Stephen A. Smith Says This About Michael Jordan’s NBC Role

Stephen A. Smith believes Michael Jordan will bring his trademark candor to NBC’s NBA coverage when he joins as a special contributor later this year.

Speaking on the PBD Podcast, Smith expressed confidence that Jordan won’t hold back his opinions, likening the forthcoming on-air version to the brutally honest persona seen in The Last Dance documentary. Smith, who speaks to Jordan regularly, emphasized that while Jordan won’t aim to offend, he will speak truthfully and unapologetically about basketball.

“Let me tell you something about Michael Jordan: He’s going to be brutally honest. I can assure you that,” Smith said. “He’s not going to be somebody who’s going to be passive. … The Michael Jordan I know, when talking basketball, he is as candid as it gets. He ain’t trying to hurt nobody’s feelings. He ain’t trying to be insulting, but he’s going to tell you what’s going on.”

According to Smith, Jordan’s involvement is particularly noteworthy because, as a billionaire and the face of a global brand, he doesn’t need the job financially. Smith said he encouraged Jordan to share his insights more publicly, pointing out that he already discusses the game privately with passion and depth. Jordan even calls Smith to challenge some of his on-air takes, although not with the intensity of the late Kobe Bryant.

Smith firmly believes that fans will see the real Jordan, and if not, Smith jokingly vowed to hold him accountable. “As a matter of fact, if he is, he’s going to have to deal with me because I’m going to be in his ear telling him, ‘You’re getting shy now. That’s what we’re doing? That ain’t the MJ I know!’”