Stephen A. Smith Asks NBC Viewers To Brace Themselves Over ‘Cigar-Toting’ Michael Jordan

Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan will be a special contributor for NBC and Peacock starting from the next NBA season.

Stephen A. Smith Asks NBC Viewers To Brace Themselves Over ‘Cigar-Toting’ Michael Jordan

Stephen A. Smith wants NBC to allow the cigar version of Michael Jordan on TV (Image via FirstSportz)

It has been more than two decades since Michael Jordan stopped playing basketball. His last stint with the Washington Wizards was a means to team ownership. However, that did not work out, and he then set out to become the owner of his hometown Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets.

But he exited that ownership in 2023, which helped him rake in $3 billion. With more than 10 times the amount in his bank account, the NBA’s GOAT set about living his life. The basketball world would not get a direct sound bite from him unless he appeared at a particular event.

But most of the time, he stayed away, speaking only via video. He even missed the Chicago Bulls’ ring of honor and also missed the jersey retirement ceremony of longtime friend and hockey legend Chris Chelios due to a family commitment.

But now, the legend is set to return to NBA duties after inking a deal with NBC as a special contributor starting this upcoming season. This news sent the basketball world into a frenzy, and one of his close associates, Stephen A. Smith, had to talk about this on First Take.

I just wanna know, is it gonna be the Michael Jordan you see on television? Or is it gonna be the Michael Jordan we speak to? Because if it’s the Michael Jordan we speak to, it’s gonna be epic. Lord, have mercy. When he got that cigar in his mouth, it’s a different cat. NBC, let him have his cigar.

Stephen A. Smith said

The ESPN analyst did not care if his words were hyping up a rival network. He believes this will be a groundbreaking situation for both NBC as well as the NBA. Smith believes that when Jordan speaks, it is different than what others say.

Gilbert Arenas believes Michael Jordan’s words on TV will place current media vets in a bad light

Everyone associated with basketball was excited to hear this news. Ever since he retired, fans and media analysts have been trying to find the next Michael Jordan or compare players to him. Now the GOAT himself will analyze players and teams.

We are about to see a lot of media twerk. Oh, they’re gonna be twerking. MJ is not a hater. So think about all of MJ’s minions that just stans for MJ. He’s gonna talk regular a** basketball. He’s gonna talk about how great Ant-Man, and Shai, and all these guys are, and it’s gonna go against the minions, and they’re gonna have to twerk backwards.

Gilbert Arenas said

Gilbert Arenas said this while on his podcast, suggesting that when Michael Jordan comes out and praises a player the media have been hating on for a while, it is going to make them look bad. To counter it, the three-time All-Star believes those same media members will switch tracks and agree with Jordan.

He does not believe any current media member will go out arguing with the 6-time champion. Especially when they want to be in his good books. That is where Gilbert Arenas believes the NBA media will change.

Jordan can force NBA media partners to change

Gilbert Arenas reiterated that Michael Jordan is not a hater. He does not believe the Chicago Bulls legend will come on TV and criticize players, even though they are not up to the standards he and his era set. Arenas also believes this lack of criticism will force the NBA’s media partners to change their methods.

Gilbert Arenas believes current media members will look bad in front of Michael Jordan
Gilbert Arenas believes current media members will look bad in front of Michael Jordan (Image via Open Source/X)

Commissioner Adam Silver has talked about the relentless criticism that is prevalent among all of the NBA’s media partners. He wishes they were supportive, like how they are when covering other sporting leagues.

Therefore, there is a way that Jordan can force a change that the league desperately needs. When the best player in its history does not bring up criticisms, other media partners will look to match those narratives. Otherwise, they will be looked at as people who think they know better than the GOAT.

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