Thursday, May 13th 2010

Jay-Z Talks to Stephen A. Smith About His Friend LeBron James and His Role with the New Jersey Nets

LOS ANGELES, May 13, 2010 - Rapper and New Jersey Nets part-owner Jay-Z appeared on FOX Sports Radio's The Stephen A. Smith Show today and discussed how he thinks his friend, NBA superstar LeBron James, will rebound in tonight's elimination game in Boston. He also elaborated on his future as a minority owner of the Nets.

Below is an excerpt of host Stephen A. Smith's conversation with Jay-Z about LeBron James. To hear the interview, click here.

Stephen A. Smith: "I'm wondering right now, Jay-Z, if this man (LeBron James) and the Cleveland Cavaliers, and when you talk about the frustration that he must be feeling…I mean, forget Jay-Z for a second, you're the basketball figure, you're the guy that I've talked to for years who knows basketball. Is it teammates not stepping up, is it the head coach not doing what he's supposed to be doing, is it Boston's defense? Knowing basketball the way that you do, combined with knowing LeBron James the way that you do, what is the most frustrating element out there that some of us might not be seeing?"
Jay-Z: "I think, you know, arguing, like taking all labels, Jay-Z and Stephen A. Smith and the same way we always talk and argue anytime we see each other, the first thing I would say is never really underestimate the heart of a champion. Like, Boston just won the championship two years ago, and it was a great story for everybody to dismiss them as old and just say this is going to be an easy series. I think LeBron and the Cavs know from the beginning, because they're basketball players, they're not into, you know, media sensation. They knew this was going to be a war and a tough series. I think Boston got healthy at the right time, and the fact that a lot of them were out a lot of the year, it helped them, it kind of worked in their favor because a lot of them rested…you know, they're rested and they're healthy at the right time. And this is the champion two years, just two ago. So, it's not like a 16-seed, this is a real team, and Rondo is playing like Nate Archibald, or somebody. (Laughs) Who is this guy, man?"

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Below is the excerpt of Jay-Z's comments about his future with the Nets. To hear the interview, click here.

Stephen A. Smith: "Alright now before I let you get on out of here, Jay-Z, you have got a new Russian owner for the New Jersey Nets. Where does that put you now? Because obviously you're part-owner and you've been intimately involved with the New Jersey Nets organization. What's gonna be your role in it, because other than the New York Knicks, nobody has more money to offer in free agency than the New Jersey Nets. What's goin' on with you?"

Jay-Z: "Well, uh, yeah, I sat down with him and we had a fantastic conversation, and, you know, there were things that I wanted to really make clear, that I wanted to be like an active owner, and this is something that I really care about and it's not just a name cache for me. You know, it certainly isn't, at this specific moment, making me any money, so, you know, it's really just a thing that I love. And you know me, you know I love sports, so, you know, everybody was happy about what I was saying so it looks like I'll be taking a more active role in, you know, what's going on, and it should be fun."

Stephen A. Smith: "Now you know I'm not going to let you get out of here that way…when you say 'active,' what exactly does that mean? Does that mean you will be out there recruiting, sir?"

Jay-Z: "Um, well, I won't say that I wasn't before, but yeah, just a more active role in, you know, everything that goes on. I was already attending the board meetings, and things like that, and you know, giving my share. But, you know, it looks like the relationship is off to a flying start, and, you know, we sat down, we really clicked, and had a great conversation, and it's been good."


About Stephen A. Smith
The Stephen A. Smith Show is a cast of characters guaranteed to start the day with a bang. The program features anything and everything, including sports, news, entertainment, and in-your-face opinions from one of today's leading commentators. The show also features a star-studded lineup of guests from all walks of life. Nationally syndicated by The FOX Sports Radio Network, the program can be heard on more than 200 radio stations Monday through Friday from 6 - 9 a.m. ET. For more information, please visit www.FoxSportsRadio.com.

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