealing sources in sports journalism.

Sharpe discusses the balance between being marketable and taking a stand on social issues.

Smith and Sharpe agree on the importance of doing their job as sports analysts without personal bias.

Smith reflects on his career, stating he has never betrayed a source and has always done his job professionally.

Smith expresses his desire not to make enemies and to maintain a fair and humane approach to his work.