In 2021, Stephen A. Smith sat across Snoop Dogg on Jimmy Kimmel Live! as they debated the use of marijuana and other recreational drugs by professional players. Snoop Dogg mentioned how pro leagues in the US such as the NBA and NFL need to relax their rules around their usage and not punish the players. As for Smith, he has long been asking athletes to “stay off the weed,” with a strict aversion to the drug. However, three years later, an interaction with the rapper and another iconic name left the ESPN analyst “high.”

The outspoken and fiery ESPN analyst, Stephen A. Smith, is usually seen deep diving into the sports arena. But this time he took a detour into the realm of hip-hop on his show with Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre. Snoop Dogg talked about his forthcoming 20th album, Missionary, and the relationship the rapper has with Dre, and even had a nickname for Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht.

Bringing up his album Snoop Dogg mentioned what he hopes to accomplish from it. “You know, it ain’t about numbers. It ain’t about nothing but the way it makes you feel. Let this record make me feel it, make me feel good.” Dr. Dre also chimed in and said, “What I’m hoping for from this album is I’m trying to impress producers and especially Engineers with the sonics.” After an entertaining conversation, Smith took to X to share the experience of having the two icons on his show and revealed that their presence led to him inadvertently ending weed prohibition.

He noted, “Yo Peeps! I have a confession to make: I’m ecstatic that both @SnoopDogg and the goat himself, @drdre sat down with me on “The Stephen A. Smith Show.” But I’m still laughing over all that smoke Snoop was blowing in my face. My Confession: Yes! I had a contact high!…and I’m still feeling it.”

Even during the show, Smith mentioned, “I might go viral with this, Snoop you know, I don’t smoke no weed.” To this, the rapper responded, “You’re getting second hand smoke right now, I’m blowing this s**t all over your face.” 

Three years ago, as a guest host for the Jimmy Kimmel Live! Smith discussed with Snoop Dogg whether it was correct for professional sports leagues to conduct tests for drugs such as weed and marijuana and punish athletes with fines and suspensions if they test positive. The rapper disagreed and gave his reason for the same.

Snoop Dogg explained, “What happens is you have these players who take these pills, and they get addicted to these pills, and it still doesn’t give them the relief that they need as far as the pain or whatever they’re going through. I push for that in sports because baseball doesn’t test for marijuana [and] hockey doesn’t test for marijuana, so it should be the same with basketball and football.”

Whether Snoop Dogg’s advocacy had a role to play or not, last year NBA removed cannabis from its list of banned substances. NBA’s decision follows the same policy implemented by MLB. The NFL and NHL test some players for cannabis use, but they no longer impose suspensions for those who test positive for it.

Meanwhile, Snoop Dogg also appeared on the “First Take” on Friday and shared his views on how the Lakers were doing following the OT win over the Phoenix Suns.

Snoop Dogg has a new nickname for Dalton Knecht

Rookie Dalton Knecht led a team-high with 35 points, seven rebounds, two steals, two blocked shots, and one assist as the Lakers prevailed 128-122 over the Phoenix Suns in OT. The No. 17 pick hit the game-tying shot at the end of regulation and had 13 of the Lakers’ 15 total points in OT. This led to praise from Snoop Dogg and being conferred with a new nickname.

The rapper said, “His new name is Westside Knecht. The Lakers are on a mission. We got everything that we need, everybody’s back. It seems like everybody is healthy. I like the pick. I like Knecht, and I like Bronny (James).” Well, to impress Snoop Dogg is quite a feat for Knecht, who will hope to carry on this momentum.

As for Stephen A Smith, since his weed prohibition has come to an end, it will be interesting to see when he gets Snoop Dogg again on his show after the rapper left him with a taste of feeling high.