Many NBA players have made their attempt to take over the podcast space, both while still playing and after retirement. But one of the most successful instances of this has been former Los Angeles Lakers forward and Kobe Bryant teammate, Matt Barnes. He and Stephen Jackson started “All the Smoke” back in 2019 and it has become one of the biggest media ventures started by former NBA players.
The two are known for some of their controversial stances on the game today and that they refuse to shy away from arguing with one another, their guests and the general media landscape when they have a take they feel strongly about. Barnes recently spoke about which guest he is proudest of from his time hosting “All the Smoke,” and he had two very strong answers, including a purple and gold legend.
“I would obviously have to say my brother Kob’,” Barnes told Lakers Nation at the 26th annual Harold & Carole Pump Foundation celebrity dinner. “Being able to have his last interview, and my goal going into that interview was to kind of humanize him and pull down the tough Mamba Mentality to show the world Kobe Bryant. I think we did a pretty good job of that. I’ve been blessed to be in this media space and interview the best of the best. We got to sit down with Barack (Obama) about a month ago and see his new situation in Chicago. I love it. Continuing to learn more about the people I admire and showing our audience the same thing.”
Bryant appeared on “All the Smoke” on January 8, 2020, less than three weeks before he tragically passed away at the age of 41 on Jan. 26 of that year. He and Barnes butted heads, of course, but had a deep mutual respect for the way they were unafraid and battled on the court.
It makes perfect sense that Bryant would be the guest that Barnes is proudest of, as Bryant is the pinnacle of everything Barnes was hoping to achieve with the podcast, a place where former and current players can be unapologetic in their beliefs and feelings on the game of basketball and beyond.
Matt Barnes expresses support for Jeanie Buss
Barnes sided with Jeanie Buss when discussing the ongoing ownership and family drama centered around the sale of the franchise to Bob Iger and Josh Kushner.
“I love Jeanie. Absolutely love Jeanie and what she’s about,” Barnes told Lakers Nation. “Unfortunate that family drama — and I’ve had it — has to play out publicly, but I support Jeanie 100%. I think she’s done a great job of trying to continue to make the Lakers stand for what her dad wanted them to stand for. I hope she continues to stay on the management side and things go her way.”
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